Method and apparatus for integrated sensing and communication

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method and apparatus for integrated sensing and communication. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a user equipment (UE) may receive a request to perform sensing in a target area from an upper layer or a network node of the UE; and perform a sensing task in response to the request to perform sensing in the target area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to communication technology, and more particularly, to integrated sensing and communication in wireless communication systems. Background Art

[0002] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various telecommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging, broadcast, etc. Wireless communication systems may employ multiple access technologies capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of wireless communication systems may include fourth generation (4G) systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, Advanced LTE (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems which may be referred to as New Radio (NR) systems.

[0003] The purpose of wireless sensing technology is to obtain information about remote objects and their characteristics without physical contact with the remote objects. The sensing data of the object can be analyzed so that meaningful information about the object and its characteristics can be obtained. Radar is a widely used wireless sensing technology that uses radio waves to determine the distance (range), angle or instantaneous linear velocity of an object. There are other sensing technologies that have been used in other fields (e.g., time of flight (ToF) cameras, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and lidar), including non-radio frequency (RF) sensors.

[0004] Integrated sensing and communication may refer to sensing capabilities provided by the same wireless communication system and infrastructure (e.g., 5G NR) as used for communication, and sensing information may be derived from RF-based and / or non-RF-based sensors. Generally speaking, it may involve a scenario of communication-assisted sensing, for example, in which a communication system (e.g., a 5G system) provides sensing services or sensing-assisted communications or uses sensing information related to a communication channel or environment to improve the communication service of the communication system itself, or a scenario in which sensing information may be used to assist radio resource management, interference mitigation, beam management, mobility, etc.

[0005] Mobile operators can also play an important role in providing integrated sensing and communications (e.g., based on 5G systems) to their customers, including, for example, managing and controlling 5G-based sensing services.

[0006] Therefore, it is desirable to introduce integrated sensing and communication into wireless communication systems such as 5G systems. Summary of the invention

[0007] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a user equipment (UE). The UE may include a transceiver and a processor, the processor being coupled to the transceiver. The processor may be configured to: receive a request to perform sensing in a target area from an upper layer or a network node of the UE; and perform a sensing task in response to the request to perform sensing.

[0008] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a base station (BS). The BS may include a transceiver and a processor, the processor being coupled to the transceiver. The processor may be configured to: receive a request for a sensing-related service from a network node; and transmit a request for performing sensing to at least one user equipment (UE) in response to the request for the sensing-related service; wherein the request for the sensing-related service indicates at least one of the following: indicating area information of a target area, in which the sensing is performed; accuracy requirements for the sensing-related service; the total number of UEs performing sensing for the sensing-related service; an ID of at least one UE performing sensing for the sensing-related service; a speed threshold of the UE performing sensing for the sensing-related service; a link quality threshold of the UE performing sensing for the sensing-related service; or the number of UEs performing sensing for the sensing-related service in each sub-area of ​​the target area.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the area information indicates an ID of the target area or a list of cells covering the target area.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the total number of UEs is defined as the number of UEs per cell or per BS, or expressed as a value range, or expressed as the minimum number of UEs.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is further configured to perform at least one of the following: transmitting an ID of a UE among the at least one UE that leaves the target area to the network node; receiving a departure indication from the UE among the at least one UE; receiving a measurement result related to the sensing from the UE among the at least one UE; or transmitting the measurement result related to the sensing to the network node.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is further configured to: transmit a request to employ an inactive UE or an idle UE to the network node in response to the number of connected UEs served by the BS failing to satisfy the request for the sensing-related service; and receive a UE ID of the inactive UE or the idle UE from the network node. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the request to employ an inactive UE or an idle UE indicates the number of connected UEs served by the BS or the number of additional UEs required to satisfy the request for the sensing-related service.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the network node is an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) or a Sensing Function (SF).

[0014] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a network node. The network node may include a transceiver; and a processor, the processor being coupled to the transceiver. The processor may be configured to: transmit a request for a sensing-related service to a base station (BS), wherein the request for the sensing-related service indicates at least one of the following: indicating area information of a target area, in which the sensing is performed; accuracy requirements for the sensing-related service; the total number of UEs performing sensing for the sensing-related service; the ID of at least one UE performing sensing for the sensing-related service; a speed threshold of the UE performing sensing for the sensing-related service; a link quality threshold of the UE performing sensing for the sensing-related service; or the number of UEs performing sensing for the sensing-related service in each sub-area of ​​the target area; and receive measurement results related to the sensing-related service, the ID of the UE performing sensing for the sensing-related service leaving the target area, or both from the BS.

[0015] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the network node is an access and mobility management function (AMF). In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the network node is a sensing function (SF), and the request for sensing-related services is transmitted to the BS through the AMF.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the area information indicates an ID of the target area or a list of cells covering the target area.

[0017] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the total number of UEs is defined as the number of UEs per cell or per BS, or expressed as a value range, or expressed as the minimum number of UEs.

[0018] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method performed by a UE. The method may include: receiving a request to perform sensing in a target area from an upper layer or a network node of the UE; and performing a sensing task in response to the request to perform sensing.

[0019] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the sensing task includes at least one of the following: receiving a downlink (DL) reference signal (RS) for performing the sensing; reporting measurement results related to the sensing; or transmitting an uplink (UL) RS for performing the sensing to a serving cell, a neighboring cell, or both of the UE.

[0020] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the request includes area information indicating the target area. The method further includes transitioning to a connected state in response to the UE being in an inactive state or an idle state. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, transitioning to the connected state includes performing cell reselection based on the area information. Performing the cell reselection based on the area information includes at least one of: selecting a suitable cell belonging to the target area for connection establishment; or stopping transitioning from the inactive state or the idle state to the connected state in response to failure to find a suitable cell belonging to the target area.

[0021] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, performing the sensing task includes performing the sensing task when the UE is in a connected state, an inactive state, or an idle state.

[0022] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further includes performing at least one of the following when the UE leaves the target area: when the UE performs the sensing task in an inactive state or an idle state, transitioning from an inactive state or an idle state to a connected state; transmitting a departure indication to a base station (BS); or transmitting measurement results related to the sensing to the BS.

[0023] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the target area is a part of a cell or includes one or more than one cell.

[0024] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further includes: receiving a handover command indicating a target cell; and in response to the target cell belonging to the target area, performing at least one of the following: maintaining a configuration associated with the sensing; or continuing to perform the sensing task during the handover, after the handover, or both.

[0025] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further includes: receiving a switching command indicating a target cell; and in response to the target cell not belonging to the target area, performing at least one of the following: releasing the configuration associated with the sensing; or stopping the sensing task.

[0026] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the request includes area information indicating the target area. The method further includes selecting a suitable cell for reestablishment based on the area information in response to initiating a reestablishment procedure at the UE.

[0027] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further includes, in response to the suitable cell belonging to the target area, performing at least one of the following: maintaining the configuration associated with the sensing; or continuing to perform the sensing task during the reconstruction, after the reconstruction, or both; or in response to the suitable cell not belonging to the target area, performing at least one of the following: releasing the configuration associated with the sensing; or stopping the sensing task.

[0028] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, selecting the suitable cell for reconstruction based on the area information includes preferentially selecting a cell belonging to the target area among a plurality of suitable cells for reconstruction.

[0029] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the request indicates an ID of the target area or a list of cells covering the target area.

[0030] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the network node is an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) or a Sensing Function (SF).

[0031] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method performed by a BS. The method may include: receiving a request for a sensing-related service from a network node; and transmitting a request for performing sensing to at least one user equipment (UE) in response to the request for the sensing-related service; wherein the request for the sensing-related service indicates at least one of the following: indicating area information of a target area, in which the sensing is performed; accuracy requirements for the sensing-related service; the total number of UEs performing sensing for the sensing-related service; ID of at least one UE performing sensing for the sensing-related service; speed threshold of the UE performing sensing for the sensing-related service; link quality threshold of the UE performing sensing for the sensing-related service; or the number of UEs performing sensing for the sensing-related service in each sub-area of ​​the target area.

[0032] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the area information indicates an ID of the target area or a list of cells covering the target area.

[0033] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the total number of UEs is defined as the number of UEs per cell or per BS, or expressed as a value range, or expressed as the minimum number of UEs.

[0034] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further includes at least one of the following: transmitting an ID of a UE among the at least one UE that leaves the target area to the network node; receiving a departure indication from the UE among the at least one UE; receiving a measurement result related to the sensing from the UE among the at least one UE; or transmitting the measurement result related to the sensing to the network node.

[0035] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further includes: in response to the number of connected UEs served by the BS failing to satisfy the request for the sensing-related service, transmitting a request to employ an inactive UE or an idle UE to the network node; and receiving a UE ID of the inactive UE or the idle UE from the network node. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the request to employ an inactive UE or an idle UE indicates the number of connected UEs served by the BS or the number of additional UEs required to satisfy the request for the sensing-related service.

[0036] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the network node is an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) or a Sensing Function (SF).

[0037] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method performed by a network node. The method may include: transmitting a request for a sensing-related service to a base station (BS), wherein the request for the sensing-related service indicates at least one of the following: indicating area information of a target area, in which the sensing is performed; accuracy requirements for the sensing-related service; the total number of UEs performing sensing for the sensing-related service; the ID of at least one UE performing sensing for the sensing-related service; a speed threshold of the UE performing sensing for the sensing-related service; a link quality threshold of the UE performing sensing for the sensing-related service; or the number of UEs performing sensing for the sensing-related service in each sub-area of ​​the target area; and receiving measurement results related to the sensing-related service, the ID of the UE performing sensing for the sensing-related service leaving the target area, or both from the BS.

[0038] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the network node is an access and mobility management function (AMF). In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the network node is a sensing function (SF), and the request for sensing-related services is transmitted to the BS through the AMF.

[0039] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the area information indicates an ID of the target area or a list of cells covering the target area.

[0040] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the total number of UEs is defined as the number of UEs per cell or per BS, or expressed as a value range, or expressed as the minimum number of UEs.

[0041] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the device may include: at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium, on which computer-executable instructions are stored; at least one receiving circuit system; at least one transmitting circuit system; and at least one processor, the at least one processor being coupled to the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium, the at least one receiving circuit system, and the at least one transmitting circuit system, wherein the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium and the computer-executable instructions may be configured to cause the device to perform the method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure through the at least one processor.

[0042] The embodiments of the present application provide a technical solution for integrating sensing and communication, which can facilitate and improve the implementation of various communication technologies. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] In order to describe the manner in which the advantages and features of the present disclosure can be obtained, the description of the present disclosure is presented by referring to specific embodiments of the present disclosure shown in the accompanying drawings. These drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore should not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a wireless communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0045] Figure 2 A flow chart illustrating an exemplary sensing procedure according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0046] Figure 3 , 4 and 5-9 show flow charts of exemplary procedures for integrated sensing and communication according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0047] Figure 4AA flowchart showing an exemplary procedure for positioning according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0048] Fig.10 A block diagram of an exemplary device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] The detailed description of the drawings is intended as a description of the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present disclosure can be practiced. It should be understood that the same or equivalent functions can be accomplished by different embodiments intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0050] Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. For ease of understanding, embodiments are provided in specific network architectures and new service scenarios, such as 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) 5G (NR), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) 8 version, etc. It is considered that with the development of network architectures and new service scenarios, all embodiments in the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems; and in addition, the terms cited in the present disclosure may be changed, and the changes should not affect the principles of the present disclosure.

[0051] With the development of communication technology, it is proposed to introduce sensing functions or sensing capabilities into 3GPP. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide solutions for implementing and improving integrated sensing and communication in communication systems. For example, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, sensing-related services may be requested, and the sensing-related services may be allocated to entities in the communication system. The UE may perform sensing in response to the request. It may be necessary to enhance the interface between the UE, BS, and network nodes to enable the sensing function. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide signaling and procedures for implementing and improving integrated sensing and communication.

[0052] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a wireless communication system 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0053] like Figure 1 As shown, the wireless communication system 100 may include a base station (e.g., BS 102) and some UEs 101 (e.g., UEs 101A-101E) located within a coverage area 105 of the BS 102. Figure 1 A specific number of UEs 101 and BSs 102 are depicted in FIG. 1 , but it is contemplated that any number of UEs and BSs may be included in the wireless communication system 100 .

[0054] UE 101 may include a computing device, such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a smart TV (e.g., a TV connected to the Internet), a set-top box, a game console, a security system (including a security camera), a vehicle-mounted computer, a network device (e.g., a router, a switch, and a modem), etc. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, UE 101 may include a portable wireless communication device, a smart phone, a cellular phone, a flip phone, a device with a subscriber identity module, a personal computer, a selective call receiver, or any other device capable of sending and receiving communication signals on a wireless network. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, UE 101 includes a wearable device, such as a smart watch, a fitness bracelet, an optical head-mounted display, etc. In addition, UE 101 may be referred to as a subscriber unit, a mobile device, a mobile station, a user, a terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a fixed terminal, a subscriber station, a user terminal, or a device, or may be described using other terms used in the art. UE 101 may communicate with BS 102 via an uplink (UL) communication signal.

[0055] At a given time, UE 101 may be in one of the following states: RRC-IDLE, RRC_CONNECTED or RRC_INACTIVE (also referred to as IDLE, CONNECTED or INACTIVE, respectively). The specific characteristics of RRC-IDLE, RRC_CONNECTED and RRC_INACTIVE are defined in the 3GPP specifications.

[0056] BS102 may be distributed in a certain geographic area. In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, BS102 may also be referred to as an access point, an access terminal, a base station, a basic unit, a macro cell, a node B, an evolved node B (eNB), a gNB, a home node B, a relay node or a device, or may be described using other terms used in the art. BS102 is typically part of a radio access network, which may include one or more controllers communicatively coupled to one or more corresponding BS102. BS102 may communicate with UE 101 via downlink (DL) communication signals.

[0057] BS102 can communicate with the core network ( Figure 1 The core network (CN) may include multiple network nodes, such as a mobile management entity (MME) ( Figure 1 not shown) or access and mobility management function (AMF) ( Figure 1 The CN may serve as a gateway for the UE to access the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and / or other networks ( Figure 1In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the CN may further include a sensing function (SF), which may communicate with, for example, an AMF or a location management function (LMF).

[0058] The wireless communication system 100 may be compatible with any type of network capable of sending and receiving wireless communication signals. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may be compatible with a wireless communication network, a cellular telephone network, a network based on time division multiple access (TDMA), a network based on code division multiple access (CDMA), a network based on orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), an LTE network, a network based on 3GPP, a 3GPP 5G network, a satellite communication network, a high altitude platform network, and / or other communication networks.

[0059] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the wireless communication system 100 may be compatible with the 5G NR of the 3GPP protocol. For example, the BS 102 may transmit data using an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation scheme on the DL, and the UE 101 may transmit data using a discrete Fourier transform-spread-orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM) or cyclic prefix-OFDM (CP-OFDM) scheme on the UL. However, more generally, the wireless communication system 100 may implement some other open or proprietary communication protocols, such as other protocols such as WiMAX.

[0060] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, BS 102 and UE 101 may communicate using other communication protocols such as the IEEE 802.11 series of wireless communication protocols. Further, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, BS 102 and UE 101 may communicate on a licensed spectrum, while in some other embodiments, BS 102 and UE 101 may communicate on an unlicensed spectrum. The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementation of any particular wireless communication system architecture or protocol.

[0061] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, BS 102 may want to sense a target (e.g., vehicle 103) located in sensing area 106. For example, BS 102 may want to obtain the location, speed, or lane occupancy information of vehicle 103. This may also be referred to as "object-by-object sensing". In some embodiments of the present disclosure, BS 102 may want to sense the radio environment of sensing area 106. This may also be referred to as "area-by-area sensing". In some instances, BS 102 may select UE 101A and 101B to perform sensing because UE 101A and 101B are located within sensing area 106. UE 101A and 101B may transmit corresponding signals to BS 102 for sensing.

[0062] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide various solutions to support integrated sensing and communication. More details about the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in the following text in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0063] Figure 2 A flow chart of an exemplary sensing procedure 200 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The details described in all the above embodiments of the present disclosure apply to Figure 2 The embodiment shown in FIG.

[0064] The procedure 200 shows a general sensing procedure. The procedure can be performed on a sensing area by sensing area or on an object by object basis. Figure 2 UE 201 and BS 202 can respectively Figure 1 1 and BS 102. AMF 207 may communicate with SF 209 and BS 202. In some instances, SF 209 may or may not communicate directly with BS 202. In some instances, SF 209 may be part of LMF.

[0065] In operation 211, the AMF 207 may receive a request from, for example, a sensing traffic requester (e.g., an application function (AF) or an internal network element ( Figure 2 In response to receiving the request, AMF 207 may select a suitable SF (e.g., SF 209) based on, for example, information of the target area or object. In operation 213, AMF 207 may transmit the sensing request to SF 209. In some other embodiments of the present disclosure, the sensing traffic requester may directly transmit the sensing request to SF 209, which may then select a suitable AMF.

[0066] In response to receiving the request, SF 209 may determine a sensing method to be adopted. For example, in operation 215a, SF 209 may determine to adopt a RAN-based sensing sub-procedure. For example, in operation 215b, SF 209 may determine to adopt a UE-assisted sensing sub-procedure. For example, in operation 215c, SF 209 may determine to adopt a UE-based sensing sub-procedure. It should be noted that the sensing sub-procedure may involve more than one BS and / or more than one UE.

[0067] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the BS 202 and / or the UE 201 is capable of performing a sensing operation, a sensing response carrying a success indication may be transmitted to the SF 209 ; otherwise, a sensing response carrying a failure indication may be transmitted to the SF 209 .

[0068] In operation 217, SF 209 may perform sensing calculations based on the sensing measurement results from BS 202, and may obtain sensing results. In operation 219, SF 209 may transmit the sensing results to AMF 207. AMF 207 may transmit the sensing results to a sensing flow requester (e.g., AF). In some other embodiments of the present disclosure, SF 209 may transmit the sensing results to a sensing flow requester without AMF 207.

[0069] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the order of the operations in the exemplary procedure 200 may be changed, and some of the operations in the exemplary procedure 200 may be eliminated or modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0070] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure are described with respect to network nodes such as AMF and SF, it is contemplated that other network nodes may be employed to perform the operations of AMF and SF.

[0071] Various issues need to be addressed during the sensing procedure. For example, it should be considered which parameters should be included in the sensing request. For example, it should be considered whether the number of UEs performing sensing should be indicated, how to indicate the number, and which node determines this parameter. For example, a solution is needed for enabling a connected UE to perform sensing. For example, when a UE transitions from an idle state or an inactive state to a connected state to perform a sensing task, what is the impact on the cell reselection procedure. For example, when a connected UE leaves an area where sensing is performed, a new UE behavior may be required. For example, a solution is needed to enable an idle or inactive UE to perform sensing. For example, when an idle or inactive UE leaves an area where sensing is performed, a new UE behavior may be required. For example, the impact of a switching procedure on a UE performing a sensing task should be considered. For example, the impact of a reconstruction procedure on a UE performing a sensing task should be considered. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide solutions to the above problems. More details about embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in the text below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0072] Figure 3 A flowchart of an exemplary process 300 for integrating sensing and communication according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The details described in all the previous embodiments of the present disclosure apply to Figure 3 The embodiment shown in FIG.

[0073] refer to Figure 3 UE 301 and BS 302 can respectively Figure 1 The roles of UE 101 and BS 102 shown in FIG. Figure 22. The AMF 307 may communicate with the SF 309 and the BS 302. In some instances, the SF 309 may or may not communicate directly with the BS 302. The AMF 307 and the SF 309 may respectively function as Figure 2 The role of AMF 207 and SF 209 is shown in FIG.

[0074] In operation 311 (indicated by a dotted arrow as an option), the SF 309 may transmit a request for a sensing-related service to the AMF 307. In some embodiments, the request for the sensing-related service may indicate at least one of: area information indicating a target area in which the sensing is performed; an accuracy requirement for the sensing-related service; a total number of UEs (or the number of UEs) that perform sensing for the sensing-related service (indicated by "number #1"); an ID of at least one UE that performs sensing for the sensing-related service; a speed threshold of the UE that performs sensing for the sensing-related service; a link quality threshold of the UE that performs sensing for the sensing-related service; or the number of UEs that perform sensing for the sensing-related service for each sub-area of ​​the target area (indicated by "number #2").

[0075] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the area information may indicate the ID of the target area or a list of cells covering the target area. Quantity #1 may refer to the number of UEs expected to perform measurements on the sensing service. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, quantity #1 may be defined as the number of UEs per cell or per BS. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, quantity #1 may be expressed as a value range (e.g., from a maximum value to a minimum value) or a minimum number of UEs. The UE ID in the request may refer to the UE expected to perform measurements on the sensing service. The speed threshold and link quality threshold may indicate whether a UE with a certain speed or a certain link quality can be selected. Quantity #2 reflects the requirements for UE distribution. For example, the request may require a certain number of UEs per unit area to perform sensing.

[0076] In response to receiving the request for the sensing-related service, the AMF 307 may transmit the request to the BS 302 in operation 315. The AMF 307 may transmit the request to one or more BSs.

[0077] Despite Figure 3 In the example of , SF 309 determines the parameters in the request for sensing-related services and transmits the request to AMF 307, but it is considered that AMF 307 can determine the parameters in some other embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, operation 311 can be omitted. AMF 307 can determine the information in the request for sensing-related services defined above, and then transmit the request to one or more BSs.

[0078] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when a UE ID is included in the request, BS 302 may transmit a request to perform sensing to a UE having the UE ID. The request may include a configuration associated with sensing. In some instances, the presence of such a configuration may imply a request to perform sensing.

[0079] For example, when the UE is in a connected state, the BS 302 may directly transmit a reconfiguration message or another message to the UE. The reconfiguration message may include a configuration of a DL sensing reference signal (RS), a report configuration, or both. For example, when the UE is in an idle state or an inactive state, the BS 302 may first transmit a paging message to the UE. In response to receiving the paging message, the UE may transition to a connected state.

[0080] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the number #1 is included in the request, it is expected that BS 302 selects one or more UEs for performing the sensing task. For example, BS 302 may select at least one UE in operation 317. The selection may be based on a request for a sensing-related service. The selected UE may be in a connected state, an idle state, or an inactive state. In some instances, a connected UE may be preferentially selected.

[0081] For example, in the case of selecting a connected UE (e.g., UE 301), BS 302 may transmit a request to perform sensing to UE 301 in operation 319. The request may include a configuration associated with sensing. In some instances, the presence of such a configuration may imply a request to perform sensing. For example, BS 302 may transmit a reconfiguration message or another message to the UE. The reconfiguration message may include a configuration of a DL sensing RS, a report configuration, or both. For example, in the case of selecting an idle or inactive UE, BS 302 may first transmit a paging message to the selected UE so that it may transition to a connected state.

[0082] In some instances, the idle or inactive UE to be selected may be determined by the network. For example, in response to the number of connected UEs served by BS 302 failing to satisfy the request for sensing-related services, BS 302 may transmit a request to employ an inactive UE or an idle UE to AMF 307 ( Figure 3(not shown). For example, the number of connected UEs served by BS 302 may fail to meet quantity #1. For example, the number of connected UEs served by BS 302 that meets a speed threshold, a link quality threshold, or a distribution requirement may fail to meet quantity #1. In response to this request, AMF 307 may transmit an ID of an inactive UE or an idle UE to BS 302. BS 302 may page the corresponding UE based on the UE ID.

[0083] In some embodiments, the request to employ inactive or idle UEs may indicate the number of connected UEs served by the BS (e.g., the number of connected UEs selected or the total number of connected UEs served by the BS). In some embodiments, the request to employ inactive or idle UEs may indicate the number of additional UEs required to satisfy the request for sensing-related services.

[0084] In response to receiving a request to perform sensing, a connected UE may perform a sensing task. An idle or inactive UE may first perform a connection establishment procedure and then perform a sensing task in a connected state. As will be described later, the UE may perform a sensing task in an idle state or in an inactive state. The sensing task may be performed based on a configuration associated with sensing.

[0085] For example, still refer to Figure 3 , UE 301 may perform a sensing task in operation 321. The sensing task may include at least one of: receiving a DL RS for sensing (e.g., from BS 302, a neighboring cell, or both); reporting a measurement result related to sensing (e.g., reporting to BS 302); or transmitting a UL RS for sensing (e.g., transmitting to BS 302, a neighboring cell, or both).

[0086] As explained above, in some embodiments, the network (e.g., BS) may request an idle or inactive UE to transition to a connected state for sensing (e.g., via system information (SI) or a paging message). In response to receiving a request to perform sensing, the idle or inactive UE may perform a connection establishment procedure to transition to a connected state for sensing.

[0087] In some embodiments, area information indicating the target area may be indicated to a UE (eg, an idle, inactive, or connected UE) in, for example, a request to perform sensing, a paging message, an SI, or a reconfiguration message.

[0088] In some embodiments, when an idle or inactive UE initiates a connection establishment procedure, the UE may perform cell reselection. In some embodiments, cell reselection may be performed based on area information. For example, during cell reselection, the UE may consider a cell list or area indicated by the area information. For example, in the case where at least one cell belonging to a target area (e.g., a cell within the target area or belonging to the indicated cell list) is a suitable cell, the UE should select one of the at least one cells. In the case where a suitable cell belonging to the target area cannot be found (e.g., there is no suitable cell within the target area or no suitable cell belongs to the indicated cell list), the UE may stop transitioning from an idle state or an inactive state to a connected state.

[0089] Still refer to Figure 3 In some embodiments of the present disclosure, UE 301 may leave the target area and may notify BS 302 of its departure. In some instances, the target area may be part of a cell (e.g., a serving cell). In some instances, the target area may include one or more than one cell.

[0090] For example, when UE 301 leaves the target area, UE 301 may transmit a departure indication to BS 302 in operation 325. As explained above, the connected UE is configured to perform measurements of sensing within the target area. In some embodiments, UE 301 may also transmit measurement results related to sensing to BS 302 in operation 325. In other words, the departure of UE 301 may trigger the reporting of measurement results related to sensing.

[0091] In response to receiving the leave indication, BS 302 may transmit the ID of UE 301 (i.e., the ID of the UE leaving the target area) to AMF 307 or SF 309. For example, BS 302 may transmit the UE ID to AMF 307 in operation 327. AMF 307 may transmit the UE ID to SF 309 in operation 329 (indicated by a dotted arrow as an option).

[0092] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the order of the operations in the exemplary procedure 300 may be changed, and some of the operations in the exemplary procedure 300 may be eliminated or modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0093] Figure 4 A flowchart showing an exemplary process 400 for integrating sensing and communication according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The details described in all the previous embodiments of the present disclosure apply to Figure 4 The embodiment shown in FIG.

[0094] refer to Figure 4UE 401 and BS 402 can respectively Figure 1 The roles of UE 101 and BS 102 shown in FIG. Figure 2 The roles of UE 201 and BS 202 shown in FIG. Figure 3 407 can communicate with SF 409 and BS 402. In some examples, SF 409 may or may not communicate directly with BS 402. AMF 407 and SF 409 can respectively play the role of Figure 2 The AMF 207 and SF 209 shown in FIG. 1 may function as Figure 3 The role of AMF 307 and SF 309 is shown in FIG.

[0095] In operation 411, UE 401 may have an RRC connection with BS 402 (i.e., a serving BS of UE 401). In some embodiments, UE 401 may report capabilities related to a sensing function to BS 402 or AMF 407. The capabilities may include supporting reception of a DL RS for sensing, supporting transmission of an RS for sensing (e.g., a sounding RS (SRS)), etc. In some embodiments, UE 401 may receive a capability of whether the network supports a sensing function.

[0096] In some embodiments, UE 401 may enter an idle state or an inactive state based on the configuration of BS 402. For example, BS 402 may transmit an RRC release message to UE 401. UE 401 may enter an idle state or an inactive state in response to receiving the RRC release message.

[0097] In operation 413 (indicated as an option by a dashed arrow), SF 409 may transmit a request for sensing-related services to AMF 407. Figure 3The description of operation 311 in may be applicable to operation 413. The above description of the request for the sensing-related service may also be applicable here. For example, in some embodiments, the request for the sensing-related service may indicate at least one of the following: area information indicating the target area in which the sensing is performed; accuracy requirements for the sensing-related service; the total number of UEs (or the number of UEs) that perform sensing for the sensing-related service; the ID of at least one UE that performs sensing for the sensing-related service; a speed threshold of the UE that performs sensing for the sensing-related service; a link quality threshold of the UE that performs sensing for the sensing-related service; or the number of UEs that perform sensing for the sensing-related service in each sub-area of ​​the target area. For example, in some embodiments, the area information may indicate the ID of the target area or a list of cells covering the target area.

[0098] In response to receiving the request for the sensing-related service, the AMF 407 may transmit the request to the BS 402 in operation 415. The AMF 407 may transmit the request to one or more BSs. Figure 3 The description of operation 315 in may apply to operation 415 .

[0099] Despite Figure 4 In the example of , SF 409 determines the parameters in the request for sensing-related services and transmits the request to AMF 407, but it is considered that AMF 407 can determine the parameters in some other embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, operation 413 can be omitted. AMF 407 can determine the information in the request for sensing-related services defined above, and then transmit the request to one or more BSs.

[0100] In response to receiving the request for the sensing-related service, BS 402 may transmit a request to perform sensing to at least one UE. Figure 3 ) The method of at least one UE described in the foregoing text may be applied here. The description of the request for performing sensing in the foregoing text may be applied here.

[0101] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE may be allowed to perform measurements of sensing in an idle state or an inactive state. For example, after the BS transmits a reconfiguration message to the UE, the BS may configure the UE to enter an idle state or an inactive state. In some instances, the reconfiguration message may include a configuration related to the sensing function. In some instances, the BS may configure the sensing information in a broadcast message.

[0102] For example, still refer to Figure 4In operation 419, the BS 402 may transmit a request to perform sensing to the UE 401 in an idle state or an inactive state. The BS 402 may configure the UE 401 (e.g., in a request message) to perform measurements for sensing in an idle state or an inactive state. That is, the UE 401 may perform measurements for sensing while remaining in an idle state or an inactive state (e.g., without transitioning to a connected state). The configuration may include area information (e.g., an area ID or a cell list).

[0103] In operation 421, in response to receiving a request to perform sensing, UE 401 may perform a sensing task. The sensing task may be performed based on a configuration associated with sensing. The definition of the sensing task as described above may be applied hereto. For example, the sensing task may include at least one of: receiving a DL RS for sensing (e.g., from BS 402, a neighboring cell, or both); reporting a measurement result related to sensing; or transmitting a UL RS for sensing (e.g., to BS 402, a neighboring cell, or both).

[0104] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, UE 401 may leave the target area and may notify BS 402 of its departure. In some instances, the target area may be part of a cell (e.g., a serving cell). In some instances, the target area may include one or more than one cell.

[0105] For example, when UE 401 leaves the target area, UE 401 may transition from an inactive state or an idle state to a connected state. Then, UE 401 may transmit a leaving indication to BS 402 in operation 425. In some embodiments, UE 401 may also transmit a measurement result related to sensing to BS 402 in operation 425.

[0106] In response to receiving the leave indication, BS 402 may transmit the ID of UE 401 (i.e., the ID of the UE leaving the target area) to AMF 407 or SF 409. For example, BS 402 may transmit the UE ID to AMF 407 in operation 427. AMF 407 may transmit the UE ID to SF 409 in operation 429 (indicated by a dotted arrow as an option).

[0107] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the order of the operations in the exemplary procedure 400 may be changed, and some of the operations in the exemplary procedure 400 may be eliminated or modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0108] Figure 5A flowchart showing an exemplary process 500 for integrating sensing and communication according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The details described in all the previous embodiments of the present disclosure apply to Figure 5 The embodiment shown in FIG.

[0109] refer to Figure 5 UE 501 and BS 502 can respectively Figure 1-4 507 can communicate with SF 509 and BS 502. In some instances, SF 509 may or may not communicate directly with BS 502. AMF 507 and SF 509 can respectively play the role of Figure 2-4 The effects of AMF and SF are shown in FIG.

[0110] In operation 511 (indicated as an option by a dashed arrow), the SF 509 may transmit a request for a sensing-related service to the AMF 507. Figure 3 Operation 311 and Figure 4 The description of operation 413 in may be applicable to operation 511. The above description of the request for the sensing-related service may also be applicable here. For example, in some embodiments, the request for the sensing-related service may indicate at least one of the following: area information indicating the target area in which the sensing is performed; accuracy requirements for the sensing-related service; the total number of UEs (or the number of UEs) that perform sensing for the sensing-related service; the ID of at least one UE that performs sensing for the sensing-related service; a speed threshold of the UE that performs sensing for the sensing-related service; a link quality threshold of the UE that performs sensing for the sensing-related service; or the number of UEs that perform sensing for the sensing-related service in each sub-area of ​​the target area. For example, in some embodiments, the area information may indicate the ID of the target area or a list of cells covering the target area.

[0111] In response to receiving the request for the sensing-related service, the AMF 507 may transmit the request to the BS 502 in operation 515. The AMF 507 may transmit the request to one or more BSs. Figure 3 Operation 315 and Figure 4 The description of operation 415 in may apply to operation 515 .

[0112] Despite Figure 5In the example of , SF 509 determines the parameters in the request for sensing-related services and transmits the request to AMF 507, but it is considered that AMF 507 can determine the parameters in some other embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, operation 511 can be omitted. AMF 507 can determine the information in the request for sensing-related services defined above, and then transmit the request to one or more BSs.

[0113] In response to receiving a request for a sensing-related service, BS 502 may transmit a request to perform sensing to at least one UE. The method for determining at least one UE described in the previous text may be applied here. The description of the request to perform sensing in the previous text may be applied here.

[0114] For example, refer to Figure 5 In operation 519, BS 502 may transmit a request to perform sensing to UE 501. For example, the request may be transmitted via a reconfiguration message or another message. The reconfiguration message may include a configuration of a DL sensing RS, a report configuration, or both. Area information (e.g., an area ID or a cell list) may also be indicated to UE 501 (e.g., in a request or reconfiguration message).

[0115] In operation 521, in response to receiving a request to perform sensing, UE 501 may perform a sensing task. The sensing task may be performed based on a configuration associated with sensing. The definition of a sensing task as described above may be applied hereto. For example, the sensing task may include at least one of: receiving a DL RS for sensing (e.g., from BS 502, a neighboring cell, or both); reporting a measurement result related to sensing; or transmitting a UL RS for sensing (e.g., to BS 502, a neighboring cell, or both).

[0116] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in operation 525 , the UE 501 may receive a handover command indicating a target cell from the BS 502 .

[0117] In some embodiments, in response to the target cell belonging to the target area for sensing, the UE 501 may perform at least one of the following: maintain a configuration associated with sensing; or continue to perform a sensing task during a handover, after a handover, or both. For example, the UE 501 may continue to maintain a configuration associated with sensing in its sensing layer, and continue to perform measurements for sensing during a handover, after a handover, or both. For example, a request to perform sensing may be received at the sensing layer of the UE 501, and the UE may request the UE 501 (e.g., a lower layer) to perform a sensing task.

[0118] In some embodiments, in response to the target cell not belonging to the target area for sensing, the UE 501 may perform at least one of the following: release the configuration associated with sensing; or stop the sensing task. For example, the UE 501 may stop measuring the sensing and release the configuration in the sensing layer.

[0119] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the case where the target cell does not belong to the target area for sensing, the BS 502 may notify the AMF 507 or the SF 509 of the departure of the UE. For example, the BS 502 may transmit the ID of the UE 501 (i.e., the ID of the UE leaving the target area) to the AMF 507 or the SF 509. For example, the BS 502 may transmit the UE ID to the AMF 507 in operation 527 (indicated by a dotted arrow as an option). The AMF 507 may transmit the UE ID to the SF 509 in operation 529 (indicated by a dotted arrow as an option).

[0120] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the order of the operations in the exemplary procedure 500 may be changed, and some of the operations in the exemplary procedure 500 may be eliminated or modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0121] Figure 6 A flowchart showing an exemplary procedure 600 for integrating sensing and communication according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The details described in all the previous embodiments of the present disclosure apply to Figure 6 The embodiment shown in FIG.

[0122] refer to Figure 6 UE 601 and BS 602 can respectively Figure 1-5 6. AMF 607 may communicate with SF 609 and BS 602. In some instances, SF 609 may or may not communicate directly with BS 602. AMF 607 and SF 609 may respectively play the role of Figure 2-5 The effects of AMF and SF are shown in FIG.

[0123] In operation 611 (indicated by a dashed arrow as an option), the SF 609 may transmit a request for a sensing-related service to the AMF 607. Figure 3 Operation 311, Figure 4 Operation 413 and Figure 5The description of operation 511 in may be applicable to operation 611. The above description of the request for the sensing-related service may also be applicable here. For example, in some embodiments, the request for the sensing-related service may indicate at least one of the following: area information indicating the target area in which the sensing is performed; accuracy requirements for the sensing-related service; the total number of UEs (or the number of UEs) that perform sensing for the sensing-related service; the ID of at least one UE that performs sensing for the sensing-related service; a speed threshold of the UE that performs sensing for the sensing-related service; a link quality threshold of the UE that performs sensing for the sensing-related service; or the number of UEs that perform sensing for the sensing-related service in each sub-area of ​​the target area. For example, in some embodiments, the area information may indicate the ID of the target area or a list of cells covering the target area.

[0124] In response to receiving the request for the sensing-related service, the AMF 607 may transmit the request to the BS 602 in operation 615. The AMF 607 may transmit the request to one or more BSs. Figure 3 Operation 315, Figure 4 Operation 415 and Figure 5 The description of operation 515 in may apply to operation 615 .

[0125] Despite Figure 6 In the example of , SF 609 determines the parameters in the request for sensing-related services and transmits the request to AMF 607, but it is considered that AMF 607 can determine the parameters in some other embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, operation 611 can be omitted. AMF 607 can determine the information in the request for sensing-related services defined above, and then transmit the request to one or more BSs.

[0126] In response to receiving a request for a sensing-related service, BS 602 may transmit a request to perform sensing to at least one UE. The method for determining at least one UE described in the previous text may be applied here. The description of the request to perform sensing in the previous text may be applied here.

[0127] For example, refer to Figure 6 In operation 619, BS 602 may transmit a request to perform sensing to UE 601. For example, the request may be transmitted via a reconfiguration message or another message. The reconfiguration message may include a configuration of a DL sensing RS, a report configuration, or both. Area information (e.g., an area ID or a cell list) may also be indicated to UE 601.

[0128] In operation 621, in response to receiving a request to perform sensing, UE 601 may perform a sensing task. The sensing task may be performed based on a configuration associated with sensing. The definition of the sensing task as described above may be applied hereto. For example, the sensing task may include at least one of: receiving a DL RS for sensing (e.g., from BS 602, a neighboring cell, or both); reporting a measurement result related to sensing; or transmitting a UL RS (e.g., SRS) for sensing (e.g., transmitted to BS 602, a neighboring cell, or both).

[0129] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, UE 601 may initiate a re-establishment procedure. For example, a radio link failure (RLF) may occur between, for example, UE 601 and BS 602. In response to the RLF, UE 601 may initiate a re-establishment procedure.

[0130] UE 601 may select a suitable cell for reestablishment in response to initiating the reestablishment procedure. In some embodiments, the selection may be performed based on area information. For example, in the case where multiple cells are suitable for reestablishment during cell selection, a suitable cell belonging to the target area among the multiple cells may be preferentially selected for sensing.

[0131] In some embodiments, in response to the selected suitable cell belonging to the target area, the UE 601 may perform at least one of the following: maintain a configuration associated with sensing; or continue to perform a sensing task during the reestablishment, after the reestablishment, or both. For example, the UE 601 may continue to maintain a configuration associated with sensing in its sensing layer, and continue to perform measurements for sensing during the reestablishment, after the reestablishment, or both. For example, a request to perform sensing may be received at the sensing layer of the UE 601, and the UE may request a lower layer of the UE 601 to perform a sensing task.

[0132] In some embodiments, in response to the selected suitable cell not belonging to the target area, the UE 601 may perform at least one of the following: release the configuration associated with sensing; or stop the sensing task. For example, the UE 601 may stop measuring the sensing and release the configuration in the sensing layer.

[0133] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the order of the operations in the exemplary procedure 600 may be changed, and some of the operations in the exemplary procedure 600 may be eliminated or modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0134] Figure 7 A flowchart showing an exemplary process 700 for integrating sensing and communication according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The details described in all the previous embodiments of the present disclosure apply to Figure 7In some examples, the procedure may be performed by a UE.

[0135] refer to Figure 7 In operation 711, the UE may receive a request to perform sensing in a target area from an upper layer (e.g., a sensing layer) of the UE or a network node. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the request may indicate an ID of the target area or a list of cells covering the target area. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the network node may be an AMF or a SF.

[0136] In operation 713, the UE may perform a sensing task in response to the request. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the sensing task may include at least one of: receiving a DL RS for sensing; reporting a measurement result related to sensing; or transmitting a UL RS for sensing to a serving cell, a neighboring cell, or both of the UE. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, performing the sensing task may include performing the sensing task when the UE is in a connected state, an inactive state, or an idle state.

[0137] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the request may include area information indicating the target area. The UE may transition to a connected state in response to the UE being in an inactive state or an idle state. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, transitioning to a connected state may include performing a cell reselection based on the area information. In some embodiments, performing a cell reselection based on the area information may include at least one of the following: selecting a suitable cell belonging to the target area for connection establishment; or stopping transitioning from the inactive state or the idle state to the connected state in response to failure to find a suitable cell belonging to the target area.

[0138] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the UE leaves the target area, the UE may perform at least one of the following: when the UE performs a sensing task in an inactive state or an idle state, transition from an inactive state or an idle state to a connected state; transmit a departure indication to the BS; or transmit measurement results related to sensing to the BS.

[0139] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the target area may be a part of a cell or include one or more than one cell.

[0140] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE may receive a handover command indicating a target cell. In some embodiments, in response to the target cell belonging to the target area, the UE may perform at least one of the following: maintaining a configuration associated with sensing; or continuing to perform a sensing task during the handover, after the handover, or both. In some embodiments, in response to the target cell not belonging to the target area, the UE may perform at least one of the following: releasing a configuration associated with sensing; or stopping a sensing task.

[0141] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the request may include area information indicating the target area. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE may select a suitable cell for reestablishment based on the area information in response to initiating a reestablishment procedure at the UE.

[0142] In some embodiments, in response to the suitable cell belonging to the target area, the UE may perform at least one of the following: maintain the configuration associated with sensing; or continue to perform the sensing task during the reestablishment, after the reestablishment, or both. In some embodiments, in response to the suitable cell not belonging to the target area, the UE may perform at least one of the following: release the configuration associated with sensing; or stop the sensing task.

[0143] In some embodiments, selecting a suitable cell for reconstruction based on the area information may include preferentially selecting a cell belonging to a target area among a plurality of suitable cells for reconstruction.

[0144] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the order of the operations in the exemplary procedure 700 may be changed, and some of the operations in the exemplary procedure 700 may be eliminated or modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0145] Figure 8 A flowchart of an exemplary process 800 for integrating sensing and communication according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The details described in all the previous embodiments of the present disclosure apply to Figure 8 In some examples, the procedure may be performed by a BS.

[0146] refer to Figure 8 In operation 811, the BS may receive a request for a sensing-related service from a network node. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the network node may be an AMF or a SF.

[0147] In operation 813, the BS may transmit a request to perform sensing to at least one UE in response to the request for the sensing-related service.

[0148] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a request for a sensing-related service may indicate at least one of the following: area information indicating a target area in which the sensing is performed; accuracy requirements for the sensing-related service; the total number of UEs that perform sensing for the sensing-related service (e.g., number #1); an ID of at least one UE that performs sensing for the sensing-related service; a speed threshold of the UE that performs sensing for the sensing-related service; a link quality threshold of the UE that performs sensing for the sensing-related service; or the number of UEs that perform sensing for the sensing-related service in each sub-area of ​​the target area (e.g., number #2).

[0149] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the area information indicates an ID of the target area or a list of cells covering the target area.

[0150] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the total number of UEs may be defined as the number of UEs per cell or per BS, or expressed as a value range, or expressed as a minimum number of UEs.

[0151] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the BS may perform at least one of the following: transmitting the ID of a UE among at least one UE that leaves the target area to a network node; receiving a departure indication from the UE among the at least one UE; receiving measurement results related to sensing from the UE among the at least one UE; or transmitting measurement results related to sensing to a network node.

[0152] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a BS may transmit a request to employ an inactive UE or an idle UE to a network node in response to the number of connected UEs served by the BS failing to satisfy the request for sensing-related services. In some embodiments, the BS may receive a UE ID of the inactive UE or the idle UE from the network node. In some embodiments, the request to employ an inactive UE or an idle UE may indicate the number of connected UEs served by the BS or the number of additional UEs required to satisfy the request for sensing-related services.

[0153] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the order of the operations in the exemplary procedure 800 may be changed, and some of the operations in the exemplary procedure 800 may be eliminated or modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0154] Fig. 9 A flowchart showing an exemplary process 900 for integrating sensing and communication according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The details described in all the previous embodiments of the present disclosure apply to Fig. 9 In some examples, the program may be executed by a network node.

[0155] refer to Fig. 9 , in operation 911, the network node may transmit a request for a sensing-related service to the BS.

[0156] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a request for a sensing-related service may indicate at least one of the following: area information indicating a target area in which the sensing is performed; accuracy requirements for the sensing-related service; the total number of UEs that perform sensing for the sensing-related service (e.g., number #1); an ID of at least one UE that performs sensing for the sensing-related service; a speed threshold of the UE that performs sensing for the sensing-related service; a link quality threshold of the UE that performs sensing for the sensing-related service; or the number of UEs that perform sensing for the sensing-related service in each sub-area of ​​the target area (e.g., number #2).

[0157] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the area information may indicate an ID of the target area or a list of cells covering the target area. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the total number of UEs may be defined as the number of UEs per cell or per BS, or may be expressed as a value range, or may be expressed as a minimum number of UEs.

[0158] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the network node may be an AMF.

[0159] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the network node may be a SF. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a request for sensing-related services may be transmitted to the BS through an AMF.

[0160] In operation 913, the network node may receive, from the BS, a measurement result related to the sensing-related service, an ID of a UE that performs sensing for the sensing-related service leaving the target area, or both.

[0161] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the order of the operations in the exemplary procedure 900 may be changed, and some of the operations in the exemplary procedure 900 may be eliminated or modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0162] The above embodiments and procedures relate to the sensing function. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments and procedures can also be applied to the positioning case.

[0163] For example, the above embodiments and procedures can be re-used for positioning by simply replacing the term "sensing" with the term "positioning." For example, in the case of positioning, position-related measurements can be performed instead of sensing-related measurements.

[0164] For example, the SF in the above embodiments and procedures may be replaced by another network node (e.g., a location management function (LMF)). The LMF may transmit a request to locate the target device to the AMF. Alternatively, the AMF may determine the request for positioning. The AMF may transmit the request for positioning to one or more BSs.

[0165] The LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) terminates between the target device (UE in the case of control plane, or Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Enabled Terminal (SET) in the case of user plane) and the positioning server (LMF in the case of control plane or SUPL Positioning Platform (SLP) in the case of user plane). It can use the control plane protocol or the user plane protocol as the underlying transport. The data structure defined by LPP for assistance data information is reused to support RRC broadcast of assistance data information embedded in the positioning system information block (SIB). This enables the broadcast assistance data to use the same data structure used for point-to-point positioning. The LPP protocol data unit (PDU) is carried between the AMF and the UE in the form of a non-access stratum (NAS) PDU.

[0166] NR Positioning Protocol A (NRPPa) carries information between the Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) node and the LMF. The NRPPa protocol is transparent to the AMF. The AMF transparently routes the NRPPa PDU over the NG Control Plane (NG-C) interface based on the routing ID corresponding to the LMF involved without knowing the NRPPa transaction involved. It carries the NRPPa PDU in UE-associated mode or non-UE-associated mode over the NG-C interface.

[0167] For example, Figure 4 The procedure 400 in the embodiment can be applied to Figure 4A The positioning situation shown in . Figure 4A A flow chart of an exemplary procedure 400A for positioning is shown. Procedure 400A is similar to procedure 400, except that, for example, Figure 4 SF409 in Figure 4A Replaces LMF 405A in Figure 4A In the embodiment of the present invention, AMF 407A may communicate with LMF 405A. In some instances, LMF 405A may or may not communicate directly with BS 402A. The description of procedure 400 may similarly apply to procedure 400A.

[0168] For example, in operation 411a, UE 401A may have an RRC connection with BS 402A (i.e., a serving BS of UE 401A). In some embodiments, UE 401A may report capabilities related to the positioning function to BS 402A or AMF 407A. The capabilities may include supporting reception of DL RS for positioning, supporting transmission of RS for positioning, etc. In some embodiments, UE 401A may receive a capability of whether the network supports the positioning function.

[0169] In some embodiments, UE 401A may enter an idle state or an inactive state based on the configuration of BS 402A. For example, BS 402A may transmit an RRC release message to UE 401A. UE 401A may enter an idle state or an inactive state in response to receiving the RRC release message.

[0170] In operation 413a (indicated by a dotted arrow as an option), the LMF 405A may transmit a request for positioning-related services to the AMF 407A. In some embodiments, the request for positioning-related services may indicate area information indicating a target area in which the positioning is performed. In some embodiments, the area information may indicate an ID of the target area or a list of cells covering the target area.

[0171] In response to receiving the request for positioning-related services, the AMF 407A may transmit the request to the BS 402A in operation 415a. The AMF 407A may transmit this request to one or more BSs.

[0172] Despite Figure 4A In the example of , LMF 405A determines the request for positioning-related services and transmits the request to AMF 407A, but it is contemplated that AMF 407A may determine the request in some other embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, operation 413a may be omitted. AMF 407A may determine the information in the request for positioning-related services and then transmit the request to one or more BSs.

[0173] In response to receiving the request for the positioning-related service, the BS 402A may transmit a request to perform positioning to at least one UE.The method for determining at least one UE described previously may be applied here.

[0174] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE may be allowed to perform measurements for positioning in an idle state or an inactive state. For example, after the BS transmits a reconfiguration message to the UE, the BS may configure the UE to enter an idle state or an inactive state. In some instances, the reconfiguration message may include configurations related to the positioning function. In some instances, the BS may configure the positioning information in a broadcast message.

[0175] For example, still refer to Figure 4AIn operation 419a, BS 402A may transmit a request to perform positioning to UE 401A in an idle state or an inactive state. BS 402A may configure UE 401A (e.g., in a request message) to perform measurements for positioning in an idle state or an inactive state. That is, UE 401A may perform measurements for positioning while remaining in an idle state or an inactive state (e.g., without switching to a connected state). The configuration may include area information (e.g., an area ID or a cell list) indicating a target area in which positioning is to be performed.

[0176] In operation 421a, in response to receiving a request to perform positioning, UE 401A may perform a positioning task. For example, the positioning task may include at least one of: receiving a DL RS for positioning (e.g., from BS 402A, a neighboring cell, or both); reporting a measurement result related to positioning; or transmitting a UL RS for positioning (e.g., to BS 402A, a neighboring cell, or both).

[0177] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, UE 401A may leave the target area and may notify BS 402A of its departure. In some instances, the target area may be part of a cell (e.g., a serving cell). In some instances, the target area may include one or more than one cell.

[0178] For example, when UE 401A leaves the target area, UE 401A may transition from an inactive state or an idle state to a connected state. Then, UE 401A may transmit a departure indication to BS 402A in operation 425a. In some embodiments, UE 401A may also transmit measurement results related to positioning to BS 402A in operation 425a.

[0179] In response to receiving the departure indication, BS 402A may transmit the ID of UE 401A (i.e., the ID of the UE leaving the target area) to AMF 407A or LMF 405A. For example, BS 402A may transmit the UE ID to AMF 407A in operation 427a. AMF 407A may transmit the UE ID to LMF 405A in operation 429a (indicated by a dotted arrow as an option).

[0180] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the order of the operations in the exemplary procedure 400A may be changed, and some of the operations in the exemplary procedure 400A may be eliminated or modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0181] Fig.101 shows a block diagram of an exemplary device 1000 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig.10 As shown in FIG. 1 , the device 1000 may include at least one processor 1006 and at least one transceiver 1002, wherein the at least one transceiver is coupled to the processor 1006. The device 1000 may be a UE, a BS, or a network node (eg, an AMF, a SF, or a LMF).

[0182] Although in this figure, elements such as at least one transceiver 1002 and processor 1006 are described in singular form, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. In some embodiments of the present application, the transceiver 1002 can be divided into two devices, such as a receiving circuit system and a transmitting circuit system. In some embodiments of the present application, the device 1000 can further include an input device, a memory and / or other components.

[0183] In some embodiments of the present application, the device 1000 may be a UE. The transceiver 1002 and the processor 1006 may interact with each other to perform Figure 1-9 In some embodiments of the present application, the device 1000 may be a BS. The transceiver 1002 and the processor 1006 may interact with each other to perform operations related to the UE. Figure 1-9 In some embodiments of the present application, the device 1000 may be a network node. The transceiver 1002 and the processor 1006 may interact with each other to perform operations related to the BS described in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 1-9 Network node related operations described in .

[0184] In some embodiments of the present application, the device 1000 may further include at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium.

[0185] For example, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may store computer-executable instructions thereon, the computer-executable instructions causing the processor 1006 to implement the method related to the UE described above. For example, when the computer-executable instructions are executed, the processor 1006 interacting with the transceiver 1002 performs the Figure 1-9 UE-related operations described in .

[0186] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may store computer-executable instructions thereon, the computer-executable instructions causing the processor 1006 to implement the methods related to the BS described above. For example, when the computer-executable instructions are executed, the processor 1006 interacting with the transceiver 1002 performs the following operations: Figure 1-9 BS related operations described in.

[0187] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may store thereon computer-executable instructions that cause the processor 1006 to implement the methods related to the network node described above. For example, when the computer-executable instructions are executed, the processor 1006 interacting with the transceiver 1002 performs the following operations: Figure 1-9 Network node related operations described in .

[0188] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the operations or steps of the methods described in conjunction with the 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 RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. Additionally, in some aspects, the operations or steps of the methods may reside as one or any combination or set of codes and / or instructions on a non-transitory computer-readable medium that may be incorporated into a computer program product.

[0189] Although the present disclosure has been described with specific embodiments of the present disclosure, it is apparent that many alternatives, modifications and changes may be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, in other embodiments, the various components of the embodiments may be interchanged, added or replaced. Moreover, all elements of each of the accompanying drawings are not necessary for the operation of the disclosed embodiments. For example, it will enable a person of ordinary skill in the field of the disclosed embodiments to formulate and use the teachings of the present disclosure by simply adopting the elements of the independent claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the present disclosure as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0190] In this document, the term "includes", "including" or any other variation thereof is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, so that the process, method, product or equipment including a series of elements not only includes those elements, but may include other elements that are not explicitly listed or inherent to such process, method, product or equipment. In the absence of more restrictions, the elements preceded by "one (a)", "an" etc. do not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, product or equipment including the elements. In addition, the term "another" is defined as at least the second or more. As used herein, the term "having" etc. is defined as "including". Expressions such as "A and / or B" or "at least one of A and B" may include any and all combinations of the words listed together with the expression. For example, the expression "A and / or B" or "at least one of A and B" may include A, B or both A and B. The words "first", "second" etc. are only used to clearly illustrate the embodiments of the application, and are not used to limit the essence of the application.

Claims

1. A user equipment UE, comprising: transceiver; and a processor coupled to the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to: receiving a request from an upper layer or a network node of the UE to perform sensing in a target area; and A sensing task is performed in response to the request to perform sensing.

2. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the sensing task comprises at least one of the following: receiving a downlink DL reference signal RS for performing the sensing; reporting measurements associated with said sensing; or An uplink UL RS used for the sensing is transmitted to a serving cell, a neighboring cell, or both of the UE.

3. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the request includes area information indicating the target area; and The processor is further configured to transition to a connected state in response to the UE being in an inactive state or an idle state.

4. The UE of claim 3, wherein transitioning to the connected state comprises performing cell reselection based on the area information; and The performing of the cell reselection based on the area information comprises at least one of the following: Selecting a suitable cell belonging to the target area for connection establishment; or Transitioning from the inactive state or idle state to a connected state is stopped in response to failure to find a suitable cell belonging to the target area. 5 . The UE of claim 1 , wherein performing the sensing task comprises performing the sensing task when the UE is in a connected state, an inactive state, or an idle state.

6. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to perform at least one of the following when the UE leaves the target area: In a case where the UE performs the sensing task in an inactive state or an idle state, transitioning from the inactive state or the idle state to a connected state; transmitting a leave indication to a base station BS; or Measurement results associated with the sensing are transmitted to the BS.

7. The UE according to claim 1 or 6, wherein the target area is a part of a cell or includes one or more than one cell.

8. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: receiving a handover command indicating a target cell; and In response to the target cell belonging to the target area, performing at least one of the following: maintaining a configuration associated with said sensing; or The sensing task continues to be performed during the switching, after the switching, or both.

9. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: receiving a handover command indicating a target cell; and In response to the target cell not belonging to the target area, performing at least one of the following: releasing the configuration associated with the sensing; or Stop the sensing task.

10. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the request includes area information indicating the target area; and The processor is further configured to select a suitable cell for re-establishment based on the area information in response to initiating a re-establishment procedure at the UE.

11. The UE according to claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to: In response to the suitable cell belonging to the target area, performing at least one of the following: maintaining a configuration associated with said sensing; or continuing to perform the sensing task during the reconstruction, after the reconstruction, or both; or In response to the suitable cell not belonging to the target area, performing at least one of the following: releasing the configuration associated with the sensing; or Stop the sensing task. 12 . The UE of claim 10 , wherein selecting the suitable cell for reestablishment based on the area information comprises preferentially selecting a cell belonging to the target area among a plurality of suitable cells for reestablishment. 13 . The UE according to claim 1 , wherein the request indicates an ID of the target area or a list of cells covering the target area.

14. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the network node is an access and mobility management function (AMF) or a sensing function (SF).

15. A base station BS, comprising: Transceiver; as well as a processor coupled to the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to: receiving a request for a sensing-related service from a network node; and transmitting, in response to the request for the sensing-related service, to at least one user equipment UE, a request to perform sensing; The request for the sensing-related service indicates at least one of the following: area information indicating a target area in which the sensing is performed; Accuracy requirements for the sensing-related services; the total number of UEs performing sensing for the sensing-related service; an ID of at least one UE that performs sensing for the sensing-related service; a speed threshold of a UE performing sensing for the sensing-related service; a link quality threshold of a UE performing sensing for the sensing-related service; or The number of UEs performing sensing for the sensing-related service in each sub-area of ​​the target area.

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