Radar sensing based on reconfigurable smart surface (RIS-based)

Abstract

In an aspect, a wireless node can send one or more messages to a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation, an angle of incidence of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, a redirection angle of the forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or any combination thereof. The wireless node is capable of transmitting a sensing signal for a sensing operation to an RIS configured based on a sensing beam scanning pattern, an angle of incidence of a forward path, a redirection angle of the forward path, or any combination thereof.

Description

Background Art 1. Technical Field

[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless communications.

[0003] 2. Description of related technologies

[0004] 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) services (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.

[0005] The fifth generation (5G) wireless standard, known as New Radio (NR), enables 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 higher data rates, more accurate positioning (e.g., based on reference signals for positioning (RS-P), such as downlink, uplink, or sidelink positioning reference signals (PRS)), and other technical enhancements compared to previous standards. These enhancements, along with the use of higher frequency bands, advances in PRS processes and technologies, and high-density deployments of 5G enable high-precision positioning based on 5G. Summary of the invention

[0006] The following presents a simplified summary of the invention related to one or more aspects disclosed herein. Therefore, the following summary of the invention should neither be considered as an exhaustive overview related to all conceived aspects, nor should it be considered to identify key or decisive elements related to all conceived aspects or to delineate the scope associated with any particular aspect. Therefore, the sole purpose of the following summary of the invention is to present certain concepts related to one or more aspects related to the mechanisms disclosed herein in a brief form before the detailed embodiments presented below.

[0007] In one aspect, a method of operating a wireless node includes: sending one or more messages to a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), the one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation, an incident angle of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, a redirection angle of the forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or any combination thereof; and sending a sensing signal for the sensing operation to the RIS, the RIS being configured based on the sensing beam scanning pattern, the incident angle of the forward path, the redirection angle of the forward path, or any combination thereof.

[0008] In one aspect, a method of operating a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) includes: receiving one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation, or an incident angle of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or a redirection angle of the forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or any combination thereof; and configuring the RIS for the sensing operation based on the one or more messages.

[0009] In one aspect, a method of operating a wireless node includes: receiving one or more messages from another wireless node, the one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation performed in conjunction with a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS); receiving a return signal for the sensing operation, the return signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object, the sensing signal coming from the other wireless node via the RIS, and a relationship between the return signal and the RIS being able to be identified based on the sensing beam scanning pattern for the sensing operation; and sending a sensing result to the other wireless node based on the return signal.

[0010] In one aspect, a wireless node comprises: 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, the at least one processor being configured to: send one or more messages to a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) via the at least one transceiver, the one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation, an angle of incidence of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, a redirection angle of the forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or any combination thereof; and send a sensing signal for the sensing operation to the RIS via the at least one transceiver, the RIS being configured based on the sensing beam scanning pattern, the angle of incidence of the forward path, the redirection angle of the forward path, or any combination thereof.

[0011] In one aspect, a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) 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, the at least one processor being configured to: receive one or more messages via the at least one transceiver, the one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation, or an angle of incidence of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or a redirection angle of the forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or any combination thereof; and configure the RIS for the sensing operation based on the one or more messages.

[0012] In one aspect, a wireless node comprises: 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, the at least one processor being configured to: receive one or more messages from another wireless node via the at least one transceiver, the one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation performed in conjunction with a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS); receive a return signal for the sensing operation via the at least one transceiver, the return signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object, the sensing signal coming from the other wireless node via the RIS, and a relationship between the return signal and the RIS being able to be identified based on the sensing beam scanning pattern for the sensing operation; and send a sensing result to the other wireless node based on the return signal via the at least one transceiver.

[0013] In one aspect, a wireless node includes: a component for sending one or more messages to a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), the one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation, an incident angle of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, a redirection angle of the forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or any combination thereof; and a component for sending a sensing signal for the sensing operation to the RIS, the RIS being configured based on the sensing beam scanning pattern, the incident angle of the forward path, the redirection angle of the forward path, or any combination thereof.

[0014] In one aspect, a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) includes: a component for receiving one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation, or an incident angle of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or a redirection angle of the forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or any combination thereof; and a component for configuring the RIS for the sensing operation based on the one or more messages.

[0015] In one aspect, a wireless node includes: a component for receiving one or more messages from another wireless node, the one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation performed in conjunction with a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS); a component for receiving a return signal for the sensing operation, the return signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object, the sensing signal coming from the other wireless node via the RIS, and a relationship between the return signal and the RIS being able to be identified based on the sensing beam scanning pattern for the sensing operation; and a component for sending a sensing result to the other wireless node based on the return signal.

[0016] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a wireless node, cause the wireless node to: send one or more messages to a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), the one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation, an angle of incidence of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, a redirection angle of the forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or any combination thereof; and send a sensing signal for the sensing operation to the RIS, the RIS being configured based on the sensing beam scanning pattern, the angle of incidence of the forward path, the redirection angle of the forward path, or any combination thereof.

[0017] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), cause the RIS to: receive one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation, or an angle of incidence of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or a redirection angle of the forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or any combination thereof; and configure the RIS for the sensing operation based on the one or more messages.

[0018] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a wireless node, cause the wireless node to: receive one or more messages from another wireless node, the one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation performed in conjunction with a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS); receive a return signal for the sensing operation, the return signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object, the sensing signal coming from the other wireless node via the RIS, and a relationship between the return signal and the RIS being identifiable based on the sensing beam scanning pattern for the sensing operation; and send a sensing result to the other wireless node based on the return signal.

[0019] Other objects and advantages associated with the various aspects disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the drawings and detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings are presented to aid in describing various aspects of the present disclosure and are provided solely for illustration and not limitation of the various aspects.

[0021] Figure 1 An example wireless communication system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0022] Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C Example wireless network structures according to aspects of the present disclosure are illustrated.

[0023] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C is a simplified block diagram of several sample aspects of components that may be employed in a user equipment (UE), a base station, and a network entity, respectively, and configured to support communications as taught herein.

[0024] Figure 4A and Figure 4B Different types of radar are illustrated.

[0025] Figure 5 An example system for wireless communications using a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0026] Figure 6 is a diagram of an example architecture of a RIS in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 7 Beamforming by RIS according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0028] Figure 8A RIS 800 is illustrated in which angle reciprocity does not hold, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0029] Fig. 9A , Fig. 9B and Fig. 9C Different radar sensing scenarios for sensing operations performed in conjunction with a RIS according to aspects of the present disclosure are illustrated.

[0030] Fig. 10A The following examples illustrate various aspects of the present disclosure. Fig. 9A A first scenario is depicted in which the RIS is configured according to an all-return monostatic sensing beam scanning mode.

[0031] Fig. 10B The invention illustrates various aspects of the present disclosure based on Fig. 10A The first scenario depicted is a process flow for performing a sensing operation.

[0032] Fig. 10C It is an example of various aspects of the present disclosure based on Fig. 10A The first scenario depicted is a timing diagram for determining the distance between a RIS and a target object.

[0033] Fig.11A The following examples illustrate various aspects of the present disclosure. Fig. 9B A second scenario is depicted in which the RIS is configured according to a semi-return bistatic sensing beam scanning mode.

[0034] Fig. 11B The invention illustrates various aspects of the present disclosure based on Fig.11A The second scenario depicted is a process flow for performing a sensing operation.

[0035] Fig. 11C It is an example of various aspects of the present disclosure based on Fig.11A The second scenario depicted is a timing diagram for determining the distance between the RIS and a target object.

[0036] Fig. 12A The following examples illustrate various aspects of the present disclosure. Fig. 9C A third scenario is depicted in which the RIS is configured according to a non-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning mode.

[0037] Fig. 12B The invention illustrates various aspects of the present disclosure based on Fig. 12A The third scenario depicted is a process flow for performing a sensing operation.

[0038] Fig. 12C It is an example of various aspects of the present disclosure based on Fig. 12AThe third scenario depicted is a timing diagram for determining the sum of the distance between the target object and the RIS and the distance between the target object and the wireless node.

[0039] Fig.13 is a timing diagram illustrating performing a sensing operation based on a semi-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning mode and a non-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning mode according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0040] Fig.14 Example methods of operating a wireless node in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure are illustrated.

[0041] Fig.15 Example methods of operating a RIS according to aspects of the present disclosure are illustrated.

[0042] Fig.16 Example methods of operating a wireless node in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure are illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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 advantageous over 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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 will be appreciated that the various actions described herein may be performed by a specific circuit (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), by program instructions 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, "logic configured to perform the described actions".

[0047] As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the terms "user equipment" (UE) and "base station" are not intended to be specific or otherwise limited to any specific radio access technology (RAT). In general, a UE may be any wireless communication device (e.g., a mobile phone, a router, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a consumer asset location device, a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch, glasses, an augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) head-mounted device, 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 may be mobile or may be stationary (e.g., at certain times) and may communicate with a radio access network (RAN). As used herein, the term "UE" may be interchangeably referred to as an "access terminal" or "AT", "client device", "wireless device", "subscriber device", "subscriber terminal", "subscriber station", "user terminal" or "UT", "mobile device", "mobile terminal", "mobile station" or variations thereof. In general, a UE may communicate with a core network via a RAN, and through the core network, the UE may connect to external networks such as the Internet and to other UEs. Of course, other mechanisms for the UE to connect to the core network and / or the Internet are also possible, such as through a wired access network, a wireless local area network (WLAN) network (e.g., based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 specification, etc.), etc.

[0048] 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 it 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.

[0049] The term "base station" may refer to a single physical transmit-receive point (TRP) or to 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 a 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 TRP may be a serving base station that receives measurement reports from a UE and an adjacent base station whose reference radio frequency (RF) signal the UE is measuring. Because, as used herein, a TRP is a point by which a base station transmits and receives wireless signals, references to transmitting from a base station or receiving at a base station should be understood to refer to a specific TRP of a base station.

[0050] In some specific implementations of supporting UE positioning, the base station may not support wireless access for the 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 to 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 beacon (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).

[0051] 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.

[0052] Figure 1 An example wireless communication system 100 according to various aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The wireless communication system 100 (which may also be referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) may include various base stations 102 (labeled as "BS") 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 the two, and the small cell base stations may include femto cells, pico cells, micro cells, etc.

[0053] 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 with one or more location servers 172 (e.g., a location management function (LMF) or a secure user plane location (SUPL) location platform (SLP)) through the core network 170. The location server 172 may be part of the core network 170 or may be external to the core network 170. The location server 172 may be integrated with the base station 102. The UE 104 may communicate with the location server 172 directly or indirectly. For example, the UE 104 may communicate with the location server 172 via the base station 102 currently serving the UE 104. The UE 104 may also communicate with the location server 172 via another path, such as via an application server (not shown), via another network, such as via a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) (e.g., AP 150 described below), etc. For signaling purposes, communications between UE 104 and location server 172 may be represented as an indirect connection (e.g., through core network 170, etc.) or a direct connection (e.g., as shown via direct connection 128), with intermediate nodes (if any) omitted from the signaling diagram for clarity.

[0054] Among other functions, the base station 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.

[0055] Base station 102 may communicate wirelessly with UE 104. Each of base stations 102 may provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 110. In one aspect, one or more cells may 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, which is referred to as a carrier frequency, component carrier, carrier, frequency band, etc.), and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCI), an enhanced cell identifier (ECI), a virtual cell identifier (VCI), a cell global identifier (CGI), etc.) used to distinguish cells operating via the same or different carrier frequencies. In some cases, different cells may 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 may provide access to different types of UEs. Because a cell is supported by a specific base station, the term "cell" may refer to either or both of the logical communication entity and the base station supporting it, depending on the context. In addition, since the TRP is generally the physical transmission point of the cell, the terms "cell" and "TRP" may be used interchangeably. In some cases, the term "cell" may also refer to a geographic coverage area (e.g., a sector) of a base station, as long as a carrier frequency can be detected and used for communications within a portion of the geographic coverage area 110.

[0056] Although the geographic coverage areas 110 of neighboring macrocell base stations 102 may partially overlap (e.g., in a handover region), some of the geographic coverage areas 110 may substantially overlap with the larger geographic coverage areas 110. For example, a small cell base station 102' (labeled "SC" for "small cell") 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 called a closed subscriber group (CSG).

[0057] The communication link 120 between the base station 102 and the UE 104 may include uplink (also referred to as a reverse link) transmissions from the UE 104 to the base station 102 and / or downlink (DL) (also referred to as a 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).

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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' using 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, Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) or MulteFire.

[0060] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a millimeter wave (mmW) base station 180, which may operate at mmW frequencies and / or near mmW frequencies to communicate with UE 182. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is a part of RF in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz, with a wavelength between 1 mm and 10 mm. The radio waves in this band may be referred to as millimeter waves. Near mmW can be extended downward to a frequency of 3 GHz, with a wavelength of 100 mm. The super high frequency (SHF) band extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz, and is also referred to as centimeter waves. Communications using mmW / near mmW radio frequency bands have high path loss and relatively short range. The mmW base station 180 and UE 182 may utilize beamforming (transmitting and / or receiving) on ​​the mmW communication link 184 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range. In addition, it should be understood that in an alternative configuration, one or more base stations 102 may also use mmW or near mmW and beamforming for transmission. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing illustrations are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting the various aspects disclosed herein.

[0061] 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 (called a "phased array" or "antenna array") that creates RF beams that can be "steered" to point in different directions without actually moving the antennas. Specifically, the RF current from the transmitter is fed to each antenna in the correct phase relationship so that the radio waves from the separate antennas are added together to increase the radiation in the desired direction while canceling to suppress the radiation in the undesired direction.

[0062] 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 network node's own transmit antenna is 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.

[0063] In receive beamforming, the receiver uses receive beams to amplify RF signals detected on a given channel. For example, the receiver may increase the gain setting of the antenna array in a particular direction and / or adjust the phase setting of the antenna array in a particular direction to amplify the RF signal received from that direction (e.g., increase its gain level). Therefore, when a receiver is said to perform beamforming in a certain direction, it means that the beam gain in that direction is high relative to the beam gain along other directions, or 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.

[0064] The transmit beam and the receive beam may be spatially correlated. The spatial relationship means that parameters of a second beam (e.g., a transmit beam or a receive beam) for a second reference signal may be derived based on information about a first beam (e.g., a receive beam or a transmit beam) for a first reference signal. For example, a UE may use a specific receive beam to receive a reference downlink reference signal (e.g., a synchronization signal block (SSB)) from a base station. The UE may then form a transmit beam for transmitting an uplink reference signal (e.g., a sounding reference signal (SRS)) to the base station based on the parameters of the receive beam.

[0065] 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.

[0066] The electromagnetic spectrum is typically subdivided into various categories, bands, channels, etc. based on frequency / wavelength. In 5G NR, two initial operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz-7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz-52.6 GHz). It should be understood that, although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is often (interchangeably) referred to as the "sub-6 GHz" band in various documents and articles. A similar naming issue sometimes occurs with respect to FR2, which is often (interchangeably) referred to as the "millimeter wave" band in documents and articles, although different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz-300 GHz) identified as the "millimeter wave" band by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

[0067] Frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are generally referred to as mid-band frequencies. Recent 5G NR research has identified the operating bands for these mid-band frequencies as frequency range designation FR3 (7.125GHz-24.25GHz). The bands falling within FR3 can inherit FR1 characteristics and / or FR2 characteristics, so the features of FR1 and / or FR2 can be effectively extended to mid-band frequencies. In addition, higher frequency bands are currently being explored to extend 5G NR operations to more than 52.6GHz. For example, three higher operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR4-a or FR4-1 (52.6GHz-71GHz), FR4 (52.6GHz-114.25GHz) and FR5 (114.25GHz-300GHz). Each of these higher frequency bands falls within the EHF band.

[0068] In view of the above aspects, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if used in this article, the term "below 6 GHz" and the like can be broadly referred to as frequencies that may be less than 6 GHz, may be within FR1, or may include mid-band frequencies. In addition, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if the term "millimeter wave" and the like are used in this article, they can be broadly referred to as frequencies that may include mid-band frequencies, may be within FR2, FR4, FR4-a or FR4-1 and / or FR5, or may be within the EHF band.

[0069] In a multi-carrier system (such as 5G), one of the carrier frequencies is referred to as the "primary carrier" or "anchor carrier" or "primary serving cell" or "PCell", and the remaining carrier frequencies are referred to as "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) utilized 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 re-establishment 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) that can be configured and 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 can 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 UE-specific signaling information and signals may not be present in the secondary carrier. This means that different UEs 104 / 182 in a cell may have different downlink primary carriers. The same is 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. Because a "serving cell" (whether PCell or SCell) corresponds to a carrier frequency / component carrier on which a base station communicates, the terms "cell", "serving cell", "component carrier", "carrier frequency", etc. are used interchangeably.

[0070] For example, still referring to Figure 1, one of the frequencies utilized by the macrocell base station 102 may be an anchor carrier (or "PCell"), and the other frequencies used by the macrocell base station 102 and / or the mmW base station 180 may be secondary carriers ("SCells"). Simultaneous transmission and / or reception of multiple carriers enables the 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.

[0071] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a UE 164, which 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.

[0072] In some cases, UE 164 and UE 182 are capable of sidelink communication. A UE with sidelink capability (SL-UE) can communicate with base station 102 via communication link 120 using a Uu interface (i.e., an air interface between UE and base station). SL-UEs (e.g., UE 164, UE 182) can also communicate directly with each other via a wireless sidelink 160 using a PC5 interface (i.e., an air interface between UEs with sidelink capability). A wireless sidelink (or just "sidelink") is an adaptation of a core cellular network (e.g., LTE, NR) standard that allows direct communication between two or more UEs without communicating through a base station. Sidelink communications can be unicast or multicast and can be used for device-to-device (D2D) media sharing, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2X) communications (e.g., cellular V2X (cV2X) communications, enhanced V2X (eV2X) communications, etc.), emergency rescue applications, etc. One or more SL-UEs in a group of SL-UEs utilizing sidelink communications may be located within the geographic coverage area 110 of the base station 102. Other SL-UEs in such a group may be outside the geographic coverage area 110 of the base station 102, or may be unable to receive transmissions from the base station 102 for other reasons. In some cases, each group of SL-UEs communicating via sidelink communications may utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, where each SL-UE transmits to each other SL-UE in the group. In some cases, the base station 102 facilitates the scheduling of resources for the sidelink communications. In other cases, the sidelink communications are performed between the SL-UEs without involving the base station 102.

[0073] In one aspect, the sidelink 160 may operate on a wireless communication medium of interest, which may be shared with other vehicles and / or infrastructure access points and other wireless communications between other RATs. A "medium" may include one or more time, frequency, and / or spatial communication resources associated with wireless communications between one or more transmitter / receiver pairs (e.g., covering one or more channels across one or more carriers). In one aspect, the medium of interest may correspond to at least a portion of an unlicensed band shared between various RATs. Although different licensed bands have been reserved for certain communication systems (e.g., by government entities such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States), these systems (particularly those employing small cell access points) have recently expanded operations into unlicensed bands such as the unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) band used by wireless local area network (WLAN) technology (most notably the IEEE 802.11x WLAN technology commonly referred to as "Wi-Fi"). Example systems of this type include different variations of CDMA systems, TDMA systems, FDMA systems, orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) systems, single carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) systems, and the like.

[0074] Note that although Figure 1 Only two of these UEs are illustrated as SL-UEs (i.e., UEs 164 and 182), but any of the illustrated UEs may be SL-UEs. In addition, although only UE 182 is described as being capable of beamforming, any of the illustrated UEs (including UE 164) may be capable of beamforming. In the case where SL-UEs are capable of beamforming, they may beamform toward each other (i.e., toward other SL-UEs), toward other UEs (e.g., UE 104), toward base stations (e.g., base stations 102, 180, small cells 102', access point 150), etc. Therefore, in some cases, UE 164 and UE 182 may utilize beamforming via side link 160.

[0075] exist Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 1 , the UE illustrated (for simplicity, in Figure 1Any of the UEs 104 (shown as a single UE 104 in FIG. 1 ) may receive a signal 124 from one or more earth orbiting space vehicles (SVs) 112 (e.g., satellites). In one aspect, the SVs 112 may be part of a satellite positioning system that the UEs 104 may use as an independent source of location information. A satellite positioning system typically includes a transmitter system (e.g., SVs 112) positioned to enable a receiver (e.g., UE 104) to determine its position on or above the earth based at least in part on a positioning signal (e.g., signal 124) received from the transmitter. Such transmitters typically transmit signals marked with a repeating pseudo-random noise (PN) code of a set number of chips. Although typically located in the SVs 112, the transmitters may sometimes be located on ground-based control stations, base stations 102, and / or other UEs 104. The UEs 104 may include one or more dedicated receivers that are specifically designed to receive the signal 124 in order to derive geographic location information from the SVs 112.

[0076] In a satellite positioning system, the use of signal 124 may be enhanced by various satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS) that may be associated with or otherwise enabled for use with one or more global and / or regional navigation satellite systems. For example, SBAS may include augmentation systems that provide integrity information, differential corrections, etc., such as Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), Multifunction Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS), Global Positioning System (GPS) Assisted Geographic Augmented Navigation, or GPS and Geographic Augmented Navigation System (GAGAN), etc. Thus, as used herein, a satellite positioning system may include any combination of one or more global and / or regional navigation satellites associated with such one or more satellite positioning systems.

[0077] In one aspect, SV 112 may additionally or alternatively be part of one or more non-terrestrial networks (NTNs). In an NTN, SV 112 is connected to an earth station (also referred to as a ground station, NTN gateway, or gateway), which in turn is connected to an element in a 5G network, such as an improved base station 102 (without a ground antenna) or a network node in a 5GC. This element in turn will provide access to other elements in the 5G network, and ultimately provide access to entities outside the 5G network (such as Internet web servers and other user devices). In this way, instead of or in addition to communication signals from a ground base station 102, a UE 104 can receive communication signals (e.g., signal 124) from a SV 112.

[0078] The wireless communication system 100 may also include one or more UEs, such as UE 190, which 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 an 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), etc.

[0079] Figure 2A An example wireless network structure 200 is illustrated. For example, the 5GC 210 (also referred to as the Next Generation Core (NGC)) can be functionally viewed as a control plane (C-plane) function 214 (e.g., UE registration, authentication, network access, gateway selection, etc.) and a user plane (U-plane) function 212 (e.g., UE gateway function, access to data networks, IP routing, etc.), which operate in conjunction 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 user plane function 212 and the control plane function 214, respectively. In an additional configuration, the ng-eNB 224 can also be connected to the 5GC 210 via the NG-C 215 to the control plane function 214 and the NG-U 213 to the user plane function 212. In addition, the ng-eNB 224 can communicate directly with the gNB 222 via the backhaul connection 223. In some configurations, the next generation RAN (NG-RAN) 220 may have one or more gNBs 222, while other configurations include one or more of ng-eNBs 224 and gNBs 222. Either the gNB 222 or the ng-eNB 224 (or both) may communicate with one or more UEs 204 (e.g., any of the UEs described herein).

[0080] 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 (e.g., a third-party server, such as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) server or a service server).

[0081] Figure 2B Another example wireless network structure 240 is illustrated. 5GC 260 (which may correspond to Figure 2AThe 5GC 210 in the 5GC 210 can be functionally viewed as a control plane function provided by an access and mobility management function (AMF) 264, and a user plane function provided by a user plane function (UPF) 262, which operate in conjunction to form a core network (i.e., 5GC 260). The functions of the AMF 264 include: registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, lawful interception, transmission of session management (SM) messages between one or more UEs 204 (e.g., any UE described herein) and a session management function (SMF) 266, a transparent proxy service for routing SM messages, access authentication and access granting, transmission of short message service (SMS) messages between the UE 204 and a short message service function (SMSF) (not shown), and security anchor functionality (SEAF). The AMF 264 also interacts with an authentication server function (AUSF) (not shown) and the UE 204, and receives an intermediate key established as a result of the UE 204 authentication process. In the case of authentication based on the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), the AMF 264 retrieves security material from the AUSF. The functionality of the AMF 264 also includes security context management (SCM). The SCM receives keys from the SEAF, which it uses to derive access network specific keys. The functionality of the AMF 264 also includes location service management for regulatory services, for the transmission of location service messages between the UE 204 and the Location Management Function (LMF) 270 (which acts as a location server 230), for the transmission of location service messages between the NG-RAN 220 and the LMF 270, for the allocation of Evolved Packet System (EPS) bearer identifiers for interoperation with EPS, and UE 204 mobility event notifications. In addition, the AMF 264 also supports functionality for non-3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) access networks.

[0082] The functions of 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, service steering), lawful interception (user plane collection), service usage reporting, user plane quality of service (QoS) handling (e.g., uplink / downlink rate enforcement, reflective QoS marking in downlink), uplink service 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. UPF 262 can also support the delivery of location service messages between UE 204 and a location server (such as SLP 272) on the user plane.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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). SLP 272 may support similar functionality as LMF 270, but LMF 270 may communicate with AMF 264, NG-RAN 220, and UE 204 on a control plane (e.g., using interfaces and protocols designed to carry signaling messages rather than voice or data), and SLP 272 may communicate with UE 204 and external clients (e.g., third-party servers 274) on a user plane (e.g., using protocols designed to carry voice and / or data, such as the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and / or IP).

[0085] Yet another optional aspect may include a third-party server 274 that can communicate with the LMF 270, SLP 272, 5GC 260 (e.g., via AMF 264 and / or UPF 262), NG-RAN 220, and / or UE 204 to obtain location information (e.g., location estimate) of UE 204. Thus, in some cases, the third-party server 274 may be referred to as a location service (LCS) client or an external client. The third-party server 274 may be implemented as a plurality of separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed across multiple physical servers, etc.), or may alternatively each correspond to a single server.

[0086] The user plane interface 263 and the control plane interface 265 connect the 5GC 260, and specifically the UPF 262 and the AMF 264, respectively, to one or more gNBs 222 and / or ng-eNBs 224 in the NG-RAN 220. The interface between the gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224 and the AMF 264 is referred to as the "N2" interface, and the interface between the gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224 and the UPF 262 is referred to as the "N3" interface. The gNBs 222 and / or ng-eNBs 224 of the NG-RAN 220 may communicate directly with each other via a backhaul connection 223 referred to as an "Xn-C" interface. One or more of the gNBs 222 and / or ng-eNBs 224 may communicate with one or more UEs 204 via a wireless interface referred to as a "Uu" interface.

[0087] The functionality of the gNB 222 may be divided between a gNB central unit (gNB-CU) 226, one or more gNB distributed units (gNB-DU) 228, and one or more gNB radio units (gNB-RU) 229. The gNB-CU 226 is a logical node that includes base station functions other than those specifically assigned to the gNB-DU 228, including delivery of user data, mobility control, radio access network sharing, positioning, session management, and the like. More specifically, the gNB-CU 226 generally hosts the radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) protocols of the gNB 222. The gNB-DU 228 is a logical node that generally hosts the radio link control (RLC) and medium access control (MAC) layers of the gNB 222. Its operation is controlled by the gNB-CU 226. One gNB-DU 228 may support one or more cells, and one cell is supported by only one gNB-DU 228. The interface 232 between the gNB-CU 226 and one or more gNB-DUs 228 is referred to as the "F1" interface. The physical (PHY) layer functionality of the gNB 222 is typically hosted by one or more independent gNB-RUs 229, which perform functions such as power amplification and signal transmission / reception. The interface between the gNB-DU 228 and the gNB-RU 229 is referred to as the "Fx" interface. Thus, the UE 204 communicates with the gNB-CU 226 via the RRC layer, the SDAP layer, and the PDCP layer, communicates with the gNB-DU 228 via the RLC layer and the MAC layer, and communicates with the gNB-RU 229 via the PHY layer.

[0088] The deployment of a communication system (such as a 5G NR system) can be arranged with various components or components in a variety of ways. In a 5G NR system or network, a network node, a network entity, a mobility element of a network, a RAN node, a core network node, a network element or a network equipment (such as a base station or one or more units (or one or more components) that perform base station functionality can be implemented in an aggregated or decomposed architecture. For example, a base station (such as a node B (NB), an evolved NB (eNB), an NR base station, a 5GNB, an access point (AP), a transmit receive point (TRP) or a cell, etc.) can be implemented as an aggregated base station (also referred to as a standalone base station or a single-chip base station) or a decomposed base station.

[0089] The aggregated base station can be configured to utilize a radio protocol stack physically or logically integrated within a single RAN node. The decomposed base station can be configured to utilize a protocol stack physically or logically distributed between two or more units, such as one or more central or centralized units (CU), one or more distributed units (DU), or one or more radio units (RU). In some aspects, the CU can be implemented within a RAN node, and one or more DUs can be co-located with the CU, or alternatively, can be geographically or virtually distributed in one or more other RAN nodes. The DU can be implemented to communicate with one or more RUs. Each of the CU, DU, and RU can also be implemented as a virtual unit, namely a virtual central unit (VCU), a virtual distributed unit (VDU), or a virtual radio unit (VRU).

[0090] Base station type operations or network designs may take into account the aggregated nature of base station functionality. For example, a disaggregated base station may be used in an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network, an open radio access network (O-RAN (network configurations such as those initiated by the O-RAN Alliance)), or a virtualized radio access network (vRAN, also known as a cloud radio access network (C-RAN)). Decomposition may include distributing functionality across two or more units at various physical locations, as well as virtually distributing functionality of at least one unit, which may enable flexibility in network design. Individual units of a disaggregated base station or disaggregated RAN architecture may be configured for wired or wireless communication with at least one other unit.

[0091] Figure 2C An example disaggregated base station architecture 250 is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The disaggregated base station architecture 250 may include one or more central units (CUs) 280 (e.g., gNB-CUs 226), which may communicate directly with a core network 267 (e.g., 5GC 210, 5GC 260) via a backhaul link, or indirectly with the core network 267 through one or more disaggregated base station units, such as a near real-time (near-RT) RAN intelligent controller (RIC) 259 via an E2 link or a non-real-time (non-RT) RIC 257 associated with a service management and orchestration (SMO) framework 255, or both. The CU 280 may communicate with one or more distributed units (DUs) 285 (e.g., gNB-DUs 228) via corresponding midhaul links (e.g., F1 interfaces). The DUs 285 may communicate with one or more radio units (RUs) 287 (e.g., gNB-RUs 229) via corresponding fronthaul links. The RU 287 can communicate with a corresponding UE 204 via one or more radio frequency (RF) access links. In some implementations, a UE 204 can be served by multiple RUs 287 simultaneously.

[0092] Each of the units (i.e., CU 280, DU 285, RU 287, and near-RT RIC 259, non-RT RIC 257, and SMO framework 255) may include or be coupled to one or more interfaces configured to receive or send signals, data, or information (collectively referred to as signals) via a wired or wireless transmission medium. Each of these units or an associated processor or controller that provides instructions to the communication interface of these units may be configured to communicate with one or more of the other units via a transmission medium. For example, these units may include a wired interface configured to receive or send signals to one or more of the other units via a wired transmission medium. In addition, the unit may include a wireless interface that may include a receiver, a transmitter, or a transceiver (such as a radio frequency (RF) transceiver) that is configured to receive or send signals, or both, to one or more of the other units via a wireless transmission medium.

[0093] In some aspects, CU 280 may host one or more higher-layer control functions. Such control functions may include radio resource control (RRC), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), etc. Each control function may be implemented using an interface that is configured to communicate signals with other control functions hosted by CU 280. CU280 may be configured to handle user plane functionality (i.e., central unit-user plane (CU-UP)), control plane functionality (i.e., central unit-control plane (CU-CP)), or a combination thereof. In some specific implementations, CU 280 may be logically divided into one or more CU-UP units and one or more CU-CP units. When implemented in an O-RAN configuration, the CU-UP unit may communicate bidirectionally with the CU-CP unit via an interface (such as an E1 interface). As needed, CU 280 may be implemented to communicate with DU 285 for network control and signaling.

[0094] DU 285 may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more base station functions for controlling the operation of one or more RU 287. In some aspects, DU 285 may host one or more of a radio link control (RLC) layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, and one or more high physical (PHY) layers (such as modules for forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, etc.) depending at least in part on a functional split such as defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). In some aspects, DU 285 may further host one or more low PHY layers. Each layer (or module) may be implemented using an interface that is configured to communicate signals with other layers (and modules) hosted by DU 285 or with control functions hosted by CU 280.

[0095] The lower layer functionality may be implemented by one or more RUs 287. In some deployments, a RU 287 controlled by a DU 285 may correspond to a logical node that hosts RF processing functions or low PHY layer functions (such as performing Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Inverse FFT (iFFT), digital beamforming, physical random access channel (PRACH) extraction and filtering, etc.), or both, based at least in part on functional partitioning (such as lower layer functional partitioning). In such an architecture, the RU 287 may be implemented to handle over-the-air (OTA) communications with one or more UEs 204. In some implementations, real-time and non-real-time aspects of control plane communications and user plane communications with the RU 287 may be controlled by the corresponding DU 285. In some scenarios, this configuration may enable the implementation of the DU 285 and CU 280 in a cloud-based RAN architecture (such as a vRAN architecture).

[0096] The SMO framework 255 may be configured to support RAN deployment and provisioning of non-virtualized network elements and virtualized network elements. For non-virtualized network elements, the SMO framework 255 may be configured to support the deployment of dedicated physical resources for RAN coverage requirements, which may be managed via an operation and maintenance interface (such as an O1 interface). For virtualized network elements, the SMO framework 255 may be configured to interact with a cloud computing platform (such as an open cloud (O-Cloud) 269) to perform network element lifecycle management (such as to instantiate virtualized network elements) via a cloud computing platform interface (such as an O2 interface). Such virtualized network elements may include, but are not limited to, CU 280, DU 285, RU 287, and near-RT RIC 259. In some specific implementations, the SMO framework 255 may communicate with hardware aspects of the 4G RAN (such as an open eNB (O-eNB) 261) via the O1 interface. In addition, in some specific implementations, the SMO framework 255 may communicate directly with one or more RUs 287 via the O1 interface. The SMO framework 255 may also include a non-RT RIC 257 configured to support the functionality of the SMO framework 255 .

[0097] The non-RT RIC 257 may be configured to include logic functions that enable non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML) workflows including model training and updating, or policy-based guidance of applications / features in the near-RT RIC 259. The non-RT RIC 257 may be coupled to or communicate with the near-RT RIC 259 (such as via an A1 interface). The near-RT RIC 259 may be configured to include logic functions that enable near-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources via data collection and actions through an interface (such as via an E2 interface) that connects one or more CUs 280, one or more DUs 285, or both, and the O-eNB with the near-RT RIC 259.

[0098] In some implementations, in order to generate an AI / ML model to be deployed in the near-RT RIC 259, the non-RT RIC 257 may receive parameters or external enrichment information from an external server. Such information may be utilized by the near-RT RIC 259 and may be received from a non-network data source or from a network function at the SMO framework 255 or the non-RT RIC 257. In some examples, the non-RT RIC 257 or the near-RT RIC 259 may be configured to tune RAN behavior or performance. For example, the non-RT RIC 257 may monitor long-term trends and patterns of performance and employ AI / ML models to perform corrective actions through the SMO framework 255 (such as via reconfiguration of O1) or via the creation of RAN management policies (such as A1 policies).

[0099] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C The example 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 a LMF 270, or alternatively may be independent of Figure 2A and Figure 2B Several example components (represented by corresponding boxes) in the NG-RAN 220 and / or 5GC 210 / 260 infrastructure depicted in the 5GC 210 / 260 (such as a dedicated network) are shown to support operations as described herein. It should be understood that these components can be implemented in different types of devices with different specific implementations (e.g., in an ASIC, in a system on a chip (SoC), etc.). The illustrated components can also be incorporated into other devices in the 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.

[0100] UE 302 and base station 304 each include one or more wireless wide area network (WWAN) transceivers 310 and 350, respectively, which provide means (e.g., means for transmitting, means for receiving, means for measuring, means for tuning, means for preventing transmitting, etc.) for communicating via one or more wireless communication networks (not shown), such as NR networks, LTE networks, GSM networks, etc. WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 may each be connected to one or more antennas 316 and 356, respectively, for communicating with other network nodes (such as other UEs, access points, base stations (e.g., eNBs, gNBs), etc.) via at least one designated RAT (e.g., NR, LTE, GSM, etc.) on a wireless communication medium of interest (e.g., a set of time / frequency resources in a particular spectrum). The 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 specified RAT, and conversely, receive and decode the signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.). Specifically, the WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 include: one or more transmitters 314 and 354 for transmitting and encoding the signals 318 and 358, respectively, and one or more receivers 312 and 352 for receiving and decoding the signals 318 and 358, respectively.

[0101] At least in some cases, the UE 302 and the base station 304 each further include one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360, respectively. The short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 can be connected to one or more antennas 326 and 366, respectively, and provide for communicating over the wireless communication medium of interest via at least one designated RAT (e.g., WiFi, LTE-D, The short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 are components (e.g., components for sending, components for receiving, components for measuring, components for tuning, components for preventing sending, etc.) for communicating with other network nodes (such as other UEs, access points, base stations, etc.) using a PC5, dedicated short-range communication (DSRC), wireless access for vehicle environments (WAVE), near field communication (NFC), ultra-wideband (UWB), etc.). The short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 can be configured in different ways to send and encode signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.) according to a specified RAT, and conversely, receive and decode signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.). Specifically, the short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 include: one or more transmitters 324 and 364 for sending and encoding signals 328 and 368, respectively, and one or more receivers 322 and 362 for receiving and decoding signals 328 and 368, respectively. As a specific example, the short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 may be WiFi transceivers, Transceiver, and / or transceiver, NFC transceiver, UWB transceiver or vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and / or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) transceiver.

[0102] At least in some cases, the UE 302 and the base station 304 also include satellite signal receivers 330 and 370. The satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 may be connected to one or more antennas 336 and 376, respectively, and may provide components for receiving and / or measuring satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378, respectively. In the case where the satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 are satellite positioning system receivers, the satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378 may be 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. In the case where the satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 are non-terrestrial network (NTN) receivers, the satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378 may be communication signals (e.g., carrying control and / or user data) originating from a 5G network. The satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 may include any suitable hardware and / or software for receiving and processing satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378, respectively. Satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 may request appropriate information and operations from other systems and, at least in some cases, perform calculations using measurements obtained by any suitable satellite positioning system algorithm to determine the positions of UE 302 and base station 304, respectively.

[0103] The base station 304 and the network entity 306 each include one or more network transceivers 380 and 390, respectively, which provide means (e.g., means for transmitting, means for receiving, etc.) for communicating with other network entities (e.g., other base stations 304, other network entities 306). For example, the base station 304 may employ one or more network transceivers 380 to communicate with other base stations 304 or network entities 306 via one or more wired or wireless backhaul links. As another example, the network entity 306 may employ one or more network transceivers 390 to communicate with one or more base stations 304 via one or more wired or wireless backhaul links, or communicate with other network entities 306 via one or more wired or wireless core network interfaces.

[0104] The transceiver may be configured to communicate over a wired or wireless link. A transceiver (whether a wired transceiver or a wireless transceiver) includes a transmitter circuit (e.g., transmitters 314, 324, 354, 364) and a receiver circuit (e.g., receivers 312, 322, 352, 362). In some implementations, the transceiver may be an integrated device (e.g., implementing the transmitter circuit and the receiver circuit in a single device), in some implementations may include separate transmitter circuits and separate receiver circuits, or in other implementations may be implemented in other ways. The transmitter circuit and the receiver circuit of a wired transceiver (e.g., network transceivers 380 and 390 in some implementations) may be coupled to one or more wired network interface ports. The wireless transmitter circuitry (e.g., transmitters 314, 324, 354, 364) may include or be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), such as antenna arrays, which allow the corresponding device (e.g., UE 302, base station 304) to perform transmit "beamforming", as described herein. Similarly, the wireless receiver circuitry (e.g., receivers 312, 322, 352, 362) may include or be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), such as antenna arrays, which allow the corresponding device (e.g., UE 302, base station 304) to perform receive beamforming, as described herein. In one aspect, the transmitter circuitry and the receiver circuitry may share the same multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366) so that the corresponding device can only receive or only transmit at a given time, rather than both receive and transmit at the same time. The wireless transceivers (eg, WWAN transceivers 310 and 350, short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360) may also include a network listening module (NLM) or the like for performing various measurements.

[0105] As used herein, various wireless transceivers (e.g., transceivers 310, 320, 350, and 360 in some implementations, and network transceivers 380 and 390) and wired transceivers (e.g., network transceivers 380 and 390 in some implementations) may be generally characterized as a "transceiver," "at least one transceiver," or "one or more transceivers." Thus, whether a particular transceiver is a wired or wireless transceiver may be inferred based on the type of communication being performed. For example, backhaul communications between network devices or servers typically involve signaling via a wired transceiver, while wireless communications between a UE (e.g., UE 302) and a base station (e.g., base station 304) will typically involve signaling via a wireless transceiver.

[0106] 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, base station 304, and network entity 306 include one or more processors 332, 384, and 394, respectively, for providing functionality related to, for example, wireless communication, and for providing other processing functionality. Thus, processors 332, 384, and 394 may provide means for processing, such as means for determining, means for calculating, means for receiving, means for sending, means for indicating, etc. In one aspect, processors 332, 384, and 394 may include, for example, one or more general purpose processors, multi-core processors, central processing units (CPUs), ASICs, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), other programmable logic devices or processing circuits, or various combinations thereof.

[0107] UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 include memory circuitry implementing memory 340, 386, and 396 (e.g., each including a memory device) for maintaining information (e.g., information indicating reserved resources, thresholds, parameters, etc.). Thus, memory 340, 386, and 396 may provide means for storing, means for retrieving, means for maintaining, etc. In some cases, UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 may include sensing components 342, 388, and 398, respectively. Sensing components 342, 388, and 398 may be hardware circuits that are part of or coupled to processors 332, 384, and 394, respectively, which when executed cause UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 to perform the functionality described herein. In other aspects, sensing components 342, 388, and 398 may be external to processors 332, 384, and 394 (e.g., part of a modem processing system, integrated with another processing system, etc.). Alternatively, the sensing components 342, 388 and 398 can be memory modules stored in the memories 340, 386 and 396, respectively, which, when executed by the processors 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 functionality described herein. Figure 3A Possible locations for the sensing component 342 are illustrated, which may be, for example, part of one or more WWAN transceivers 310, memory 340, one or more processors 332, or any combination thereof, or may be a standalone component. Figure 3B Possible locations for the sensing component 388 are illustrated, which may be, for example, part of one or more WWAN transceivers 350, memory 386, one or more processors 384, or any combination thereof, or may be a stand-alone component. Figure 3C Possible locations for a sensing component 398 are illustrated, which may be, for example, part of one or more network transceivers 390, memory 396, one or more processors 394, or any combination thereof, or may be a stand-alone component.

[0108] UE 302 may include one or more sensors 344 coupled to one or more processors 332 to provide a means for sensing or detecting movement and / or orientation information that is independent of motion data derived from signals received by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320, and / or satellite signal receivers 330. As an 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 ability to calculate positioning in a two-dimensional (2D) and / or three-dimensional (3D) coordinate system.

[0109] In addition, the UE 302 includes a user interface 346, which provides means for providing indications to the user (e.g., audible and / or visual indications) and / or for receiving user input (e.g., when the user actuates a sensing device such as a keypad, touch screen, microphone, etc.). Although not shown, the base station 304 and the network entity 306 may also include a user interface.

[0110] Referring to the one or more processors 384 in more detail, in a downlink, IP packets from the network entity 306 may be provided to the processor 384. The one or more processors 384 may implement functionality for an RRC layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, and a medium access control (MAC) layer. One or more processors 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 (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functionality associated with delivery of upper layer 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.

[0111] The transmitter 354 and the receiver 352 may implement layer 1 (L1) functionality 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 physical channels, modulation / demodulation of physical channels, 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 coded and modulated symbols may then be separated into parallel streams. Each stream may 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. Channel estimates from a channel estimator may be used to determine coding and modulation schemes and for spatial processing. Channel estimates may be derived from reference signals and / or channel state feedback sent by the UE 302. Each spatial stream may then be provided to one or more different antennas 356. The transmitter 354 may modulate an RF carrier with a corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0112] 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 one or more processors 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 the destination of multiple spatial streams is 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 one or more processors 332, which implement layer 3 (L3) and layer 2 (L2) functionality.

[0113] In the downlink, one or more processors 332 provide demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the core network. One or more processors 332 are also responsible for error detection.

[0114] Similar to the functionality described in conjunction with downlink transmissions performed by the base station 304, the one or more processors 332 provide: 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, 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, 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.

[0115] 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.

[0116] The uplink transmissions are processed at the base station 304 in a manner similar to that described in connection 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 one or more processors 384.

[0117] In the uplink, the one or more processors 384 provide demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, control signal processing to recover IP packets from the UE 302. The IP packets from the one or more processors 384 may be provided to the core network. The one or more processors 384 are also responsible for error detection.

[0118] For convenience, UE 302, base station 304 and / or network entity 306 may Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C, is shown as including various components that can be configured according to the various examples described herein. However, it should be understood that the illustrated components may have different functionality in different designs. Specifically, FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C Various components in are optional in alternative configurations, and various aspects include configurations that may vary due to design choice, cost, use of the device, or other considerations. For example, in Figure 3A In the case of a wearable device or a tablet computer or a PC or a laptop computer, a specific implementation of the UE 302 may omit the WWAN transceiver 310 (e.g., a wearable device or a tablet computer or a PC or a laptop computer may have Wi-Fi and / or Bluetooth capabilities but no cellular capabilities), may omit the short-range wireless transceiver 320 (e.g., only cellular, etc.), may omit the satellite signal receiver 330, may omit the sensor 344, etc. In another example, in Figure 3B In the case of a wireless cellular network, a specific implementation of the base station 304 may omit the WWAN transceiver 350 (e.g., a Wi-Fi "hotspot" access point without cellular capabilities), or may omit the short-range wireless transceiver 360 (e.g., cellular only, etc.), or may omit the satellite signal receiver 370, etc. For the sake of brevity, illustrations of various alternative configurations are not provided herein, but will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0119] Various components of the UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 may be communicatively coupled to one another via data buses 334, 382, ​​and 392, respectively. In an aspect, the data buses 334, 382, ​​and 392 may form or be part of communication interfaces for the UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306, respectively. For example, where different logical entities are embodied in the same device (e.g., gNB and location server functionality incorporated into the same base station 304), the data buses 334, 382, ​​and 392 may provide for communication between the different logical entities.

[0120] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C The components of can be implemented in various ways. In some specific implementations, Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3CThe components 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). 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 functionality represented by blocks 310 to 346 may be implemented by the processor and memory components of UE 302 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). Similarly, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 350 to 388 may be implemented by the processor and memory components of base station 304 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). Moreover, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 390 to 398 may be implemented by the processor and memory components of network entity 306 (e.g., by executing appropriate code 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 network entity", etc. However, as should be understood, such operations, actions and / or functions may actually be performed by specific components or combinations of components of the UE 302, base station 304, network entity 306, etc., such as processors 332, 384, 394, transceivers 310, 320, 350 and 360, memories 340, 386 and 396, sensing components 342, 388 and 398, etc.

[0121] In some designs, the network entity 306 may be implemented as a core network component. In other designs, the network entity 306 may be operated separately from a network operator or a cellular network infrastructure (e.g., NG RAN 220 and / or 5GC 210 / 260). For example, the network entity 306 may be a component of a dedicated network that may be configured to communicate with the UE 302 via the base station 304 or independently of the base station 304 (e.g., via a non-cellular communication link such as WiFi).

[0122] Wireless communication signals (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signals configured to carry orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols according to wireless communication standards such as LTE, NR, etc.) sent between a UE and a base station can be used for environmental sensing (also referred to 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 non-contact / 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 such as a Wi-Fi 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 millimeter wave (mmW) RF signals are particularly beneficial for use as radar signals because higher frequencies at least provide more accurate ranging (distance) detection.

[0123] Possible use cases for RF sensing include health monitoring use cases such as heartbeat detection, respiratory rate monitoring, etc., gesture recognition use cases such as human activity recognition, keystroke detection, sign language recognition, etc., contextual information acquisition use cases such as location detection / tracking, direction finding, ranging estimation, etc., and automotive radar use cases such as smart cruise control, collision avoidance, etc.

[0124] There are different types of sensing including, for example, monostatic sensing (also called "active sensing") and bistatic sensing (also called "passive sensing"). Figure 4A and Figure 4B These different types of sensing are illustrated. Specifically, Figure 4A is a diagram 400 illustrating a single-station sensing scenario, and Figure 4B 4 is a diagram illustrating a bistatic sensing scenario. Figure 4A In the present invention, a transmitter (Tx) and a receiver (Rx) are co-located in the same sensing device 404 (e.g., UE). The sensing device 404 transmits one or more RF sensing signals 434 (e.g., uplink or sidelink positioning reference signals (PRS) when the sensing device 404 is a UE), and some of the RF sensing signals 434 are reflected from the target object 406. The sensing device 404 can measure various properties (e.g., time of arrival (ToA), angle of arrival (AoA), phase shift, etc.) of the reflection 436 (i.e., the return signal) of the RF sensing signal 434 to determine the characteristics (e.g., size, shape, speed, motion state, etc.) of the target object 406.

[0125] exist Figure 4B In the UE, the transmitter (Tx) and the receiver (Rx) are not co-located, i.e., they are separate devices (e.g., UE and base station). Figure 4BThe use of a downlink RF signal as the RF sensing signal 432 is illustrated, but an uplink RF signal or a sidelink RF signal may also be used as the RF sensing signal 432. In the downlink scenario, as shown in the figure, the transmitter is a base station and the receiver is a UE, while in the uplink scenario, the transmitter is a UE and the receiver is a base station.

[0126] For more details, refer to Figure 4B , the transmitter device 402 transmits RF sensing signals 432 and 434 (e.g., positioning reference signals (PRS)) to the sensing device 404, but some of the RF sensing signals 434 are reflected from the target object 406. The sensing device 404 (also referred to as a “sensing device”) may measure the time of arrival (ToA) of the RF sensing signal 432 received directly from the transmitter device and the ToA of a reflection 436 (i.e., a return signal) of the RF sensing signal 434 reflected from the target object 406.

[0127] More specifically, as described above, a transmitter device (e.g., a base station) may transmit a single RF signal or multiple RF signals to a sensing device (e.g., a UE). 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. Each path may be associated with a cluster of one or more channel taps. Typically, the time at which the receiver detects the first channel tap cluster 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 channel tap clusters 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.

[0128] Therefore, returning to the reference Figure 4B , the RF sensing signal 432 follows a LOS path between the transmitter device 402 and the sensing device 404, and the RF sensing signal 434 follows a NLOS path between the transmitter device 402 and the sensing device 404 due to reflection from the target object 406. The transmitter device 402 may have transmitted multiple RF sensing signals 432, 434, some of which follow the LOS path and others of which follow the NLOS path. Alternatively, the transmitter device 402 may have transmitted a single RF sensing signal in a sufficiently wide beam, a portion of which follows the LOS path (RF sensing signal 432) and a portion of which follows the NLOS path (RF sensing signal 434).

[0129] Based on the ToA of the LOS path, the ToA of the NLOS path, and the speed of light, the sensing device 404 may determine the distance to the target object. For example, the sensing device 404 may calculate the distance to the target object as the difference between the ToA of the LOS path and the ToA of the NLOS path multiplied by the speed of light. In addition, if the sensing device 404 is capable of receive beamforming, the sensing device 404 may be able to determine the approximate direction to the target object as the direction (angle) of the receive beam at which the RF sensing signal along the NLOS path is received. That is, the sensing device 404 may determine the direction to the target object as the angle of arrival (AoA) of the RF sensing signal, which is the angle of the receive beam used to receive the RF sensing signal. The sensing device 404 may then optionally report this information to the transmitter device 402, its serving base station, an application server associated with the core network, an external client, a third-party application, or some other sensing entity. Alternatively, the sensing device 404 may report the ToA measurements to the transmitter device 402 or other sensing entity (e.g., if the sensing device 404 itself does not have the processing capability to perform the calculations), and the transmitter device 402 may determine the distance and, optionally, the direction to the target object 406.

[0130] Note that if the RF sensing signal is an uplink RF signal sent by the UE to the base station, the base station will perform object detection based on the uplink RF signal, just like the UE does based on the downlink RF signal.

[0131] As with conventional radar, radar signals based on wireless communication can be used to estimate the range (distance), velocity (Doppler), and angle (AoA) of a target object. However, the performance (e.g., the resolution and maximum value of range, velocity, and angle) may depend on the design of the reference signal.

[0132] Figure 5 An example system 500 for wireless communications using a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) 510 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. A RIS (e.g., RIS 510) is a two-dimensional surface that includes a large number of low-cost, low-power, nearly passive reflective elements whose properties are reconfigurable (e.g., via software or control signals) rather than static. For example, by carefully tuning (e.g., using software or control signals) the phase shifts of the reflective elements, the scattering, absorption, reflection, and diffraction properties of the RIS can be changed over time. In this way, the electromagnetic (EM) properties of the RIS can be engineered to collect wireless signals from a transmitter (e.g., a base station, a UE, etc.) and passively beamform them toward a target receiver (e.g., another base station, another UE, etc.). In Figure 5 In the example of FIG. 5 , the first base station 502-1 controls the reflection property of the RIS 510 to communicate with the first UE 504-1.

[0133] The goal of RIS technology is to create an intelligent radio environment where wireless propagation conditions are co-engineered along with physical layer signaling.This enhanced functionality of system 500 may provide technical advantages in several scenarios.

[0134] As a first example scenario, Figure 5 As shown in , a first base station 502-1 (e.g., any of the base stations described herein) attempts to transmit downlink wireless signals to a first UE 504-1 and a second UE 504-2 (e.g., any two of the UEs described herein, collectively referred to as UE 504) on multiple downlink transmit beams (labeled “0,” “1,” “2,” and “3”). However, unlike the second UE 504-2, the first UE 504-1 is unable to receive wireless signals on the line-of-sight (LOS) beam originally from the first base station 502-1 (i.e., the downlink transmit beam labeled “2”) because it is behind an obstacle 520 (e.g., a building, a hill, or other type of obstacle). In this scenario, the first base station 502-1 may alternatively use the downlink transmit beam labeled “1” to transmit wireless signals to the RIS 510, and configure the RIS 510 to reflect / beamform the incoming wireless signals toward the first UE 504-1. Thus, the first base station 502 - 1 can send wireless signals around the obstacle 520 .

[0135] Note that the first base station 502-1 may also configure the RIS 510 for use by the first UE 504-1 in uplink. In this case, the first base station 502-1 may configure the RIS 510 to reflect uplink signals from the first UE 504-1 to the first base station 502-1, thereby enabling the first UE 504-1 to send uplink signals around the obstacle 520.

[0136] As another example scenario where the system 500 may provide a technical advantage, the first base station 502-1 may be aware that an obstacle 520 may create a "blind spot," i.e., a geographic area where downlink wireless signals from the first base station 502-1 are attenuated too much to be reliably detected by UEs (e.g., the first UE 504-1) within the area. In such a scenario, the first base station 502-1 may configure the RIS 510 to reflect downlink wireless signals into the blind spot in order to provide coverage to UEs that may be located there (including UEs that are not known to the first base station 502-1).

[0137] A RIS (e.g., RIS 510) may be designed to operate in a first mode (referred to as "Mode 1") or a second mode (referred to as "Mode 2"), in which the RIS operates as a reconfigurable mirror and in which the RIS operates as both a receiver and a transmitter (similar to the amplification and forwarding functionality of a relay node). Some RISs may be designed to be able to operate in either Mode 1 or Mode 2, while other RISs may be designed to operate only in Mode 1 or Mode 2. It is assumed that the Mode 1 RIS has negligible hardware group delay, while the Mode 2 RIS has non-negligible hardware group delay due to being equipped with limited baseband processing power. Due to the greater processing power of the Mode 2 RIS compared to the Mode 1 RIS, the latter may in some cases be able to calculate and report its transmit to receive (Tx-Rx) time difference measurement (i.e., the difference between the time when the signal is redirected toward the UE (e.g., by reflection) and the time when the signal returned from the UE is received). In Figure 5 In the example of FIG. 5 , RIS 510 may be a Mode 1 or Mode 2 RIS.

[0138] Figure 5 Also illustrated is a second base station 502-2 that can send downlink wireless signals to one or both of the UEs 504. As an example, the first base station 502-1 can be a serving base station for the UE 504, and the second base station 502-2 can be a neighboring base station. The second base station 502-2 can send a downlink positioning reference signal to one or both of the UEs 504 as part of a positioning procedure involving the UE 504. Alternatively or additionally, the second base station 502-2 can be a secondary cell for one or both of the UEs 504. In some cases, the second base station 502-2 may also be able to reconfigure the RIS 510, assuming that it is not controlled by the first base station 502-1 at the time.

[0139] Note that although Figure 5 One RIS 510 and one base station (ie, first base station 502-1) controlling RIS 510 are illustrated, but first base station 502-1 may control multiple RIS 510. Furthermore, RIS 510 may be controlled by multiple base stations 502 (eg, both first base station 502-1 and second base station 502-2, and possibly more base stations).

[0140] Figure 6 is a diagram of an example architecture of a RIS 600 according to aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 5 The RIS 510 in FIG. 5 may be a Mode 1 RIS. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 6 , RIS 600 is mainly composed of a flat surface 610 and a controller 620. The flat surface 610 can be composed of one or more layers of material. Figure 6In the example of , the flat surface 610 can be composed of three layers. In this case, the outer layer has a large number of reflective elements 612 printed on a dielectric substrate to directly act on the incident signal. The middle layer is a copper plate to avoid signal / energy leakage. The last layer is a circuit board, which is used to adjust the reflection coefficient of the reflective element 612 and is operated by a controller 620. The controller 620 can be a low-power processor, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0141] In a typical operating scenario, the optimum reflection coefficient for RIS 600 is at the base station (e.g. Figure 5 The first base station 502-1 in the control link is calculated and then sent to the controller 620 via a dedicated feedback link. The design of the reflection coefficient depends on the channel state information (CSI), which is updated only when the CSI changes, which is on a much longer time scale than the data symbol duration. Therefore, low-rate information exchange is sufficient for a dedicated control link, which can be implemented using low-cost copper wires or simple cost-effective wireless transceivers.

[0142] Each reflective element 612 is coupled to a positive-intrinsic-negative (PIN) diode 614. In addition, a bias line 616 connects each reflective element 612 in the column to a controller 620. By controlling the voltage through the bias line 616, the PIN diode 614 can be switched between an 'on' mode and an 'off' mode. This can achieve a phase shift difference of radians π (pi). In order to increase the number of phase shift levels, more PIN diodes 614 can be coupled to each reflective element 612. In one aspect, the reflective elements 612 can be grouped into subsets of reflective elements, which can be referred to as sub-panels (or also referred to as sub-surfaces in this application). In this case, the reflective characteristics of the RIS 600 can be controllable on a sub-panel basis, where each sub-panel can be regarded as a micro-RIS co-located with other sub-panels.

[0143] RIS (such as RIS 600) has important advantages for practical implementation. For example, reflective element 612 only passively reflects the incoming signal without requiring any complex signal processing operations that would otherwise require RF transceiver hardware. Therefore, RIS 600 can operate at a cost that is several orders of magnitude lower in hardware and power consumption than conventional active transmitters. In addition, due to the passive nature of reflective element 612, RIS 600 can be manufactured to have a light weight and limited layer thickness, and can therefore be easily mounted on walls, ceilings, signs, street lights, etc. In addition, RIS 600 can operate in full-duplex (FD) mode without self-interference or causing thermal noise. Therefore, it can achieve higher spectral efficiency than active half-duplex (HD) relays, although its signal processing complexity is lower than that of active FD relays that require complex self-interference cancellation.

[0144] Furthermore, integrating both sensing and communication functions (also referred to as integrated sensing and communication (ISAC)) may be a key feature of next generation communication systems, such as 5G or later developed standards (e.g., 5G+ or 6G). In some aspects, ISACs may provide cost effectiveness by having shared RF (and possibly baseband) hardware for sensing and communication. In some aspects, ISACs may provide spectrum effectiveness by having always-on availability of spectrum for sensing and communication.

[0145] In some aspects, use cases for ISACs may include macrosensing, microsensing, and sensing-based communications. In some aspects, macrosensing may include weather monitoring, autonomous driving, dynamic mapping, low altitude airspace management (such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)), or intruder detection. In some aspects, microsensing may include gesture recognition, vital sign detection, or high resolution imaging using terahertz (THz). In at least one aspect, sensing-based communications may include beam management.

[0146] In some aspects, the RIS may be configured for both sensing and communication. Implementing ISAC with the RIS may extend the coverage distance provided by a base station (e.g., a gNB) because the transmission of uplink or return signals may be improved by RIS beamforming. With the RIS, the coverage of a base station may reach areas where there is no LOS between the base station and a sensing target object or communication node (e.g., a UE). Additionally, the location of the RIS may be used as an additional reference point for positioning of a target object or communication node.

[0147] Figure 7 1 illustrates beamforming performed by RIS 700 according to aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 7 As shown, RIS 700 may include, for example, N reflective elements 712-1, 712-2, 712-3, ..., 712-N. Figure 7 , RIS 700 having four reflective elements 712-1, 712-2, 712-3, and 712-N is depicted as a non-limiting example. In some aspects, RIS 700 can include more or less than four reflective elements.

[0148] When the incident angle θ is oriented toward the N reflective elements 712-1, 712-2, 712-3, ..., 712-N i When transmitting signal 720 (depicted as a solid arrow), the nth reflective element of RIS 700 is at a redirection angle θ r The equivalent channel response value under in represents the reflection coefficient of the nth reflection element, d nrepresents the distance between the nth reflective element and the first reflective element, and λ represents the wavelength of the signal 720. The N elements of the RIS 700 are at the redirection angle θ r The overall equivalent channel response value under is

[0149] In some aspects, if the reflection coefficient satisfies α n ≡α, Then a redirected beam (eg, by reflection or beamforming) may be formed to point in the direction θ r In some implementations, the coefficient amplitude and phase values ​​of each reflective element of RIS 700 may be selected from only a finite set of different configurations {(a1, φ1), (a2, φ2), ..., (a M ,φ M )} configurable. Thus, in some applications, the actual beam shape may have a certain deviation from the desired beam. In addition, the greater the number of reflective elements, the closer the actual beam shape may be to the desired beam.

[0150] Figure 8 800 is illustrated in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure in which angle reciprocity does not hold. In some aspects, angle reciprocity does not always hold in RIS reflections. For example, Figure 8 As shown, signal 820 travels toward RIS 800 at an incident angle θ1, and signal 820 may be reflected at a redirection angle θ2 according to a configured set of reflection coefficients at certain reflective elements of RIS 800. Additionally, signal 830 travels toward RIS 800 at an incident angle θ3, and signal 830 may be reflected at a redirection angle θ4 according to the same configured set of reflection coefficients at certain reflective elements of RIS 800. When angular reciprocity does not hold in RIS 800, the relationship of θ2=θ3 does not guarantee that θ4=θ1.

[0151] Fig. 9A , Fig. 9B and Fig. 9C Different radar sensing scenarios 900A, 900B, and 900C for sensing operations performed in conjunction with RIS 910 according to various aspects of the present disclosure are illustrated. When direct propagation between a base station 902 and a target object 930 is blocked by an obstacle 920, RIS 910 may be introduced to assist in the sensing operation. Depending on the sensing mode of the sensing operation, the relationship between the base station 902, RIS 910, the target object 930, and / or the UE 904 may be classified into at least the following three scenarios 900A, 900B, and 900C. Here, the base station 902 and the UE 904 are used as non-limiting examples. In some specific implementations, the base station 902 or the UE 904 may be a reference 900A. Figures 1 to 3C A wireless node of either a base station or a UE is illustrated.

[0152] Fig. 9A A first scenario 900A is illustrated in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, wherein a base station 902 and a RIS 910 are configured to perform RIS-based single-station sensing. In some aspects, if the base station 902 supports full-duplex, the base station 902 may perform single-station sensing. In this scenario, a sensing signal sent by the base station 902 travels along a forward path of the sensing operation, and the forward path includes a segment 942-1 from the base station 902 to the RIS 910 and a segment 942-2 from the RIS 910 to the target object 930. A return signal corresponding to a reflection generated by the interaction between the sensing signal and the target object 930 travels along a return path of the sensing operation, and the return path includes a segment 944-1 from the target object 930 to the RIS 910 and a segment 944-2 from the RIS 910 to the target object 930.

[0153] Fig. 9B A second scenario 900B according to various aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated, wherein a base station 902, a RIS 910, and a UE 904 are configured to perform RIS-based bistatic sensing. In some aspects, if the base station 902 does not support full duplex, the base station 902 may perform bistatic sensing. In this scenario, a sensing signal sent by the base station 902 travels along a forward path of the sensing operation, and the forward path includes a segment 942-1 from the base station 902 to the RIS 910 and a segment 942-2 from the RIS 910 to the target object 930. A return signal corresponding to a reflection generated by the interaction between the sensing signal and the target object 930 travels along a return path of the sensing operation, and the return path includes a segment 946-1 from the target object 930 to the RIS 910 and a segment 946-2 from the RIS 910 to the UE 904.

[0154] Fig. 9C A third scenario 900C according to various aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated, wherein the base station 902, the RIS 910, and the UE 904 are further configured to perform RIS-based bistatic sensing. In some aspects, if the base station 902 does not support full-duplex, the base station 902 may perform bistatic sensing. In this scenario, the sensing signal sent by the base station 902 travels along a forward path of the sensing operation, and the forward path includes a segment 942-1 from the base station 902 to the RIS 910 and a segment 942-2 from the RIS 910 to the target object 930. The return signal corresponding to the reflection generated by the interaction between the sensing signal and the target object 930 travels along a return path of the sensing operation, and the return path includes a segment 948 from the target object 930 to the UE 904, and the return path does not return to the RIS 910.

[0155] The configuration of the RIS 910 and the behavior of the base station 902, the RIS 910, and / or the UE 904 are further described below. In some aspects, in a far-field or near-field sensing system based on the RIS, the base station may configure a sensing purpose beam scanning pattern for monostatic sensing or bistatic sensing and provide such configuration information to the RIS and the UE.

[0156] Fig. 10A The following examples illustrate various aspects of the present disclosure. Fig. 9A A first scenario 900A is depicted in which the RIS 910 is configured according to an all-return monostatic sensing beam scanning mode. Fig. 10A Zhongyu Fig. 9A Components that are identical to those in are given the same figure numerals, and thus their description is omitted.

[0157] According to the first scenario 900A, the base station 902 and the RIS 910 are configured to perform a sensing operation according to RIS-based monostatic sensing. The RIS 910 may be configured according to a full-return monostatic sensing beam scanning mode for the sensing operation. In the full-return monostatic sensing beam scanning mode, the RIS 910 may be arranged (or also referred to as split) to include at least a first sub-surface 910-1 for a forward path of the sensing operation and a second sub-surface 910-2 for a return path of the sensing operation. The first sub-surface 910-1 may be a first sub-surface 910-2 for a return path of the sensing operation based on an incident angle of the forward path. and the redirection angle of the forward path In addition, the second sub-surface 910-2 can be based on the incident angle of the return path. and the redirect angular of the return path In some aspects, the redirection angle of the return path The incident angle corresponding to the return path In at least one aspect, the redirection angle of the forward path Angle of incidence with return path In some aspects, the incident angle of the forward path is Redirection angle corresponding to the return path In at least one aspect, the incident angle of the forward path Redirect Angular with return path Same. As reference Fig. 10A , Fig. 10B and Fig. 10C For further illustration, base station 902 is also referred to as wireless node 1002 ; RIS 910 is also referred to as RIS 1004 , and target object 930 is also referred to as target object 1006 .

[0158] Fig. 10B The invention illustrates various aspects of the present disclosure based on Fig. 10A The process flow 1000 illustrates various behaviors of a wireless node 1002, a RIS 1004, and a target object 1006. In some aspects, the wireless node 1002 may correspond to Fig. 10A The base station 902 in the embodiment may be a UE. In addition, the RIS 1004 may correspond to Fig. 10A RIS 910 in , and the target object 1006 may correspond to Fig. 10A Target object 930 in.

[0159] In operation, the wireless node 1002 may send one or more messages to the RIS 1004, wherein the one or more messages may indicate a sensing beam scanning pattern as an all-return monostatic sensing beam scanning pattern for sensing operation, an angle of incidence of the forward path relative to the RIS 1004, and a sensing beam scanning pattern for the full return monostatic sensing operation. Redirection angle of the forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS1004 or any combination thereof.

[0160] For example, at 1012, the wireless node 1002 may send a first message to the RIS 1004, wherein the first message indicates a sensing beam scanning mode. At 1014, the UE 1002 may send a second message to the RIS 1004. In one aspect, the second message may indicate an incident angle for a forward path, or a redirection angle for a forward path, or both. In one aspect, the second message may indicate an optional configuration of the incident angle for a forward path, or a redirection angle for a forward path, or both, for the optional configurations of the RIS 1004.

[0161] In some aspects, since the location of the wireless node 1002 and the location of the RIS 1004 can be considered fixed or known during the sensing operation, the indication of the angle of incidence of the forward path can be based on a quasi-co-site (QCL) relationship with a previously transmitted beam from the wireless node 1002 to the RIS 1004.

[0162] At 1020, after RIS 1004 receives one or more messages from wireless node 1002, RIS 1004 may be configured according to the one or more messages. For example, the one or more messages may configure RIS 1004 to be arranged (or split) to include a first sub-surface configured based on an incident angle of a forward path and a redirection angle of the forward path and a second sub-surface configured based on an incident angle of a return path and a redirection angle of the return path. In some aspects, the incident angle of the return path and / or the redirection angle of the return path may be derived from the incident angle of the forward path and / or the redirection angle of the forward path.

[0163] In some aspects, since there is no angular reciprocity in the reflective elements of the RIS 1004, the coefficients used to set the first sub-surface and the second sub-surface of the RIS 1004 can be different. In some aspects, because the propagation delay of the sensing signal and the return signal is much smaller than the sensing signal duration, the sensing signal and the return signal can be considered to be sent approximately simultaneously. As such, the time difference between the arrival of the sensing signal at the RIS 1004 and the arrival of the return signal at the RIS 1004 can be much shorter than the time difference that may be required to reconfigure the entire RIS 1004, and splitting the RIS 1004 into at least two sub-surfaces (e.g., by arranging the reflective elements into at least two groups with corresponding settings) can take precedence over reconfiguring the entire RIS for the return signal.

[0164] At 1032, the wireless node 1002 may send a sensing signal for a sensing operation along a forward path to the RIS 1004. At 1034, the RIS 1004 may redirect the sensing signal along the forward path toward the target object 1006. At 1042, a return signal corresponding to a reflection generated by the interaction between the sensing signal and the target object 1006 travels along a return path from the target object 1006 to the RIS 1004. At 1044, the RIS 1004 may redirect the return signal toward the wireless node 1002 along the return path.

[0165] At 1050 , the wireless node 1002 may receive a return signal for a sensing operation via the RIS 1004 and process the received return signal to determine a location of the target object 1006 based at least in part on the return signal.

[0166] In some aspects, the RIS 1004 can adjust coefficients for the first sub-surface and the second sub-surface so that the sensing direction to which the sensing signal is redirected and the return signal is received can be adjusted to perform sensing operations over multiple sensing directions.

[0167] Fig. 10C It is an example of various aspects of the present disclosure based on Fig. 10A The first scenario 900A depicted is a timing diagram for determining the distance between the RIS 1004 and the target object 1006. Fig. 10C As depicted, in addition to receiving a return signal S from target object 1006 via RIS 1004 g2r2t2r2g In addition, the wireless node 1002 can further receive the reflected signal S from the RIS 1004. g2r2g , where the reflected signal S g2r2g Corresponds to the reflection generated by the interaction between the sensing signal from the wireless node 1002 and the RIS 1004. g2r2t2r2gThe delay between the reception of the sensing signal and the transmission of the sensing signal is denoted as T g2r2t2r2g , and for the reflected signal S g2r2g The delay between the reception of the sensing signal and the transmission of the sensing signal is denoted as T g2r2g .

[0168] In some aspects, since the location of the wireless node 1002 and the location of the RIS 1004 are considered known to the wireless node 1002, the delay T g2r2g can be predetermined, and the reflected signal S g2r2g It can be based on a predetermined delay T g2r2g Distinguishable.

[0169] In some aspects, the wireless node 1002 may determine the distance d between the target object 1006 and the RIS 1004 based on the time difference between the receipt of the return signal and the receipt of the reflected signal. r2t In one aspect, the distance d r2t Can be based on The reference circle may be determined by the expression of , where c represents the speed of light, because wireless signals (e.g., sensing signals and return signals) travel at the speed of light. In some aspects, the reference circle may use RIS1004 as the center and use the distance d r2t 1006 is defined as a radius, and the target object 1006 can be considered to be on the circumference of the reference circle.

[0170] Fig.11A The following examples illustrate various aspects of the present disclosure. Fig. 9B A second scenario 900B is depicted in which the RIS 910 is configured according to a semi-return bistatic sensing beam scanning mode. Fig.11A Zhongyu Fig. 9B Components that are identical to those in are given the same figure numerals, and thus their description is omitted.

[0171] According to the second scenario 900B, the base station 902, the RIS 910, and the UE 904 are configured to perform a sensing operation according to bistatic sensing based on the RIS. The RIS 910 may be configured according to a semi-return bistatic sensing beam scanning mode for the sensing operation. In the semi-return bistatic sensing beam scanning mode, the RIS 910 may be arranged to include at least a first sub-surface 910-1 for a forward path of the sensing operation and a second sub-surface 910-2 for a return path of the sensing operation. The first sub-surface 910-1 may be a first sub-surface 910-2 for a forward path of the sensing operation based on an incident angle of the forward path. and the redirection angle of the forward path In addition, the second sub-surface 910-2 can be based on the incident angle of the return path. and the redirect angular of the return path In some aspects, the redirection angle of the return path The incident angle corresponding to the return path In at least one aspect, the redirection angle of the forward path Angle of incidence with return path In some aspects, the incident angle of the forward path is and the redirect angular of the return path are different. Fig.11A , Fig. 11B and Fig. 11C For further illustration, the base station 902 is also referred to as a first wireless node 1102 ; the RIS 910 is also referred to as a RIS 1104 , the target object 930 is also referred to as a target object 1106 ; and the UE 904 is also referred to as a second wireless node 1108 .

[0172] Fig. 11B The invention illustrates various aspects of the present disclosure based on Fig.11A The process flow 1100 of performing a sensing operation for the second scenario 900B depicted. The process flow 1100 illustrates various behaviors of a first wireless node 1102, a RIS 1104, a target object 1106, and a second wireless node 1108. In some aspects, the first wireless node 1102 may correspond to Fig.11A In some aspects, the second wireless node 1108 may correspond to the base station 902 in the embodiment of the present invention and may be a UE. Fig.11A 904 in the UE and may be a base station. In addition, RIS1104 may correspond to Fig.11A RIS 910 in , and the target object 1106 may correspond to Fig.11A Target object 930 in.

[0173] In operation, the first wireless node 1102 may send one or more messages to the RIS 1104 and / or the second wireless node 1108, wherein the one or more messages may indicate a sensing beam scanning pattern as a semi-return bistatic sensing beam scanning pattern for sensing operation, an angle of incidence of the forward path relative to the RIS 1104, and a sensing beam scanning pattern for the second wireless node 1108. Redirection angle of the forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS1104 or any combination thereof.

[0174] For example, at 1112, the first wireless node 1102 may send a first message to the RIS 1104, wherein the first message indicates a sensing beam scanning mode. In one aspect, at 1113, the first wireless node 1102 may further send the first message to the second wireless node 1108. At 1114, the first wireless node 1102 may send a second message to the RIS 1104. In one aspect, the second message may indicate an incident angle of a forward path, or a redirection angle of a forward path, or both. In one aspect, the second message may further indicate an incident angle of a return path, or a redirection angle of a return path, or both. In one aspect, the second message may indicate an optional configuration of an incident angle of a forward path, or a redirection angle of a forward path, or both for the optional configuration of the RIS 1104. In one aspect, the second message may further indicate an optional configuration of an incident angle of a return path, or a redirection angle of a return path, or both for the optional configuration of the RIS 1104. In one aspect, the second message may further indicate an optional configuration of an incident angle of a return path, or a redirection angle of a return path, or both for the optional configuration of the RIS 1104. In an aspect, at 1115 , the first wireless node 1102 may further send a second message to the second wireless node 1108 .

[0175] In some aspects, since the location of the first wireless node 1102 and the location of the RIS 1104 may be considered fixed or known during the sensing operation, the indication of the angle of incidence of the forward path may be based on a first QCL relationship with a previously transmitted beam from the first wireless node 1102 to the RIS 1104. In some aspects, the first wireless node 1102 may further indicate the redirection angle of the return path to the RIS 1104 in one or more messages, such as in the second message at 1114. In some aspects, since the location of the second wireless node 1108 and the location of the RIS 1104 may be considered fixed or known during the sensing operation, the indication of the redirection angle of the return path may be based on a second QCL relationship with a previously transmitted beam from the second wireless node 1108 to the RIS 1104.

[0176] At 1120, after RIS 1104 receives one or more messages from wireless node 1102, RIS 1104 may be configured according to the one or more messages. For example, the one or more messages may configure RIS 1104 to be arranged (or split) to include a first sub-surface configured based on an incident angle of a forward path and a redirection angle of the forward path and a second sub-surface configured based on an incident angle of a return path and a redirection angle of the return path. In some aspects, the incident angle of the return path may be derived from the redirection angle of the forward path.

[0177] In some aspects, since there is no angular reciprocity in the reflective elements of the RIS 1104, the coefficients used to set the first sub-surface and the second sub-surface of the RIS 1104 can be different. In some aspects, because the propagation delay of the sensing signal and the return signal is much smaller than the sensing signal duration, the sensing signal and the return signal can be considered to be sent approximately simultaneously. As such, the time difference between the arrival of the sensing signal at the RIS 1104 and the arrival of the return signal at the RIS 1104 can be much shorter than the time difference that may be required to reconfigure the entire RIS 1104, and splitting the RIS 1104 into at least two sub-surfaces (e.g., by arranging the reflective elements into at least two groups with corresponding settings) can take precedence over reconfiguring the entire RIS for the return signal.

[0178] At 1132, the first wireless node 1102 may send a sensing signal for a sensing operation along a forward path to the RIS 1104. At 1134, the RIS 1104 may redirect the sensing signal along the forward path toward the target object 1106. At 1142, a return signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object 1106 travels along a return path from the target object 1106 to the RIS 1104. At 1144, the RIS 1104 may redirect the return signal along the return path toward the second wireless node 1108.

[0179] In some aspects, at 1150, the second wireless node 1108 may receive a return signal for a sensing operation via the RIS 1104 and process the received return signal to determine, based at least in part on the return signal, a location of the target object 1106. In some aspects, at 1160, the second wireless node 1108 may send a sensing result to the first wireless node 1102, wherein the sensing result may be based on or include the determined location of the target object 1106.

[0180] In some aspects, at 1170, the second wireless node 1108 may receive a return signal for a sensing operation via the RIS 1104 and transmit a sensing result to the first wireless node 1102. The sensing result may be based on a signal attribute and / or characteristic of the return signal. In some aspects, at 1180, the first wireless node 1102 may receive the sensing result and process the sensing result to determine a location of the target object 1106 based at least in part on the sensing result.

[0181] In some aspects, the RIS 1104 can adjust coefficients for the first sub-surface and the second sub-surface so that the sensing direction to which the sensing signal is redirected and the return signal is received can be adjusted to perform sensing operations over multiple sensing directions.

[0182] Fig. 11C It is an example of various aspects of the present disclosure based on Fig.11A The second scenario 900B depicted is a timing diagram for determining the distance between the RIS 1104 and the target object 1106. Fig. 11C As depicted, in addition to receiving a return signal S from the target object 1106 via the RIS 1104 g2r2t2r2u In addition, the second wireless node 1108 can further receive the reflected signal S from the RIS 1104. g2r2u , where the reflected signal S g2r2u The return signal S corresponds to the reflection generated by the interaction between the sensing signal from the first wireless node 1102 and the RIS 1104. g2r2t2r2u The delay between the reception of the sensing signal and the transmission of the sensing signal is denoted as T g2r2t2r2u , and for the reflected signal S g2r2u The delay between the reception of the sensing signal and the transmission of the sensing signal is denoted as T g2r2u .

[0183] In some aspects, the reflected signal S g2r2u The RIS 1104 may be distinguishable based on being fully or partially turned on or off. In some aspects, if the target object 1106 is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the return signal S may be a result of the rotation of the UAV blades. g2r2t2r2u may be distinguishable based on the micro-Doppler pattern embedded therein.

[0184] In some aspects, the second wireless node 1108 or the first wireless node 1102 may determine the distance d between the target object 1106 and the RIS 1104 based on the time difference between receiving the return signal and receiving the reflected signal. r2t In one aspect, the distance d r2t Can be based on The reference circle may be determined by the expression of , where c represents the speed of light, since wireless signals (e.g., sensing signals and return signals) travel at the speed of light. In some aspects, the reference circle may use RIS1104 as the center and use the distance d r2t 1106 is defined as a radius, and the target object 1106 can be considered to be on the circumference of the reference circle.

[0185] Fig. 12A The following examples illustrate various aspects of the present disclosure. Fig. 9C A third scenario 900C is depicted in which the RIS 910 is configured according to a non-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning mode. Fig. 12A Zhongyu Fig. 9C Components that are identical to those in are given the same figure numerals, and thus their description is omitted.

[0186] According to a third scenario 900C, the base station 902, the RIS 910, and the UE 904 are configured to perform sensing operations according to bistatic sensing based on the RIS. The RIS 910 may be configured according to a non-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning mode for sensing operations. In the non-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning mode, the RIS 910 may be arranged for a forward path of the sensing operations. In some aspects, the RIS 910 may be based on an incident angle of the forward path. and the redirection angle of the forward path And configured. As reference Fig. 12A , Fig. 12B and Fig. 12C For further illustration, the base station 902 is also referred to as the first wireless node 1202 ; the RIS 910 is also referred to as the RIS 1204 ; the target object 930 is also referred to as the target object 1206 ; and the UE 904 is also referred to as the second wireless node 1208 .

[0187] Fig. 12B The invention illustrates various aspects of the present disclosure based on Fig. 12A The process flow 1200 illustrates various behaviors of a first wireless node 1202, a RIS 1204, a target object 1206, and a second wireless node 1208. In some aspects, the first wireless node 1202 may correspond to Fig. 12A In some aspects, the second wireless node 1208 may correspond to the base station 902 in the embodiment of the present invention and may be a UE. Fig. 12A 904 in the UE and may be a base station. In addition, the RIS 1204 may correspond to Fig. 12A RIS 910 in , and the target object 1206 may correspond to Fig. 12A Target object 930 in.

[0188] In operation, the first wireless node 1202 may send one or more messages to the RIS 1204 and / or the second wireless node 1208, wherein the one or more messages may indicate a sensing beam scanning pattern as a non-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning pattern for sensing operation, an angle of incidence of a forward path relative to the RIS 1204, and a forward path relative to the RIS 1204. Redirection angle of the forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS1204 or any combination thereof.

[0189] For example, at 1212, the first wireless node 1202 may send a first message to the RIS 1204, wherein the first message indicates a sensing beam scanning mode. In one aspect, at 1213, the first wireless node 1202 may further send the first message to the second wireless node 1208. At 1214, the first wireless node 1202 may send a second message to the RIS 1204. In one aspect, the second message may indicate an incident angle of a forward path, or a redirection angle of a forward path, or both. In one aspect, the second message may indicate an optional configuration of an incident angle corresponding to a forward path, or a redirection angle of a forward path, or both, for the optional configuration of the RIS 1204. In one aspect, at 1215, the first wireless node 1202 may further send a second message to the second wireless node 1208.

[0190] In some aspects, since the location of the first wireless node 1202 and the location of the RIS 1204 can be considered fixed or known during the sensing operation, the indication of the angle of incidence of the forward path can be based on the QCL relationship with the previously transmitted beam from the wireless node 1202 to the RIS 1204.

[0191] At 1220, after the RIS 1204 receives one or more messages from the wireless node 1202, the RIS 1204 may be configured according to the one or more messages. For example, the one or more messages may configure the RIS 1204 to be arranged based on the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path.

[0192] At 1232, the first wireless node 1202 may send a sensing signal for a sensing operation along a forward path to the RIS 1204. At 1234, the RIS 1204 may redirect the sensing signal along the forward path toward the target object 1206. At 1242, a return signal corresponding to a reflection resulting from an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object 1206 travels from the target object 1206 to the second wireless node 1208.

[0193] In some aspects, at 1250, the second wireless node 1208 may receive a return signal for the sensing operation and process the received return signal to determine, based at least in part on the return signal, a location of the target object 1206. In some aspects, at 1260, the second wireless node 1208 may send a sensing result to the first wireless node 1202, wherein the sensing result may be based on or include the determined location of the target object 1206.

[0194] In some aspects, at 1270, the second wireless node 1208 may receive a return signal for the sensing operation and transmit a sensing result to the first wireless node 1202. The sensing result may be based on a signal attribute and / or characteristic of the return signal. In some aspects, at 1280, the first wireless node 1202 may receive the sensing result and process the sensing result to determine a location of the target object 1206 based at least in part on the sensing result.

[0195] In some aspects, the RIS 1204 can adjust the coefficients so that the sensing direction to which the sensing signal is redirected can be adjusted to perform sensing operations over multiple sensing directions.

[0196] Fig. 12C It is an example of various aspects of the present disclosure based on Fig. 12A The third scenario 900C depicted is a timing diagram for determining the sum of the distance between the target object 1206 and the RIS 1204 and the distance between the target object 1206 and the second wireless node 1208. Fig. 12C As depicted, in addition to receiving a return signal S from the target object 1206 g2r2t2u In addition, the second wireless node 1208 can further receive the reflected signal S from the RIS 1204. g2r2u , where the reflected signal S g2r2u The return signal S corresponds to the reflection generated by the interaction between the sensing signal from the first wireless node 1202 and the RIS 1204. g2r2t2u The delay between the reception of the sensing signal and the transmission of the sensing signal is denoted as T g2r2t2u , and for the reflected signal S g2r2u The delay between the reception of the sensing signal and the transmission of the sensing signal is denoted as T g2r2u .

[0197] In some aspects, the reflected signal S g2r2u The RIS 1204 may be distinguishable based on being fully or partially turned on or off. In some aspects, if the target object 1206 is a UAV, the return signal S may be a result of the rotation of the UAV blades. g2r2t2u may be distinguishable based on the micro-Doppler pattern embedded therein.

[0198] In some aspects, the second wireless node 1208 or the first wireless node 1202 may determine the distance d between the target object 1206 and the RIS 1204 based on the time difference between receiving the return signal and receiving the reflected signal. r2t and the distance d between the target object 1206 and the second wireless node 1208 u2t The sum of r2t2u On the one hand, the sum d r2t2u Can be based on The expression is determined by r2u represents the distance between RIS 1204 and second wireless node 1208 and may be predetermined, and c represents the speed of light, since wireless signals (e.g., sensing signals and return signals) travel at the speed of light. In some aspects, a reference ellipse may be defined using RIS 1204 and second wireless node 1208 as foci, and target object 1206 may be considered to be on the perimeter of the reference ellipse.

[0199] Fig.13 1 is a timing diagram illustrating a sensing operation performed based on a semi-return bistatic sensing beam scanning mode and a non-return bistatic sensing beam scanning mode according to various aspects of the present disclosure. In some aspects, the semi-return bistatic sensing beam scanning mode may be more suitable for sensing a target object close to a corresponding RIS than for sensing a target object far away from a corresponding RIS. If the target is close to the RIS, the signal reflected by the target object may be further reflected and beamformed by the RIS toward a receiving wireless node (e.g., a UE), during which the signal strength of the return signal may be enhanced. However, if the target object is far away from the RIS, the signal strength of the return signal may become too weak due to the attenuation caused by the long propagation distance and multiple reflections. In some aspects, which RIS-based bistatic sensing beam scanning mode is better may also depend on the radar cross section (RCS) difference between RIS-target-RIS reflection and RIS-target-UE reflection.

[0200] In some aspects, whether the target object is close to or far from the RIS and / or the RCS difference to justify the sensing operation based on the semi-return bistatic sensing beam scanning mode or the non-return bistatic sensing beam scanning mode may be known or uncertain before performing any sensing operation. Therefore, in some aspects, one or more messages for configuring the RIS may further indicate that at least two sensing operations are to be performed one after another based on the semi-return bistatic sensing beam scanning mode and the non-return bistatic sensing beam scanning mode, respectively. For example, the semi-return bistatic sensing beam scanning mode and the non-return bistatic sensing beam scanning mode may be periodically configured in turn. Fig.13 As shown, multiple sensing operations 1302, 1304, 1306 and 1308 can be performed sequentially, wherein the sensing operation 1302 can be performed based on a semi-return dual-station sensing beam scanning mode, followed by the sensing operation 1304 based on a non-return dual-station sensing beam scanning mode, followed by the sensing operation 1306 based on the semi-return dual-station sensing beam scanning mode, and followed by the sensing operation 1308 based on the non-return dual-station sensing beam scanning mode, and so on.

[0201] In some aspects, sensing of the target object may include a detection phase followed by a tracking phase. In at least one aspect, during the detection phase, sensing operations may be performed by alternating a semi-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning mode and a non-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning mode. Further, in one aspect, one of the two modes may be selected for the tracking phase based on the sensing results obtained during the detection phase.

[0202] Fig.14 An example method 1400 of operating a wireless node in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. In some aspects, the method 1400 may be performed by a base station (e.g., any of the base stations described herein). In one aspect, the method 1400 may be performed by a UE (e.g., any of the UEs described herein). In some aspects, the method 1400 may correspond to operations performed by wireless nodes 1002, 1102, and / or 1202.

[0203] In one aspect, method 1400 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more processors 332, memory 340, and / or sensing component 342, any or all of which may be considered as means for performing the operation. In one aspect, method 1400 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 350, one or more processors 384, memory 386, and / or sensing component 388, any or all of which may be considered as means for performing the operation.

[0204] At 1410, the wireless node may send one or more messages to a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation, an angle of incidence of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, a redirection angle of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or any combination thereof. In some aspects, the sensing beam scanning pattern may be a full-return monostatic sensing beam scanning pattern, a half-return bistatic sensing beam scanning pattern, a non-return bistatic sensing beam scanning pattern, or a combination thereof.

[0205] At 1420, the wireless node may send a sensing signal for a sensing operation to a RIS configured based on a sensing beam scanning pattern, an incident angle of a forward path, a redirection angle of a forward path, or any combination thereof.

[0206] In some aspects, the sensing beam scanning mode is a full-return monostatic sensing beam scanning mode or a half-return bistatic sensing beam scanning mode, and one or more messages configure the RIS to be arranged (or split) into a first sub-surface configured based on an incident angle of a forward path and a redirection angle of the forward path and a second sub-surface configured based on an incident angle of a return path and a redirection angle of the return path.

[0207] In some aspects, the sensing beam scanning pattern is a non-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning pattern, and the one or more messages configure the RIS to be arranged based on an angle of incidence of the forward path and a redirection angle of the forward path.

[0208] As will be appreciated, a technical advantage of method 1400 is to enable and / or improve sensing operations performed in conjunction with a RIS where angular reciprocity may not hold, so that a wireless node (e.g., a base station) can sense areas where its LOS is blocked. Additionally, the use of a RIS can reduce infrastructure costs and energy consumption when adding additional positioning references and beamforming attenuation signals.

[0209] Fig.15 An example method 1500 of operating a RIS according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. In some aspects, the method 1500 may be performed by a RIS (e.g., any of the RIS described herein). In some aspects, the method 1500 may correspond to operations performed by RIS 1004, 1104, and / or 1204. In one aspect, the method 1500 may be performed by the controller 620 of the RIS 600.

[0210] At 1510, the RIS may receive one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation, or an angle of incidence of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or a redirection angle of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or any combination thereof. In some aspects, the sensing beam scanning pattern may be a full-return monostatic sensing beam scanning pattern, a half-return bistatic sensing beam scanning pattern, a non-return bistatic sensing beam scanning pattern, or a combination thereof.

[0211] At 1520, the RIS may configure the RIS (eg, a reflective element of the RIS) for sensing operations based on the one or more messages.

[0212] In some aspects, the sensing beam scanning pattern is a full-return monostatic sensing beam scanning pattern or a half-return bistatic sensing beam scanning pattern, and the RIS can be arranged (or split) to include a first sub-surface configured based on an incident angle of a forward path and a redirection angle of the forward path and a second sub-surface configured based on an incident angle of a return path and a redirection angle of the return path.

[0213] In some aspects, the sensing beam scanning pattern is a non-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning pattern, and the RIS may be arranged based on an incident angle of a forward path and a redirection angle of the forward path.

[0214] As will be appreciated, a technical advantage of method 1500 is to enable and / or improve sensing operations performed in conjunction with a RIS where angular reciprocity may not hold. The RIS may be arranged (or split) to include multiple sub-surfaces with different configurations to accommodate various sensing modes and angles of corresponding sensing and return signals. Additionally, the use of the RIS may reduce infrastructure costs and energy consumption when adding additional positioning references and beamforming attenuation signals.

[0215] Fig.16 An example method 1600 of operating a wireless node in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. In an aspect, the method 1600 may be performed by a UE (e.g., any of the UEs described herein). In some aspects, the method 1600 may be performed by a base station (e.g., any of the base stations described herein). In some aspects, the method 1600 may correspond to operations performed by wireless nodes 1108 and / or 1208.

[0216] In one aspect, method 1600 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more processors 332, memory 340, and / or sensing component 342, any or all of which may be considered as means for performing the operation. In one aspect, method 1600 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 350, one or more processors 384, memory 386, and / or sensing component 388, any or all of which may be considered as means for performing the operation.

[0217] At 1610, the wireless node may receive one or more messages from another wireless node indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for sensing operations performed in conjunction with a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS). In some aspects, the sensing beam scanning pattern may be a full-return monostatic sensing beam scanning pattern, a half-return bistatic sensing beam scanning pattern, a non-return bistatic sensing beam scanning pattern, or a combination thereof.

[0218] At 1620, the wireless node may receive a return signal for a sensing operation, the return signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object, the sensing signal coming from another wireless node via the RIS. The relationship between the return signal and the RIS is identifiable based on the sensing beam scanning pattern used for the sensing operation.

[0219] In some aspects, the sensing beam scanning pattern is a full-return monostatic sensing beam scanning pattern or a half-return bistatic sensing beam scanning pattern, and the RIS will be arranged (or split) to include a first sub-surface configured based on an incident angle of a forward path and a redirection angle of the forward path and a second sub-surface configured based on an incident angle of a return path and a redirection angle of the return path.

[0220] In some aspects, the sensing beam scanning pattern is a non-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning pattern, and the RIS is arranged based on an incident angle of a forward path and a redirection angle of the forward path.

[0221] At 1630, the wireless node may send a sensing result to another wireless node based on the return signal. In some aspects, the wireless node may determine a location of a target object based on the return signal, and the sensing result may be based on the determined location or indicate the determined location of the target object. In some aspects, the sensing result may be based on a property or characteristic of the received return signal, and the other wireless node may determine the location of the target object based on the property or characteristic of the received return signal.

[0222] As will be appreciated, a technical advantage of method 1600 is to enable and / or improve sensing operations performed in conjunction with a RIS where angular reciprocity may not hold, such that a receiving wireless node (e.g., a UE) can work with a transmitting wireless node (e.g., a base station) to sense an area where there is no LOS between the transmitting wireless node and a target object in the area. Additionally, the use of a RIS can reduce infrastructure costs and energy consumption when adding additional positioning references and beamforming attenuation signals.

[0223] In the above detailed description, it can be seen that different features are grouped together in each example. This disclosure should not be understood as an intention that the example clauses have more features than the features explicitly mentioned in each clause. On the contrary, various aspects of the present disclosure may include less than all the features of the disclosed individual example clauses. Therefore, the following clauses should be considered to be incorporated into the description accordingly, wherein each clause itself can be used as a separate example. Although each subordinate clause may refer to a specific combination of one clause with other clauses in a clause, the aspects of the subordinate clause are not limited to a specific combination. It should be understood that other example clauses may also include a combination of the subject matter of the subordinate clause aspect with any other subordinate clause or independent clause or any feature with other subordinate clauses and independent clauses. Various aspects disclosed herein explicitly include these combinations, unless it is clearly expressed or can be easily inferred that a specific combination is not intended to be used (e.g., contradictory aspects, such as defining an element as both an electrical insulator and an electrical conductor). In addition, it is also expected that various aspects of the clause may be included in any other independent clause, even if the clause is not directly dependent on the independent clause.

[0224] Specific implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses:

[0225] Clause 1. A method of operating a wireless node, the method comprising: sending one or more messages to a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), the one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation, an incident angle of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, a redirection angle of the forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or any combination thereof; and sending a sensing signal for the sensing operation to the RIS, the RIS being configured based on the sensing beam scanning pattern, the incident angle of the forward path, the redirection angle of the forward path, or any combination thereof.

[0226] Clause 2. A method according to clause 1, wherein: the sensing beam scanning mode is a full-return single-station sensing beam scanning mode, the incident angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS corresponds to the redirection angle of the forward path, the redirection angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS corresponds to the incident angle of the forward path, and the one or more messages configure the RIS to be arranged to include a first sub-surface configured based on the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path and a second sub-surface configured based on the incident angle of the return path and the redirection angle of the return path.

[0227] Clause 3. A method according to clause 2, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning pattern and a second message indicating the incident angle of the forward path, or the redirection angle of the forward path, or both.

[0228] Clause 4. A method according to clause 2, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning mode and a second message indicating an optional configuration for the RIS corresponding to the incident angle of the forward path, or the redirection angle of the forward path, or both.

[0229] Clause 5. A method according to any one of clauses 2 to 4, the method further comprising: receiving a return signal for the sensing operation via the RIS, the return signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object; and determining a position of the target object based at least in part on the return signal.

[0230] Clause 6. The method according to any one of clauses 2 to 4, further comprising: receiving a return signal for the sensing operation via the RIS, the return signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object; receiving a reflection signal from the RIS, the reflection signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; and determining a distance between the target object and the RIS based on a time difference between receiving the return signal and receiving the reflection signal.

[0231] Clause 7. A method according to any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein: the sensing beam scanning mode is a semi-return dual-station sensing beam scanning mode, the incident angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS corresponds to the redirection angle of the forward path, the one or more messages also indicate the redirection angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, and the one or more messages configure the RIS to be arranged to include a first sub-surface configured based on the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path and a second sub-surface configured based on the incident angle of the return path and the redirection angle of the return path.

[0232] Clause 8. A method according to Clause 7, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning mode and a second message indicating the incident angle of the forward path, or the redirection angle of the forward path, or the redirection angle of the return path.

[0233] Clause 9. A method according to clause 7, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning mode and a second message indicating a first optional configuration of an optional configuration for the RIS corresponding to the incident angle for the forward path and the redirection angle for the forward path, or a second optional configuration of an optional configuration for the RIS corresponding to the incident angle for the return path and the redirection angle for the return path, or both.

[0234] Clause 10. A method according to any one of clauses 7 to 9, the method further comprising: receiving a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on a position of a target object, the position of the target object being determined based on a return signal via the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object.

[0235] Clause 11. A method according to any one of clauses 7 to 9, the method further comprising: receiving a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on a return signal via the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object; and determining a position of the target object based on the sensing result.

[0236] Clause 12. A method according to any one of clauses 7 to 9, the method further comprising: receiving a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on a distance between a target object and the RIS, the distance being determined based on a time difference between reception of a return signal via the RIS and reception of a reflected signal from the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object, and wherein the reflected signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS.

[0237] Clause 13. A method according to any one of clauses 7 to 9, the method further comprising: receiving a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on a return signal via the RIS and a reflected signal from the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to an echo generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object, and wherein the reflected signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; and determining a distance between the target object and the RIS based on a time difference between reception of the return signal and reception of the reflected signal indicated in the sensing result.

[0238] Clause 14. A method according to clause 1, wherein: the sensing beam scanning mode is a non-returning dual-station sensing beam scanning mode, and the one or more messages configure the RIS to be arranged based on the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path.

[0239] Clause 15. A method according to clause 14, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning mode and a second message indicating: the incident angle of the forward path, or the redirection angle of the forward path, or both; or (ii) an optional configuration of the optional configuration for the RIS corresponding to the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path.

[0240] Clause 16. A method according to any one of clauses 14 to 15, the method further comprising: receiving a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on a position of a target object, the position of the target object being determined based on a return signal from the target object for the sensing operation, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object.

[0241] Clause 17. A method according to any one of clauses 14 to 15, the method further comprising: receiving a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on a return signal from a target object for the sensing operation, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object; and determining the position of the target object based on the sensing result.

[0242] Clause 18. A method according to any one of clauses 14 to 15, the method further comprising: receiving a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on the sum of the distance between the target object and the RIS and the distance between the target object and the other wireless node determined based on a time difference between reception of a return signal and reception of a reflected signal from the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object, and wherein the reflected signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS.

[0243] Clause 19. A method according to any one of clauses 14 to 15, the method further comprising: receiving a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing signal being based on a return signal from a target object for the sensing operation and a reflection signal from the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to an echo generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object, and wherein the reflection signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; and determining the sum of the distance between the target object and the RIS and the distance between the target object and the other wireless node based on a time difference between reception of the return signal and reception of the reflection signal indicated in the sensing result.

[0244] Clause 20. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 19, wherein the one or more messages indicate that at least two sensing operations are performed one after another based on a semi-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning pattern and a non-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning pattern, respectively.

[0245] Clause 21. A method of operating a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), the method comprising: receiving one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation, or an incident angle of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or a redirection angle of the forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or any combination thereof; and configuring the RIS for the sensing operation based on the one or more messages.

[0246] Clause 22. A method according to clause 21, wherein configuring the RIS for the sensing operation includes: based on whether the sensing beam scanning mode is a full-return monostatic sensing beam scanning mode or a half-return monostatic sensing beam scanning mode, arranging the RIS to include a first sub-surface configured based on the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path, and a second sub-surface configured based on the incident angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS and the redirection angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, wherein the incident angle of the return path corresponds to the redirection angle of the forward path, and the redirection angle of the return path corresponds to the incident angle of the forward path.

[0247] Clause 23. The method of clause 21, wherein configuring the RIS for the sensing operation comprises arranging the RIS based on the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path based on the sensing beam scanning mode being a non-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning mode.

[0248] Clause 24. A method of operating a wireless node, the method comprising: receiving one or more messages from another wireless node, the one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation performed in conjunction with a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS); receiving a return signal for the sensing operation, the return signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object, the sensing signal coming from the other wireless node via the RIS, and the relationship between the return signal and the RIS being able to be identified based on the sensing beam scanning pattern for the sensing operation; and sending a sensing result to the other wireless node based on the return signal.

[0249] Clause 25. The method of clause 24, further comprising determining a position of the target object based on the return signal, wherein the sensing result indicates the position of the target object.

[0250] Clause 26. A method according to any one of clauses 24 to 25, wherein: the sensing beam scanning mode is a semi-return dual-station sensing beam scanning mode, the forward path of the sensing signal includes a first segment from the other wireless node to the first sub-surface of the RIS and a second segment from the first sub-surface of the RIS to the target object, and the return path of the return signal includes a third segment from the target object to the second sub-surface of the RIS and a fourth segment from the second sub-surface of the RIS to the wireless node.

[0251] Clause 27. The method according to clause 26 further includes: receiving a reflection signal from the RIS, the reflection signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; and determining a distance between the target object and the RIS based on a time difference between receiving the return signal and receiving the reflection signal.

[0252] Clause 28. A method according to clause 24, wherein the sensing beam scanning mode is a non-return dual-station sensing beam scanning mode, the forward path of the sensing signal includes a first segment from the other wireless node to the RIS and a second segment from the RIS to the target object, and the return path of the return signal includes a third segment from the target object to the wireless node without passing through the RIS.

[0253] Clause 29. The method according to clause 28 further includes: receiving a reflection signal from the RIS, the reflection signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; and determining the sum of the distance between the target object and the RIS and the distance between the target object and the wireless node based on a time difference between receiving the return signal and receiving the reflection signal.

[0254] Clause 30. A wireless node, comprising: 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, the at least one processor being configured to: send one or more messages to a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) via the at least one transceiver, the one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation, an angle of incidence of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, a redirection angle of the forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or any combination thereof; and send a sensing signal for the sensing operation to the RIS via the at least one transceiver, the RIS being configured based on the sensing beam scanning pattern, the angle of incidence of the forward path, the redirection angle of the forward path, or any combination thereof.

[0255] Clause 31. A wireless node according to clause 30, wherein: the sensing beam scanning mode is a full-return single-station sensing beam scanning mode, the incident angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS corresponds to the redirection angle of the forward path, the redirection angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS corresponds to the incident angle of the forward path, and the one or more messages configure the RIS to be arranged to include a first sub-surface configured based on the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path and a second sub-surface configured based on the incident angle of the return path and the redirection angle of the return path.

[0256] Clause 32. A wireless node according to clause 31, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning mode and a second message indicating the incident angle of the forward path, or the redirection angle of the forward path, or both.

[0257] Clause 33. A wireless node according to clause 31, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning mode and a second message indicating an optional configuration for the RIS corresponding to the incident angle of the forward path, or the redirection angle of the forward path, or both.

[0258] Clause 34. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 31 to 33, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive, via the at least one transceiver, a return signal for the sensing operation via the RIS, the return signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object; and determine the position of the target object based at least in part on the return signal.

[0259] Clause 35. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 31 to 33, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive, via the at least one transceiver, a return signal for the sensing operation via the RIS, the return signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object; receive, via the at least one transceiver, a reflection signal from the RIS, the reflection signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; and determine a distance between the target object and the RIS based on a time difference between receiving the return signal and receiving the reflection signal.

[0260] Clause 36. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 30 to 35, wherein: the sensing beam scanning mode is a semi-return dual-station sensing beam scanning mode, the incident angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS corresponds to the redirection angle of the forward path, the one or more messages also indicate the redirection angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, and the one or more messages configure the RIS to be arranged to include a first sub-surface configured based on the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path and a second sub-surface configured based on the incident angle of the return path and the redirection angle of the return path.

[0261] Clause 37. A wireless node according to clause 36, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning mode and a second message indicating the incident angle of the forward path, or the redirection angle of the forward path, or the redirection angle of the return path.

[0262] Clause 38. A wireless node according to clause 36, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning mode and a second message indicating a first optional configuration of an optional configuration for the RIS corresponding to the incident angle for the forward path and the redirection angle for the forward path, or a second optional configuration of an optional configuration for the RIS corresponding to the incident angle for the return path and the redirection angle for the return path, or both.

[0263] Clause 39. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 36 to 38, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive a sensing result from another wireless node via the at least one transceiver, the sensing result being based on a position of a target object, the position of the target object being determined based on a return signal via the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object.

[0264] Clause 40. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 36 to 38, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive a sensing result from another wireless node via the at least one transceiver, the sensing result being based on a return signal via the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object; and determine a position of the target object based on the sensing result.

[0265] Clause 41. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 36 to 38, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive a sensing result from another wireless node via the at least one transceiver, the sensing result being based on a distance between a target object and the RIS, the distance being determined based on a time difference between reception of a return signal via the RIS and reception of a reflected signal from the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object, and wherein the reflected signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS.

[0266] Clause 42. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 36 to 38, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive a sensing result from another wireless node via the at least one transceiver, the sensing result being based on a return signal via the RIS and a reflected signal from the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to an echo generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object, and wherein the reflected signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; and determine a distance between the target object and the RIS based on a time difference between reception of the return signal and reception of the reflected signal indicated in the sensing result.

[0267] Clause 43. A wireless node according to clause 30, wherein: the sensing beam scanning mode is a non-returning dual-station sensing beam scanning mode, and the one or more messages configure the RIS to be arranged based on the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path.

[0268] Clause 44. A wireless node according to clause 43, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning mode and a second message indicating the following: the incident angle of the forward path, or the redirection angle of the forward path, or both; or (ii) an optional configuration of the optional configuration for the RIS corresponding to the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path.

[0269] Clause 45. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 43 to 44, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive a sensing result from another wireless node via the at least one transceiver, the sensing result being based on a position of a target object, the position of the target object being determined based on a return signal from the target object for the sensing operation, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object.

[0270] Clause 46. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 43 to 44, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive a sensing result from another wireless node via the at least one transceiver, the sensing result being based on a return signal from a target object for the sensing operation, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object; and determine the position of the target object based on the sensing result.

[0271] Clause 47. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 43 to 44, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive a sensing result from another wireless node via the at least one transceiver, the sensing result being based on the sum of the distance between the target object and the RIS and the distance between the target object and the other wireless node determined based on a time difference between reception of a return signal and reception of a reflected signal from the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object, and wherein the reflected signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS.

[0272] Clause 48. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 43 to 44, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive a sensing result from another wireless node via the at least one transceiver, the sensing signal being based on a return signal from a target object for the sensing operation and a reflection signal from the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to an echo generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object, and wherein the reflection signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; and determine the sum of the distance between the target object and the RIS and the distance between the target object and the other wireless node based on a time difference between reception of the return signal and reception of the reflection signal indicated in the sensing result.

[0273] Clause 49. A wireless node as described in any of clauses 30 to 48, wherein the one or more messages indicate that at least two sensing operations are performed one after another based on a semi-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning pattern and a non-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning pattern, respectively.

[0274] Item 50. A reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), comprising: 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, the at least one processor being configured to: receive one or more messages via the at least one transceiver, the one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation, or an angle of incidence of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or a redirection angle of the forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or any combination thereof; and configure the RIS for the sensing operation based on the one or more messages.

[0275] Clause 51. The RIS according to clause 50, wherein the at least one processor is configured to configure the RIS for the sensing operation, including the at least one processor being configured to: based on whether the sensing beam scanning mode is a full-return single-station sensing beam scanning mode or a half-return single-station sensing beam scanning mode, arrange the RIS to include a first sub-surface configured based on the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path, and a second sub-surface configured based on the incident angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS and the redirection angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, wherein the incident angle of the return path corresponds to the redirection angle of the forward path, and the redirection angle of the return path corresponds to the incident angle of the forward path.

[0276] Clause 52. The RIS of clause 50, wherein the at least one processor is configured to configure the RIS for the sensing operation, including the at least one processor being configured to: arrange the RIS based on the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path, based on the sensing beam scanning mode being a non-returning dual-station sensing beam scanning mode.

[0277] Item 53. A wireless node, comprising: 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, the at least one processor being configured to: receive one or more messages from another wireless node via the at least one transceiver, the one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation performed in conjunction with a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS); receive a return signal for the sensing operation via the at least one transceiver, the return signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object, the sensing signal coming from the other wireless node via the RIS, and a relationship between the return signal and the RIS being able to be identified based on the sensing beam scanning pattern for the sensing operation; and send a sensing result to the other wireless node based on the return signal via the at least one transceiver.

[0278] Clause 54. The wireless node of clause 53, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine a location of the target object based on the return signal, wherein the sensing result indicates the location of the target object.

[0279] Clause 55. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 53 to 54, wherein: the sensing beam scanning mode is a semi-return dual-station sensing beam scanning mode, the forward path of the sensing signal includes a first segment from the other wireless node to the first sub-surface of the RIS and a second segment from the first sub-surface of the RIS to the target object, and the return path of the return signal includes a third segment from the target object to the second sub-surface of the RIS and a fourth segment from the second sub-surface of the RIS to the wireless node.

[0280] Clause 56. A wireless node according to clause 55, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive a reflection signal from the RIS via the at least one transceiver, the reflection signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; and determine the distance between the target object and the RIS based on a time difference between receiving the return signal and receiving the reflection signal.

[0281] Clause 57. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 53 to 56, wherein the sensing beam scanning mode is a non-return dual-station sensing beam scanning mode, the forward path of the sensing signal includes a first segment from the other wireless node to the RIS and a second segment from the RIS to the target object, and the return path of the return signal includes a third segment from the target object to the wireless node without passing through the RIS.

[0282] Clause 58. A wireless node according to clause 57, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive a reflection signal from the RIS via the at least one transceiver, the reflection signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; and determine the sum of the distance between the target object and the RIS and the distance between the target object and the wireless node based on a time difference between receiving the return signal and receiving the reflection signal.

[0283] Clause 59. A wireless node, comprising: a component for sending one or more messages to a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), the one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation, an angle of incidence of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, a redirection angle of the forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or any combination thereof; and a component for sending a sensing signal for the sensing operation to the RIS, the RIS being configured based on the sensing beam scanning pattern, the angle of incidence of the forward path, the redirection angle of the forward path, or any combination thereof.

[0284] Clause 60. A wireless node according to clause 59, wherein: the sensing beam scanning mode is a full-return single-station sensing beam scanning mode, the incident angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS corresponds to the redirection angle of the forward path, the redirection angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS corresponds to the incident angle of the forward path, and the one or more messages configure the RIS to be arranged to include a first sub-surface configured based on the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path and a second sub-surface configured based on the incident angle of the return path and the redirection angle of the return path.

[0285] Clause 61. A wireless node according to clause 60, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning mode and a second message indicating the incident angle of the forward path, or the redirection angle of the forward path, or both.

[0286] Clause 62. A wireless node according to clause 60, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning mode and a second message indicating an optional configuration for the RIS corresponding to the incident angle of the forward path, or the redirection angle of the forward path, or both.

[0287] Clause 63. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 60 to 62, the wireless node further comprising: a component for receiving a return signal for the sensing operation via the RIS, the return signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object; and a component for determining a position of the target object based at least in part on the return signal.

[0288] Clause 64. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 60 to 62, the wireless node further comprising: a component for receiving a return signal for the sensing operation via the RIS, the return signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object; a component for receiving a reflection signal from the RIS, the reflection signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; and a component for determining a distance between the target object and the RIS based on a time difference between receiving the return signal and receiving the reflection signal.

[0289] Clause 65. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 59 to 64, wherein: the sensing beam scanning mode is a semi-return dual-station sensing beam scanning mode, the incident angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS corresponds to the redirection angle of the forward path, the one or more messages also indicate the redirection angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, and the one or more messages configure the RIS to be arranged to include a first sub-surface configured based on the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path and a second sub-surface configured based on the incident angle of the return path and the redirection angle of the return path.

[0290] Clause 66. A wireless node according to clause 65, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning mode and a second message indicating the incident angle of the forward path, or the redirection angle of the forward path, or the redirection angle of the return path.

[0291] Clause 67. A wireless node according to clause 65, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning mode and a second message indicating a first optional configuration of an optional configuration for the RIS corresponding to the incident angle for the forward path and the redirection angle for the forward path, or a second optional configuration of an optional configuration for the RIS corresponding to the incident angle for the return path and the redirection angle for the return path, or both.

[0292] Clause 68. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 65 to 67, the wireless node further comprising: a component for receiving a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on a position of a target object, the position of the target object being determined based on a return signal via the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object.

[0293] Clause 69. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 65 to 67, the wireless node further comprising: a component for receiving a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on a return signal via the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object; and a component for determining a position of the target object based on the sensing result.

[0294] Clause 70. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 65 to 67, the wireless node further comprising: a component for receiving a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on a distance between a target object and the RIS, the distance being determined based on a time difference between reception of a return signal via the RIS and reception of a reflected signal from the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object, and wherein the reflected signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS.

[0295] Clause 71. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 65 to 67, the wireless node further comprising: a component for receiving a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on a return signal via the RIS and a reflected signal from the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to an echo generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object, and wherein the reflected signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; and a component for determining a distance between the target object and the RIS based on a time difference between reception of the return signal and reception of the reflected signal indicated in the sensing result.

[0296] Clause 72. A wireless node according to clause 59, wherein: the sensing beam scanning mode is a non-returning dual-station sensing beam scanning mode, and the one or more messages configure the RIS to be arranged based on the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path.

[0297] Clause 73. A wireless node according to clause 72, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning mode and a second message indicating: the incident angle of the forward path, or the redirection angle of the forward path, or both; or (ii) an optional configuration of the optional configuration for the RIS corresponding to the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path.

[0298] Clause 74. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 72 to 73, wherein the wireless node further comprises: a component for receiving a sensing result from another wireless node, wherein the sensing result is based on a position of a target object, wherein the position of the target object is determined based on a return signal from the target object for the sensing operation, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object.

[0299] Clause 75. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 72 to 73, wherein the wireless node further includes: a component for receiving a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on a return signal from a target object for the sensing operation, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object; and a component for determining the position of the target object based on the sensing result.

[0300] Clause 76. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 72 to 73, the wireless node further comprising: a component for receiving a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on the sum of the distance between the target object and the RIS and the distance between the target object and the other wireless node determined based on a time difference between reception of a return signal and reception of a reflected signal from the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object, and wherein the reflected signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS.

[0301] Clause 77. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 72 to 73, the wireless node further comprising: a component for receiving a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing signal being based on a return signal from a target object for the sensing operation and a reflection signal from the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to an echo generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object, and wherein the reflection signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; and a component for determining the sum of the distance between the target object and the RIS and the distance between the target object and the other wireless node based on a time difference between reception of the return signal and reception of the reflection signal indicated in the sensing result.

[0302] Clause 78. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 59 to 77, wherein the one or more messages indicate that at least two sensing operations are performed one after another based on a semi-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning mode and a non-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning mode, respectively.

[0303] Item 79. A reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), comprising: a component for receiving one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation, or an angle of incidence of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or a redirection angle of the forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or any combination thereof; and a component for configuring the RIS for the sensing operation based on the one or more messages.

[0304] Clause 80. The RIS according to Clause 79, wherein the component for configuring the RIS for the sensing operation includes: a component for arranging the RIS to include a first sub-surface configured based on the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path, and a second sub-surface configured based on the incident angle of a return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS and the redirection angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, wherein the incident angle of the return path corresponds to the redirection angle of the forward path, and the redirection angle of the return path corresponds to the incident angle of the forward path.

[0305] Clause 81. The RIS of Clause 79, wherein the means for configuring the RIS for the sensing operation comprises means for arranging the RIS based on the angle of incidence of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path.

[0306] Item 82. A wireless node, comprising: a component for receiving one or more messages from another wireless node, the one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation performed in conjunction with a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS); a component for receiving a return signal for the sensing operation, the return signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object, the sensing signal coming from the other wireless node via the RIS, and the relationship between the return signal and the RIS being able to be identified based on the sensing beam scanning pattern for the sensing operation; and a component for sending a sensing result to the other wireless node based on the return signal.

[0307] Clause 83. The wireless node of clause 82, further comprising: means for determining a location of the target object based on the return signal, wherein the sensing result indicates the location of the target object.

[0308] Clause 84. A wireless node according to any one of clauses 82 to 83, wherein: the sensing beam scanning mode is a semi-return dual-station sensing beam scanning mode, the forward path of the sensing signal includes a first segment from the other wireless node to the first sub-surface of the RIS and a second segment from the first sub-surface of the RIS to the target object, and the return path of the return signal includes a third segment from the target object to the second sub-surface of the RIS and a fourth segment from the second sub-surface of the RIS to the wireless node.

[0309] Clause 85. A wireless node according to clause 84, wherein the wireless node also includes: a component for receiving a reflection signal from the RIS, the reflection signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; and a component for determining the distance between the target object and the RIS based on a time difference between reception of the return signal and reception of the reflection signal.

[0310] Clause 86. A wireless node according to clause 82, wherein the sensing beam scanning mode is a non-return dual-station sensing beam scanning mode, the forward path of the sensing signal includes a first segment from the other wireless node to the RIS and a second segment from the RIS to the target object, and the return path of the return signal includes a third segment from the target object to the wireless node without passing through the RIS.

[0311] Clause 87. A wireless node according to clause 86, wherein the wireless node also includes: a component for receiving a reflection signal from the RIS, the reflection signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; and a component for determining the sum of the distance between the target object and the RIS and the distance between the target object and the wireless node based on a time difference between reception of the return signal and reception of the reflection signal.

[0312] Clause 88. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a wireless node, cause the wireless node to: send one or more messages to a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), the one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation, an angle of incidence of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, a redirection angle of the forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or any combination thereof; and send a sensing signal for the sensing operation to the RIS, the RIS being configured based on the sensing beam scanning pattern, the angle of incidence of the forward path, the redirection angle of the forward path, or any combination thereof.

[0313] Clause 89. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to clause 88, wherein: the sensing beam scanning mode is a full-return single-station sensing beam scanning mode, the incident angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS corresponds to the redirection angle of the forward path, the redirection angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS corresponds to the incident angle of the forward path, and the one or more messages configure the RIS to be arranged to include a first sub-surface configured based on the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path and a second sub-surface configured based on the incident angle of the return path and the redirection angle of the return path.

[0314] Clause 90. A non-transitory computer-readable medium as described in clause 89, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning mode and a second message indicating the incident angle of the forward path, or the redirection angle of the forward path, or both.

[0315] Clause 91. A non-transitory computer-readable medium as described in clause 89, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning mode and a second message indicating an optional configuration for the RIS corresponding to the incident angle of the forward path, or the redirection angle of the forward path, or both.

[0316] Clause 92. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 89 to 91, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions which, when executed by the wireless node, cause the wireless node to: receive a return signal for the sensing operation via the RIS, the return signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object; and determine a position of the target object based at least in part on the return signal.

[0317] Clause 93. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 89 to 91, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions which, when executed by the wireless node, cause the wireless node to: receive a return signal for the sensing operation via the RIS, the return signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object; receive a reflection signal from the RIS, the reflection signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; and determine a distance between the target object and the RIS based on a time difference between receiving the return signal and receiving the reflection signal.

[0318] Clause 94. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 88 to 93, wherein: the sensing beam scanning mode is a semi-return dual-station sensing beam scanning mode, the incident angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS corresponds to the redirection angle of the forward path, the one or more messages also indicate the redirection angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, and the one or more messages configure the RIS to be arranged to include a first sub-surface configured based on the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path and a second sub-surface configured based on the incident angle of the return path and the redirection angle of the return path.

[0319] Clause 95. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to clause 94, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning mode and a second message indicating the incident angle of the forward path, or the redirection angle of the forward path, or the redirection angle of the return path.

[0320] Clause 96. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to clause 94, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning mode and a second message indicating a first optional configuration of an optional configuration for the RIS corresponding to the incident angle for the forward path and the redirection angle for the forward path, or a second optional configuration of an optional configuration for the RIS corresponding to the incident angle for the return path and the redirection angle for the return path, or both.

[0321] Clause 97. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 94 to 96, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium also includes computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by the wireless node, cause the wireless node to: receive a sensing result from another wireless node, wherein the sensing result is based on a location of a target object, wherein the location of the target object is determined based on a return signal via the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object.

[0322] Clause 98. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 94 to 96, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium also includes computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by the wireless node, cause the wireless node to: receive a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on a return signal via the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object; and determine a position of the target object based on the sensing result.

[0323] Clause 99. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 94 to 96, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium also includes computer-executable instructions, which when executed by the wireless node cause the wireless node to: receive a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on a distance between a target object and the RIS, the distance being determined based on a time difference between reception of a return signal via the RIS and reception of a reflected signal from the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object, and wherein the reflected signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS.

[0324] Clause 100. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 94 to 96, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium also includes computer-executable instructions, which when executed by the wireless node cause the wireless node to: receive a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on a return signal via the RIS and a reflected signal from the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to an echo generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object, and wherein the reflected signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; and determine a distance between the target object and the RIS based on a time difference between reception of the return signal and reception of the reflected signal indicated in the sensing result.

[0325] Clause 101. A non-transitory computer-readable medium as described in clause 88, wherein: the sensing beam scanning mode is a non-returning dual-station sensing beam scanning mode, and the one or more messages configure the RIS to be arranged based on the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path.

[0326] Clause 102. A non-transitory computer-readable medium as described in clause 101, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning mode and a second message indicating: the incident angle of the forward path, or the redirection angle of the forward path, or both; or (ii) an optional configuration of an optional configuration for the RIS corresponding to the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path.

[0327] Clause 103. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 101 to 102, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium also includes computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by the wireless node, cause the wireless node to: receive a sensing result from another wireless node, wherein the sensing result is based on a position of a target object, wherein the position of the target object is determined based on a return signal from the target object for the sensing operation, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object.

[0328] Clause 104. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 101 to 102, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium also includes computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by the wireless node, cause the wireless node to: receive a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on a return signal from a target object for the sensing operation, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object; and determine a position of the target object based on the sensing result.

[0329] Clause 105. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 101 to 102, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium also includes computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by the wireless node, cause the wireless node to: receive a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on the sum of the distance between the target object and the RIS and the distance between the target object and the other wireless node determined based on a time difference between reception of a return signal and reception of a reflected signal from the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object, and wherein the reflected signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS.

[0330] Clause 106. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 101 to 102, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium also includes computer-executable instructions, which when executed by the wireless node cause the wireless node to: receive a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing signal being based on a return signal from a target object for the sensing operation and a reflection signal from the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to an echo generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object, and wherein the reflection signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; and determine the sum of the distance between the target object and the RIS and the distance between the target object and the other wireless node based on a time difference between reception of the return signal and reception of the reflection signal indicated in the sensing result.

[0331] Clause 107. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 88 to 106, wherein the one or more messages indicate that at least two sensing operations are performed one after another based on a semi-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning mode and a non-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning mode, respectively.

[0332] Item 108. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), cause the RIS to: receive one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation, or an angle of incidence of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or a redirection angle of the forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or any combination thereof; and configure the RIS for the sensing operation based on the one or more messages.

[0333] Clause 109. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to clause 108, wherein the computer executable instructions that, when executed by the RIS, cause the RIS to configure the RIS for the sensing operation include computer executable instructions that, when executed by the RIS, cause the RIS to perform the following operations: arrange the RIS to include a first sub-surface configured based on the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path and a second sub-surface configured based on the incident angle of a return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS and the redirection angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, wherein the incident angle of the return path corresponds to the redirection angle of the forward path, and the redirection angle of the return path corresponds to the incident angle of the forward path.

[0334] Clause 110. A non-transitory computer-readable medium as described in clause 108, wherein the computer executable instructions that, when executed by the RIS, cause the RIS to configure the RIS for the sensing operation include computer executable instructions that, when executed by the RIS, cause the RIS to perform the following operations: arrange the RIS based on the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path.

[0335] Item 111. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a wireless node, cause the wireless node to: receive one or more messages from another wireless node, the one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation performed in conjunction with a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS); receive a return signal for the sensing operation, the return signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object, the sensing signal coming from the other wireless node via the RIS, and a relationship between the return signal and the RIS being able to be identified based on the sensing beam scanning pattern for the sensing operation; and send a sensing result to the other wireless node based on the return signal.

[0336] Clause 112. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to clause 111, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium also includes computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by the wireless node, cause the wireless node to: determine the location of the target object based on the return signal, wherein the sensing result indicates the location of the target object.

[0337] Clause 113. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 111 to 112, wherein: the sensing beam scanning mode is a semi-return dual-station sensing beam scanning mode, the forward path of the sensing signal includes a first segment from the other wireless node to the first sub-surface of the RIS and a second segment from the first sub-surface of the RIS to the target object, and the return path of the return signal includes a third segment from the target object to the second sub-surface of the RIS and a fourth segment from the second sub-surface of the RIS to the wireless node.

[0338] Clause 114. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 113, further comprising computer-executable instructions which, when executed by the wireless node, cause the wireless node to: receive a reflection signal from the RIS, the reflection signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; and determine a distance between the target object and the RIS based on a time difference between receipt of the return signal and receipt of the reflection signal.

[0339] Clause 115. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to clause 111, wherein the sensing beam scanning mode is a non-return dual-station sensing beam scanning mode, the forward path of the sensing signal includes a first segment from the other wireless node to the RIS and a second segment from the RIS to the target object, and the return path of the return signal includes a third segment from the target object to the wireless node without passing through the RIS.

[0340] Clause 116. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 115, further comprising computer-executable instructions which, when executed by the wireless node, cause the wireless node to: receive a reflection signal from the RIS, the reflection signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; and determine a sum of a distance between the target object and the RIS and a distance between the target object and the wireless node based on a time difference between reception of the return signal and reception of the reflection signal.

[0341] Those skilled in the art will appreciate 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.

[0342] 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 various aspects disclosed herein may 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 above in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints proposed for the entire system. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functionality in different ways for each specific application, but such specific implementation decisions should not be interpreted as resulting in a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0343] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the various aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC, a field programmable gate array (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, a combination of one or more microprocessors and a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0344] 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 example 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.

[0345] In one or more example aspects, the function can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the function can be stored on a computer-readable medium or sent by a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or codes. Computer-readable media include both computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that facilitates the transfer of computer programs from one place to another. Storage media can be any available medium 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 medium 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. In addition, any connection is appropriately referred to as a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is sent from a website, a server or other remote source using a coaxial cable, an optical fiber cable, a twisted pair, a digital subscriber line (DSL) or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio and microwaves, then coaxial cable, optical fiber 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.

[0346] Although the foregoing disclosure illustrates 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 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, the plural form may also be considered unless explicitly stated to be limited to the singular form.

Claims

1. A method of operating a wireless node, the method comprising: sending one or more messages to a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), the one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation, an angle of incidence of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, a redirection angle of the forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or any combination thereof; as well as A sensing signal for the sensing operation is sent to the RIS, the RIS being configured based on the sensing beam scanning pattern, the incident angle of the forward path, the redirection angle of the forward path, or any combination thereof.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The sensing beam scanning mode is a full-return single-station sensing beam scanning mode. The angle of incidence of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS corresponds to the redirection angle of the forward path, The redirection angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS corresponds to the incident angle of the forward path, and The one or more messages configure the RIS to be arranged to include a first sub-surface configured based on the angle of incidence of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path, and A second sub-surface is configured based on the incident angle of the return path and the redirection angle of the return path.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning mode, and A second message indicating the angle of incidence of the forward path, or the redirection angle of the forward path, or both.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning mode, and A second message indicating one of the optional configurations for the RIS corresponding to the incident angle of the forward path, or the redirection angle of the forward path, or both.

5. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: receiving a return signal for the sensing operation via the RIS, the return signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object; as well as A position of the target object is determined based at least in part on the return signal.

6. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: receiving a return signal for the sensing operation via the RIS, the return signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object; receiving a reflection signal from the RIS, the reflection signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; as well as The distance between the target object and the RIS is determined based on a time difference between receipt of the return signal and receipt of the reflected signal.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The sensing beam scanning mode is a semi-return bistatic sensing beam scanning mode, The angle of incidence of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS corresponds to the redirection angle of the forward path, The one or more messages further indicate a redirection angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, and The one or more messages configure the RIS to be arranged to include a first sub-surface configured based on the angle of incidence of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path, and A second sub-surface is configured based on the incident angle of the return path and the redirection angle of the return path.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning mode, and A second message indicating the angle of incidence for the forward path, the redirection angle for the forward path, or the redirection angle for the return path.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning mode, and A second message indicating a first optional configuration of optional configurations for the RIS corresponding to the incident angle for the forward path and the redirection angle for the forward path, or a second optional configuration of optional configurations for the RIS corresponding to the incident angle for the return path and the redirection angle for the return path, or both.

10. The method according to claim 7, further comprising: receiving a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on a location of a target object determined based on a return signal via the RIS, The return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object.

11. The method according to claim 7, further comprising: receiving a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on a return signal via the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object; as well as The position of the target object is determined based on the sensing result.

12. The method according to claim 7, further comprising: receiving a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on a distance between a target object and the RIS, the distance being determined based on a time difference between receipt of a return signal via the RIS and receipt of a reflected signal from the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object, and The reflection signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS.

13. The method according to claim 7, further comprising: receiving a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on a return signal via the RIS and a reflection signal from the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to an echo generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and a target object, and wherein the reflection signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; as well as A distance between the target object and the RIS is determined based on a time difference between reception of the return signal and reception of the reflected signal indicated in the sensing result.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein: The sensing beam scanning pattern is a non-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning pattern, and The one or more messages configure the RIS to be arranged based on the angle of incidence of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more messages include: a first message indicating the sensing beam scanning mode, and A second message indicating: (i) the angle of incidence of the forward path, or the angle of redirection of the forward path, or both; or (ii) An optional configuration for the optional configuration of the RIS corresponding to the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path.

16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: receiving a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on a location of a target object, the location of the target object being determined based on a return signal from the target object for the sensing operation, The return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object.

17. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: receiving a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on a return signal from a target object for the sensing operation, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object; as well as The position of the target object is determined based on the sensing result.

18. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: receiving a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing result being based on a sum of a distance between a target object and the RIS and a distance between the target object and the another wireless node determined based on a time difference between reception of a return signal and reception of a reflected signal from the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object, and The reflection signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS.

19. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: receiving a sensing result from another wireless node, the sensing signal being based on a return signal from a target object for the sensing operation and a reflection signal from the RIS, wherein the return signal corresponds to an echo generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the target object, and wherein the reflection signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; as well as A sum of a distance between the target object and the RIS and a distance between the target object and the other wireless node is determined based on a time difference between reception of the return signal and reception of the reflected signal indicated in the sensing result.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein The one or more messages indicate that at least two sensing operations are performed one after another based on a semi-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning mode and a non-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning mode, respectively.

21. A method of operating a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), the method comprising: receiving one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation, or an angle of incidence of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or a redirection angle of the forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or any combination thereof; and The RIS for the sensing operation is configured based on the one or more messages.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein configuring the RIS for the sensing operation comprises: Based on the sensing beam scanning mode being a full-return monostatic sensing beam scanning mode or a half-return monostatic sensing beam scanning mode, the RIS is arranged to include a first sub-surface configured based on the angle of incidence of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path, and a second sub-surface configured based on an incident angle of a return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS and a redirection angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, wherein the incident angle of the return path corresponds to the redirection angle of the forward path, and the redirection angle of the return path corresponds to the incident angle of the forward path.

23. The method of claim 21 , wherein configuring the RIS for the sensing operation comprises: Based on the sensing beam scanning pattern being a non-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning pattern, the RIS is arranged based on the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path.

24. A method of operating a wireless node, the method comprising: receiving one or more messages from another wireless node, the one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for sensing operations performed in conjunction with a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS); receiving a return signal for the sensing operation, the return signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between a sensing signal and a target object, the sensing signal coming from the other wireless node via the RIS, and a relationship between the return signal and the RIS being identifiable based on the sensing beam scanning pattern for the sensing operation; as well as A sensing result is transmitted to the other wireless node based on the return signal.

25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising: determining the position of the target object based on the return signal, The sensing result indicates the position of the target object.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein: The sensing beam scanning mode is a semi-return bistatic sensing beam scanning mode, The forward path of the sensing signal includes a first segment from the other wireless node to a first sub-surface of the RIS and a second segment from the first sub-surface of the RIS to the target object, and The return path of the return signal includes a third segment from the target object to the second sub-surface of the RIS and a fourth segment from the second sub-surface of the RIS to the wireless node.

27. The method according to claim 26, further comprising: receiving a reflection signal from the RIS, the reflection signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; as well as The distance between the target object and the RIS is determined based on a time difference between receipt of the return signal and receipt of the reflected signal.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein The sensing beam scanning mode is a non-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning mode, The forward path of the sensing signal includes a first segment from the other wireless node to the RIS and a second segment from the RIS to the target object, and The return path of the return signal includes a third segment from the target object to the wireless node without passing through the RIS.

29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising: receiving a reflection signal from the RIS, the reflection signal corresponding to a reflection generated by an interaction between the sensing signal and the RIS; as well as A sum of a distance between the target object and the RIS and a distance between the target object and the wireless node is determined based on a time difference between reception of the return signal and reception of the reflected signal.

30. A wireless node, comprising: 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, the at least one processor being configured to: sending, via the at least one transceiver, one or more messages to a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), the one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation, an angle of incidence of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, a redirection angle of the forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or any combination thereof; as well as A sensing signal for the sensing operation is transmitted via the at least one transceiver to the RIS, the RIS being configured based on the sensing beam scanning pattern, the incident angle of the forward path, the redirection angle of the forward path, or any combination thereof.

31. The wireless node of claim 30, wherein: The sensing beam scanning mode is a full-return single-station sensing beam scanning mode. The angle of incidence of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS corresponds to the redirection angle of the forward path, The redirection angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS corresponds to the incident angle of the forward path, and The one or more messages configure the RIS to be arranged to include a first sub-surface configured based on the angle of incidence of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path, and A second sub-surface is configured based on the incident angle of the return path and the redirection angle of the return path.

32. The wireless node of claim 30, wherein: The sensing beam scanning mode is a semi-return bistatic sensing beam scanning mode, The angle of incidence of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS corresponds to the redirection angle of the forward path, The one or more messages further indicate a redirection angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, and The one or more messages configure the RIS to be arranged to include a first sub-surface configured based on the angle of incidence of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path, and A second sub-surface is configured based on the incident angle of the return path and the redirection angle of the return path.

33. The wireless node of claim 30, wherein: The sensing beam scanning pattern is a non-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning pattern, and The one or more messages configure the RIS to be arranged based on the angle of incidence of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path.

34. The wireless node of claim 30, wherein: The one or more messages indicate that at least two sensing operations are performed one after another based on a semi-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning mode and a non-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning mode, respectively.

35. A reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), the reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) comprising: 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, the at least one processor being configured to: receiving, via the at least one transceiver, one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for a sensing operation, or an angle of incidence of a forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or a redirection angle of the forward path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, or any combination thereof; and The RIS for the sensing operation is configured based on the one or more messages.

36. The RIS of claim 35, wherein the at least one processor is configured to configure the RIS for the sensing operation, comprising the at least one processor being configured to: Based on the sensing beam scanning mode being a full-return monostatic sensing beam scanning mode or a half-return monostatic sensing beam scanning mode, the RIS is arranged to include a first sub-surface configured based on the angle of incidence of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path, and a second sub-surface configured based on an incident angle of a return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS and a redirection angle of the return path of the sensing operation relative to the RIS, wherein the incident angle of the return path corresponds to the redirection angle of the forward path, and the redirection angle of the return path corresponds to the incident angle of the forward path.

37. The RIS of claim 35, wherein the at least one processor is configured to configure the RIS for the sensing operation, comprising the at least one processor being configured to: Based on the sensing beam scanning pattern being a non-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning pattern, the RIS is arranged based on the incident angle of the forward path and the redirection angle of the forward path.

38. A wireless node, the wireless node comprising: 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, the at least one processor being configured to: receiving, via the at least one transceiver, one or more messages from another wireless node, the one or more messages indicating a sensing beam scanning pattern for sensing operations performed in conjunction with a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS); receiving, via the at least one transceiver, a return signal for the sensing operation, The return signal corresponds to a reflection generated by an interaction between a sensing signal and a target object, the sensing signal coming from the other wireless node via the RIS, and a relationship between the return signal and the RIS can be identified based on the sensing beam scanning pattern for the sensing operation; as well as A sensing result is transmitted to the other wireless node based on the return signal via the at least one transceiver.

39. The wireless node of claim 38, wherein: The sensing beam scanning mode is a semi-return bistatic sensing beam scanning mode, The forward path of the sensing signal includes a first segment from the other wireless node to a first sub-surface of the RIS and a second segment from the first sub-surface of the RIS to the target object, and The return path of the return signal includes a third segment from the target object to the second sub-surface of the RIS and a fourth segment from the second sub-surface of the RIS to the wireless node.

40. The wireless node of claim 38, wherein: The sensing beam scanning mode is a non-returning bistatic sensing beam scanning mode, The forward path of the sensing signal includes a first segment from the other wireless node to the RIS and a second segment from the RIS to the target object, and The return path of the return signal includes a third segment from the target object to the wireless node without passing through the RIS.

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