Gap-assisted phase coherent transmission

Abstract

Techniques are provided for generating and utilizing transmit gaps (TGs) to assist in phase discontinuity problems in positioning and sensing operations. An example method for transmitting a coherent reference signal with a wireless node includes determining transmission gap configuration information for transmitting the coherent reference signal; determining an overlap signal based on a duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information; and transmitting one or more coherent reference signals and discarding one or more of the overlapping signals during the duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 988,179, filed on November 16, 2022, entitled "GAP - ASSISTED PHASE COHERENT TRANSMISSIONS", which is assigned to the assignee of the present application, and the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. Background Art

[0003] Wireless communication systems have evolved through many generations, including the 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 services with Internet capabilities, and fourth - generation (4G) services (e.g., Long - Term Evolution (LTE) or WiMax). Currently, many different types of wireless communication systems are in use, including cellular systems and Personal Communication 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), etc.

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

[0005] 5G enables the use of radio frequency (RF) signals for wireless communication between network nodes such as base stations, user equipment (UE), vehicles, factory automation machinery, etc. RF signals can also be used for other purposes. For example, RF signals can be used in RF sensing applications to detect and track objects using RF signals. The speed and motion of an object can be determined using RF sensing signals and corresponding transmitter and receiver configurations. Summary of the Invention

[0006] An example method for transmitting a coherent reference signal using a wireless node according to the present disclosure includes: determining transmission gap configuration information for transmitting the coherent reference signal; determining overlapping signals based on a duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information; and transmitting one or more coherent reference signals and discarding one or more of the overlapping signals during the duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information.

[0007] An example method for activating a transmission gap for transmitting a coherent reference signal using a wireless node according to the present disclosure includes: receiving transmission gap configuration information for transmitting the coherent reference signal; activating the transmission gap at least in part based on the transmission gap configuration information; and transmitting one or more coherent reference signals during a duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information.

[0008] The items and / or techniques described herein may provide one or more of the following capabilities and other capabilities not mentioned. A wireless node may be capable of transmitting and / or receiving radio frequency (RF) sensing signals. The same receiver may be used by the wireless node for both communication and RF sensing operations. The wireless node may be configured to transmit phase-coherent reference signals to enhance RF sensing operations. A transmission gap (TG) may be utilized to reduce problems associated with phase discontinuity. Coherent reference signals may be transmitted during the transmission gap. The wireless node may be configured to discard transmissions or receptions of other reference signals during the TG. A network entity may provide TG configuration information to wireless nodes such as transmit receive points and user equipment. A preconfigured TG may be activated using low-level signaling. Object detection and classification may be improved based on the use of phase-coherent reference signals during the TG. Other capabilities may be provided, and not every specific implementation according to the present disclosure must provide any of the capabilities discussed, let alone all of them. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The drawings are presented to assist in the description of examples of the disclosed subject matter, and are provided only for purposes of illustration of the examples and not for limitation thereof.

[0010] Figure 1 An example wireless communication system is illustrated.

[0011] Figure 2A and Figure 2B An example wireless network structure is illustrated.

[0012] Figures 3A to 3C is a simplified block diagram of several sample components that may be employed in a wireless communication node and are configured to support communication.

[0013] Figure 4A An example monostatic radar system is illustrated.

[0014] Figure 4B Illustrates an example bistatic radar system.

[0015] Figure 5 Is an example diagram showing the radio frequency (RF) channel response over time.

[0016] Figure 6A And Figure 6B Illustrate phase-coherent signal transmission and non-phase-coherent signal transmission, respectively.

[0017] Figure 6C Illustrates a MIMO antenna array and its virtual equivalent.

[0018] Figures 7A to 7C Is a diagram of an example use case for reference signal transmission with gap-assisted coherent transmission.

[0019] Figure 8 Is a diagram of an example gap-assisted coherent transmission with multiple component carriers.

[0020] Figure 9 Is an example message flow diagram for providing transmission gap configuration information.

[0021] Figure 10 Is an example process flow diagram of a method for transmitting a coherent reference signal using a wireless node.

[0022] Figure 11 Is an example process flow diagram of a method for activating a transmission gap for transmitting a coherent reference signal using a wireless node. Detailed Description

[0023] Techniques are provided herein for generating and utilizing transmission gaps (TGs) to assist with phase discontinuity issues in positioning operations and sensing operations. A set of rules can be implemented to determine the behavior of network nodes during the duration of a TG. For example, during a TG, only TG-configured phase-coherent reference signals (i.e., coherent RSs) can be transmitted, such that even if other transmissions have a higher priority than the coherent RS, other RS transmissions can be discarded. In an example, during a TG, a coherent RS can be transmitted, and if possible, other RS transmissions with a higher priority than the coherent RS can be inserted into the TG. A network node configured with multiple carriers can be configured to discard transmissions on a first carrier that overlap in time with a coherent RS transmission on a second carrier during a TG. A network node can be configured to schedule multiple sets of coherent transmissions on different beams during a TG. A TG can be configured per network node or per frequency range (FR). These techniques are examples and are not exhaustive.

[0024] Those skilled in the art should understand that any one of a variety of different technologies and methods can be used to represent the information and signals described below. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chipsets that may be referred to throughout the following description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof, depending in part on the particular application, in part on the desired design, in part on the corresponding technology, and so on.

[0025] In addition, many aspects are described in terms of a sequence of actions to be performed by, for example, elements of a computing device. It will be recognized that the various actions described herein can be performed by specific circuitry (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), by program instructions executed by one or more processors, or by a combination of both. Additionally, the sequence of actions described herein can be regarded as being fully embodied within any form of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored therein a corresponding set of computer instructions that, when executed, will cause or command the associated processor of the device to perform the functionality described herein. Accordingly, the various aspects of the present disclosure can be embodied in many different forms, all of which have been contemplated to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Additionally, for each of the aspects described herein, the corresponding form of any such aspect can be described herein as, for example, "logic configured to perform the described action".

[0026] As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the terms "wireless node", "user equipment" (UE), and "base station" (BS) are not intended to be dedicated to or otherwise limited to any particular radio access technology (RAT). User equipment and base stations are examples of wireless nodes. Generally speaking, a UE can be any wireless communication device used by a user to communicate through a wireless communication network (e.g., a mobile phone, router, tablet computer, laptop computer, tracking device, wearable device (e.g., smart watch, glasses, augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) headset, etc.), vehicle (e.g., car, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.), Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.). A UE can be mobile or can be stationary (e.g., at certain times) and can communicate with a radio access network (RAN). As used herein, the term "UE" can be interchangeably referred to as "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 variants thereof. Generally speaking, a UE can communicate with a core network via the RAN, and through the core network, the UE can connect to external networks such as the Internet and to other UEs. Of course, other mechanisms for connecting to the core network and / or the Internet are also possible for the UE, such as through a wired access network, a wireless local area network (WLAN) network (e.g., based on IEEE 802.11, etc.), and so on.

[0027] A base station can operate according to one of several RATs to communicate with a UE depending on the network in which the base station is deployed, and can alternatively be referred to as an access point (AP), network node, Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), New Radio (NR) Node B (also referred to as gNB or gNodeB), etc. A base station can be mainly used to support the wireless access of UEs, including supporting data, voice, and / or signaling connections for the supported UEs. In some systems, a base station can only provide edge node signaling functions, while in other systems, a base station can provide additional control and / or network management functions. The communication link by which a UE can transmit signals to a base station is referred to as an uplink (UL) channel (e.g., reverse traffic channel, reverse control channel, access channel, etc.). The communication link by which a base station can transmit signals to a UE is referred to as a downlink (DL) or forward link channel (e.g., paging channel, control channel, broadcast channel, forward traffic channel, etc.). As used herein, the term "traffic channel (TCH)" can refer to an uplink / reverse traffic channel or a downlink / forward traffic channel.

[0028] The term "base station" can refer to a single physical transmit receive point (TRP) or multiple physical TRPs that may or may not be co-located. For example, in the case where the term "base station" refers to a single physical TRP, the physical TRP can be the antenna of the base station corresponding to the cell (or several cell sectors) of the base station. In the case where the term "base station" refers to multiple co-located physical TRPs, the physical TRPs can be an antenna array of the base station (e.g., as in a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) system or in the case where the base station employs beamforming). In the case where the term "base station" refers to multiple non-co-located physical TRPs, the physical TRPs can be a distributed antenna system (DAS) (a network of spatially separated antennas connected to a common source via a transmission medium) or a remote radio head (RRH) (a remote base station connected to a serving base station). Alternatively, the non-co-located physical TRPs can be the serving base station that receives measurement reports from the UE and a neighbor base station whose reference RF signal (or simply "reference signal") the UE is measuring. Since, as used herein, a TRP is the point by which a base station transmits and receives wireless signals, a reference to transmission from or reception at a base station should be understood to refer to a particular TRP of the base station.

[0029] In some specific implementations that support UE positioning, a 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 instead may send a reference signal to be measured by the UE and / or may receive and measure signals sent by the UE. Such a base station can 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 signals from the UE).

[0030] 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 send a single "RF signal" or multiple "RF signals" to a receiver. However, due to the propagation characteristics of RF signals through a multipath channel, a receiver may receive multiple "RF signals" corresponding to each transmitted RF signal. The same transmitted RF signal on different paths between the transmitter and the receiver can be referred to as a "multipath" RF signal. As used herein, where the context makes it clear that the term "signal" refers to a wireless signal or an RF signal, the RF signal may also be referred to as a "wireless signal" or simply as a "signal".

[0031] Reference Figure 1, illustrates an example wireless communication system 100. The wireless communication system 100 (which may also be referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) may include various base stations 102 and various UEs 104. The base stations 102 may include macro cell base stations (high-power cellular base stations) and / or small cell base stations (low-power cellular base stations). In one aspect, the macro cell base stations may include eNBs and / or ng-eNBs (where the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an LTE network) or gNBs (where the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an NR network) or a combination of both, and the small cell base stations may include femto cells, pico cells, micro cells, and so on.

[0032] The base stations 102 may together form a RAN and interface with a core network 170 (e.g., an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC)) via a backhaul link 122, and interface to one or more location servers 172 (which may be part of the core network 170 or may be external to the core network 170) via the core network 170. Among other functions, the base stations 102 may perform functions related to one or more of the following: relaying 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., via the EPC / 5GC) on a backhaul link 134, which may be wired or wireless.

[0033] Base station 102 can communicate wirelessly with UE 104. Each base station in base station 102 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 110. In one aspect, one or more cells can be supported by the base stations 102 in each geographic coverage area 110. A "cell" is a logical communication entity used to communicate with a base station (e.g., on a certain frequency resource, referred to as a carrier frequency, component carrier, carrier, frequency band, etc.), and can be associated with an identifier (e.g., physical cell identifier (PCI), virtual cell identifier (VCI), cell global identifier (CGI)) to distinguish cells operating via the same or different carrier frequencies. In some cases, different cells can be configured according to different protocol types that can provide access for different types of UEs (e.g., machine type communication (MTC), narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), or other protocol types). Since a cell is supported by a specific base station, the term "cell" can, depending on the context, refer to either or both of the logical communication entity and the base station that supports the logical communication entity. In addition, since the TRP is typically the physical transmission point of a cell, the terms "cell" and "TRP" can be used interchangeably. In some cases, the term "cell" can also refer to the geographic coverage area (e.g., sector) of a base station, as long as the carrier frequency can be detected and used for communication within a certain part of the geographic coverage area 110.

[0034] Although the geographic coverage areas 110 of adjacent macro cell base stations 102 can partially overlap (e.g., in a handover area), some areas in the geographic coverage area 110 can substantially overlap with a larger geographic coverage area 110. For example, a small cell base station 102' can have a geographic coverage area 110' that substantially overlaps with the geographic coverage areas 110 of one or more macro cell base stations 102. A network including both small cell base stations and macro cell base stations can be referred to as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network can also include a home eNB (HeNB), which can provide services to a restricted group called a closed subscriber group (CSG).

[0035] The communication link 120 between base station 102 and UE 104 can include an uplink (also referred to as a reverse link) transmission from UE 104 to base station 102 and / or a downlink (also referred to as a forward link) transmission from base station 102 to UE 104. The communication link 120 can use MIMO antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication link 120 can pass through one or more carrier frequencies. The allocation of carriers can be asymmetric for the downlink and uplink (e.g., more or fewer carriers can be allocated to the downlink compared to the uplink).

[0036] 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 via a communication link 154 in an unlicensed spectrum (e.g., 5 GHz). When communicating in an 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 before communication to determine whether the channel is available.

[0037] The small cell base station 102' may operate in licensed and / or unlicensed spectrum. When operating in an unlicensed spectrum, the small cell base station 102' may employ LTE or NR technology and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum used by the WLAN AP 150. The small cell base station 102' that employs LTE / 5G in an unlicensed spectrum may enhance the coverage of the access network and / or increase the capacity of the access network. NR in an unlicensed spectrum may be referred to as NR-U. LTE in an unlicensed spectrum may be referred to as LTE-U, licensed-assisted access (LAA), or MulteFire.

[0038] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a millimeter wave (mmW) base station 180 that may operate at mmW frequencies and / or near-mmW frequencies to communicate with a UE 182. The extremely high frequency (EHF) is a part of the RF in the electromagnetic spectrum. The EHF has a range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz and a wavelength between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters. The radio waves in this band may be referred to as millimeter waves. Near-mmW may extend down to a frequency of 3 GHz with a wavelength of 100 millimeters. The super high frequency (SHF) band extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz, which is also referred to as centimeter waves. Communication using the mmW / near-mmW radio band has high path loss and a relatively short distance. The mmW base station 180 and the UE 182 may utilize beamforming (transmission and / or reception) on the mmW communication link 184 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short distance. In addition, it should be understood that in an alternative configuration, one or more of the 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.

[0039] Transmit beamforming is a technique for focusing RF signals in a specific direction. Traditionally, when a network node (e.g., a base station) broadcasts an RF signal, it broadcasts the signal omnidirectionally in all directions. 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, thus providing a faster and stronger RF signal (in terms of data rate) to the receiving device. To change the directivity of the RF signal during transmission, the network node can control the phase and relative amplitude of the RF signal at each of one or more transmitters that broadcast the RF signal. For example, the network node can use an array of antennas (referred to as a "phased array" or "antenna array") that forms an RF beam that can be "manipulated" to point in different directions without physically moving the antennas. Specifically, RF currents from the transmitters are fed to the individual antennas with the correct phase relationship so that radio waves from the individual antennas add together in the desired direction to increase radiation, while canceling in the undesired directions to suppress radiation.

[0040] Transmit beams can be quasi co-located, which means they have the same parameters for a receiver (e.g., a UE), regardless of whether the transmit antennas of the network node are physically co-located themselves. In NR, there are four types of quasi co-location (QCL) relationships. Specifically, a given type of QCL relationship means that certain parameters of a second reference RF signal on a second beam can be derived based on information about a source reference RF signal on a source beam. Thus, 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 transmitted 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 transmitted 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 transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type D, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the spatial reception parameters of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel.

[0041] In receive beamforming, the receiver uses receive beams to amplify RF signals detected on a given channel. For example, the receiver can increase the gain setting of the antenna array in a specific direction and / or adjust the phase setting of the antenna array in a specific direction to amplify the RF signal received from that direction (e.g., increase its gain level). Thus, when the 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 gains in other directions, or the beam gain in that direction is the highest compared to the beam gains of all other receive beams available to the receiver in that direction. This results in a stronger received signal strength for the RF signal received from that direction (e.g., reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), etc.).

[0042] Receive beams can be spatially related. Spatial relationship means that parameters for a transmit beam for a second reference signal can be derived based on information about the receive beam for a first reference signal. For example, a UE can use a specific receive beam to receive one or more reference downlink reference signals from a base station (e.g., positioning reference signal (PRS), tracking reference signal (TRS), phase tracking reference signal (PTRS), cell-specific reference signal (CRS), channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), synchronization signal block (SSB), etc.). The UE can then form a transmit beam based on the parameters of the receive beam for transmitting one or more uplink reference signals to the base station (e.g., uplink positioning reference signal (UL-PRS), sounding reference signal (SRS), demodulation reference signal (DMRS), PTRS, etc.).

[0043] 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 for receiving downlink reference signals. 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, the uplink beam is an uplink receive beam, and if the UE is forming an uplink beam, the uplink beam is an uplink transmit beam.

[0044] In 5G, the spectrum in which radio nodes (e.g., base stations 102 / 180, UEs 104 / 182) operate is divided into multiple frequency ranges: FR1 (from 450 MHz to 6000 MHz), FR2 (from 24250 MHz to 52600 MHz), FR3 (above 52600 MHz), and FR4 (between FR1 and FR2). 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 the carrier operating on the primary frequency (e.g., FR1) used by the UE 104 / 182 and the cell, where the UE 104 / 182 performs the initial radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment process or initiates the RRC connection re-establishment process in this cell. 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). The secondary carrier is the carrier operating on a second frequency (e.g., FR2), which 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 can contain only the 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 exist in the secondary carrier. This means that different UEs 104 / 182 in a cell can have different downlink primary carriers. The same holds for the uplink primary carrier. The network can change the primary carrier of any UE 104 / 182 at any time. This is done, for example, to balance the load on different carriers. Since a "serving cell" (whether PCell or SCell) corresponds to the carrier frequency / component carrier through which a certain base station communicates, terms such as "cell", "serving cell", "component carrier", "carrier frequency", etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0045] For example, still referring to Figure 1 , one of the frequencies used by the macro cell base station 102 can be the anchor carrier (or "PCell"), and the other frequencies used by the macro cell base station 102 and / or the mmW base station 180 can be secondary carriers ("SCells"). The 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, compared with the data rate obtained from a single 20 MHz carrier, two 20 MHz aggregated carriers in a multi-carrier system would theoretically result in a doubling of the data rate (i.e., 40 MHz).

[0046] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a UE 164 that can communicate with the macro cell base station 102 via a communication link 120 and / or communicate with the mmW base station 180 via an mmW communication link 184. For example, the macro cell base station 102 may support a PCell and one or more SCell for the UE 164, and the mmW base station 180 may support one or more SCell for the UE 164.

[0047] The wireless communication system 100 may also include one or more UEs, such as UE 190, which is indirectly connected to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links (referred to as "sidelinks"). In Figure 1 the example, UE 190 has a D2D P2P link 192 with one of the UEs 104 connected to one of the base stations 102 (e.g., UE 190 can indirectly obtain cellular connectivity through this D2D P2P link), and has a D2D P2P link 194 with the WLAN STA 152 connected to the WLAN AP 150 (UE 190 can indirectly obtain WLAN-based Internet connectivity through this D2D P2P link). In the example, the 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.

[0048] Reference Figure 2A , an example wireless network structure 200 is shown. For example, the 5GC 210 (also known as the Next Generation Core (NGC)) can be functionally regarded as a control plane function 214 (e.g., UE registration, authentication, network access, gateway selection, etc.) and a user plane function 212 (e.g., UE gateway function, access to data networks, IP routing, etc.), which operate cooperatively 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 connect to the control plane function 214 and the user plane function 212. 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 a backhaul connection 223. In some configurations, the new RAN 220 can have only one or more gNBs 222, while other configurations include one or more of both the ng-eNB 224 and the gNB 222. The gNB 222 or the ng-eNB 224 can communicate with the UE 204 (e.g., Figure 1communicate with any UE depicted therein. Another optional aspect may include a location server 230 that may 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). Additionally, the location server 230 may be integrated into a component of the core network or, alternatively, may be external to the core network.

[0049] Reference Figure 2B , another example wireless network structure 250 is shown. For example, the 5GC 260 may be functionally viewed as a control plane function (provided by the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 264) and a user plane function (provided by the User Plane Function (UPF) 262), which operate cooperatively to form the core network (i.e., the 5GC 260). The user plane interface 263 and the control plane interface 265 connect the ng-eNB 224 to the 5GC 260 and, specifically, to the UPF 262 and the AMF 264, respectively. In an additional configuration, the gNB 222 may also be connected to the 5GC 260 via the control plane interface 265 to the AMF 264 and the user plane interface 263 to the UPF 262. Additionally, the ng-eNB 224 may communicate directly with the gNB 222 via a backhaul connection 223 with or without direct gNB connectivity to the 5GC 260. In some configurations, the new RAN 220 may have only one or more gNB 222s, while other configurations include one or more of both the ng-eNB 224 and the gNB 222s. The gNB 222 or the ng-eNB 224 may communicate with the UE204 (e.g., Figure 1 any UE depicted therein). The base stations of the new RAN 220 communicate with the AMF 264 via the N2 interface and with the UPF 262 via the N3 interface.

[0050] The functions of the AMF 264 include registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, lawful interception, transmission of session management (SM) messages for the UE 204 and the session management function (SMF) 266, transparent proxy service for routing SM messages, access authentication and access authorization, transmission of short message service (SMS) messages for the UE 204 and the short message service function (SMSF) (not shown), and security anchor functionality (SEAF). The AMF 264 also interacts with the authentication server function (AUSF) (not shown) and the UE 204, and receives the intermediate key established as a result of the UE 204 authentication process. In the case of authentication based on a UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) subscriber identity module (USIM), the AMF 264 retrieves the security material from the AUSF. The functions of the AMF 264 also include security context management (SCM). The SCM receives the key from the SEAF, and the SCM uses the key to derive the access network specific key. The functionality of the AMF 264 also includes location service management for regulatory services, transmission of location service messages between the UE 204 and the location management function (LMF) 270 (which acts as the location server 230), transmission of location service messages between the new RAN 220 and the LMF 270, EPS bearer identifier allocation for interworking with the evolved packet system (EPS), and UE 204 mobility event notification. In addition, the AMF 264 also supports the functionality of non-3GPP access networks.

[0051] The functions of the UPF 262 include: acting as an anchor for intra-RAT / inter-RAT mobility (when applicable), acting as an external protocol data unit (PDU) session point for interconnection to a data network (not shown), providing packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection, user plane policy rule enforcement (e.g., gating, redirection, traffic steering), lawful interception (user plane collection), traffic usage reporting, quality of service (QoS) handling for the user plane (e.g., uplink / downlink rate enforcement, reflective QoS marking in the downlink), uplink traffic verification (service data flow (SDF) to QoS flow mapping), transport-level packet marking in the uplink and downlink, downlink packet buffering and downlink data notification triggering, and transmitting and forwarding one or more "end markers" to the source RAN node. The UPF 262 may also support the transfer of location service messages on the user plane between the UE 204 and a location server such as the secure user plane location (SUPL) location platform (SLP) 272.

[0052] The functions of the SMF 266 include session management, UE Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management, selection and control of the user plane function, traffic steering configuration for routing traffic to the correct destination at the UPF 262, partial control of policy enforcement and QoS, and downlink data notification. The interface through which the SMF 266 communicates with the AMF 264 is referred to as the N11 interface.

[0053] Another optional aspect may include an LMF 270, which may communicate with the 5GC 260 to provide location assistance for the UE 204. The LMF 270 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 LMF 270 may be configured to support one or more location services for the UE 204, which may be connected to the LMF 270 via the core network, 5GC 260, and / or via the Internet (not illustrated). The SLP 272 may support similar functions to the LMF 270, but the LMF 270 may communicate with the AMF 264, the new RAN 220, and the UE 204 on the control plane (e.g., using interfaces and protocols designed to carry signaling messages rather than voice or data), and the SLP 272 may communicate with the UE 204 and external clients ( Figure 2B not shown in the figure) on the user plane (e.g., using protocols designed to carry voice and / or data, such as Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and / or IP).

[0054] In one aspect, the LMF 270 and / or the SLP 272 may be integrated into a base station (such as the gNB 222 and / or the ng-eNB 224). When integrated into the gNB 222 and / or the ng-eNB 224, the LMF 270 and / or the SLP 272 may be referred to as a "location management component" or "LMC". However, as used herein, references to the LMF 270 and the SLP 272 include both the case where the LMF 270 and the SLP 272 are components of the core network (e.g., the 5GC 260) and the case where the LMF 270 and the SLP 272 are components of a base station.

[0055] Reference Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B and Figure 3C, shows several example components (represented by corresponding boxes) that can be incorporated into UE 302 (which can correspond to any UE described herein), base station 304 (which can correspond to any base station described herein), and network entity 306 (which can correspond to or embody any network function described herein, including location server 230 and LMF 270) to support file sending operations. It should be understood that these components can be implemented in different specific implementations in different types of devices (e.g., in an ASIC, in a system-on-chip (SoC), etc.). The illustrated components can also be incorporated into other devices in the communication system. For example, other devices in the system can include components similar to those described as providing similar functionality. In addition, a given device can include one or more of these components. For example, a device can include multiple transceiver components that enable the device to operate on multiple carriers and / or communicate via different technologies.

[0056] Both UE 302 and base station 304 each include a wireless wide area network (WWAN) transceiver 310 and 350 configured to communicate via one or more wireless communication networks (such as an NR network, an LTE network, a GSM network, etc.) (not shown). WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 can be respectively connected to one or more antennas 316 and 356 to communicate with other network nodes (such as other UEs, access points, base stations (e.g., eNB, gNB), etc.) via at least one designated RAT (e.g., NR, LTE, GSM, etc.) through an interested wireless communication medium (e.g., a certain set of time / frequency resources in a specific spectrum). WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 can be configured in different ways to respectively transmit and encode signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.) according to the designated RAT, and conversely, respectively receive and decode signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.). In particular, transceivers 310 and 350 each include one or more transmitters 314 and 354 (for respectively transmitting and encoding signals 318 and 358) and respectively include one or more receivers 312 and 352 (for respectively receiving and decoding signals 318 and 358).

[0057] At least in some cases, UE 302 and base station 304 also each include a wireless local area network (WLAN) transceiver 320 and 360. WLAN transceivers 320 and 360 can be respectively connected to one or more antennas 326 and 366 to communicate via at least one designated RAT (e.g., WiFi, LTE-D, communicate with other network nodes (such as other UEs, access points, base stations, etc.). The WLAN transceivers 320 and 360 can be configured in various ways to transmit and encode signals 328 and 368 (such as messages, indications, information, etc.) respectively according to the specified RAT, and conversely to receive and decode signals 328 and 368 (such as messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.) respectively. In particular, the transceivers 320 and 360 respectively include one or more transmitters 324 and 364 (for transmitting and encoding signals 328 and 368 respectively) and respectively include one or more receivers 322 and 362 (for receiving and decoding signals 328 and 368 respectively).

[0058] The transceiver circuit including at least one transmitter and at least one receiver may include an integrated device (e.g., a transmitter circuit and a receiver circuit implemented as a single communication device) in some specific embodiments, may include separate transmitter devices and separate receiver devices in some specific embodiments, or may be implemented in other ways in other specific embodiments. In one aspect, the transmitter may include or be coupled to a plurality of antennas such as an antenna array (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), and the plurality of antennas permit the corresponding device to perform transmit "beamforming" as described herein. Similarly, the receiver may include or be coupled to a plurality of antennas such as an antenna array (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), and the plurality of antennas permit the corresponding device to perform receive beamforming as described herein. In one aspect, the transmitter and the receiver may share the same plurality of antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366) such that the corresponding device can only receive or transmit at a given time, rather than both simultaneously. The wireless communication devices of the UE 302 and / or the base station 304 (e.g., one or both of the transceivers 310 and 320 and / or one or both of the transceivers 350 and 360) may also include a network listening module (NLM) etc. for performing various measurements.

[0059] In at least some cases, the UE 302 and the base station 304 also include satellite positioning system (SPS) receivers 330 and 370. The SPS receivers 330 and 370 can be respectively connected to one or more antennas 336 and 376 to receive SPS signals 338 and 378 respectively. These SPS signals are such as Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) signals, Galileo signals, Beidou signals, Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NAVIC), Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), etc. The SPS receivers 330 and 370 can include any suitable hardware and / or software for respectively receiving and processing the SPS signals 338 and 378. The SPS receivers 330 and 370 request information and operations from other systems as appropriate and perform the necessary calculations to determine the positions of the UE 302 and the base station 304 using the measurements obtained by any suitable SPS algorithm.

[0060] The base station 304 and the network entity 306 each include at least one network interface 380 and 390 for communicating with other network entities. For example, the network interfaces 380 and 390 (e.g., one or more network access ports) can be configured to communicate with one or more network entities via a wired-based or wireless backhaul connection. In some aspects, the network interfaces 380 and 390 can be implemented as transceivers configured to support wired-based or wireless signal communication. This communication can involve, for example, transmitting and receiving: messages, parameters, and / or other types of information.

[0061] The UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 also include other components that can be used in conjunction with the operations disclosed herein. The UE 302 includes a processor circuit that implements a processing system 332 for providing functions related to, for example, RF sensing, and for providing other processing functions. The base station 304 includes a processing system 384 for providing functions related to, for example, RF sensing as disclosed herein, and for providing other processing functions. The network entity 306 includes a processing system 394 for providing functions related to, for example, RF sensing as disclosed herein, and for providing other processing functions. In one aspect, the processing systems 332, 384, and 394 can include, for example, one or more general-purpose processors, multi-core processors, ASICs, digital signal processors (DSPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices or processing circuits.

[0062] The UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 include memory circuits that implement memory components 340, 386, and 396 (e.g., each including a memory device) for maintaining information (e.g., information indicating reserved resources, thresholds, parameters, etc.), respectively. In some cases, the UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 may include RF sensing components 342, 388, and 398, respectively. The RF sensing components 342, 388, and 398 may be hardware circuits that are part of or coupled to the processing systems 332, 384, and 394, respectively, and that, when executed, cause the UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 to perform the functions described herein. In other aspects, the RF sensing components 342, 388, and 398 may be external to the processing systems 332, 384, and 394 (e.g., part of a modem processing system, integrated with another processing system, etc.). Alternatively, the RF sensing components 342, 388, and 398 may be memory modules stored in the memory components 340, 386, and 396 (as Figures 3A to 3C shown), and these memory modules, when executed by the processing systems 332, 384, and 394 (or a modem processing system, another processing system, etc.), cause the UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 to perform the functions described herein.

[0063] The UE 302 may include one or more sensors 344 coupled to the processing system 332 to provide motion and / or orientation information independent of motion data derived from signals received by the WWAN transceiver 310, the WLAN transceiver 320, and / or the SPS receiver 330. By way of example, the sensors 344 may include accelerometers (e.g., microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices), gyroscopes, geomagnetic sensors (e.g., compasses), altimeters (e.g., barometric altimeters), and / or any other type of motion detection sensor. Additionally, the sensors 344 may include multiple different types of devices and combine their outputs to provide motion information. For example, the sensors 344 may use a combination of a multi-axis accelerometer and an orientation sensor to provide the ability to calculate positions in a 2D and / or 3D coordinate system.

[0064] In addition, the UE 302 includes a user interface 346 to provide indications to the user (e.g., audible and / or visual indications) and / or receive user input (e.g., when the user actuates a sensing device such as a keypad, a touch screen, a microphone, etc.). Although not shown, the base station 304 and the network entity 306 may also include user interfaces.

[0065] Referring more specifically to processing system 384, in the downlink, IP packets from network entity 306 are provided to processing system 384. Processing system 384 may implement functions for the RRC layer, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, radio link control (RLC) layer, and medium access control (MAC) layer. Processing system 384 may provide RRC layer functions associated with the broadcast 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 functions associated with the transfer of upper layer packet data units (PDUs), error correction via automatic repeat request (ARQ), concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and re-ordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with the mapping between logical channels and transport channels, scheduling information reporting, error correction, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0066] Transmitter 354 and receiver 352 implement layer 1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, including the physical (PHY) layer, may include: error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (FEC) encoding / decoding of the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping to the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing. Transmitter 354 disposes of 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 divided into parallel streams. Each stream may then be mapped to orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) subcarriers, multiplexed with reference signals (e.g., pilots) in the time domain and / or frequency domain, and then combined together using an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to generate a physical channel carrying a time-domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM symbol stream is spatially pre-coded to generate multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from the channel estimator may be used to determine the coding and modulation schemes and for spatial processing. The channel estimates may be derived from reference signals transmitted by UE 302 and / or channel state feedback. Each spatial stream may then be provided to one or more different antennas 356. Transmitter 354 may modulate an RF carrier using the respective spatial streams for transmission.

[0067] At the UE 302, the receiver 312 receives signals via its respective antenna 316. The receiver 312 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides the information to the processing system 332. The transmitter 314 and the receiver 312 implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. The receiver 312 may perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial streams destined for the UE 302. If there are multiple spatial streams destined for the UE 302, they may be combined by the receiver 312 into a single OFDM symbol stream. The receiver 312 then uses a fast Fourier transform (FFT) to transform the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain. The frequency domain signal includes individual OFDM symbol streams for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols and reference signals on each subcarrier are recovered and demodulated by determining the most likely signal constellation points transmitted by the base station 304. These soft decisions may be based on the channel estimates computed by the channel estimator. The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals initially transmitted by the base station 304 on the physical channel. Subsequently, the data and control signals are provided to the processing system 332, which implements layer 3 and layer 2 functions.

[0068] In the uplink, the processing system 332 provides demultiplexing between the transport channel and the logical channel, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the core network. The processing system 332 is also responsible for error detection.

[0069] Similar to the functions described in connection with the downlink transmission by the base station 304, the processing system 332 provides RRC layer functions 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 the transfer of upper layer PDUs, error correction via 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 the 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 via hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ), priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0070] The channel estimates derived by the channel estimator from the reference signals or feedback transmitted by the base station 304 may be used by the transmitter 314 to select appropriate decoding and modulation schemes and to assist in spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by the transmitter 314 may be provided to different antennas 316. The transmitter 314 may modulate the RF carrier with the respective spatial streams for transmission.

[0071] The uplink transmission is processed at the base station 304 in a manner similar to that described in connection with the receiver function at the UE 302. The receiver 352 receives signals via its respective antennas 356. The receiver 352 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides the information to the processing system 384.

[0072] In the uplink, the processing system 384 provides demultiplexing between transport channels and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, control signal processing to recover IP packets from the UE 302. The IP packets from the processing system 384 can be provided to the core network. The processing system 384 is also responsible for error detection.

[0073] For convenience, the UE 302, the base station 304, and / or the network entity 306 are shown in Figures 3A to 3C as including various components that can be configured according to the various examples described herein. However, it should be understood that the illustrated blocks can have different functions in different design scenarios.

[0074] The various components of the UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 can communicate with each other via data buses 334, 382, and 392, respectively. The Figures 3A to 3C components can be implemented in various ways. In some specific implementations, the Figures 3A to 3Ccomponents. Here, each circuit may use and / or incorporate at least one memory component for storing information or executable code used by the circuit to provide such functionality. For example, some or all of the functions represented by components 310 to 346 may be implemented by a processor and memory components of the UE 302 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor component). Similarly, some or all of the functions represented by components 350 to 388 may be implemented by a processor and memory components of the base station 304 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor component). Additionally, some or all of the functions represented by components 390 to 398 may be implemented by a processor and memory components of the network entity 306 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor component). For simplicity, various operations, actions, and / or functions are described herein as being "performed by the UE", "performed by the base station", "performed by the positioning entity", etc. However, it should be understood that such operations, actions, and / or functions may actually be performed by specific components or combinations of components of the UE, base station, positioning entity, etc., such as processing systems 332, 384, 394, transceivers 310, 320, 350, and 360, memory components 340, 386, and 396, RF sensing components 342, 388, and 398, etc.

[0075] Wireless communication signals transmitted between the UE and the base station (e.g., RF signals configured to carry OFDM symbols) can be reused for environmental sensing (also referred to as "RF sensing" or "radar"). Using wireless communication signals for environmental sensing can be considered a consumer-grade radar with advanced detection capabilities, enabling non-contact / device-free interaction with devices / systems, etc. The wireless communication signals can be cellular communication signals, such as LTE or NR signals, WLAN signals, etc. As a specific example, the wireless communication signals can be OFDM waveforms utilized in LTE and NR. High-frequency communication signals such as mmW RF signals are particularly beneficial for use as radar signals because the higher frequencies provide at least more accurate ranging (distance) detection.

[0076] Generally, there are different types of radars, specifically monostatic and bistatic radars. Figure 4A and Figure 4B illustrates two of these various types of radars. Specifically, Figure 4A is FIG. 400 illustrating a monostatic radar scenario, and Figure 4B is FIG. 430 illustrating a bistatic radar scenario. In Figure 4AAmong them, the base station 402 can be configured for full-duplex operation, and thus the transmitter (Tx) and the receiver (Rx) are co-located. For example, the transmitted radio frequency (RF) signal 406 can be reflected from a target object (such as a building 404), and the receiver on the base station 402 is configured to receive and measure the reflected beam 408. This is a typical usage scenario of traditional or conventional radar. In the example, monostatic radio sensing can be implemented with half-duplex operation, such that the transceiver can be configured to transmit an RF sensing signal at a first time and then receive the reflected signal at a second time. In Figure 4B Among them, the base station 405 can be configured as a transmitter (Tx), and the UE 432 can be configured as a receiver (Rx). In this example, the transmitter and the receiver are not co-located, that is, they are separate. The base station 405 can be configured to transmit a beam, such as a full downlink RF signal that can be received by the UE 432. A part of the RF signal 406 can be reflected or refracted by the building 404, and the UE 432 can receive this reflected signal 434. This is a typical use case for RF sensing based on wireless communication (e.g., based on WiFi, based on LTE, based on NR). Note that although Figure 4B illustrates using the downlink RF signal 406 as the RF sensing signal, the uplink RF signal can also be used as the RF sensing signal. In the downlink scenario, as shown, the transmitter is the base station 405 and the receiver is the UE 432, while in the uplink scenario, the transmitter is the UE and the receiver is the base station.

[0077] Refer more specifically to Figure 4B , the base station 405 sends an RF sensing signal (e.g., PRS) to the UE 432, but some of the RF sensing signals in the RF sensing signal are reflected away from the target object (such as the building 404). The UE 432 can measure the ToA of the RF signal 406 received directly from the base station and the ToA of the reflected signal 434 reflected from the target object (e.g., the building 404).

[0078] The base station 405 can be configured to send a single RF signal 406 or multiple RF signals to the receiver (e.g., UE 432). However, due to the propagation characteristics of the RF signal through the multipath channel, the UE 432 can receive multiple RF signals corresponding to each transmitted RF signal. Each path can be associated with a cluster of one or more channel taps. Generally, the time when the receiver detects the first channel tap cluster is considered to be the ToA of the RF signal on the line-of-sight (LOS) path (i.e., the shortest path between the transmitter and the receiver). The later channel tap clusters are considered to have been reflected by the object between the transmitter and the receiver and thus have traveled along the non-line-of-sight (NLOS) path between the transmitter and the receiver.

[0079] Therefore, return reference Figure 4B , the RF signal 406 follows the LOS path between the base station 405 and the UE 432, and the reflected signal 434 represents an RF sensing signal that follows the NLOS path between the base station 405 and the UE 432 due to reflection from the building 404 (or another target object). The base station 405 may have transmitted multiple RF sensing signals ( Figure 4B not shown in), some of the multiple RF sensing signals follow the LOS path, and some of the multiple RF sensing signals follow the NLOS path. Alternatively, the base station 405 may have transmitted a single RF sensing signal in a beam wide enough such that a portion of the RF sensing signal follows the LOS path and a portion of the RF sensing signal follows the NLOS path.

[0080] Based on the difference between the ToA of the LOS path, the ToA of the NLOS path, and the speed of light, the UE 432 can determine the distance to the building 404. Additionally, if the UE 432 is capable of receive beamforming, the UE 432 may be able to determine the general direction to the building 404 as the direction of the reflected signal 434, which is the RF sensing signal that follows the NLOS path as received. The UE 432 may then optionally report this information to the transmitting base station 405, an application server associated with the core network, an external client, a third-party application, or some other entity. Alternatively, the UE 432 may report the ToA measurement to the base station 405 or other entity, and the base station 405 may determine the distance to the target object and optionally determine the direction to the target object.

[0081] Note that if the RF sensing signal is an uplink RF signal transmitted by the UE 432 to the base station 405, the base station 405 will perform object detection based on the uplink RF signal, just as the UE 432 performs object detection based on the downlink RF signal.

[0082] Reference Figure 5 , an example graph 500 is shown, which shows the RF channel response over time at a receiver (e.g., either a UE or a base station as described herein). In Figure 5 example, the receiver receives multiple (four) channel tap clusters. Each channel tap represents a multipath that the RF signal follows between a transmitter (e.g., either a UE or a base station as described herein) and the receiver. That is, the channel tap represents the arrival of the RF signal on the multipath. Each channel tap cluster indicates that the corresponding multipath is substantially along the same path. Different clusters may exist due to the RF signals being transmitted on different transmit beams (and thus at different angles), or due to the propagation characteristics of the RF signals (potentially following widely different paths due to reflection), or both.

[0083] At Figure 5 the exemplified channel, the receiver receives a first cluster of two RF signals at the channel tap at time T1, a second cluster of five RF signals at the channel tap at time T2, a third cluster of five RF signals at the channel tap at time T3, and a fourth cluster of four RF signals at the channel tap at time T4. In Figure 5 the example of, since the first RF signal cluster arrives first at time T1, it is assumed to be a LOS data stream (i.e., the data stream that arrives on the LOS or the shortest path), and may correspond to Figure 4B the LOS path exemplified in (e.g., RF signal 406). The third cluster at time T3 consists of the strongest RF signals and may correspond to Figure 4B the NLOS path exemplified in (e.g., reflected signal 434). Note that although Figure 5 illustrates clusters of two to five channel taps, it should be understood that the clusters may have more or fewer channel taps than the number of channel taps exemplified.

[0084] Referring to Figure 6A , three transmissions of signals that are phase coherent with respect to each other are shown. In Figure 6A the simplified signal versus time graph shown, these transmissions occur during three transmission windows labeled 600, 602, and 604. These transmissions are shown as solid lines. The first transmission has a specific phase 606 during window 600, and this specific phase is shown as a dashed line outside the transmission window. Figure 6A shows that if the first transmission had continued until the second transmission window 602, the second transmission would have had the same relative phase during window 602 as the first transmission would have had. Similarly, if the first transmission had continued until the third transmission window 604, the third transmission would have had the same relative phase during window 604 as the first transmission would have had. That is, the first transmission, the second transmission, and the third transmission are phase coherent with each other in time.

[0085] Referring to Figure 6B , three transmissions of signals that are not phase coherent with respect to each other are shown. In Figure 6B the simplified signal versus time graph shown, these transmissions also occur during three transmission windows, but in Figure 6BIn the illustrated example, if the first transmission has continued until the second transmission window 602, the second transmission does not have the same relative phase during window 602 as the first transmission would have. Similarly, if the first transmission has continued until the third transmission window 604, the third transmission does not have the same relative phase during window 604 as the first transmission would have. That is, the first transmission and the second transmission are not phase coherent with each other in time. In Figure 6B the second transmission is out of phase with the first transmission by a first phase delay 608, and the third transmission is out of phase with the first transmission by a second phase delay 610.

[0086] Many new use cases require coherent operation, i.e., they require signals to have a fixed phase reference over a number of consecutive transmissions or instances. Example use cases include Doppler measurements in RF sensing and improved angular resolution in massive input / massive output (MIMO) radar / sensing.

[0087] Referring Figure 6C to, there is shown a MIMO antenna array 620 and its virtual equivalent 622. The MIMO antenna array 620 includes two transmit antennas Tx0 and Tx1 and four receive antennas Rx0, Rx1, Rx2, and Rx3. With this antenna array 620, angle-of-arrival (AoA) estimation can be achieved using FFT over multiple receive antennas. With an appropriate antenna spacing d between the Rx antennas and an appropriate antenna spacing N*d between the Tx antennas, a MIMO radar with NTx and NRx is effectively equivalent to a 1-Tx and NTx·NRx-Rx. Thus, the 2Tx, 4Rx MIMO antenna array 620 is equivalent to a 1Tx, 8Rx virtual MIMO antenna array 622 (i.e., there are effectively additional Rx antennas Rx4, Rx5, Rx6, and Rx7). If the Tx antennas transmit orthogonal waveforms, the additional Rx antennas provide higher angular resolution. For a frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) MIMO radar, typically, time-division multiplexing (TDM) is assumed for FMCW, which will reduce the maximum unambiguous velocity |v|max ≤ λ / (4NTxTchirp) for the MIMO radar. OFDM MIMO radar is also possible, e.g., using a broadband signal such as a PRS, but in this case, there must also be phase coherence across the antennas.

[0088] Referring Figures 7A to 7C, a diagram showing an example use case for reference signal transmission with gap-assisted coherent transmission is presented. Generally, the techniques provided herein address the phase discontinuity problem by configuring a transmission gap (TG). The TG can be used by a transmitting node to achieve phase-coherent transmission. As used herein, the term gap-assisted coherent transmission refers to phase-coherent transmission during the TG. In an example, the transmitting node can transmit a coherent reference signal (RS) during the TG and not transmit other signals such as communication signals during the TG. The TG can be configured and activated by a network resource such as a sensing entity (or LMF 270). The TG can be implemented on the UE side and / or the TRP side and can enable coherent reference signal transmission from either or both sides. One or more coherent reference signal (RS) transmissions can be performed within the TG. The configuration of the RS can be established by the UE, the TRP, or other network resources (such as a network server). The TG can be configured with a length (e.g., duration) and a periodicity. The periodicity can be determined based on the configured RS to be transmitted during the TG. The periodicity can be indicated with reference to an RS set period or can be indicated independently. The TG can be aperiodic, periodic, or semi-periodic. The TG can also be pre-configured, activated, and deactivated based on wired and wireless messaging (such as NPP, RRC, downlink control information (DCI), media access control (MAC), etc.). The activation request can be initiated from a sensing entity (or LMF 270) or from the UE. This activation request can be a lower-layer activation. The TG is different from other timing gaps known in the art, such as a measurement gap (MG), because the TG is associated with the transmitting side, while the MG is associated with the receiving side. For example, in some positioning applications, the UE can be configured to receive a DL PRS during the MG.

[0089] Reference Figure 7A , in the first use case 700, a wireless node (e.g., base station 102 / 180, UE 104 / 182) can be configured with a first TG 702 that does not expect to process signals received or transmitted simultaneously. That is, during the TG 702, the configured coherent RS is transmitted, and any overlapping or partially overlapping transmissions or receptions are discarded. For example, the wireless node can be configured to transmit and / or receive a signal 704. During the configured first TG 702, the wireless node is configured to prioritize the coherent reference signal transmission 706 over the signal 704. The signal 704 within the TG 702 that is not received and / or not transmitted is depicted as a discarded signal 708 in Figure 7A .

[0090] Reference Figure 7B, in a second use case 720, a wireless node (e.g., base station 102 / 180, UE 104 / 182) may be configured with a second TG 722 having a priority rule such that signals 704 with a higher priority than the coherent reference signal transmission 724 can be transmitted and received. Thus, during the second TG 722, the coherent reference signal transmission 724 is discarded.

[0091] Reference Figure 7C , in a third use case 730, a wireless node (e.g., base station 102 / 180, UE 104 / 182) may be configured with a third TG 732 having a priority rule such that signals 704 with a higher priority than at least some of the coherent reference signal transmissions in the coherent reference signal transmission 706 can be transmitted and received. For example, higher priority measurements and / or transmissions 704a to 704b may be implemented by the wireless node, and some of the coherent reference signals in the coherent reference signal 734 will be discarded. The wireless node may be configured to transmit the coherent reference signal resources located between the higher priority measurements / transmissions. For example, the wireless node may be configured to transmit the resources for the coherent reference signal transmission 706 between the higher priority measurements and / or transmissions 704a to 704b. The wireless node may be configured to report (e.g., to the UE, gNB, sensing entity) the indices of the first transmitted resource and the last transmitted resource from the configured resource set. The prioritization scheme may effectively reduce the duration of the third TG732 to a part 732a of the third TG 732. In an example, the priority rule may be a function of the reference signal bandwidth part (RS BWP) and the BWP for other overlapping channels / signals. The priority rule may depend on whether the overlapping activity is a DL measurement or a UL transmission. For example, UL transmissions may be discarded and DL measurements may be allowed.

[0092] Reference Figure 8 , a diagram 800 showing an example gap-assisted coherent transmission with multiple component carriers is shown. A wireless node (e.g., base station 102 / 180, UE 104 / 182) may be configured with multiple carriers, such as a first component carrier 810 (CC1) and a second component carrier 812 (CC2) on a single TX chain. A TG 802 may be utilized on multiple carriers. For example, a coherent reference signal transmission 806 may be scheduled on one channel during the TG802, and other transmissions and / or received signals 804 (i.e., the discarded transmissions and / or received signals 808) may be discarded on another channel during the TG 802. In an example, the second carrier 812 may be configured with a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission (e.g., signal 804), and the first carrier 810 may be configured with a coherent RS transmission 806 that overlaps in time. In this example, the PUSCH on the second carrier 812 is discarded.

[0093] A wireless node may be configured with independent chains such that one component carrier can operate independently of other component carriers. In this example, the corresponding component carrier may utilize the prioritization method described in Figures 7A to 7C . The TG may be configured based on the capabilities of the wireless node. A wireless node such as a UE may provide capability information to network resources (such as the LMF 270, the sensing entity), and the network may configure the TG at least in part based on the capability information. The TG may be based on gaps in different frequency ranges. For example, the TG may be configured according to FR-1 gaps and / or according to FR-2 gaps. In an example, multiple sets of coherent transmissions may be scheduled in the TG. For example, a wireless node may be configured to transmit the SRS 4 times on a first beam (coherent), switch to a second beam, and then transmit 4 times on the second beam. Different sets may be coherent or non-coherent. If the wireless node is configured for digital beamforming, all 8 RSs in the above example may be coherent. If analog beamforming is utilized, depending on the implementation of the corresponding RF chains, the signals may be coherent or non-coherent.

[0094] Referring to Figure 9 , an example message flow diagram 900 for providing transmission gap configuration information is shown. The message flow diagram 900 includes example nodes in a communication system (such as the UE 902, the gNB 904) and a network server (such as the LMF 906) or other sensing entities. The nodes and messages in the message flow diagram 900 are examples and not limitations, as other nodes and messages may be used to propagate and / or activate TG configuration information throughout the communication system 100. The LMF 906 may use the New Radio Positioning Protocol A (which may be referred to as NPPa or NRPPa) to communicate with the gNB 904, and the New Radio Positioning Protocol A may be defined in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.455. NRPPa may be the same as, similar to, or an extension of the LTE Positioning Protocol A (LPPa) defined in 3GPP TS 36.455, where NRPPa messages are passed between the gNB 904 and the LMF 906. The LMF 906 and the UE 902 may use the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) to communicate, and the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) may be defined in 3GPP TS 36.355 and TS 37.355. The LMF 906 and the UE 902 may alternatively or additionally use the New Radio Positioning Protocol (which may be referred to as NPP or NRPP) to communicate, and the New Radio Positioning Protocol may be the same as, similar to, or an extension of the LPP. Here, LPP and / or NPP messages may be passed between the UE 902 and the LMF 906 via the serving gNB (such as the first gNB 904).

[0095] gNB 904 may include a Radio Unit (RU), a Distributed Unit (DU), and a Central Unit (CU) ( Figure 9 not shown). The RU, DU, and CU may be configured to divide the functions of the gNB. The interface between the CU and the DU is referred to as the F1 interface. The Xn interface may be used for communication between different gNBs. The RU is configured to perform Digital Front End (DFE) functions (e.g., analog-to-digital conversion, filtering, power amplification, transmission / reception) and digital beamforming, and includes a part of the Physical (PHY) layer. The RU may use massive Multiple-Input / Multiple-Output (MIMO) to perform DFE and may be integrated with one or more antennas of the gNB 904. The DU may host the Radio Link Control (RLC), Medium Access Control (MAC), and Physical layer of the gNB 904. One DU may support one or more cells, and each cell is supported by a single DU. The operation of the DU may be controlled by the CU. The CU may be configured to perform functions for passing user data, mobility control, radio access network sharing, positioning, session management, etc., but some functions are exclusively assigned to the DU. The CU may host the Radio Resource Control (RRC), Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) protocols of the gNB 904. The UE 902 may communicate with the CU via the RRC, SDAP, and PDCP layers, communicate with the DU via the RLC, MAC, and PHY layers, and communicate with the RU via the PHY layer.

[0096] In operation, a sensing entity such as LMF 906 may request the gNB 904 to pre-configure a TG for the UE 902. In an example, the UE 902 may be configured to provide one or more capability messages 908 to notify the LMF 906 (or other sensing entity) of the UE's ability to utilize gap-assisted coherent transmission as described herein. The LMF 906 may provide RS transmission configuration information and corresponding TG configuration information to the gNB 904 via one or more RS configuration information messages 910. At stage 912, the gNB 904 may be configured to transmit a TG configuration message or exchange TG configuration messages with the UE 902 based on the RS configuration information provided by the LMF 906 to provide a pre-configured TG configuration. In an example, each pre-configured TG may be associated with an ID value. The UE 902 may be configured to provide an acknowledgement or rejection of the pre-configured TG provided by the gNB 904. Upon receiving an acknowledgement from the UE 902 at stage 912, the gNB 904 may indicate the success of the pre-configuration to the sensing entity (e.g., LMF 906) via one or more configuration acknowledgement messages 914. If the TG cannot be pre-configured by the gNB 904, an indication of the configuration failure may be provided via the configuration acknowledgement message 914. In an example, a failed TG configuration may result in the discard of RS transmission.

[0097] When a TG is needed, the UE 902 or a sensing entity (e.g., LMF 906) may transmit a TG activation request message 916 to the gNB 904 to activate the TG at the UE 902. The activation request message 916 may include TGID information. The gNB 904 may convey a TG activation message 918 via a wireless communication protocol. In an example, the activation message 918 may be provided via DCI, MAC-CE, or RRC signaling. The TG activation message 918 may include TGID information. At stage 920, the UE 902 may configure the TG based on the TG activation message 918.

[0098] In an example, the UE 902 may be configured to indicate its support for low-latency TG activation requests (e.g., DCI, MAC-CE). This may be provided as part of a sensing or positioning capability exchange process, such as via one or more capability messages 908. For example, a new LPP field (e.g., tg-ActivationRequest) may be used to indicate that the UE 902 supports low-latency transmission gap activation requests for coherent RS transmission. In an example, if some RSs are linked to a TG, the activation of the RS transmission may implicitly activate the TG, or vice versa. The activation of a TG may activate the configured RS transmission. In an example, the activation of a TG may be performed independently of the activation of the RS transmission. A lower-level deactivation message may be used to deactivate the transmission of RS resources.

[0099] In an example, a UE 902 configured for coherent RS transmission and in need of a TG may request a TG from a network server such as a sensing entity or LMF 906. The request may be supported by RRC signaling, and the requested TG may be aperiodic, periodic, or semi-periodic. The request may include UE capabilities for coherent RS transmission (if not provided previously). The capabilities are the need for a TG for coherent RS transmission. When the coherent transmission is completed, UE 902 may indicate the completion of the transmission via RRC signaling.

[0100] Reference Figure 10 And further reference Figures 1 to 9 , method 1000 for transmitting a coherent reference signal using a wireless node includes the stages shown. UE 302 or base station 304 (such as an RTP) or other wireless nodes described herein may be configured to transmit a coherent reference signal. However, method 1000 is an example and not limiting. Method 1000 may be changed, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, executing concurrently, and / or splitting a single stage into multiple stages.

[0101] At stage 1002, the method includes determining transmission gap configuration information for transmitting a coherent reference signal. The transceiver 310 and processing system 332 in UE302 and / or the transceiver 350 and processing system 384 in base station 304 are components for determining the transmission gap configuration information. The configuration of the RS may be established by UE 902, gNB 904, or other network resources (such as a sensing entity, such as LMF 906). The TG configuration information may include parameters such as duration (e.g., length) and periodicity. The periodicity may be determined based on the configured RS to be transmitted during the TG. The periodicity may be indicated with reference to an RS set period or indicated independently. The TG may be aperiodic, periodic, or semi-periodic. The TG may be pre-configured based on the TG configuration information and activated and deactivated based on wired and wireless messaging such as LPP, NPPa, RRC, DCI, MAC, etc. In an example, a sensing entity such as LMF 906 may be configured to provide TG configuration information to gNB 904 and / or UE 902 via one or more RS configuration information messages 910. The TG configuration information may be based on the capabilities of the transmitting stations (such as UE902 and gNB 904). UE 902 and gNB 904 may determine the TG configuration information based on other signaling techniques. In an example, the TG configuration information may persist in a local memory in the transmitting station, and determining the TG configuration information includes accessing the local memory.

[0102] At stage 1004, the method includes determining an overlapping signal based on a duration defined by transmission gap configuration information. The processing system 332 in the UE 302 and / or the processing system 384 in the base station 304 are components for determining the overlapping signal. A transmitting station (e.g., UE 902 and gNB 904) may be configured to compare scheduling information for other reference signals (e.g., PRS, PTRS, CSI, etc.) according to the TG configuration information to determine whether any signals are scheduled for a duration defined by the TG configuration information. For example, PRS resources may include periodic and offset parameters to define when to transmit and / or receive DL-PRS and / or SRS. When an overlapping signal exists, priority rules may be defined to determine the behavior of the transmitting station during the TG.

[0103] At stage 1006, the method includes transmitting one or more coherent reference signals during a duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information and discarding one or more of the overlapping signals in the overlapping signal. The transceiver 310 and the processing system 332 in the UE 302 and / or the transceiver 350 and the processing system 384 in the base station 304 are components for transmitting one or more coherent RSs and discarding one or more of the overlapping signals in the overlapping signal. In an example, referring Figure 7A , a transmitting station such as UE 902 and gNB 904 may be configured to transmit the configured coherent RS 706 during the TG 702, and may discard overlapping or partially overlapping transmissions or receptions (i.e., discarded Tx or Rx for other channels / signals 708). In an example, referring Figure 7C , priority rules may be defined such that discarded measurements or transmissions may be determined according to these rules. Measurements and / or transmissions with higher priority (e.g., 704a, 704b) during the TG 732 may be completed by the transmitting station, and one or more of the coherent RS resources in the coherent RS resources within the TG 732 may be transmitted. The transmitting station may report the index of the transmitted resources to the sensing entity. In an example, the priority rules may be a function of the RS BWP and the BWP of other overlapping channels / signals determined at stage 1004. The priority rules may depend on whether the overlapping activity is a DL measurement or a UL transmission. For example, UL transmissions may be discarded while DL measurements may be allowed. Other priority rules may be used to determine which coherent reference signals to transmit during the TG and which other signals to transmit or receive.

[0104] Referring Figure 11 And further referring Figures 1 to 9, A method 1100 for activating a transmission gap for transmitting a coherent reference signal using a wireless node includes the stages shown. A UE 302 or a base station 304 (such as an RTP) or other wireless nodes described herein may be configured to transmit a coherent reference signal. However, method 1100 is an example and not a limitation. Method 1100 may be changed, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, concurrently executing the stages and / or splitting a single stage into multiple stages.

[0105] At stage 1102, the method includes receiving transmission gap configuration information for transmitting a coherent reference signal. The transceiver 310 and the processing system 332 in the UE 302 and / or the transceiver 350 and the processing system 384 in the base station 304 are components for receiving the transmission gap configuration information. The configuration of the RS may be established by the UE 902, the gNB 904 or other network resources (such as a sensing entity, such as the LMF 906). The TG configuration information may include parameters such as duration and periodicity. The periodicity may be determined based on the configured RS to be transmitted during the TG. The periodicity may be indicated with reference to the RS set period or indicated independently. In an example, the TG may be preconfigured based on the TG configuration information received via a wired or wireless messaging such as LPP, NPPa, RRC. In an example, a sensing entity such as the LMF 906 may be configured to provide the TG configuration information to the gNB 904 and / or the UE 902 via one or more RS configuration information messages 910. The TG configuration information may be based on the capabilities of the transmitting stations (such as the UE 902 and the gNB 904). The UE 902 and the gNB 904 may receive the TG configuration information based on other signaling techniques.

[0106] At stage 1104, the method includes activating a transmission gap at least in part based on transmission gap configuration information. The transceiver 310 and the processing system 332 in the UE 302 and / or the transceiver 350 and the processing system 384 in the base station 304 are components for activating the TG. The TG can be aperiodic, periodic, or semi-periodic. In an example, the TG can be pre-configured based on the TG configuration information received at stage 1102 and activated and deactivated based on wired and wireless messaging such as RRC, DCI, MAC, etc. In an example, when a TG is needed, the UE 902 or a sensing entity (e.g., LMF 906) can transmit a TG activation request message 916 to the gNB 904 to activate the TG at the transmitting station. The activation request message 916 can include TG ID information. The gNB 904 can convey a TG activation message 918 to the UE 902 via DCI, MAC-CE, or RRC signaling. The TG activation message 918 can include TG ID information. Other signaling techniques can be used to activate the TG. In an example, the UE 902 can be configured to indicate its support for low-latency TG activation requests (e.g., DCI, MAC-CE). This can be provided as part of a sensing or positioning capability exchange process, such as via one or more capability messages 908. For example, a new LPP field (e.g., tg-ActivationRequest) can be used to indicate that the UE 902 supports low-latency transmission gap activation requests for coherent RS transmission. In an example, if some RSs are linked to the TG, the activation of the RS transmission can implicitly activate the TG, or vice versa. The activation of the TG can activate the configured RS transmission. In an example, the activation of the TG can be performed independently of the activation of the RS transmission. Lower-level deactivation messages can be used to deactivate the transmission of RS resources.

[0107] At stage 1106, the method includes transmitting one or more coherent reference signals during a duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information. The transceiver 310 and the processing system 332 in the UE 302 and / or the transceiver 350 and the processing system 384 in the base station 304 are components for transmitting one or more coherent RSs. The one or more coherent reference signals have a fixed phase reference for a number of consecutive transmissions. During the transmission gap, phase coherence continuity can be achieved under certain conditions, such as reducing beam switching, reducing TDD handover, reducing changes to the RF hardware configuration, or reducing changes to the PA / LNA gain state. Other conditions can also be used to achieve phase coherence continuity. In an example, a network entity (e.g., a sensing entity, LMF 906) can provide a transmission gap deactivation message, and the wireless node can be configured to deactivate the transmission gap in response to receiving the deactivation message.

[0108] Those skilled in the art should understand that information and signals can be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and methods. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may have been referred to throughout the above description can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0109] In addition, those skilled in the art should understand that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, the various illustrative components, boxes, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art can implement the described functionality in different ways for each particular application, but such specific implementation decisions should not be construed as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0110] Various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented or executed using a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an 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. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the 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, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0111] The methods, sequences, and / or algorithms described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of both. The software module may reside in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. The exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal (e.g., a UE). In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a user terminal.

[0112] In one or more exemplary aspects, the described functionality may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functionality may be stored on or transmitted via a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or code. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. The storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of 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 using lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0113] While the foregoing disclosure illustrates exemplary aspects of the present disclosure, it should be noted that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Additionally, the functions, steps, and / or acts of the method claims according to aspects of the present disclosure described herein need not be performed in any particular order. Moreover, although elements of the present disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is also contemplated unless explicitly stated to be limited to the singular.

[0114] Specific implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses:

[0115] Clause 1. A method for transmitting a coherent reference signal using a wireless node, comprising: determining transmission gap configuration information for transmitting the coherent reference signal; determining an overlapping signal based on a duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information; and transmitting one or more coherent reference signals during the duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information and discarding one or more of the overlapping signals in the overlapping signal.

[0116] Clause 2. The method according to Clause 1, wherein the overlapping signals include one or more signals to be received by the wireless node.

[0117] Clause 3. The method according to Clause 1, wherein the overlapping signals include one or more signals to be transmitted by the wireless node.

[0118] Clause 4. The method according to Clause 1, wherein the wireless node is a transmit-receive point.

[0119] Clause 5. The method according to Clause 1, wherein the wireless node is a user equipment.

[0120] Clause 6. The method according to Clause 1, wherein determining the transmission gap configuration information includes receiving the transmission gap configuration information from a network server.

[0121] Clause 7. The method according to Clause 1, wherein the transmission gap configuration information includes periodic parameters.

[0122] Clause 8. The method according to Clause 1, wherein discarding one or more of the overlapping signals includes discarding all of the overlapping signals that occur during the duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information.

[0123] Clause 9. The method according to Clause 1, wherein transmitting the one or more coherent reference signals includes transmitting at least one coherent reference signal between two of the overlapping signals within the duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information.

[0124] Clause 10. The method according to Clause 1, wherein the one or more coherent reference signals are transmitted on a first component carrier and the overlapping signals are transmitted on a second component carrier.

[0125] Clause 11. A method for activating a transmission gap for transmitting coherent reference signals using a wireless node, comprising: receiving transmission gap configuration information for transmitting coherent reference signals; activating the transmission gap at least partially based on the transmission gap configuration information; and transmitting one or more coherent reference signals during a duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information.

[0126] Clause 12. The method according to Clause 11, wherein the wireless node is a transmit-receive point.

[0127] Clause 13. The method according to Clause 11, wherein the wireless node is a user equipment.

[0128] Clause 14. The method according to Clause 11, wherein the transmission gap configuration information is received from a network server.

[0129] Clause 15. The method according to clause 14 further includes providing transmission gap capability information to the network server, and wherein the transmission gap configuration information is at least partially based on the transmission gap capability information.

[0130] Clause 16. The method according to clause 11, wherein activating the transmission gap includes receiving an activation message via a wireless communication protocol.

[0131] Clause 17. The method according to clause 16, wherein the activation message is provided via one of a radio resource control (RRC) signal, a downlink control information (DCI) signal, or a media access control (MAC) control element (CE).

[0132] Clause 18. The method according to clause 11 further includes providing a transmission gap configuration request to the network server, and wherein the transmission gap configuration information is at least partially based on the transmission gap configuration request.

[0133] Clause 19. The method according to clause 11, wherein activating the transmission gap includes at least one of an aperiodic activation configuration, a periodic activation configuration, and a semi-periodic activation configuration.

[0134] Clause 20. The method according to clause 11 further includes deactivating the transmission gap in response to receiving a transmission gap deactivation message from a network entity.

[0135] Clause 21. An apparatus includes: a memory; at least one transceiver; at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver and configured to: determine transmission gap configuration information for transmitting a coherent reference signal; determine overlapping signals based on a duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information; and transmit one or more coherent reference signals and discard one or more of the overlapping signals during the duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information.

[0136] Clause 22. The apparatus according to clause 21, wherein the overlapping signals include one or more signals to be received.

[0137] Clause 23. The apparatus according to clause 21, wherein the overlapping signals include one or more signals to be transmitted.

[0138] Clause 24. The apparatus according to clause 21, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive the transmission gap configuration information from a network server.

[0139] Clause 25. The apparatus according to Clause 21, wherein the transmission gap configuration information includes periodic parameters.

[0140] Clause 26. The apparatus according to Clause 21, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to discard all overlapping signals in the overlapping signals that occur during the duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information.

[0141] Clause 27. The apparatus according to Clause 21, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to transmit at least one coherent reference signal between two overlapping signals in the overlapping signals during the duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information.

[0142] Clause 28. The apparatus according to Clause 21, wherein the one or more coherent reference signals are transmitted on a first component carrier, and the overlapping signals are transmitted on a second component carrier.

[0143] Clause 29. An apparatus, comprising: a memory; at least one transceiver; at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver and configured to: receive transmission gap configuration information for transmitting coherent reference signals; activate a transmission gap at least in part based on the transmission gap configuration information; and transmit one or more coherent reference signals during a duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information.

[0144] Clause 30. The apparatus according to Clause 29, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive the transmission gap configuration information from a network server.

[0145] Clause 31. The apparatus according to Clause 30, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to provide transmission gap capability information to the network server, and the transmission gap configuration information is at least in part based on the transmission gap capability information.

[0146] Clause 32. The apparatus according to Clause 29, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive an activation message to activate the transmission gap via a wireless communication protocol.

[0147] Clause 33. The apparatus according to Clause 32, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive the activation message via one of a radio resource control (RRC) signal, a downlink control information (DCI) signal, or a media access control (MAC) control element (CE).

[0148] Clause 34. The apparatus according to clause 29, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to provide a transmission gap configuration request to a network server, and the transmission gap configuration information is at least partially based on the transmission gap configuration request.

[0149] Clause 35. The apparatus according to clause 29, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to activate the transmission gap by using at least one of an aperiodic activation configuration, a periodic activation configuration, and a semi-periodic activation configuration.

[0150] Clause 36. The apparatus according to clause 29, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to deactivate the transmission gap in response to receiving a transmission gap deactivation message from a network entity.

[0151] Clause 37. An apparatus for transmitting a coherent reference signal by using a wireless node, comprising: means for determining transmission gap configuration information for transmitting a coherent reference signal; means for determining an overlapping signal based on a duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information; and means for transmitting one or more coherent reference signals during the duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information and discarding one or more overlapping signals among the overlapping signals.

[0152] Clause 38. An apparatus for activating a transmission gap for transmitting a coherent reference signal by using a wireless node, comprising: means for receiving transmission gap configuration information for transmitting a coherent reference signal; means for activating the transmission gap at least partially based on the transmission gap configuration information; and means for transmitting one or more coherent reference signals during a duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information.

[0153] Clause 39. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium including processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors to transmit a coherent reference signal by using a wireless node, the non-transitory processor-readable storage medium including: code for performing the following operations: determining transmission gap configuration information for transmitting a coherent reference signal; determining an overlapping signal based on a duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information; and transmitting one or more coherent reference signals during the duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information and discarding one or more overlapping signals among the overlapping signals.

[0154] Clause 40. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium including processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors to activate a transmission gap for transmitting a coherent reference signal using a wireless node, the non-transitory processor-readable storage medium including: code for performing the following operations: receiving transmission gap configuration information for transmitting a coherent reference signal; activating the transmission gap at least in part based on the transmission gap configuration information; and transmitting one or more coherent reference signals during a duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting a coherent reference signal using a wireless node, comprising: Determining transmission gap configuration information for transmitting the coherent reference signal; Determining an overlapping signal based on a duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information; And Transmitting one or more coherent reference signals during the duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information and discarding one or more of the overlapping signals among the overlapping signals.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the overlapping signal comprises one or more signals to be received by the wireless node.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the overlapping signal comprises one or more signals to be transmitted by the wireless node.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the wireless node is a transmission and reception point.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the wireless node is a user equipment.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining the transmission gap configuration information comprises receiving the transmission gap configuration information from a network server.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transmission gap configuration information comprises a periodic parameter.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein discarding one or more of the overlapping signals among the overlapping signals comprises discarding all of the overlapping signals among the overlapping signals that occur during the duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein transmitting the one or more coherent reference signals comprises transmitting at least one coherent reference signal between two of the overlapping signals among the overlapping signals during the duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more coherent reference signals are transmitted on a first component carrier, and the overlapping signals are transmitted on a second component carrier.

11. A method for activating a transmission gap for transmitting a coherent reference signal using a wireless node, comprising: Receiving transmission gap configuration information for transmitting the coherent reference signal; Activating the transmission gap at least in part based on the transmission gap configuration information; And Transmitting one or more coherent reference signals during a duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the wireless node is a transmission and reception point.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the wireless node is a user equipment.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the transmission gap configuration information is received from a network server.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising providing transmission gap capability information to the network server, and wherein the transmission gap configuration information is at least in part based on the transmission gap capability information.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein activating the transmission gap comprises receiving an activation message via a wireless communication protocol.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the activation message is provided via one of a radio resource control (RRC) signal, a downlink control information (DCI) signal, or a media access control (MAC) control element (CE).

18. The method according to claim 11, further comprising providing a transmission gap configuration request to a network server, wherein the transmission gap configuration information is at least partially based on the transmission gap configuration request.

19. The method according to claim 11, wherein activating the transmission gap includes at least one of an aperiodic activation configuration, a periodic activation configuration, and a semi-periodic activation configuration.

20. The method according to claim 11, further comprising deactivating the transmission gap in response to receiving a transmission gap deactivation message from a network entity.

21. An apparatus, comprising: a memory; at least one transceiver; at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver and configured to: determine transmission gap configuration information for transmitting a coherent reference signal; determine overlapping signals based on a duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information; and transmit one or more coherent reference signals during the duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information and discard one or more of the overlapping signals among the overlapping signals.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the overlapping signals include one or more signals to be received or signals to be transmitted.

23. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive the transmission gap configuration information from a network server.

24. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to discard all of the overlapping signals among the overlapping signals that occur during the duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information.

25. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to transmit at least one coherent reference signal between two of the overlapping signals among the overlapping signals during the duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information.

26. An apparatus, comprising: a memory; at least one transceiver; at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver and configured to: receive transmission gap configuration information for transmitting a coherent reference signal; activate a transmission gap at least partially based on the transmission gap configuration information; and transmit one or more coherent reference signals during a duration defined by the transmission gap configuration information.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive an activation message via a wireless communication protocol to activate the transmission gap.

28. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to provide a transmission gap configuration request to a network server, and the transmission gap configuration information is at least partially based on the transmission gap configuration request.

29. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to activate the transmission gap by using at least one of an aperiodic activation configuration, a periodic activation configuration, and a semi-periodic activation configuration.

30. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to deactivate the transmission gap in response to receiving a transmission gap deactivation message from a network entity.

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