Channel stitching for cell-based radio frequency sensing

Abstract

Techniques are provided for performing channel stitching for cellular-based radio frequency (RF) sensing. An example method of determining distance information using joint communication and sensing includes receiving assistance data for joint communication and sensing operations, wherein the assistance data includes hybrid parameter set information indicating at least a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing; receiving a communication symbol using the first subcarrier interval and a radio frequency sensing symbol using the second subcarrier interval to perform a joint communication and sensing operation; performing one or more channel stitching operations based on the received radio frequency sensing symbols; and determining distance information based at least in part on the one or more channel stitching operations.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application No. 17 / 896,331, filed on August 26, 2022, entitled “CHANNEL STITCHING FOR CELLULARBASED RADIO FREQUENCY SENSING,” which application is assigned to the assignee of this application, and the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Background Art

[0003] Wireless communication systems have evolved over many generations, including first generation analog wireless telephone service (1G), second generation (2G) digital wireless telephone service (including transitional 2.5G and 2.75G networks), third generation (3G) high speed data, wireless service with Internet capabilities, and fourth generation (4G) service (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) or WiMax). There are many different types of wireless communication systems in use today, including cellular systems and personal communications service (PCS) systems. Examples of known cellular systems include the cellular analog Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS), and digital cellular systems based on code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), and the like.

[0004] The fifth generation (5G) wireless standard, known as New Radio (NR), calls for higher data transfer speeds, a greater number of connections, and better coverage, among other improvements. According to the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance, the 5G standard is designed to provide data rates of tens of megabits per second to each of tens of thousands of users, with 1 gigabit per second provided to dozens of workers on an office floor. To support large sensor deployments, hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections should be supported. Therefore, the spectral efficiency of 5G mobile communications should be significantly improved compared to the current 4G standard. In addition, signaling efficiency should be improved and latency should be significantly reduced compared to the current standard.

[0005] 5G enables the use of mmW RF signals for wireless communications between network nodes such as base stations, user equipment (UE), vehicles, factory automation machinery, etc. However, mmW RF signals can also be used for other purposes. For example, mmW RF signals can be used in weapon systems (e.g., as short-range fire control radars in tanks and aircraft), security screening systems (e.g., in scanners that detect weapons and other dangerous items carried under clothing), medicine (e.g., treating diseases by altering cell growth), etc. Summary of the invention

[0006] An example method for determining distance information using joint communication and sensing according to the present disclosure includes: receiving auxiliary data for joint communication and sensing operations, wherein the auxiliary data includes hybrid parameter set information indicating at least a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing; performing the joint communication and sensing operation by receiving communication symbols using the first subcarrier spacing and receiving radio frequency sensing symbols using the second subcarrier spacing; performing one or more channel stitching operations based on the received radio frequency sensing symbols; and determining the distance information based at least in part on the one or more channel stitching operations.

[0007] An example method for receiving distance information from a mobile device based on joint communication and sensing according to the present disclosure includes: providing auxiliary data for joint communication and sensing operations to the mobile device, wherein the auxiliary data includes mixed parameter set information indicating at least a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing; transmitting symbols for the joint communication and sensing operations using the first subcarrier spacing for communication symbols and the second subcarrier spacing for radio frequency sensing symbols; and receiving distance information from the mobile device based at least in part on multiple radio frequency sensing symbols transmitted using the second subcarrier spacing.

[0008] An example apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a memory, at least one transceiver, and at least one processor, the at least one processor being communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, and configured to: receive auxiliary data for joint communication and sensing operations, wherein the auxiliary data includes hybrid parameter set information indicating at least a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing; perform joint communication and sensing operations by receiving communication symbols using the first subcarrier spacing and receiving radio frequency sensing symbols using the second subcarrier spacing; perform one or more channel stitching operations based on the received radio frequency sensing symbols; and determine distance information based at least in part on the one or more channel stitching operations.

[0009] An example apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a memory, at least one transceiver, and at least one processor, the at least one processor being communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, and configured to: provide auxiliary data for joint communication and sensing operations to a mobile device, wherein the auxiliary data includes hybrid parameter set information indicating at least a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing; transmit symbols for joint communication and sensing operations using a first subcarrier spacing for communication symbols and a second subcarrier spacing for radio frequency sensing symbols; and receive distance information from the mobile device based at least in part on a plurality of radio frequency sensing symbols transmitted using the second subcarrier spacing.

[0010] The items and / or technologies described herein may provide one or more of the following capabilities and other capabilities not mentioned. A wireless node may be able to send and / or receive a radio frequency (RF) sensing signal. A wireless node may use the same receiver for both communication and RF sensing operations. The RF sensing signal may be based on a reference signal waveform and may utilize an increased bandwidth compared to other communication signals. A joint communication and sensing (JCS) operation may utilize a hybrid parameter set with multiple subcarrier spacings (SCS). A first SCS may be used to send and receive communication and data payloads. A second SCS greater than the first SCS may be used for RF sensing symbols. Channel splicing may be used for RF sensing symbols to increase the accuracy of distance estimation. Assistance data including hybrid parameter set configuration information may be provided to a mobile device via over-the-air messaging. Tuning gaps may be used to enable legacy mobile devices to re-tune based on RF sensing symbols. Intra-symbol multiplexing may be used to increase the number of stations that send and receive RF sensing symbols. The accuracy of distance estimation may be increased. The delay associated with determining the distance to a target may be reduced. Other capabilities may be provided, and not every specific implementation according to the present disclosure necessarily provides any of the capabilities discussed, let alone all of them. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings are presented to aid in describing examples of one or more aspects of the disclosed subject matter and are provided solely for the purpose of illustrating the examples and not limiting thereof.

[0012] Figure 1 An example wireless communication system is illustrated.

[0013] Figure 2A and Figure 2B An example wireless network structure is illustrated.

[0014] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C is a simplified block diagram of several sample components that may be employed in a wireless communication node and configured to support communications.

[0015] Figure 4A An example monostatic radar system is illustrated.

[0016] Figure 4B An example bistatic radar system is illustrated.

[0017] Figure 5 is an example graph illustrating radio frequency (RF) channel response over time.

[0018] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B Example reference signal resources are illustrated.

[0019] Figure 7 is an illustration of an example subframe format for positioning reference signal transmission.

[0020] Figure 8 is a diagram of an example coherent channel stitching procedure for positioning signal measurements.

[0021] Fig. 9 is a diagram of example frequency domain parameter sets including different subcarrier spacings (SCS) and associated time slots and symbols.

[0022] Fig.10 is a first example hybrid parameter set for joint communication and sensing.

[0023] Fig.11A Example OFDM symbols for radio frequency sensing operations utilizing a single subcarrier spacing are illustrated.

[0024] Fig. 11B Example OFDM symbols for joint communication and sensing operations utilizing multiple subcarrier spacing values ​​are illustrated.

[0025] Fig. 11C is based on Fig. 11B Illustration of an example channel stitching for joint communication and sensing.

[0026] FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C is a diagram illustrating an example of intra-symbol multiplexing of a radio frequency sensing reference signal.

[0027] Fig.13 is a diagram of an example of a tuning gap for joint communication and sensing operations.

[0028] Fig.14 is a second example hybrid parameter set for joint communication and sensing.

[0029] Fig.15 is an example message flow diagram for providing radio frequency sensing configuration information.

[0030] Fig.16 is an example process flow diagram of a method for determining distance information using joint communication and sensing.

[0031] Fig.17 is an example process flow diagram of a method for receiving distance information from a mobile device based on joint communication and sensing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Provided herein are techniques for performing channel stitching for cellular-based radio frequency (RF) sensing. Generally speaking, RF sensing can be viewed as a consumer-grade radar with advanced detection capabilities. For example, RF sensing can be used for applications such as health monitoring (e.g., heartbeat detection, respiratory rate monitoring, etc.), gesture recognition (e.g., human activity recognition, keystroke detection, sign language recognition), contextual information acquisition (e.g., location detection / tracking, direction finding, distance estimation), automotive radar (e.g., smart cruise control, collision avoidance), etc. In one example, mmW RF signals such as 3GPP NR FR2 / FR2x / FR4 are particularly suitable for distance detection applications. Due to increased bandwidth allocations for cellular communication systems (e.g., 5G and above) and the development of more use cases for cellular communications, the ability to combine communication and RF sensing applications may be a requirement for future cellular systems. The systems and methods herein utilize a hybrid parameter set that enables mobile devices to increase the accuracy of RF sensing operations through channel stitching.

[0033] In one example, an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) waveform may be used for joint communication and RF sensing use cases (e.g., joint communication and sensing). OFDM may be used to implement in-band multiplexing between communication channels and other cellular reference signals and physical layer (PHY) channels. In general, the resolution of distance estimation in RF sensing depends on the signal bandwidth. A communication network may include a base station (e.g., a gNB) capable of sending and receiving symbols that occupy a relatively large bandwidth compared to the capabilities of mobile devices in the network. For example, the bandwidth utilized by a base station (e.g., a system bandwidth) may be 400MHz, while the maximum bandwidth supported by an advanced UE may be approximately 100MHz. Other mobile devices may be able to utilize even smaller bandwidths. For example, a UE with reduced functionality (e.g., a Redcap UE) may be able to support bandwidths in the range of 5MHz to 20MHz. The technology provided herein utilizes channel splicing, enabling mobile devices to utilize a larger portion of the system bandwidth, and thus increasing the accuracy of RF sensing distance measurements.

[0034] In one example, a hybrid parameter set signaling scheme may be implemented as channel splicing and reduce potential phase migration issues associated with mobile target range estimation. Specifically, legacy channel splicing solutions may utilize frequency hopping across symbols / time slots, which may create phase migration issues for high mobility targets. The techniques discussed herein provide technical improvements to joint communication and sensing operations by reducing the time between obtaining RF sensing tones and thus reducing phase migration between tones. These techniques and configurations are examples, and other techniques and configurations may be used.

[0035] Various aspects of the present disclosure are provided in the following description and related drawings for various examples provided for illustrative purposes. Alternative aspects may be designed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, well-known elements of the present disclosure will not be described in detail or will be omitted to avoid making the relevant details of the present disclosure difficult to understand.

[0036] The words "exemplary" and / or "example" are used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" and / or "example" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or superior to other aspects. Likewise, the term "aspects of the disclosure" does not require that all aspects of the disclosure include the discussed feature, advantage, or mode of operation.

[0037] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any of a variety of different techniques and methods may be used to represent the information and signals described below. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be mentioned throughout the following description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof, which depends in part on the specific application, in part on the desired design, in part on the corresponding technology, and so on.

[0038] In addition, many aspects are described in terms of a sequence of actions to be performed by, for example, an element of a computing device. It should be understood that the various actions described herein may be performed by a specific circuit (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), by a program instruction executed by one or more processors, or by a combination of the two. Additionally, the sequence of actions described herein may be considered to be fully embodied in any form of non-transient computer-readable storage medium, in which a corresponding computer instruction set is stored, which, when executed, will cause or command the associated processor of the device to perform the functionality described herein. Therefore, various aspects of the present disclosure may be embodied in a variety of different forms, all of which have been contemplated to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. In addition, for each of the various aspects described herein, the corresponding form of any such aspect may be described herein as, for example, "a logical component configured to perform the described action".

[0039] As used herein, the terms "user equipment" (UE) and "base station" (BS) are not intended to be dedicated to or otherwise limited to any particular radio access technology (RAT), unless otherwise specified. Generally speaking, a UE can be any wireless communication device (e.g., a mobile phone, a router, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a tracking device, a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch, glasses, augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) headsets, etc.), a vehicle (e.g., a car, a motorcycle, a bicycle, etc.), an Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.) used by a user to communicate over a wireless communication network. A UE can be mobile or can be stationary (e.g., at certain times) and can communicate with a radio access network (RAN). As used herein, the term "UE" can be interchangeably referred to as an "access terminal" or "AT", "client device", "wireless device", "subscriber equipment", "subscriber terminal", "subscriber station", "user terminal" or UT, "mobile device", "mobile terminal", "mobile station" or variations thereof. Generally speaking, a UE can communicate with a core network via a RAN, and through the core network, the UE can connect to external networks such as the Internet and other UEs. Of course, other mechanisms for connecting to the core network and / or the Internet are also possible for the UE, such as through a wired access network, a wireless local area network (WLAN) network (eg, based on IEEE 802.11, etc.), and so on.

[0040] A base station may operate according to one of several RATs to communicate with a UE, depending on the network in which the base station is deployed, and may alternatively be referred to as an access point (AP), a network node, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNB), a next generation eNB (ng-eNB), a new radio (NR) Node B (also referred to as a gNB or gNodeB), etc. A base station may be primarily used to support wireless access for UEs, including supporting data, voice, and / or signaling connections for supported UEs. In some systems, a base station may provide only edge node signaling functions, while in other systems, a base station may provide additional control and / or network management functions. The communication link by which a UE may transmit a signal to a base station is referred to as an uplink (UL) channel (e.g., a reverse traffic channel, a reverse control channel, an access channel, etc.). The communication link by which a base station may transmit a signal to a UE is referred to as a downlink (DL) or forward link channel (e.g., a paging channel, a control channel, a broadcast channel, a forward traffic channel, etc.). As used herein, the term "traffic channel (TCH)" may refer to an uplink / reverse traffic channel or a downlink / forward traffic channel.

[0041] The term "base station" may refer to a single physical transmit receive point (TRP) or multiple physical TRPs that may or may not be co-located. For example, where the term "base station" refers to a single physical TRP, the physical TRP may be an antenna of the base station corresponding to the cell (or several cell sectors) of the base station. Where the term "base station" refers to multiple co-located physical TRPs, the physical TRP may be an antenna array of the base station (e.g., as in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system or where the base station employs beamforming). Where the term "base station" refers to multiple non-co-located physical TRPs, the physical TRP may be a distributed antenna system (DAS) (a network of spatially separated antennas connected to a common source via a transmission medium) or a remote radio head (RRH) (a remote base station connected to a serving base station). Alternatively, the non-co-located physical TRPs may be a serving base station that receives measurement reports from a UE and a neighbor base station whose reference RF signal (or "reference signal" for short) the UE is measuring. Because as used herein, a TRP is the point through which a base station transmits and receives wireless signals, references to transmitting from or receiving at a base station should be understood to refer to the specific TRP of a base station.

[0042] In some implementations of supporting UE positioning, a base station may not support wireless access for a UE (e.g., may not support data, voice, and / or signaling connections for the UE), but may instead send a reference signal to be measured by the UE and / or may receive and measure a signal sent by the UE. Such a base station may be referred to as a positioning tower (e.g., in the case of sending a signal to the UE) and / or as a position measurement unit (e.g., in the case of receiving and measuring a signal from the UE).

[0043] An "RF signal" includes an electromagnetic wave of a given frequency that transmits information through the space between a transmitter and a receiver. As used herein, a transmitter may transmit a single "RF signal" or multiple "RF signals" to a receiver. However, due to the propagation characteristics of RF signals through multipath channels, a receiver may receive multiple "RF signals" corresponding to each transmitted RF signal. The same transmitted RF signal on different paths between a transmitter and a receiver may be referred to as a "multipath" RF signal. As used herein, an RF signal may also be referred to as a "wireless signal" or simply a "signal" where it is clear from the context that the term "signal" refers to a wireless signal or an RF signal.

[0044] refer to Figure 1, an example wireless communication network 100 is shown. The wireless communication system 100 (which may also be referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) may include various base stations 102 and various UEs 104. The base stations 102 may include macro cell base stations (high power cellular base stations) and / or small cell base stations (low power cellular base stations). In one aspect, the macro cell base stations may include eNBs and / or ng-eNBs (where the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an LTE network) or gNBs (where the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an NR network) or a combination of both, and the small cell base stations may include femto cells, pico cells, micro cells, etc.

[0045] The base stations 102 may collectively form a RAN and interface with a core network 170 (e.g., an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC)) through a backhaul link 122, and interface to one or more location servers 172 (which may be part of the core network 170 or may be external to the core network 170) through the core network 170. Among other functions, the base stations 102 may perform functions related to one or more of the following: delivering user data, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection establishment and release, load balancing, distribution of non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, RAN sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and equipment tracking, RAN information management (RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of warning messages. The base stations 102 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., through EPC / 5GC) over a backhaul link 134, which may be wired or wireless.

[0046] Base station 102 can communicate wirelessly with UE 104. Each of base stations 102 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 110. In one aspect, one or more cells can be supported by base station 102 in each geographic coverage area 110. A "cell" is a logical communication entity used to communicate with a base station (e.g., on a certain frequency resource, referred to as a carrier frequency, component carrier, carrier, frequency band, etc.), and can be associated with an identifier (e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCI), a virtual cell identifier (VCI), a cell global identifier (CGI)) to distinguish cells operating via the same or different carrier frequencies. In some cases, different cells can be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., machine type communication (MTC), narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) or other protocol types) that can provide access to different types of UEs. Since a cell is supported by a specific base station, the term "cell" can refer to either or both of a logical communication entity and a base station supporting the logical communication entity, depending on the context. In addition, since a TRP is typically a physical transmission point of a cell, the terms "cell" and "TRP" can be used interchangeably. In some cases, the term "cell" may also refer to a geographic coverage area (eg, a sector) of a base station, as long as a carrier frequency can be detected and used for communications within some portion of the geographic coverage area 110.

[0047] Although the geographic coverage areas 110 of neighboring macrocell base stations 102 may partially overlap (e.g., in a handover area), some areas of the geographic coverage areas 110 may substantially overlap with the larger geographic coverage area 110. For example, a small cell base station 102' may have a geographic coverage area 110' that substantially overlaps with the geographic coverage areas 110 of one or more macrocell base stations 102. A network that includes both small cell base stations and macrocell base stations may be referred to as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include a home eNB (HeNB), which may provide services to a restricted group referred to as a closed subscriber group (CSG).

[0048] The communication link 120 between the base station 102 and the UE 104 may include uplink (also known as reverse link) transmissions from the UE 104 to the base station 102 and / or downlink (also known as forward link) transmissions from the base station 102 to the UE 104. The communication link 120 may use MIMO antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication link 120 may be over one or more carrier frequencies. The allocation of carriers may be asymmetric for the downlink and uplink (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated to the downlink than to the uplink).

[0049] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a WLAN access point (AP) 150 that communicates with a wireless local area network (WLAN) station (STA) 152 in an unlicensed spectrum (e.g., 5 GHz) via a communication link 154. When communicating in the unlicensed spectrum, the WLAN STA 152 and / or the WLAN AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) or listen before talk (LBT) procedure prior to communication to determine whether a channel is available.

[0050] The small cell base station 102' can operate in licensed and / or unlicensed spectrum. When operating in the unlicensed spectrum, the small cell base station 102' can adopt LTE or NR technology and use the same 5GHz unlicensed spectrum used by the WLAN AP 150. The small cell base station 102' adopting LTE / 5G in the unlicensed spectrum can improve the coverage of the access network and / or increase the capacity of the access network. NR in the unlicensed spectrum can be referred to as NR-U. LTE in the unlicensed spectrum can be referred to as LTE-U, License Assisted Access (LAA) or MulteFire.

[0051] The wireless communication system 100 may further include a millimeter wave (mmW) base station 180, which can operate in mmW frequencies and / or near mmW frequencies to communicate with UE 182. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is part of RF in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz, and a wavelength between 1 mm and 10 mm. The radio waves in this band can be called millimeter waves. Near mmW can be extended down to a frequency of 3 GHz, and the wavelength is 100 mm. The super high frequency (SHF) band extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz, which is also called centimeter waves. Communication using mmW / near mmW radio frequency bands has high path loss and relatively short distances. The mmW base station 180 and the UE 182 can utilize beamforming (transmitting and / or receiving) on ​​the mmW communication link 184 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short distance. In addition, it should be understood that in an alternative configuration, one or more base stations 102 can also use mmW or near mmW and beamforming to send. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing illustrations are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting the various aspects disclosed herein.

[0052] Transmit beamforming is a technique for focusing an RF signal in a specific direction. Traditionally, when a network node (e.g., a base station) broadcasts an RF signal, it broadcasts the signal in all directions (omnidirectionally). With transmit beamforming, the network node determines where a given target device (e.g., a UE) is located (relative to the transmitting network node), and projects a stronger downlink RF signal in that specific direction, thereby providing a faster (in terms of data rate) and stronger RF signal to the receiving device. In order to change the directionality of the RF signal when transmitting, the network node can control the phase and relative amplitude of the RF signal at each of the one or more transmitters that broadcast the RF signal. For example, a network node can use an array of antennas (referred to as a "phased array" or "antenna array") that produces RF beams that can be "steered" to point in different directions without actually moving the antenna. Specifically, the RF current from the transmitter is fed to the individual antennas in the correct phase relationship so that the radio waves from the separate antennas are added together in the desired direction to increase the radiation, and canceled in the undesired direction to suppress the radiation.

[0053] The transmit beams can be quasi-co-located, which means that they appear to the receiver (e.g., UE) to have the same parameters, regardless of whether the transmit antennas of the network nodes themselves are physically co-located. In NR, there are four types of quasi-co-location (QCL) relationships. Specifically, a given type of QCL relationship means that certain parameters about the second reference RF signal on the second beam can be derived based on information about the source reference RF signal on the source beam. Therefore, if the source reference RF signal is QCL type A, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay and delay spread of the second reference RF signal sent on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type B, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and Doppler spread of the second reference RF signal sent on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type C, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and average delay of the second reference RF signal sent on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type D, the receiver may use the source reference RF signal to estimate spatial reception parameters of a second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel.

[0054] In receive beamforming, a receiver uses a receive beam to amplify an RF signal detected on a given channel. For example, a receiver may increase the gain setting of an antenna array in a particular direction and / or adjust the phase setting of an antenna array in a particular direction to amplify (e.g., increase its gain level) the RF signal received from that direction. Thus, when a receiver is said to be beamforming in a certain direction, this means that the beam gain in that direction is high relative to the beam gain along other directions, or that the beam gain in that direction is the highest compared to the beam gain in that direction of all other receive beams available to the receiver. This results in a stronger received signal strength (e.g., reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), etc.) of the RF signal received from that direction.

[0055] The receive beams may be spatially correlated. The spatial relationship means that the parameters of the transmit beam for the second reference signal may be derived from information about the receive beam for the first reference signal. For example, the UE may receive one or more reference downlink reference signals (e.g., positioning reference signal (PRS), tracking reference signal (TRS), phase tracking reference signal (PTRS), cell-specific reference signal (CRS), channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), synchronization signal block (SSB), etc.) from a base station using a specific receive beam. The UE may then form a transmit beam based on the parameters of the receive beam for transmitting one or more uplink reference signals (e.g., uplink positioning reference signal (UL-PRS), sounding reference signal (SRS), demodulation reference signal (DMRS), PTRS, etc.) to the base station.

[0056] Note that depending on the entity forming the "downlink" beam, the beam can be a transmit beam or a receive beam. For example, if the base station is forming a downlink beam to send a reference signal to the UE, the downlink beam is a transmit beam. However, if the UE is forming a downlink beam, the downlink beam is a receive beam that receives a downlink reference signal. Similarly, depending on the entity forming the "uplink" beam, the beam can be a transmit beam or a receive beam. For example, if the base station is forming an uplink beam, it is an uplink receive beam, while if the UE is forming an uplink beam, it is an uplink transmit beam.

[0057] In 5G, the spectrum in which wireless nodes (e.g., base stations 102 / 180, UEs 104 / 182) operate is divided into multiple frequency ranges: FR1 (from 450MHz to 6000MHz), FR2 (from 24250MHz to 52600MHz), FR3 (above 52600MHz), and FR4 (between FR1 and FR2). In a multi-carrier system (such as 5G), one of the carrier frequencies is called a "primary carrier" or "anchor carrier" or "primary serving cell" or "PCell", and the remaining carrier frequencies are called "secondary carriers" or "secondary serving cells" or "SCells". In carrier aggregation, the anchor carrier is a carrier operating on the primary frequency (e.g., FR1) used by the UE 104 / 182 and the cell in which the UE 104 / 182 performs an initial radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or initiates an RRC connection reestablishment procedure. The primary carrier carries all common and UE-specific control channels and can be a carrier in a licensed frequency (however, this is not always the case). A secondary carrier is a carrier operating on a second frequency (e.g., FR2), which can be configured and can be used to provide additional radio resources once an RRC connection is established between the UE 104 and the anchor carrier. In some cases, the secondary carrier may be a carrier in an unlicensed frequency. The secondary carrier may contain only necessary signaling information and signals, for example, since the primary uplink carrier and the primary downlink carrier are usually UE-specific, those signaling information and signals specific to the UE may not be present in the secondary carrier. This means that different UEs 104 / 182 in a cell may have different downlink primary carriers. This is also true for the uplink primary carrier. The network is able to change the primary carrier of any UE 104 / 182 at any time. This is done, for example, to balance the load on different carriers. Since a "serving cell" (whether PCell or SCell) corresponds to a carrier frequency / component carrier through which a base station communicates, the terms "cell", "serving cell", "component carrier", "carrier frequency", etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0058] For example, still referring to Figure 1 , one of the frequencies used by macrocell base station 102 may be an anchor carrier (or "PCell"), and the other frequencies used by macrocell base station 102 and / or mmW base station 180 may be secondary carriers ("SCells"). Simultaneous transmission and / or reception of multiple carriers enables UE 104 / 182 to significantly increase its data transmission and / or reception rate. For example, two 20 MHz aggregated carriers in a multi-carrier system would theoretically result in a doubling of the data rate (i.e., 40 MHz) compared to the data rate obtained with a single 20 MHz carrier.

[0059] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a UE 164 that may communicate with the macrocell base station 102 via a communication link 120 and / or communicate with the mmW base station 180 via a mmW communication link 184. For example, the macrocell base station 102 may support a PCell and one or more SCells for the UE 164, and the mmW base station 180 may support one or more SCells for the UE 164.

[0060] The wireless communication system 100 may further include one or more UEs (such as UE 190) that are indirectly connected to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links (referred to as “side links”). Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 1 , UE 190 has a D2D P2P link 192 with one of UEs 104 connected to one of base stations 102 (e.g., UE 190 can indirectly obtain cellular connectivity through the D2D P2P link), and has a D2D P2P link 194 with WLAN STA 152 connected to WLAN AP 150 (UE 190 can indirectly obtain WLAN-based Internet connectivity through the D2D P2P link). In one example, D2D P2P links 192 and 194 can be supported by any well-known D2D RAT, such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), wait.

[0061] refer to Figure 2A , an example wireless network architecture 200 is shown. For example, the 5GC 210 (also referred to as the Next Generation Core (NGC)) can be functionally viewed as control plane functions 214 (e.g., UE registration, authentication, network access, gateway selection, etc.) and user plane functions 212 (e.g., UE gateway functions, access to data networks, IP routing, etc.), which operate in coordination to form a core network. The user plane interface (NG-U) 213 and the control plane interface (NG-C) 215 connect the gNB 222 to the 5GC 210, and specifically to the control plane functions 214 and the user plane functions 212. In additional configurations, the ng-eNB 224 can also be connected to the 5GC 210 via the NG-C 215 to the control plane functions 214 and the NG-U 213 to the user plane functions 212. In addition, the ng-eNB 224 can communicate directly with the gNB 222 via the backhaul connection 223. In some configurations, the new RAN 220 may have only one or more gNBs 222, while other configurations include one or more of ng-eNB 224 and gNB 222. The gNB 222 or ng-eNB 224 may communicate with the UE 204 (e.g., Figure 1 204). Another optional aspect may include a location server 230 that can communicate with the 5GC 210 to provide location assistance for the UE 204. The location server 230 may be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively may each correspond to a single server. The location server 230 may be configured to support one or more location services for the UE 204 that may be connected to the location server 230 via the core network, the 5GC 210, and / or via the Internet (not illustrated). In addition, the location server 230 may be integrated into a component of the core network, or alternatively may be external to the core network.

[0062] refer to Figure 2B , another example wireless network architecture 250 is shown. For example, the 5GC 260 can be functionally viewed as a control plane function (provided by the access and mobility management function (AMF) 264) and a user plane function (provided by the user plane function (UPF) 262), which operate in coordination to form a core network (i.e., the 5GC 260). The user plane interface 263 and the control plane interface 265 connect the ng-eNB 224 to the 5GC 260, and specifically to the UPF 262 and the AMF 264, respectively. In additional configurations, the gNB 222 may also be connected to the 5GC 260 via a control plane interface 265 to the AMF 264 and a user plane interface 263 to the UPF 262. In addition, the ng-eNB 224 may communicate directly with the gNB 222 via a backhaul connection 223 with or without gNB direct connectivity to the 5GC 260. In some configurations, the new RAN 220 may have only one or more gNBs 222, while other configurations include one or more of ng-eNB 224 and gNB 222. The gNB 222 or ng-eNB 224 may communicate with the UE 204 (e.g., Figure 1 The base stations of the new RAN 220 communicate with the AMF 264 via the N2 interface and communicate with the UPF 262 via the N3 interface.

[0063] The functions of AMF 264 include registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, lawful interception, transmission of session management (SM) messages between UE 204 and session management function (SMF) 266, transparent proxy service for routing SM messages, access authentication and access authorization, transmission of short message service (SMS) messages between UE 204 and short message service function (SMSF) (not shown), and security anchor functionality (SEAF). AMF 264 also interacts with authentication server function (AUSF) (not shown) and UE 204, and receives intermediate keys established as a result of the UE 204 authentication process. In the case of authentication based on UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), AMF 264 retrieves security materials from AUSF. The functions of AMF 264 also include security context management (SCM). SCM receives keys from SEAF, which SCM uses to derive access network specific keys. The functionality of AMF 264 also includes location service management for regulatory services, transmission of location service messages between UE 204 and location management function (LMF) 270 (which acts as location server 230), transmission of location service messages between new RAN 220 and LMF 270, allocation of EPS bearer identifiers for interworking with Evolved Packet System (EPS), and notification of mobility events for UE 204. In addition, AMF 264 also supports the functionality of non-3GPP access networks.

[0064] The functions of the UPF 262 include: acting as an anchor point for intra-RAT / inter-RAT mobility (when applicable), acting as an external protocol data unit (PDU) session point for interconnection to a data network (not shown), providing packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection, user plane policy rule enforcement (e.g., gating, redirection, traffic steering), lawful interception (user plane collection), traffic usage reporting, quality of service (QoS) handling for the user plane (e.g., uplink / downlink rate enforcement, reflective QoS marking in the downlink), uplink traffic verification (service data flow (SDF) to QoS flow mapping), transport level packet marking in uplink and downlink, downlink packet buffering and downlink data notification triggering, and transmitting and forwarding one or more "end markers" to the source RAN node. The UPF 262 may also support the delivery of location service messages on the user plane between the UE 204 and a location server (such as a secure user plane location (SUPL) location platform (SLP) 272).

[0065] The functions of SMF 266 include session management, UE Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management, selection and control of user plane functions, traffic steering configuration for routing traffic to the correct destination at UPF 262, partial control of policy enforcement and QoS, and downlink data notification. The interface through which SMF 266 communicates with AMF 264 is called the N11 interface.

[0066] Another optional aspect may include an LMF 270 that can communicate with the 5GC 260 to provide location assistance for the UE 204. The LMF 270 can be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively can each correspond to a single server. The LMF 270 can be configured to support one or more location services for the UE 204, which can be connected to the LMF 270 via the core network, the 5GC 260, and / or via the Internet (not illustrated). The SLP 272 can support functions similar to the LMF 270, but the LMF 270 can communicate with the AMF 264, the new RAN 220, and the UE 204 on the control plane (e.g., using interfaces and protocols intended to convey signaling messages rather than voice or data), and the SLP 272 can communicate with the UE 204 and external clients (e.g., using protocols intended to carry voice and / or data, such as the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and / or IP) on the user plane. Figure 2B Communicate with the

[0067] In one aspect, the LMF 270 and / or SLP 272 may be integrated into a base station, such as a gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224. When integrated into a gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224, the LMF 270 and / or SLP 272 may be referred to as a "location management component" or "LMC." However, as used herein, references to the LMF 270 and SLP 272 include both the case where the LMF 270 and SLP 272 are components of a core network (e.g., 5GC 260) and the case where the LMF 270 and SLP 272 are components of a base station.

[0068] refer to Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C, shows several example components (represented by corresponding boxes) that may be incorporated into a UE 302 (which may correspond to any UE described herein), a base station 304 (which may correspond to any base station described herein), and a network entity 306 (which may correspond to or embody any network function described herein, including a location server 230 and an LMF 270) to support file sending operations. It should be understood that these components may be implemented differently in different types of devices (e.g., in an ASIC, in a system on a chip (SoC), etc.). The illustrated components may also be incorporated into other devices in a communication system. For example, other devices in the system may include components similar to those described as providing similar functionality. Moreover, a given device may include one or more of these components. For example, a device may include multiple transceiver components that enable the device to operate on multiple carriers and / or communicate via different technologies.

[0069] UE 302 and base station 304 each include a wireless wide area network (WWAN) transceiver 310 and 350, respectively, configured to communicate via one or more wireless communication networks (e.g., NR network, LTE network, GSM network, etc.) (not shown). WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 can be connected to one or more antennas 316 and 356, respectively, to communicate with other network nodes (e.g., other UEs, access points, base stations (e.g., eNBs, gNBs), etc.) via at least one designated RAT (e.g., NR, LTE, GSM, etc.) over a wireless communication medium of interest (e.g., certain time / frequency resource sets in a specific spectrum). WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 can be configured in different ways to transmit and encode signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.) according to the designated RAT, and conversely receive and decode signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.), respectively. In particular, transceivers 310 and 350 include one or more transmitters 314 and 354, respectively, for transmitting and encoding signals 318 and 358, respectively, and one or more receivers 312 and 352, respectively, for receiving and decoding signals 318 and 358, respectively.

[0070] At least in some cases, UE 302 and base station 304 also include wireless local area network (WLAN) transceivers 320 and 360, respectively. WLAN transceivers 320 and 360 can be connected to one or more antennas 326 and 366, respectively, to communicate over a wireless communication medium of interest via at least one designated RAT (e.g., WiFi, LTE-D, The WLAN transceivers 320 and 360 may be configured in different ways to transmit and encode signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.) according to the specified RAT, and conversely, receive and decode signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.). In particular, the transceivers 320 and 360 include one or more transmitters 324 and 364, respectively, for transmitting and encoding signals 328 and 368, respectively, and one or more receivers 322 and 362, respectively, for receiving and decoding signals 328 and 368, respectively.

[0071] The transceiver circuitry including at least one transmitter and at least one receiver may include an integrated device (e.g., transmitter circuitry and receiver circuitry implemented as a single communication device) in some implementations, may include separate transmitter devices and separate receiver devices in some implementations, or may be implemented in other ways in other implementations. In one aspect, the transmitter may include or be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366) such as an antenna array, which permits the respective device to perform transmit "beamforming" as described herein. Similarly, the receiver may include or be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366) such as an antenna array, which permits the respective device to perform receive beamforming as described herein. In one aspect, the transmitter and receiver may share the same multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366) so that the respective device can only receive or transmit at a given time, but not both at the same time. The wireless communication devices of UE 302 and / or base station 304 (eg, one or both of transceivers 310 and 320 and / or one or both of transceivers 350 and 360) may also include a network listening module (NLM) or the like for performing various measurements.

[0072] At least in some cases, UE 302 and base station 304 also include satellite positioning system (SPS) receivers 330 and 370. SPS receivers 330 and 370 can be connected to one or more antennas 336 and 376, respectively, to receive SPS signals 338 and 378, respectively, such as global positioning system (GPS) signals, global navigation satellite system (GLONASS) signals, Galileo signals, Beidou signals, Indian regional navigation satellite system (NAVIC), Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), etc. SPS receivers 330 and 370 can include any suitable hardware and / or software for receiving and processing SPS signals 338 and 378, respectively. SPS receivers 330 and 370 request information and operations from other systems as appropriate, and perform the necessary calculations to determine the location of UE 302 and base station 304 using measurements obtained by any suitable SPS algorithm.

[0073] The base station 304 and the network entity 306 each include at least one network interface 380 and 390 for communicating with other network entities. For example, the network interfaces 380 and 390 (e.g., one or more network access ports) can be configured to communicate with one or more network entities via a wired or wireless backhaul connection. In some aspects, the network interfaces 380 and 390 can be implemented as transceivers configured to support wired or wireless signal communication. The communication can involve, for example, transmitting and receiving: messages, parameters and / or other types of information.

[0074] UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 also include other components that can be used in conjunction with the operations disclosed herein. UE 302 includes processor circuitry that implements a processing system 332 for providing functionality related to, for example, joint communication and RF sensing (i.e., joint communication and sensing (JCS) operations) and for providing other processing functionality. Base station 304 includes a processing system 384 for providing functionality related to, for example, JCS operations as disclosed herein and for providing other processing functionality. Network entity 306 includes a processing system 394 for providing functionality related to, for example, JCS operations as disclosed herein and for providing other processing functionality. In one aspect, processing systems 332, 384, and 394 may include, for example, one or more general purpose processors, multi-core processors, ASICs, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices or processing circuits.

[0075] UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 include memory circuitry that implements memory components 340, 386, and 396 (e.g., each including a memory device) for maintaining information (e.g., information indicating reserved resources, thresholds, parameters, etc.). In some cases, UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 may include RF sensing components 342, 388, and 398, respectively. RF sensing components 342, 388, and 398, respectively, may be hardware circuits that are part of or coupled to processing systems 332, 384, and 394, respectively, which, when executed, cause UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 to perform the functions described herein. In other aspects, RF sensing components 342, 388, and 398 may be external to processing systems 332, 384, and 394 (e.g., part of a modem processing system, integrated with another processing system, etc.). Alternatively, the RF sensing components 342, 388, and 398 may be memory modules (such as memory modules) stored in the memory components 340, 386, and 396, respectively. FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C ), which, when executed by the processing systems 332, 384, and 394 (or a modem processing system, another processing system, etc.), cause the UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 to perform the functions described herein.

[0076] UE 302 may include one or more sensors 344 coupled to processing system 332 to provide motion and / or orientation information independent of motion data derived from signals received by WWAN transceiver 310, WLAN transceiver 320, and / or SPS receiver 330. By way of example, sensor 344 may include an accelerometer (e.g., a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device), a gyroscope, a geomagnetic sensor (e.g., a compass), an altimeter (e.g., a barometric altimeter), and / or any other type of motion detection sensor. In addition, sensor 344 may include multiple different types of devices and combine their outputs to provide motion information. For example, sensor 344 may use a combination of a multi-axis accelerometer and an orientation sensor to provide the capability to calculate a position in a 2D and / or 3D coordinate system.

[0077] In addition, the UE 302 includes a user interface 346 to provide indications to the user (e.g., audible indications and / or visual indications) and / or receive user input (e.g., when the user actuates a sensing device such as a keypad, a touch screen, a microphone, etc.). Although not shown, the base station 304 and the network entity 306 may also include a user interface.

[0078] Referring to the processing system 384 in more detail, in the downlink, IP packets from the network entity 306 are provided to the processing system 384. The processing system 384 may implement functions for the RRC layer, the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, and the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer. The processing system 384 may provide RRC layer functionality associated with broadcasting of system information (e.g., master information block (MIB), system information block (SIB)), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter-RAT mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression, security (ciphering, deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functionality associated with delivery of upper layer packet data units (PDUs), error correction through automatic repeat request (ARQ), concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, scheduling information reporting, error correction, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0079] The transmitter 354 and the receiver 352 implement layer 1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, including the physical (PHY) layer, may include: error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (FEC) coding / decoding of the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping to the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing. The transmitter 354 handles the mapping to the signal constellation based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), M-phase shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The decoded and modulated symbols can then be separated into parallel streams. Each stream can then be mapped to an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) subcarrier, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., a pilot) in the time and / or frequency domain, and then combined together using an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a time domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM symbol stream is spatially pre-decoded to generate multiple spatial streams. The channel estimate from the channel estimator can be used to determine the coding and modulation scheme and for spatial processing. The channel estimate can be derived based on a reference signal and / or channel condition feedback sent by the UE 302. Each spatial stream can then be provided to one or more different antennas 356. The transmitter 354 can modulate the RF carrier with the corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0080] At the UE 302, the receiver 312 receives the signal through its corresponding antenna 316. The receiver 312 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides the information to the processing system 332. The transmitter 314 and the receiver 312 implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. The receiver 312 can perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial streams destined for the UE 302. If there are multiple spatial streams destined for the UE 302, they can be combined into a single OFDM symbol stream by the receiver 312. The receiver 312 then converts the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain using a fast Fourier transform (FFT). The frequency domain signal includes a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on each subcarrier and the reference signal are recovered and demodulated by determining the most likely signal constellation point sent by the base station 304. These soft decisions can be based on channel estimates calculated by a channel estimator. The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally sent by the base station 304 on the physical channel. The data and control signals are then provided to a processing system 332 which implements layer 3 and layer 2 functions.

[0081] In the uplink, the processing system 332 provides demultiplexing between transport channels and logical channels, packet reassembly, deciphering, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the core network. The processing system 332 is also responsible for error detection.

[0082] Similar to the functions described in conjunction with downlink transmissions performed by the base station 304, the processing system 332 provides RRC layer functionality associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) acquisition, RRC connection, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functionality associated with delivery of upper layer PDUs, error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs, resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ), priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0083] Channel estimates derived by the channel estimator from a reference signal or feedback sent by the base station 304 may be used by the transmitter 314 to select appropriate coding and modulation schemes and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by the transmitter 314 may be provided to different antennas 316. The transmitter 314 may modulate an RF carrier with a corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0084] The uplink transmissions are processed at the base station 304 in a manner similar to that described in conjunction with the receiver functionality at the UE 302. The receiver 352 receives the signal through its respective antenna 356. The receiver 352 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides the information to the processing system 384.

[0085] In the uplink, the processing system 384 provides demultiplexing between transport channels and logical channels, packet reassembly, cipher decoding, header decompression, control signal processing to recover IP packets from the UE 302. The IP packets from the processing system 384 may be provided to the core network. The processing system 384 is also responsible for error detection.

[0086] For convenience, UE 302, base station 304 and / or network entity 306 may FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C The illustrated embodiment includes various components that can be configured according to various examples described herein. However, it should be understood that the illustrated blocks may have different functions in different design solutions.

[0087] The various components of UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 may communicate with each other over data buses 334, 382, ​​and 392, respectively. FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C In some implementations, the present invention may be implemented in one or more circuits (such as, for example, one or more processors and / or one or more ASICs (which may include one or more processors)). FIG. 3A to FIG. 3CComponents. Here, each circuit may use and / or be combined with at least one memory component for storing information or executable code used by the circuit to provide the functionality. For example, some or all of the functions represented by components 310 to 346 may be implemented by the processor and memory components of UE 302 (e.g., by executing appropriate codes and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). Similarly, some or all of the functions represented by components 350 to 388 may be implemented by the processor and memory components of base station 304 (e.g., by executing appropriate codes and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). In addition, some or all of the functions represented by components 390 to 398 may be implemented by the processor and memory components of network entity 306 (e.g., by executing appropriate codes and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). For simplicity, various operations, actions and / or functions are described herein as being performed by "UE", "by base station", "by positioning entity", etc. However, it should be understood that such operations, actions and / or functions may actually be performed by specific components or combinations of components of the UE, base station, positioning entity, etc. (such as processing systems 332, 384, 394, transceivers 310, 320, 350 and 360, memory components 340, 386 and 396, RF sensing components 342, 388 and 398, etc.).

[0088] Wireless communication signals (e.g., RF signals configured to carry OFDM symbols) sent between a UE and a base station can be reused for environmental sensing (also known as "RF sensing" or "radar"). The use of wireless communication signals for environmental sensing can be considered as a consumer-grade radar with advanced detection capabilities, which enables contactless / device-free interaction with devices / systems, etc. The wireless communication signal can be a cellular communication signal, such as an LTE or NR signal, a WLAN signal, etc. As a specific example, the wireless communication signal can be an OFDM waveform as utilized in LTE and NR. High-frequency communication signals, such as mmW RF signals, are particularly beneficial for use as radar signals because higher frequencies at least provide more accurate ranging (distance) detection.

[0089] In general, there are different types of radars, in particular monostatic and bistatic radars. Figure 4A and Figure 4B Two of these various types of radars are illustrated. Specifically, Figure 4A is a diagram 400 illustrating a monostatic radar scenario, and Figure 4B is a diagram 430 illustrating a bistatic radar scenario. Figure 4A, base station 402 may be configured for full-duplex operation, and thus the transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) are co-located. For example, a transmitted radio frequency (RF) signal 406 may be reflected from a target object (such as a building 404), and a receiver on base station 402 is configured to receive and measure a reflected beam 408. This is a typical use case for a traditional or conventional radar. In one example, monostatic radio sensing may be implemented with half-duplex operation, such that a transceiver may be configured to transmit an RF sensing signal at a first time and then receive a reflected signal at a second time. Figure 4B , the base station 405 may be configured as a transmitter (Tx) and the UE 432 may be configured as a receiver (Rx). In this example, the transmitter and the receiver are not co-located, i.e., they are separated. The base station 405 may be configured to transmit a beam, such as an omni-directional downlink RF signal, which may be received by the UE 432. A portion of the RF signal 406 may be reflected or refracted by the building 404, and the UE 432 may receive the reflected signal 434. This is a typical use case for RF sensing based on wireless communication (e.g., WiFi-based, LTE-based, NR-based). Note that although Figure 4B The use of downlink RF signal 406 as the RF sensing signal is illustrated, but uplink RF signal can also be used as the RF sensing signal. In the downlink scenario, as shown, the transmitter is the base station 405 and the receiver is the UE 432, while in the uplink scenario, the transmitter is the UE and the receiver is the base station.

[0090] For more details, refer to Figure 4B , the base station 405 sends an RF sensing signal (e.g., PRS) to the UE 432, but some of the RF sensing signal reflects off from a target object, such as a building 404. The UE 432 can measure the ToA of the RF signal 406 received directly from the base station and the ToA of the reflected signal 434 reflected from the target object (e.g., the building 404).

[0091] The base station 405 may be configured to transmit a single RF signal 406 or multiple RF signals to a receiver (e.g., UE 432). However, due to the propagation characteristics of RF signals through multipath channels, the UE 432 may receive multiple RF signals corresponding to each transmitted RF signal. Each path may be associated with a cluster of one or more channel taps. Typically, the time at which the receiver detects the first cluster of channel taps is considered to be the ToA of the RF signal on the site line (LOS) path (i.e., the shortest path between the transmitter and the receiver). Later clusters of channel taps are considered to have been reflected by objects between the transmitter and the receiver, and are therefore along a non-LOS (NLOS) path between the transmitter and the receiver.

[0092] Therefore, returning to the reference Figure 4B , RF signal 406 follows the LOS path between base station 405 and UE 432, and reflected signal 434 represents the RF sensing signal that follows the NLOS path between base station 405 and UE 432 due to reflection off building 404 (or another target object). Base station 405 may have sent multiple RF sensing signals ( Figure 4B ), some of the multiple RF sensing signals follow the LOS path, and other of the multiple RF sensing signals follow the NLOS path. Alternatively, the base station 405 may have transmitted a single RF sensing signal in a sufficiently wide beam so that a portion of the RF sensing signal follows the LOS path and a portion of the RF sensing signal follows the NLOS path.

[0093] Based on the difference between the ToA of the LOS path, the ToA of the NLOS path, and the speed of light, the UE 432 can determine the distance to the building 404. In addition, if the UE 432 is capable of receive beamforming, the UE 432 may be able to determine the general direction to the building 404 as the direction of the reflected signal 434, which is the RF sensing signal following the NLOS path as received. The UE 432 can then optionally report this information to the sending base station 405, an application server associated with the core network, an external client, a third-party application, or some other entity. Alternatively, the UE 432 can report the ToA measurement to the base station 405 or other entity, and the base station 405 can determine the distance to the target object and optionally the direction to the target object.

[0094] It should be noted that if the RF sensing signal is an uplink RF signal sent by UE 432 to base station 405, base station 405 will perform object detection based on the uplink RF signal just as UE 432 performs object detection based on downlink RF signals.

[0095] refer to Figure 5 , shows an example graph 500 showing the RF channel response over time at a receiver (eg, any of the UEs or base stations described herein). Figure 5 In the example of , the receiver receives multiple (four) clusters of channel taps. Each channel tap represents the multipath followed by the RF signal between the transmitter (e.g., any of the UE or base station described herein) and the receiver. That is, the channel taps represent the arrival of the RF signal on the multipath. Each cluster of channel taps indicates that the corresponding multipath is substantially along the same path. Different clusters may exist because the RF signals are transmitted on different transmit beams (and therefore at different angles), or because of the propagation characteristics of the RF signals (due to reflections potentially following widely different paths), or both.

[0096] exist Figure 5 Under the illustrated channel, the receiver receives a first cluster of two RF signals on the channel taps at time T1, a second cluster of five RF signals on the channel taps at time T2, a third cluster of five RF signals on the channel taps at time T3, and a fourth cluster of four RF signals on the channel taps at time T4. Figure 5 In the example of , since the first RF signal cluster arrives first at time T1, it is assumed to be a LOS data stream (ie, a data stream that arrives on the LOS or shortest path), and may correspond to Figure 4B The third cluster at time T3 consists of the strongest RF signal and may correspond to Figure 4B 434). Figure 5 Clusters of two to five channel taps are illustrated, but it should be understood that clusters may have more or less channel taps than the illustrated number of channel taps.

[0097] refer to Fig. 6A and Figure 6B , shows an example downlink reference signal (RS) resource set. In one example, the RF sensing beam described herein can be based on SS blocks, CSI-RS, TRS, or PRS resource sets. Other sensing and tracking reference signals may also be used. Generally speaking, an RS resource set is a collection of RS resources across a base station (e.g., base station 304) that have the same periodicity, a common silent mode configuration, and the same cross-slot repetition factor. The first RS resource set 602 includes 4 resources and a repetition factor of 4, with a time gap equal to 1 slot. The second RS resource set 604 includes 4 resources and a repetition factor of 4, with a time gap equal to 4 slots. The repetition factor indicates the number of times each RS resource is repeated in each single instance of the RS resource set (e.g., values ​​1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 32). The time gap represents the offset in slots between two repeated instances of RS resources corresponding to the same RS resource ID within a single instance of the RS resource set (e.g., values ​​1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32). The time duration spanned by one RS resource set containing repeated RS resources does not exceed the RS periodicity. The repetition of RS resources enables receiver beam sweeping across the repetitions and combining RF gain to increase coverage. Repetition can also achieve intra-instance muting.

[0098] Generally speaking, Fig. 6A and Figure 6BThe depicted RS resource may be a set of resource elements (REs) for transmission of RS. The resource element set may span multiple physical resource blocks (PRBs) in the frequency domain and N (e.g., 1 or more) consecutive symbols within a time slot in the time domain. In a given OFDM symbol, the RS resource occupies consecutive PRBs. The RS resource may be described by at least the following parameters: RS resource identifier (ID), sequence ID, comb size N, resource element offset in the frequency domain, starting time slot and starting symbol, number of symbols per RS ​​resource (i.e., duration of RS resource), and QCL information (e.g., with other DL reference signals QCL). The comb size indicates the number of subcarriers carrying RS in each symbol. For example, a comb size of -4 means that every fourth subcarrier of a given symbol carries RS.

[0099] In one example, an RS resource set is a group of RS resources used for the transmission of RS signals, wherein each RS resource has an RS resource ID. In addition, the RS resources in the RS resource set may be associated with the same transmit-receive point (e.g., a base station). Each PRS resource in these RS resources in the RS resource set may have the same periodicity, a common muting pattern, and the same cross-slot repetition factor. The RS resource set is identified by an RS resource set ID and may be associated with a specific TRP (identified by a cell ID) transmitted by the antenna panel of the base station. The RS resource ID in the RS resource set may be associated with an omnidirectional signal and / or with a single beam (and / or beam ID) transmitted from a single base station (where a base station may transmit one or more beams). Each RS resource in the RS resource set may be transmitted on a different beam, and thus, the RS resource (or simply referred to as a resource) may also be referred to as a beam. Note that this does not imply at all whether the UE knows the base station and beam transmitting the RS.

[0100] In one example, the RF sensing reference signal described herein may utilize a PRS waveform. Figure 7 , shows an example subframe and time slot format for positioning reference signal transmission. The example subframe and time slot format may be included in Fig. 6A and Figure 6B The depicted RS resources are concentrated. Figure 7The subframe and time slot formats in are examples and not limitations, and include a comb-2 format 702 with 2 symbols, a comb-4 format 704 with 4 symbols, a comb-2 format 706 with 12 symbols, a comb-4 format 708 with 12 symbols, a comb-6 format 710 with 6 symbols, a comb-12 format 712 with 12 symbols, a comb-2 format 714 with 6 symbols, and a comb-6 format 716 with 12 symbols. In general, a subframe may include 14 symbol periods with indices 0 to 13. In general, the base station may transmit a PRS from antenna port 5000 on one or more slots in each subframe configured for PRS transmission.

[0101] The base station may send PRS on a specific PRS bandwidth, which may be configured by higher layers. PRS resources may be located anywhere in the frequency grid. A common reference point for PRS may be defined as "PRS Point A". "PRS Point A" may serve as a common reference point for a PRS resource block grid and may be represented by an absolute radio frequency channel number (ARFCN). The PRS starting physical resource block (PRB) may then be defined as the frequency offset between PRS Point A and the lowest subcarrier of the lowest PRS resource block expressed in resource blocks. The base station may send PRS on subcarriers spaced across the PRS bandwidth.

[0102] The base station may also send PRS based on parameters such as PRS periodicity, PRS resource set slot offset, PRS resource slot offset, PRS resource repetition factor, and PRS resource time gap. PRS periodicity is the periodicity of sending PRS resources in a number of slots. PRS periodicity may depend on the subcarrier spacing (SCS) and may be, for example, 2 μ {4, 5, 8, 10, 16, 20, 32, 40, 64, 80, 160, 320, 640, 1280, 2560, 5120, 10240} time slots, where μ = 0, 1, 2, 3 for SCS 15kHz, 30kHz, 60kHz and 120kHz, respectively. The PRS resource set slot offset defines the slot offset of slot number zero (i.e., the slot in which the first PRS resource of a PRS resource set appears) relative to the system frame number (SFN) / TRP. The PRS resource slot offset defines the starting slot of the PRS resource relative to the corresponding PRS resource set slot offset. The PRS resource repetition factor defines how many times each PRS resource is repeated for a single instance of a PRS resource set, and the PRS resource time gap defines the offset (in number of slots) between two repeated instances of a PRS resource within a single instance of a PRS resource set, as described above.

[0103] refer to Figure 8, a diagram of an example coherent channel stitching procedure 800 for positioning signal measurements is shown. In general, the procedure 800 is performed by a UE to combine multiple narrowband signals at different times and / or different channels to obtain a consistent wideband signal. For example, a base station (such as a gNB) may be able to transmit an OFDM signal across a relatively wideband width 802 (e.g., 400 MHz+) compared to the limited bandwidth 806 (e.g., 5 to 20 MHz) available to the UE. In a positioning application, the UE may be configured to obtain fragments of different reference signals sent by the gNB to obtain a wideband signal. The UE may perform a single fast Fourier transform (or other signal processing) on ​​the spliced ​​wideband signal. For example, the UE may receive and buffer tones of corresponding portions of a first symbol 804a, a second symbol 804b, a third symbol 804c, and a fourth symbol 804d. Symbols 804a-d are transmitted at different times, and the UE is configured to re-tune to different frequencies / channels to receive and buffer corresponding symbols 804a-d. The channel stitching operation 808 is configured to align the corresponding symbols 804a-d and then perform an FFT on the combined symbols 804a-d. In positioning applications, time alignment and increased bandwidth can be used to increase the accuracy of distance measurements.

[0104] The accuracy improvement achieved by channel splicing across symbols or time slots may be reduced due to phase migration for high mobility applications. For example, when the UE is moving or when the target object is moving during RF sensing operations. The technology provided in this article utilizes a hybrid parameter set signaling scheme to overcome the phase migration problem of mobile target range estimation.

[0105] refer to Fig. 9, a diagram 900 of an example frequency domain parameter set including different subcarrier spacings (SCS) and associated time slots and symbols is shown. A 5G radio frame has a fixed duration of 10 ms, and a subframe 902 has a fixed duration of 1 ms (e.g., each frame has 10 subframes 902). The time slot duration and symbol duration depend on the parameter set, and therefore the number of time slots per subframe and the number of symbols per subframe also depend on the parameter set. When a normal cyclic prefix is ​​used, the number of symbols per time slot is always 14, and when an extended cyclic prefix is ​​used, the number of symbols per time slot is always 12. Diagram 900 illustrates symbols of a 1 ms subframe belonging to different parameter sets. For example, in a 15 kHz SCS, a subframe 902 includes 1 time slot with a total of 14 symbols (such as the first symbol 904). The 30kHz SCS includes 2 slots per subframe, with a total of 28 symbols, such as the second symbol 906. The 60kHz SCS includes 4 slots per subframe, with a total of 56 symbols, such as the third symbol 908. The 120kHz SCS includes 8 slots per subframe, with a total of 112 symbols, such as the fourth symbol 910. The slot durations for the corresponding parameter sets are provided in Table 1 below:

[0106]

[0107] Table 1

[0108] When using the 15 kHz parameter set, in the time domain, a frame (e.g., 10 ms) is divided into 10 equally sized subframes (1 ms each), and each subframe includes one time slot. Fig. 9 , time is represented horizontally (eg, on the X-axis), where time increases from left to right, and frequency is represented vertically (eg, on the Y-axis), where frequency increases (or decreases) from bottom to top.

[0109] A resource grid may be used to represent a time slot, each of which includes one or more time concurrent resource blocks (RBs) in the frequency domain (also referred to as physical RBs (PRBs)). A resource grid is further divided into a plurality of resource elements (REs). A RE may correspond to one symbol length in the time domain and one subcarrier in the frequency domain. The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[0110] In one example, the RF sensing signal may be based on a PRS waveform such as Figure 7 The subframe and time slot formats described above may also be used. Other subframe and time slot formats may also be used. For example, the JCS signal may include an RF sensing signal component, such as a comb-2 with a 4-symbol format. Other RF sensing waveforms may also be used.

[0111] refer to Fig.10, a first example hybrid parameter set for joint communication and sensing is shown. Parameter set diagram 1000 depicts an example time slot 1002 with various symbol durations associated with different subcarrier spacing values. A first parameter set 1004 may be based on a first SCS frequency (f1) and may include symbols with a first time duration 1006. For example, the first parameter set 1004 may utilize a 30kHz SCS with a 33.3μs symbol duration. For JCS operation, a hybrid parameter set time slot 1008 may be configured with symbols of different durations. The JCS time slot may include: one or more symbols based on a first SCS (f1), including a symbol with a first time duration 1006; and a second parameter set 1010, the second parameter set having one or more symbols based on a second SCS (f2), including a symbol with a second time duration 1012, the second time duration being less than the first time duration 1006. For example, the second parameter set 1010 may utilize a 120kHz SCS with an 8.33μs symbol duration. In operation, a first SCS (f1) may be used for communication symbols and a second SCS (f2) may be used for RF sensing symbols. The number of different parameter sets and symbol durations in diagram 1000 is an example and not a limitation, as other parameter sets and symbol durations may also be used for JCS operation.

[0112] In one example, the RF sensing operation can utilize a broadband radar signal with a swept frequency, such as a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar, to achieve wide bandwidth accuracy with a small baseband bandwidth. However, such frequency sweep operations may be problematic for OFDM waveforms because one subcarrier in an OFDM signal is fully dedicated, even if the frequency is only occupied for a short period of time within an OFDM symbol. Therefore, for narrow SCS, the OFDM symbol duration is longer, and the radar signal (with frequency sweep) can occupy a wide range of frequencies within the duration of a complete OFDM symbol. From the perspective of system resources, partially utilizing the symbol duration during the frequency sweep is a waste. The hybrid parameter set time slot 1008 can be used to reduce wasted symbol durations by utilizing the second parameter set 1010 for RF sensing. Larger SCSs and relatively shorter symbol time durations 1012 can reduce the time-frequency domain footprint of the RF sensing signal while still being able to achieve broadband frequency sweeps. Additional radar signal hopping in different frequencies across different symbols can be used to achieve an effect similar to sweeping (e.g., FMCW). UEs with limited bandwidth may be configured to utilize Figure 8 Channel splicing is described to capture tones across a larger system BW signal within a single OFDM symbol. The hybrid numerology enables "Time Division Multiplexing (TDM)" based wideband signal capture with limited UE baseband capabilities.

[0113] refer to Fig.11A, a diagram 1100 of example OFDM symbols for RF sensing operations utilizing a single SCS is shown. Diagram 1100 includes multiple symbols 1102a-d configured for RF sensing operations plotted in the time domain and the frequency domain. The duration of each of the symbols 1102a-d is based on the SCS as indicated in Table 1. For example, for an SCS of 30kHz, the symbol duration (T1) is 33.3μs. Multiple symbols 1102a-d may be sent by a network station (such as a gNB) and may utilize a system bandwidth 1104. A receiving device (such as a UE) may have a limited bandwidth 1108 and may be configured to perform operations such as Figure 8 The channel splicing operation described. For example, the receiving device may receive a first portion 1106a of the first symbol 1102a, a second portion 1106b of the second symbol 1102b, a third portion 1106c of the third symbol 1102c, and a fourth portion 1106d of the fourth symbol 1102d. The receiving device may splice the portions 1106a-d and perform an FFT on the combined portions 1106a-d. In one example, the RF sensing waveform may utilize only a portion of each of the plurality of symbols 1102a-d, but the UE must receive each of the four symbols 1102a-d to obtain a full bandwidth signal. The delay (e.g., four symbol duration) to obtain the full bandwidth signal may reduce the accuracy of the RF sensing operation when a fast moving target and / or the UE is in motion. Fig.10 The described hybrid parameter set for JCS operation can be used to overcome this limitation.

[0114] refer to Fig. 11B , and further reference Fig.11A , a diagram 1150 of an example OFDM symbol for JCS operation with multiple SCSs is shown. Diagram 1150 depicts Fig.10A portion of the hybrid parameter set slot 1008 described. The configuration of the hybrid parameter set may be provided to the UE via known signaling techniques such as radio resource control (RRC), medium access control control element (MAC-CE) and / or downlink control information (DCI). The OFDM symbol utilizes a first SCS (f1) and a relatively larger second SCS (f2). In the hybrid parameter set, the communication payload or reference signal may be flexibly multiplexed with the RF sensing reference signal. For example, the first symbol 1102a, the third symbol 1102c, and the fourth symbol 1102d may be based on the first SCS and may be configured for communication signals or other operations. The time period previously allocated for the second symbol 1102b is configured for the second SCS and includes, for example, four symbols configured for RF sensing operations. In one example, the first SCS may be 30kHz (e.g., T1=33.3μs) and the second SCS may be 120kHz (e.g., T2=8.33μs). Other SCSs may be used. The UE may be configured to receive a first portion 1156a of a first symbol 1152a, a second portion 1156b of a second symbol 1152b, a third portion 1156c of a third symbol 1152c, and a fourth portion 1156d of a fourth symbol 1152d. Fig. 11C , the UE may be configured to perform a channel stitching operation 1158 to obtain a full bandwidth signal. For example, the UE may be configured to buffer the tones of portions 1156a-d and then process all tones using a large FFT size. Through the channel stitching operation 1158, the UE may achieve a higher resolution distance estimate based on the system bandwidth 1104. Thus, the UE receives the system bandwidth 1104 within a duration of four symbols at the second SCS. Continue Fig.11A T1 = 33.3 μs and Fig. 11B In the example of T2=8.33 μs, the UE can use the hybrid parameter set of diagram 1150 to obtain the RF sensing signal in a quarter of the time required by the single parameter set of diagram 1100.

[0115] refer to FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C , which shows an example intra-symbol multiplexing of a radio frequency sensing reference signal. A known comb-based design may be used to multiplex Fig. 11B The JCS symbols described enable multiple gNBs and / or multiple UEs to transmit and receive RF sensing symbols. FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C The symbols depicted correspond to Fig. 11B The second SCS described (eg, SCS=f2). In one example, reference Fig. 12A, an example NR PRS comb-based design 1200 may be employed to reduce interference and near-far effects. The comb design may span multiple symbols and in RE levels. The first symbol 1202a may include a first set of REs 1204a for RF sensing signals sent from a first gNB and a second set of REs 1206a for RF sensing signals sent from a second gNB. The REs 1204a, 1206a are within the limited bandwidth 1108 capability of the UE. The second symbol 1202b includes a first set of REs 1204b for RF sensing signals sent from the first gNB and a second set of REs 1206b for RF sensing signals sent from the second gNB. Additional symbols may also include multiplexed RF sensing REs in different regions of the system bandwidth as described herein. For example, the third symbol 1202c and the fourth symbol 1202d may have corresponding RE sets 1204c-d, 1206c-d that contain RF sensing symbols for the respective first gNB and second gNB. The receiving UE may be configured to perform a comb-based intra-symbol channel splicing operation 1208 based on the corresponding RE sets 1204a-d, 1206a-d. Additional symbol, RE, and comb designs may also be used to multiplex sensing reference signals sent by different gNBs.

[0116] In one example, reference Fig. 12B , an RE level comb structure may be utilized to increase the capacity of RF sensing. A diagram 1220 of two example JCS symbols 1222a, 1222b for intra-symbol multiplexing of sensing reference signals transmitted by four gNBs is shown. For example, a first RE set 1224a, 1224b may each include a first RE comb 1228 having RF sensing signals transmitted from a first gNB and a second gNB, and a second RE set 1226a, 1226b may each include a second RE comb 1230 having RF sensing signals transmitted from a third gNB and a fourth gNB. The number of gNBs (e.g., stations), RE sets, and RE comb structures are examples and not limitations, as other REs within the symbol and comb structure may be used to multiplex sensing reference signals transmitted by multiple gNBs.

[0117] In one example, reference Fig. 12C, multiple UEs sending UL sensing reference signals may use intra-symbol multiplexing. For example, a UE may be configured to send UL SRS and / or UL SRS for positioning signals to one or more neighboring stations or neighboring UEs. In one example, the sensing reference signal may be sent via a side link (SL) protocol. A diagram 1250 of two example JCS UL or SL symbols 1252a, 1252b for intra-symbol multiplexing of sensing reference signals sent by four UEs. For example, a first RE set 1254a, 1254b may each include a first RE comb 1258 having RF sensing signals sent from a first UE and a second UE, and a second RE set 1256a, 1256b may each include a second RE comb 1260 having RF sensing signals sent from a third UE and a fourth UE. The number of UEs, RE sets, and RE comb structures is an example and not a limitation, as other REs within the symbol and comb structure may be used to multiplex sensing reference signals sent by multiple UEs.

[0118] The intra-symbol multiplexing described herein can provide additional technical advantages, such as ensuring phase coherence across sensing RSs, because all instances (e.g., narrowband RSs across time) are sent within a single symbol duration. The latency of target positioning can also be reduced, because a sufficient number of distance estimates can be measured within a single symbol duration to calculate triangulation.

[0119] refer to Fig.13 , a diagram 1300 of an example tuning gap for JCS operation is shown. Diagram 1300 includes example symbols 1302a-d, which are based on Fig. 11B The second SCS described (e.g., SCS=f2). UEs within the network may have different configurations and may have different tuning time capabilities. For example, some UEs may be configured to tune from one segment of the system bandwidth to another segment within the duration of the cyclic prefix (CP) of the symbol. However, other UEs may require additional time to re-tune between segments. In addition to the hybrid parameter set and intra-symbol multiplexing information as described herein, the JCS configuration information (e.g., auxiliary data) may also include UE-specific tuning gap information. The tuning gap information may define a UE-specific gap 1306 based on the number of symbols to which the UE will need to re-tune. For example, the UE may receive a first set of REs 1304a in a first symbol 1302b and a second set of REs 1304b in a second symbol 1302c. One or more symbols may be set between the first symbol 1302b and the second symbol 1302c to allow the UE to re-tune from receiving the first set of REs 1304a to receiving the second set of REs 1304b. The UE may perform channel stitching operations 1308 based on the received REs 1304a, 1304b. In one example, other UEs may be scheduled during the gaps for RF sensing operations and / or other payload exchanges.

[0120] refer to Fig.14 , a second example hybrid parameter set for joint communication and sensing is shown. Parameter set diagram 1400 depicts an example time slot 1402 with various hybrid symbol durations associated with different subcarrier spacing values. A first parameter set 1404 may be based on a first SCS (f1) and may include symbols with a first time duration 1406. For example, the first parameter set 1404 may utilize a 30kHz SCS with a 33.3μs symbol duration. For JCS operation, a hybrid parameter set time slot 1416 may be configured with symbols of different durations associated with multiple SCSs. In one example, the JCS slot may include: one or more symbols based on a first SCS (f1), including a symbol having a first time duration 1406; a second parameter set 1408, the second parameter set having one or more symbols based on a second SCS (f2), including a symbol having a second time duration 1412, the second time duration being less than the first time duration 1406; and a third parameter set 1410, the third parameter set having one or more symbols based on a third SCS (f3), including a symbol having a third time duration 1414, the third time duration being less than the second time duration 1412. For example, the second parameter set 1408 may utilize a 120kHz SCS having a symbol duration of 8.33μs, and the third parameter set 1410 may utilize a 240kHz SCS having a symbol duration of 4.46μs. In one example, a single symbol may be extended to multiple consecutive symbols using a hybrid parameter set. For example, the second parameter set 1408 occupies the duration of two symbols based on the first parameter set 1404. This configuration can be used, for example, to enable additional tuning gaps based on the capabilities of the UE. In operation, the first SCS (f1) can be used for communication symbols, and the second SCS (f2) and / or the third SCS (f3) can be used for RF sensing operations and / or synchronization signals. The number of different parameter sets and symbol durations in diagram 1400 is an example and not a limitation, as other parameter sets and symbol durations can also be used for JCS operations.

[0121] refer to Fig.15, an example message flow diagram 1500 for providing RF sensing configuration information is shown. The message flow diagram 1500 includes example nodes in a communication system, such as a UE 1502, a first gNB 1504, a second gNB 1506, and a network server (such as an LMF 1508). The nodes and messages in the message flow diagram 1500 are examples and not limitations, as other nodes and messages may be used to propagate the RF sensing configuration information throughout the communication system 100. The LMF 1508 may communicate with the gNBs 1504, 1506 using a new radio positioning protocol A (which may be referred to as NPPa or NRPPa), which may be defined in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.455. NRPPa may be the same as, similar to, or an extension of the LTE Positioning Protocol A (LPPa) defined in 3GPP TS 36.455, and NRPPa messages are communicated between the first gNB 1504 (or the second gNB 1506) and the LMF 1508. The LMF 1508 and the UE 1502 may communicate using the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP), which may be defined in 3GPP TS 36.355. The LMF 1508 and the UE 1502 may additionally or alternatively communicate using a new radio positioning protocol (which may be referred to as NPP or NRPP), which may be the same as, similar to, or an extension of the LPP. Here, LPP and / or NPP messages may be communicated between the UE 1502 and the LMF 1508 via a serving gNB (e.g., the first gNB 1504).

[0122] Each of the gNBs 1504, 1506 may include a radio unit (RU), a distributed unit (DU), and a central unit (CU) ( Fig.151504, 1506). The RU, DU, and CU may be configured to divide the functions of the gNB. The interface between the CU and the DU is referred to as the F1 interface. The Xn interface may be used for communication between different gNBs 1504, 1506. The RU is configured to perform digital front end (DFE) functions (e.g., analog-to-digital conversion, filtering, power amplification, transmission / reception) and digital beamforming, and includes a portion of the physical (PHY) layer. The RU may perform DFE using massive multiple input / multiple output (MIMO) and may be integrated with one or more antennas of the gNB. The DU may host the radio link control (RLC), medium access control (MAC), and physical layers of the gNB. One DU may support one or more cells, and each cell is supported by a single DU. The operation of the DU may be controlled by the CU. The CU may be configured to perform functions for delivering user data, mobility control, radio access network sharing, positioning, session management, etc., but some functions are exclusively assigned to the DU. The CU may host the radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) protocols of the gNB. UE 1502 may communicate with the CU via the RRC, SDAP, and PDCP layers, with the DU via the RLC, MAC, and PHY layers, and with the RU via the PHY layer.

[0123] In operation, the first gNB 1504 and the LMF 1508 may be configured to exchange one or more JCS configuration messages 1510 via NPPa to establish JCS configuration requirements. For example, a hybrid parameter set for a JCS waveform (such as an OFDM configuration for at least a first SCS and a second SCS, such as Fig.10 and Fig.14 The configuration information (such as FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C depicted) and tuning gap information (such as Fig.13 In one example, the UE 1502 may be configured to provide one or more capability messages to the serving gNB (e.g., the first gNB 1504) and / or the LMF 1508, and the JCS configuration information may be based at least in part on the capabilities of the UE 1502. For example, the JCS configuration may include UE-specific tuning gap information, such as Fig.13At stage 1512, the first gNB 1504 may be configured to provide one or more JCS configuration messages to network nodes such as the UE 1502 and the second gNB 1506. The JCS configuration message may include a hybrid parameter set, gap information, and an indication of other sensing reference signal multiplexing configurations as previously described. The first gNB 1504 may provide the JCS configuration information to the UE 1502 using over-the-air signaling protocols such as RRC, DCI, and medium access control (MAC) control elements (CEs). The first gNB 1504 may also provide the JCS configuration information to the second gNB 1506 via backhaul messaging such as an Xn interface.

[0124] At stage 1516, one or more network nodes may perform JCS operations and may utilize the JCS configuration information to enable the corresponding receiving systems of the one or more network nodes to re-tune between the configuration associated with the communication signal and the configuration for the RF sensing operation. The RF sensing operation may be based on FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C and FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C At stage 1518, the network node may report JCS results (such as range and bearing information associated with the target object) or other signal indicators (such as TOA and received signal strength of one or more stitched RF sensing signals). At stage 1520, the first gNB 1504 may be configured to provide an RF sensing report to a network server (such as LMF 1508). The RF sensing report may be based on measurements included in the report message received at stage 1518 and measurements obtained by the first gNB 1504.

[0125] refer to Fig.16 , and further reference Figures 1 to 15 , a method 1600 for determining distance information using joint communication and sensing includes the stages shown. UE 302 or base station 304 or other wireless nodes described herein may be configured to send and / or receive JCS signals. However, method 1600 is an example and not a limitation. Method 1600 may be modified, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, performing concurrently, and / or splitting a single stage into multiple stages. For example, sending a report with distance information at stage 1610 is optional.

[0126] At stage 1602, the method includes receiving assistance data for joint communication and sensing operations, wherein the assistance data includes hybrid parameter set information indicating at least a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing. The UE 302 including one or more transceivers 310, 320 and a processing system 332 is a component for receiving assistance data for JCS operations. In one example, the assistance data may be included in one or more JCS communication messages received from a base station (such as a gNB). The assistance data may include a hybrid parameter set for a JCS waveform, such as an OFDM configuration for at least a first SCS and a second SCS, such as Fig.10 and Fig.14 The auxiliary data may include intra-symbol multiplexing configuration information (such as FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C depicted) and tuning gap information (such as Fig.13 In one example, the assistance data may be received via an over-the-air signaling protocol such as RRC (e.g., one or more system information blocks (SIBs)), DCI, and / or MAC-CE signaling. Other signaling techniques may also be used to receive the assistance data.

[0127] At stage 1604, the method includes receiving communication symbols using a first subcarrier spacing and receiving radio frequency sensing symbols using a second subcarrier spacing to perform a joint communication and sensing operation. The UE 302 including one or more transceivers 310, 320, the processing system 332, and the RF sensing component 342 is a component for performing JCS operations. In one example, reference Fig. 11B , a network station (such as a gNB) may be configured to send communications and other data payloads via OFDM symbols utilizing a first SCS (f1). The network station may also be configured to send RF sensing signals via a relatively larger second SCS (f2). Communications and other data payloads may be flexibly multiplexed with RF sensing reference signals. The UE may utilize the auxiliary data received at stage 1602 to receive, for example, communications and other data payloads on a first symbol 1102a, a third symbol 1102c, and a fourth symbol 1102d based on the first SCS, and sensing reference signals in symbols based on the second SCS. For example, the UE may be configured to receive a first portion 1156a of a first symbol 1152a, a second portion 1156b of a second symbol 1152b, a third portion 1156c of a third symbol 1152c, and a fourth portion 1156d of a fourth symbol 1152d. In one example, portions 1156a-d may be configured for intra-symbol multiplexing to enable detection of sensing reference signals from multiple network stations.

[0128] At stage 1606, the method includes performing one or more channel stitching operations based on the received RF sensing symbols. The UE 302, including one or more transceivers 310, 320 and a processing system 332, is a component for performing one or more channel stitching operations. In one example, the UE can be configured to buffer the tones of the portion 1156a-d and then process all the tones using a large FFT size to obtain a full bandwidth signal. The channel stitching operation can also be configured to multiplex the sensing reference signal within the stitching symbol, such as FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C as described.

[0129] At stage 1608, the method includes determining distance information based at least in part on one or more channel splicing operations. The UE 302, including one or more transceivers 310, 320 and a processing system 332, is a component for determining the distance information. In one example, the distance information includes arrival time information of a sensing reference signal aligned based on the channel splicing operation. The UE may be configured to determine timing information of a plurality of channel taps (e.g., LOS and NLOS paths), such as those shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. Figure 5 In one example, the distance information may be based on the flight time of the sensed reference signal (eg, the difference between the transmission time and the reception time) multiplied by the speed of light. Other distance and position determination techniques may also be used, such as signal strength and angle of arrival.

[0130] At stage 1610, the method optionally includes sending one or more reports including distance information. The UE 302 including one or more transceivers 310, 320 and a processing system 332 is a means for sending one or more reports. In one example, the UE may send one or more JCS report messages including distance information to a gNB and / or a network server such as an LMF. The JCS report message may include JCS results such as distance and bearing information associated with a target object or other signal indicators such as TOA and received signal strength of one or more spliced ​​RF sensing signals.

[0131] refer to Fig.17 , and further reference Figures 1 to 15 , a method 1700 for receiving distance information from a mobile device based on joint communication and sensing includes the stages shown. UE 302 or base station 304 or other wireless nodes described herein may be configured to send and / or receive JCS signals. However, method 1700 is an example and not a limitation. Method 1700 may be modified, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, performing concurrently, and / or splitting a single stage into multiple stages. For example, providing distance information to a server at stage 1708 is optional.

[0132] At stage 1702, the method includes providing assistance data for joint communication and sensing operations to a mobile device, wherein the assistance data includes hybrid parameter set information indicating at least a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing. A base station 304 including one or more transceivers 350, 360 and a processing system 384 is a component for providing the assistance data. In one example, the assistance data may be included in one or more JCS communication messages sent from a base station (such as a first gNB 1504). The assistance data may include a hybrid parameter set for a JCS waveform, such as an OFDM configuration for at least a first SCS and a second SCS, such as Fig.10 and Fig.14 The auxiliary data may include intra-symbol multiplexing configuration information (such as FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C depicted) and tuning gap information (such as Fig.13 In one example, the assistance data may be provided via an over-the-air signaling protocol such as RRC (e.g., one or more system information blocks (SIBs)), DCI, and / or MAC-CE signaling. Other signaling techniques may also be used to provide the assistance data.

[0133] At stage 1704, the method includes transmitting symbols for joint communication and sensing operations using a first subcarrier spacing for communication symbols and a second subcarrier frequency for radio frequency sensing symbols. The base station 304 including one or more transceivers 350, 360 and the processing system 384 is a component for transmitting symbols for JCS operations. Fig. 11B For example, a base station may be configured to send communications and other data payloads via OFDM symbols utilizing a first SCS (f1). The network station may also be configured to send RF sensing signals via a relatively larger second SCS (f2). Communications and other data payloads may be flexibly multiplexed with RF sensing reference signals. The base station sends, for example, communications and other data payloads on a first symbol 1102a, a third symbol 1102c, and a fourth symbol 1102d based on the first SCS, as well as sensing reference signals in symbols based on the second SCS. Symbols in the second SCS (e.g., 1152a-d) may include sensing reference signals, such as PRS or other reference signals (e.g., SSB, PSS, CRS, etc.). In one example, symbols 1152a-d may be configured for intra-symbol multiplexing to enable sending sensing reference signals from multiple network stations.

[0134] At stage 1706, the method includes receiving distance information from the mobile device based at least in part on the plurality of radio frequency sensing symbols transmitted using the second subcarrier spacing. The base station 304 including one or more transceivers 350, 360 and the processing system 384 is a component for receiving the distance information. In one example, reference Fig. 11B, the mobile device may be configured to receive a first portion 1156a of a first symbol 1152a, a second portion 1156b of a second symbol 1152b, a third portion 1156c of a third symbol 1152c, and a fourth portion 1156d of a fourth symbol 1152d, and perform a channel splicing operation to determine distance information. The distance information may be based on timing information of a plurality of channel taps (e.g., LOS and NLOS paths) received by the mobile device. The mobile device may send one or more JCS report messages including distance information via RRC signaling. Other signaling methods such as DCI and MAC-CE may be used to send distance information. In one example, the distance information may include JCS results (such as distance and azimuth information associated with a target object) or other signal indicators (such as TOA and received signal strength of one or more spliced ​​RF sensing signals).

[0135] At stage 1708, the method optionally includes providing distance information to a server. The base station 304, including one or more transceivers 350, 360 and a processing system 384, is a component for providing distance information. The base station can be configured to provide one or more RF sensing reports to a network server (such as an LMF or other network station). The RF sensing report can be based on the distance information received from the mobile device at stage 1706, and measurements obtained by neighboring base stations and reported via the Xn interface.

[0136] Methods 1600 and 1700 may be performed by different wireless nodes (including base stations and mobile devices) in a communication network. In one example, the wireless node may be configured to utilize a hybrid parameter set and a sidelink protocol. For example, a first UE may be configured to provide assistance data and send communication and sensing reference signals to a second UE based on a hybrid parameter set as described herein.

[0137] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different techniques and methods. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be mentioned throughout the above description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0138] In addition, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, circuits and algorithmic steps described in conjunction with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software or a combination of the two. In order to clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various exemplary components, frames, modules, circuits and steps have been generally described in terms of their functionality. Whether such functions are implemented as hardware or software depends on specific applications and the design constraints proposed to the entire system. Those skilled in the art can implement the described functionality in different ways for each specific application, but such specific implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing deviations from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0139] The various illustrative logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the various aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or executed using a general purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in an alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0140] The methods, sequences and / or algorithms described in conjunction with the various aspects disclosed herein may be directly embodied in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. The software module may reside in a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a register, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. In an alternative, the storage medium may be integral with the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal (e.g., UE). In an alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside in a user terminal as discrete components.

[0141] In one or more exemplary aspects, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on a computer-readable medium or sent via a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or codes. Computer-readable media include both computer storage media and communication media, which include any media that facilitates the transfer of computer programs from one place to another. Storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, or other optical disk storage devices, disk storage devices, or other magnetic storage devices, or any other media that can be used to carry or store desired program codes in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer. Moreover, any connection is appropriately referred to as a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is sent from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwaves, then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwaves are included in the definition of the medium. As used herein, disk and disc include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc, where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0142] Although the foregoing disclosure shows the exemplary aspects of the present disclosure, it should be noted that various changes and modifications may be made herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. In addition, the functions, steps and / or actions of the method claims according to the various aspects of the present disclosure as described herein do not need to be performed in any particular order. In addition, although the elements of the present disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, plural forms may also be considered unless explicitly stated to be limited to the singular.

[0143] Specific implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses:

[0144] Clause 1. A method for determining distance information using joint communication and sensing, the method comprising: receiving auxiliary data for joint communication and sensing operations, wherein the auxiliary data includes mixed parameter set information indicating at least a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing; performing joint communication and sensing operations by receiving communication symbols using the first subcarrier spacing and receiving radio frequency sensing symbols using the second subcarrier spacing; performing one or more channel splicing operations based on the received radio frequency sensing symbols; and determining distance information based at least in part on the one or more channel splicing operations.

[0145] Clause 2. The method of clause 1, wherein the assistance data comprises intra-symbol multiplexing configuration information, and performing the joint communication and sensing operation comprises receiving radio frequency sensing symbols from a plurality of stations based at least in part on the intra-symbol multiplexing configuration information.

[0146] Clause 3. The method of clause 2, wherein the intra-symbol multiplexing configuration is a comb-teeth based configuration.

[0147] Clause 4. The method of clause 1, wherein the assistance data comprises tuning gap information, and performing the joint communication and sensing operation comprises receiving radio frequency sensing symbols based at least in part on the tuning gap information.

[0148] Clause 5. The method of clause 1, wherein the hybrid parameter set information further comprises a third subcarrier spacing, and performing the joint communication and sensing operation comprises receiving a synchronization signal symbol based on the third subcarrier spacing.

[0149] Clause 6. The method of clause 1, wherein the radio frequency sensing symbol is a positioning reference signal.

[0150] Clause 7. The method of clause 1, wherein determining the distance information comprises determining timing information of the radio frequency sensing symbols received via a line-of-sight path and at least one non-line-of-sight path.

[0151] Clause 8. The method of clause 1, further comprising sending one or more reports including the distance information.

[0152] Clause 9. The method of clause 1, wherein the assistance data is received via a radio resource control message, a downlink control information message, a medium access control message, or any combination thereof.

[0153] Clause 10. A method for receiving distance information from a mobile device based on joint communication and sensing, the method comprising: providing auxiliary data for joint communication and sensing operations to the mobile device, wherein the auxiliary data includes mixed parameter set information indicating at least a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing; sending symbols for the joint communication and sensing operations using the first subcarrier spacing for communication symbols and the second subcarrier spacing for radio frequency sensing symbols; and receiving distance information from the mobile device based at least in part on multiple radio frequency sensing symbols sent using the second subcarrier spacing.

[0154] Clause 11. The method of clause 10, wherein the mobile device is configured to receive signals based on a first bandwidth, and to transmit the symbols for the joint communication and sensing operation utilizing a second bandwidth greater than the first bandwidth.

[0155] Clause 12. The method of clause 10, wherein the assistance data comprises intra-symbol multiplexing configuration information, and sending the symbols for the joint communication and sensing operations comprises sending radio frequency sensing symbols based at least in part on the intra-symbol multiplexing configuration information.

[0156] Clause 13. The method of clause 12, wherein the intra-symbol multiplexing configuration is a comb-teeth based configuration.

[0157] Clause 14. The method of clause 10, wherein the assistance data comprises tuning gap information, and sending the symbols for the joint communication and sensing operation comprises sending radio frequency sensing symbols based at least in part on the tuning gap information.

[0158] Clause 15. The method of clause 10, wherein the hybrid parameter set information further comprises a third subcarrier spacing, and sending the symbols for the joint communication and sensing operations comprises sending synchronization signal symbols based on the third subcarrier spacing.

[0159] Clause 16. The method of clause 10, wherein the radio frequency sensing symbol is a positioning reference signal.

[0160] Clause 17. The method of clause 10, wherein receiving the distance information comprises receiving timing information associated with the radio frequency sensing symbols received by a mobile device via a line-of-sight path and at least one non-line-of-sight path.

[0161] Clause 18. The method of clause 10, further comprising providing the distance information to a server.

[0162] Clause 19. The method of clause 10, wherein the assistance data is provided via a radio resource control message, a downlink control information message, a medium access control message, or any combination thereof.

[0163] Clause 20. A device comprising: a memory; at least one transceiver; at least one processor, the at least one processor being communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver and configured to: receive auxiliary data for joint communication and sensing operations, wherein the auxiliary data comprises mixed parameter set information indicating at least a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing; perform joint communication and sensing operations by receiving communication symbols using the first subcarrier spacing and receiving radio frequency sensing symbols using the second subcarrier spacing; perform one or more channel splicing operations based on the received radio frequency sensing symbols; and determine distance information based at least in part on the one or more channel splicing operations.

[0164] Clause 21. The apparatus of clause 20, wherein the assistance data comprises intra-symbol multiplexing configuration information, and the at least one processor is further configured to receive radio frequency sensing symbols from a plurality of stations based at least in part on the intra-symbol multiplexing configuration information.

[0165] Clause 22. The apparatus of clause 21, wherein the intra-symbol multiplexing configuration is a comb-based configuration.

[0166] Clause 23. The apparatus of Clause 20, wherein the assistance data comprises tuning gap information, and the at least one processor is further configured to receive a radio frequency sensing symbol based at least in part on the tuning gap information.

[0167] Clause 24. The apparatus of clause 20, wherein the hybrid parameter set information further comprises a third subcarrier spacing, and the at least one processor is further configured to receive a synchronization signal symbol based on the third subcarrier spacing.

[0168] Clause 25. The apparatus of clause 20, wherein the radio frequency sensing symbol is a positioning reference signal.

[0169] Clause 26. The apparatus of Clause 20, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine timing information for the radio frequency sensing symbols received via a line-of-sight path and at least one non-line-of-sight path.

[0170] Clause 27. The apparatus of clause 20, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to send one or more reports including the distance information.

[0171] Clause 28. The apparatus of clause 20, wherein the assistance data is received via a radio resource control message, a downlink control information message, a medium access control message, or any combination thereof.

[0172] Clause 29. A device comprising: a memory; at least one transceiver; at least one processor, the at least one processor being communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver and configured to: provide auxiliary data for joint communication and sensing operations to a mobile device, wherein the auxiliary data comprises mixed parameter set information indicating at least a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing; send symbols for the joint communication and sensing operations using the first subcarrier spacing for communication symbols and the second subcarrier spacing for radio frequency sensing symbols; and receive distance information from the mobile device based at least in part on multiple radio frequency sensing symbols sent using the second subcarrier spacing.

[0173] Clause 30. The apparatus of clause 29, wherein the mobile device is configured to receive signals based on a first bandwidth, and the symbols sent for the joint communication and sensing operations utilize a second bandwidth greater than the first bandwidth.

[0174] Clause 31. The apparatus of clause 29, wherein the assistance data comprises intra-symbol multiplexing configuration information, and the at least one processor is further configured to send radio frequency sensing symbols based at least in part on the intra-symbol multiplexing configuration information.

[0175] Clause 32. The apparatus of clause 31, wherein the intra-symbol multiplexing configuration is a comb-based configuration.

[0176] Clause 33. The apparatus of Clause 29, wherein the assistance data comprises tuning gap information, and the at least one processor is further configured to send a radio frequency sensing symbol based at least in part on the tuning gap information.

[0177] Clause 34. The apparatus of clause 29, wherein the hybrid parameter set information further comprises a third subcarrier spacing, and the at least one processor is further configured to send a synchronization signal symbol based on the third subcarrier spacing.

[0178] Clause 35. The apparatus of clause 29, wherein the radio frequency sensing symbol is a positioning reference signal.

[0179] Clause 36. The apparatus of Clause 29, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive timing information associated with the radio frequency sensing symbols received by the mobile device via a line-of-sight path and at least one non-line-of-sight path.

[0180] Clause 37. The apparatus of Clause 29, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to provide the distance information to a server.

[0181] Clause 38. The apparatus of clause 29, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to provide the assistance data via a radio resource control message, a downlink control information message, a medium access control message, or any combination thereof.

[0182] Clause 39. A device for determining distance information using joint communication and sensing, the device comprising: a component for receiving auxiliary data for joint communication and sensing operations, wherein the auxiliary data includes mixed parameter set information indicating at least a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing; a component for performing joint communication and sensing operations by receiving communication symbols using the first subcarrier spacing and receiving radio frequency sensing symbols using the second subcarrier spacing; a component for performing one or more channel splicing operations based on the received radio frequency sensing symbols; and a component for determining distance information based at least in part on the one or more channel splicing operations.

[0183] Clause 40. A device for receiving distance information from a mobile device based on joint communication and sensing, the device comprising: a component for providing auxiliary data for joint communication and sensing operations to the mobile device, wherein the auxiliary data includes mixed parameter set information indicating at least a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing; a component for sending symbols for the joint communication and sensing operations using the first subcarrier spacing for communication symbols and the second subcarrier spacing for radio frequency sensing symbols; and a component for receiving distance information from the mobile device based at least in part on multiple radio frequency sensing symbols sent using the second subcarrier spacing.

[0184] Item 41. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions, the processor-readable instructions being configured to cause one or more processors to determine distance information using joint communication and sensing, and comprising code for performing the following operations: receiving auxiliary data for joint communication and sensing operations, wherein the auxiliary data comprises mixed parameter set information indicating at least a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing; performing joint communication and sensing operations by receiving communication symbols using the first subcarrier spacing and receiving radio frequency sensing symbols using the second subcarrier spacing; performing one or more channel splicing operations based on the received radio frequency sensing symbols; and determining distance information based at least in part on the one or more channel splicing operations.

[0185] Clause 42. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions, the processor-readable instructions being configured to cause one or more processors to receive distance information from a mobile device based on joint communication and sensing, and comprising code for performing the following operations: providing auxiliary data for joint communication and sensing operations to the mobile device, wherein the auxiliary data comprises mixed parameter set information indicating at least a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing; sending symbols for the joint communication and sensing operations using the first subcarrier spacing for communication symbols and the second subcarrier spacing for radio frequency sensing symbols; and receiving distance information from the mobile device based at least in part on multiple radio frequency sensing symbols sent using the second subcarrier spacing.

Claims

1. A method for determining distance information using joint communication and sensing, the method comprising: receiving assistance data for joint communication and sensing operations, wherein the assistance data includes hybrid parameter set information indicating at least a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing; performing a joint communication and sensing operation by receiving communication symbols using the first subcarrier spacing and receiving radio frequency sensing symbols using the second subcarrier spacing; performing one or more channel stitching operations based on the received radio frequency sensing symbols; as well as Range information is determined based at least in part on the one or more channel stitching operations.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the assistance data comprises intra-symbol multiplexing configuration information, and performing the joint communication and sensing operation comprises receiving radio frequency sensing symbols from a plurality of stations based at least in part on the intra-symbol multiplexing configuration information. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the intra-symbol multiplexing configuration is a comb-teeth based configuration.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the assistance data comprises tuning gap information, and performing the joint communication and sensing operation comprises receiving radio frequency sensing symbols based at least in part on the tuning gap information. The method of claim 1 , wherein the radio frequency sensing symbol is a positioning reference signal.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending one or more reports including the distance information.

7. A method for receiving distance information from a mobile device based on joint communication and sensing, the method comprising: providing assistance data for joint communication and sensing operations to the mobile device, wherein the assistance data comprises hybrid parameter set information indicating at least a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing; transmitting symbols for the joint communication and sensing operation using the first subcarrier spacing for communication symbols and the second subcarrier spacing for radio frequency sensing symbols; as well as Range information is received from the mobile device based at least in part on the plurality of radio frequency sensing symbols transmitted using the second subcarrier spacing.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the mobile device is configured to receive signals based on a first bandwidth, and transmitting the symbols for the joint communication and sensing operation utilizes a second bandwidth greater than the first bandwidth.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the assistance data comprises intra-symbol multiplexing configuration information, and transmitting the symbols for the joint communication and sensing operation comprises transmitting radio frequency sensing symbols based at least in part on the intra-symbol multiplexing configuration information.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the intra-symbol multiplexing configuration is a comb-teeth based configuration.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the assistance data comprises tuning gap information, and transmitting the symbols for the joint communication and sensing operation comprises transmitting radio frequency sensing symbols based at least in part on the tuning gap information.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the radio frequency sensing symbol is a positioning reference signal.

13. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing the distance information to a server.

14. A device, comprising: Memory; at least one transceiver; at least one processor, the at least one processor being communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver and configured to: receiving assistance data for joint communication and sensing operations, wherein the assistance data includes hybrid parameter set information indicating at least a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing; performing a joint communication and sensing operation by receiving communication symbols using the first subcarrier spacing and receiving radio frequency sensing symbols using the second subcarrier spacing; performing one or more channel stitching operations based on the received radio frequency sensing symbols; as well as Range information is determined based at least in part on the one or more channel stitching operations.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the assistance data comprises intra-symbol multiplexing configuration information, and the at least one processor is further configured to receive radio frequency sensing symbols from a plurality of stations based at least in part on the intra-symbol multiplexing configuration information. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the intra-symbol multiplexing configuration is a comb-teeth based configuration.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the assistance data comprises tuning gap information, and the at least one processor is further configured to receive a radio frequency sensing symbol based at least in part on the tuning gap information.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the hybrid parameter set information further comprises a third subcarrier spacing, and the at least one processor is further configured to receive a synchronization signal symbol based on the third subcarrier spacing. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the radio frequency sensing symbol is a positioning reference signal.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine timing information for the radio frequency sensing symbols received via a line-of-sight path and at least one non-line-of-sight path.

21. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to send one or more reports including the distance information.

22. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the assistance data is received via a radio resource control message, a downlink control information message, a medium access control message, or any combination thereof.

23. A device, comprising: Memory; at least one transceiver; at least one processor, the at least one processor being communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver and configured to: providing assistance data for joint communication and sensing operations to a mobile device, wherein the assistance data comprises hybrid parameter set information indicating at least a first subcarrier spacing and a second subcarrier spacing; transmitting symbols for the joint communication and sensing operation using the first subcarrier spacing for communication symbols and the second subcarrier spacing for radio frequency sensing symbols; as well as Range information is received from the mobile device based at least in part on the plurality of radio frequency sensing symbols transmitted using the second subcarrier spacing.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the mobile device is configured to receive signals based on a first bandwidth, and the symbols sent for the joint communication and sensing operations utilize a second bandwidth greater than the first bandwidth.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the assistance data comprises intra-symbol multiplexing configuration information, and the at least one processor is further configured to send a radio frequency sensing symbol based at least in part on the intra-symbol multiplexing configuration information.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the intra-symbol multiplexing configuration is a comb-teeth based configuration.

27. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the assistance data comprises tuning gap information, and the at least one processor is further configured to send a radio frequency sensing symbol based at least in part on the tuning gap information.

28. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive timing information associated with the radio frequency sensing symbols received by the mobile device via a line-of-sight path and at least one non-line-of-sight path.

29. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to provide the distance information to a server.

30. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to provide the assistance data via a radio resource control message, a downlink control information message, a medium access control message, or any combination thereof.

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