Positioning sensing based on reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) reflection schedule

Abstract

In an aspect, a user equipment (UE) may receive a reflectance schedule associated with a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), where the reflectance schedule indicates one or more incident-reflectance angle pairs and an indication of a time at which the one or more incident-reflectance angle pairs are activated at the RIS. The UE may transmit one or more sensing signals for reflection by the RIS based on the reflection schedule, wherein the one or more sensing signals are transmitted at one or more occasions during which at least one of the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs that reflects the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to the target area is activated.

Description

Background Art 1. Technical Field

[0001] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communications.

[0002] 2. Description of Related Technologies

[0003] Wireless communication systems have evolved over many generations, including first-generation analog wireless telephone service (1G), second-generation (2G) digital wireless telephone service (including transitional 2.5G and 2.75G networks), third-generation (3G) high-speed data, internet-capable wireless services, 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 Communications Service (PCS) systems. Examples of known cellular systems include the cellular analog Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS), and digital cellular systems based on code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), and the like.

[0004] The fifth-generation (5G) wireless standard, known as New Radio (NR), enables higher data transfer speeds, a greater number of connections, and better coverage, among other improvements. According to the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance, the 5G standard is designed to provide higher data rates, more accurate positioning (e.g., based on reference signals for positioning (RS-P), such as downlink, uplink, or sidelink Positioning Reference Signals (PRS)), and other technical enhancements compared to previous standards.

[0005] In addition, leveraging the increased data rates and reduced latency of 5G, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication technologies are being implemented to support autonomous driving applications, such as wireless communications between vehicles, between vehicles and roadside infrastructure, between vehicles and pedestrians, and so on. Summary of the Invention

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

[0007] In one aspect, a method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE) includes: receiving a reflection schedule associated with a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), wherein the reflection schedule indicates one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs and an indication of times when the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs are activated at the RIS; and sending one or more sensing signals for reflection by the RIS based on the reflection schedule, wherein the one or more sensing signals are sent at one or more occasions during which at least one of the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs is activated to reflect the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to a target area.

[0008] In one aspect, a method performed by a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) includes: obtaining a reflection schedule indicating one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs and times to activate the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs at the RIS; and controlling one or more reflective surfaces of the RIS to activate the incidence-reflection angle pairs based on the reflection schedule.

[0009] In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) includes: a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor, the at least one processor being communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor being configured to: receive, via the at least one transceiver, a reflection schedule associated with a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), wherein the reflection schedule indicates one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs and indications of times when the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs are activated at the RIS; and send, via the at least one transceiver, one or more sensing signals for reflection by the RIS based on the reflection schedule, wherein the one or more sensing signals are sent at one or more occasions during which at least one of the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs is activated to reflect the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to a target area.

[0010] In one aspect, a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) includes: a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor, the at least one processor being communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor being configured to: obtain a reflection schedule indicating one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs and indications of times to activate the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs at the RIS; and control one or more reflective surfaces of the RIS to activate the incidence-reflection angle pairs based on the reflection schedule.

[0011] In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) includes: means for receiving a reflection schedule associated with a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), wherein the reflection schedule indicates one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs and indications of times when the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs are activated at the RIS; and means for sending one or more sensing signals for reflection by the RIS based on the reflection schedule, wherein the one or more sensing signals are sent at one or more occasions during which at least one of the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs is activated to reflect the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to a target area.

[0012] In one aspect, a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) includes: means for obtaining a reflectance schedule indicating one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs and indications of times to activate the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs at the RIS; and means for controlling one or more reflective surfaces of the RIS to activate the incidence-reflection angle pairs based on the reflectance schedule.

[0013] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to: receive a reflection schedule associated with a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), wherein the reflection schedule indicates one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs and an indication of times when the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs are activated at the RIS; and send one or more sensing signals for reflection by the RIS based on the reflection schedule, wherein the one or more sensing signals are sent at one or more occasions during which at least one of the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs is activated to reflect the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to a target area.

[0014] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), cause the RIS to: obtain a reflection schedule indicating one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs and times to activate the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs at the RIS; and control one or more reflective surfaces of the RIS to activate the incidence-reflection angle pairs based on the reflection schedule.

[0015] Other objects and advantages associated with the aspects disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the accompanying drawings and detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The accompanying drawings are presented to aid in describing various aspects of the present disclosure and are provided solely for illustration and not limitation of the aspects.

[0017] Figure 1 An example wireless communication system according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0018] Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B and Figure 2C Example wireless network structures according to aspects of the present disclosure are illustrated.

[0019] Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B and Figure 3C is a simplified block diagram of several sample aspects of components that may be employed in a user equipment (UE), a base station, and a network entity, respectively, and configured to support communications as taught herein.

[0020] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example sidelink ranging and positioning process according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 5 An example system for wireless communication using a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0022] Figure 6 is a diagram of an example architecture of a RIS according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 7A Parameters associated with a general model of a reflection beamforming scenario for a reflection structure of a RIS according to aspects of the present disclosure are illustrated.

[0024] Figure 7B Parameters associated with a far-field model of a reflection beamforming scenario for a reflection structure of a RIS according to aspects of the present disclosure are illustrated.

[0025] Figure 8 An example vehicle-to-everything (V2X) environment according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0026] Figure 9 is a table representing an example reflection schedule according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 10 Example message / signal flows that may be used for RIS-based position sensing according to aspects of the present disclosure are shown.

[0028] Figure 11 An example reflex schedule including additional distance criteria for selecting an opportunity is shown in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 12 An example V2X environment according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0030] Figure 13 Example message / signal flows that may be used for RIS-based position sensing according to aspects of the present disclosure are shown.

[0031] Figure 14 An example method of wireless communication performed by a UE according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0032] Figure 15 An example method of wireless communication performed by a RIS according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Various aspects of the present disclosure are provided below in the description and related drawings of various examples provided for illustrative purposes. Alternative aspects may be devised without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, well-known elements of the present disclosure will not be described in detail or will be omitted to avoid making the relevant details of the present disclosure difficult to understand.

[0034] The words "exemplary" and / or "example" are used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" and / or "example" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Likewise, the term "aspects of the disclosure" does not require that all aspects of the disclosure include the discussed feature, advantage, or mode of operation.

[0035] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any of a variety of different techniques and methods may be used to represent the information and signals described below. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be mentioned throughout the following description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof, depending in part on the specific application, in part on the desired design, in part on the corresponding technology, and so on.

[0036] In addition, many aspects are described in terms of sequences of actions to be performed by, for example, elements of a computing device. It will be appreciated that the various actions described herein may be performed by specific circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuits (ASICs)), by program instructions executed by one or more processors, or by a combination of the two. Additionally, the sequences of actions described herein may be viewed 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. Thus, various aspects of the present disclosure may be embodied in a variety of different forms, all of which are contemplated to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. In addition, for each of the various aspects described herein, the corresponding form of any such aspect may be described herein as, for example, "logic configured to perform the described actions."

[0037] As used herein, the terms "user equipment" (UE), "vehicle UE" (V-UE), "pedestrian UE" (P-UE), and "base station" are not intended to be specific to or otherwise limited to any particular radio access technology (RAT), unless otherwise specified. In general, a UE can be any wireless communication device used by a user to communicate over a wireless communication network (e.g., a vehicle onboard computer, a vehicle navigation device, a mobile phone, a router, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, an asset locating device, a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch, glasses, augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) headset, etc.), a vehicle (e.g., a car, a motorcycle, a bicycle, etc.), an 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" may be interchangeably referred to as a "mobile device," "access terminal" or "AT," "client device," "wireless device," "subscriber equipment," "subscriber terminal," "subscriber station," "user terminal" or UT, "mobile terminal," "mobile station," or variations thereof.

[0038] A V-UE is a type of UE and can be any in-vehicle wireless communication device, such as a navigation system, alarm system, head-up display (HUD), onboard computer, in-vehicle infotainment system, automated driving system (ADS), advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), etc. Alternatively, a V-UE can be a portable wireless communication device (e.g., a cell phone, tablet computer, etc.) carried by the driver of a vehicle or a passenger in the vehicle. The term "V-UE" can refer to either the in-vehicle wireless communication device or the vehicle itself, depending on the context. A P-UE is a type of UE and can be a portable wireless communication device carried by a pedestrian (i.e., a user not driving or riding in the vehicle). Generally speaking, a UE can communicate with a core network via a RAN, and through the core network, the UE can connect to external networks such as the Internet and to other UEs. Of course, other mechanisms for the UE to connect to the core network and / or the Internet are also possible, such as via a wired access network, a wireless local area network (WLAN) network (e.g., based on Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, etc.), etc.

[0039] A base station may operate according to one of several RATs to communicate with UEs, depending on the network in which it is deployed, and may 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 known as gNB or gNodeB), etc. A base station may primarily support wireless access for UEs, including supporting data, voice, and / or signaling connections for the supported UEs. In some systems, a base station may only provide edge node signaling functions, while in other systems, a base station may provide additional control and / or network management functions. The communication link through which a UE can transmit signals to a base station is called an uplink (UL) channel (e.g., a reverse traffic channel, a reverse control channel, an access channel, etc.). The communication link through which a base station can transmit signals to a UE is called a downlink (DL) or forward link channel (e.g., a paging channel, a control channel, a broadcast channel, a forward traffic channel, etc.). As used herein, the term traffic channel (TCH) may refer to either a UL / reverse or a DL / forward traffic channel.

[0040] The term "base station" may refer to a single physical transmit receive point (TRP) or to multiple physical TRPs that may or may not be co-located. For example, where the term "base station" refers to a single physical TRP, the physical TRP may be an antenna of the base station corresponding to the cell (or several cell sectors) of the base station. Where the term "base station" refers to multiple co-located physical TRPs, the physical TRP may be an antenna array of the base station (e.g., as in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system or where the base station employs beamforming). Where the term "base station" refers to multiple non-co-located physical TRPs, the physical TRP may be a distributed antenna system (DAS) (a network of spatially separated antennas connected to a common source via a transmission medium) or a remote radio head (RRH) (a remote base station connected to a serving base station). Alternatively, the non-co-located physical TRPs may be a serving base station that receives measurement reports from a UE and a neighboring base station whose reference radio frequency (RF) signal the UE is measuring. Because, as used herein, a TRP is a point at which a base station transmits and receives wireless signals, references to transmitting from a base station or receiving at a base station should be understood to refer to a specific TRP of a base station.

[0041] In some implementations of supporting 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 transmit a reference RF signal to the UE for measurement by the UE, and / or may receive and measure signals transmitted by the UE. Such a base station may be referred to as a positioning beacon (e.g., when transmitting RF signals to the UE) and / or as a positioning measurement unit (e.g., when receiving and measuring RF signals from the UE).

[0042] An "RF signal" includes electromagnetic waves of a given frequency that transmit information through the space between a transmitter and a receiver. As used herein, a transmitter may transmit a single "RF signal" or multiple "RF signals" to a receiver. However, due to the propagation characteristics of RF signals through multipath channels, a receiver may receive multiple "RF signals" corresponding to each transmitted RF signal. The same transmitted RF signal on different paths between a transmitter and a receiver may be referred to as a "multipath" RF signal. As used herein, an RF signal may also be referred to as a "wireless signal" or simply as a "signal" where the context makes it clear that the term "signal" refers to either a wireless signal or an RF signal.

[0043] Figure 1An example wireless communication system 100 according to various aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The wireless communication system 100 (which may also be referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) may include various base stations 102 (labeled "BS") and various UEs 104. The base stations 102 may include macrocell base stations (high-power cellular base stations) and / or small cell base stations (low-power cellular base stations). In one aspect, the macrocell base stations 102 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 femtocells, picocells, microcells, etc.

[0044] The base stations 102 may collectively form a RAN and interface with a core network 170 (e.g., an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC)) via backhaul links 122, and interface with one or more location servers 172 (e.g., a location management function (LMF) or a secure user plane location (SUPL) location platform (SLP)) via the core network 170. The location servers 172 may be part of the core network 170 or external to the core network 170. The location servers 172 may be integrated with the base stations 102. The UE 104 may communicate with the location servers 172 directly or indirectly. For example, the UE 104 may communicate with the location server 172 via the base station 102 currently serving the UE 104. The UE 104 may also communicate with the location server 172 via another path, such as via an application server (not shown), via another network, such as via a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) (e.g., AP 150 described below), etc. For signaling purposes, communication between UE 104 and location server 172 may be represented as an indirect connection (e.g., through core network 170, etc.) or a direct connection (e.g., as shown via direct connection 128), with intermediate nodes (if any) omitted from the signaling diagram for clarity.

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

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

[0047] Although the geographic coverage areas 110 of adjacent macrocell base stations 102 may partially overlap (e.g., in a handover area), some areas of the geographic coverage areas 110 may substantially overlap with the larger geographic coverage area 110. For example, a small cell base station 102′ (labeled “SC” for “small cell”) may have a geographic coverage area 110′ that substantially overlaps with the geographic coverage areas 110 of one or more macrocell base stations 102. A network that includes both small cell base stations and macrocell base stations may be referred to as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include a Home eNB (HeNB), which may provide service to a restricted group called a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG).

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

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

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

[0051] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a mmW base station 180 that can operate in millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies and / or near-mmW frequencies to communicate with the UE 182. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is a portion of the RF spectrum in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz, with wavelengths between 1 mm and 10 mm. Radio waves in this frequency band may be referred to as millimeter waves. Near-mmW can extend down to frequencies of 3 GHz, with wavelengths of 100 mm. Super high frequency (SHF) bands extend between 3 GHz and 30 GHz and are also referred to as centimeter waves. Communications using mmW / near-mmW radio frequency bands have high path loss and relatively short ranges. The mmW base station 180 and the UE 182 can utilize beamforming (transmit and / or receive) on the mmW communication link 184 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range. In addition, it should be understood that in alternative configurations, one or more base stations 102 may also use mmW or near-mmW and beamforming for transmission. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing illustrations are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting the various aspects disclosed herein.

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

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

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

[0055] The transmit beam and receive beam can be spatially correlated. The spatial relationship means that the parameters of the second beam (e.g., transmit beam or receive beam) used for the second reference signal can be derived based on information about the first beam (e.g., receive beam or transmit beam) of the first reference signal. For example, the UE can use a specific receive beam to receive a reference downlink reference signal (e.g., synchronization signal block (SSB)) from the base station. The UE can then form a transmit beam for transmitting an uplink reference signal (e.g., sounding reference signal (SRS)) to the base station based on the parameters of the receive beam.

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

[0057] The electromagnetic spectrum is typically subdivided into various categories, bands, channels, etc. based on frequency / wavelength. In 5G NR, two initial operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz - 7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz - 52.6 GHz). It should be understood that although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is often (interchangeably) referred to as the "sub-6 GHz" band in various documents and articles. A similar naming issue sometimes occurs with respect to FR2, which is often (interchangeably) referred to as the "millimeter wave" band in documents and articles, although it is different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz - 300 GHz) identified as the "millimeter wave" band by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

[0058] Frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are generally referred to as mid-band frequencies. Recent 5G NR research has identified the operating bands for these mid-band frequencies as frequency range designation FR3 (7.125GHz-24.25GHz). The frequency bands falling within FR3 can inherit FR1 characteristics and / or FR2 characteristics, and therefore the features of FR1 and / or FR2 can be effectively extended to mid-band frequencies. In addition, higher frequency bands are currently being explored to extend 5G NR operation to more than 52.6GHz. For example, three higher operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6GHz to 71GHz), FR4 (52.6GHz to 114.25GHz), and FR5 (114.25GHz to 300GHz). Each of these higher frequency bands falls within the EHF band.

[0059] In view of the above aspects, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if the term "sub-6 GHz" or the like is used herein, it can be broadly referred to as frequencies that may be less than 6 GHz, may be within FR1, or may include mid-band frequencies. In addition, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if the term "millimeter wave" or the like is used herein, it can be broadly referred to as frequencies that may include mid-band frequencies, may be within FR2, FR4, FR4-a or FR4-1 and / or FR5, or may be within the EHF band.

[0060] In a multi-carrier system such as 5G, one of the carrier frequencies is referred to as the "primary carrier" or "anchor carrier" or "primary serving cell" or "PCell", and the remaining carrier frequencies are referred to as "secondary carriers" or "secondary serving cells" or "SCells". In carrier aggregation, the anchor carrier is a carrier operating on the primary frequency (e.g., FR1) used by the UE 104 / 182 and the cell in which the UE 104 / 182 performs an initial radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or initiates an RRC connection re-establishment procedure. The primary carrier carries all common and UE-specific control channels and can be a carrier in a licensed frequency (however, this is not always the case). A secondary carrier is a carrier operating on a second frequency (e.g., FR2) that can be configured and used to provide additional radio resources once an RRC connection is established between the UE 104 and the anchor carrier. In some cases, the secondary carrier can be a carrier in an unlicensed frequency. The secondary carrier may contain only necessary signaling information and signals. For example, since the primary uplink carrier and the primary downlink carrier are generally UE-specific, those UE-specific signaling information and signals may not be present in the secondary carrier. This means that different UEs 104 / 182 in a cell can have different downlink primary carriers. The same is true 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 base station communicates, the terms "cell", "serving cell", "component carrier", "carrier frequency", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0061] For example, still referring to Figure 1 In one embodiment, one of the frequencies used by macrocell base station 102 may be an anchor carrier (or "PCell"), and the other frequencies used by macrocell base station 102 and / or mmW base station 180 may be secondary carriers ("SCells"). Simultaneous transmission and / or reception of multiple carriers enables UE 104 / 182 to significantly increase its data transmission and / or reception rate. For example, two 20 MHz aggregated carriers in a multi-carrier system would theoretically result in a doubled data rate (i.e., 40 MHz) compared to the data rate achieved with a single 20 MHz carrier.

[0062] exist Figure 1 In the example of FIG, the UE illustrated (for simplicity, Figure 1Any UE (shown as a single UE 104 in FIG. 1 ) can receive a signal 124 from one or more Earth-orbiting space vehicles (SVs) 112 (e.g., satellites). In one aspect, the SVs 112 can be part of a satellite positioning system that the UEs 104 can use as an independent source of location information. A satellite positioning system typically includes a system of transmitters (e.g., SVs 112) positioned to enable a receiver (e.g., a UE 104) to determine its position on or above the Earth based, at least in part, on positioning signals (e.g., signals 124) received from the transmitters. Such transmitters typically transmit a signal that is a repeating pseudorandom noise (PN) code marked with a set number of chips. While typically located in the SVs 112, the transmitters can sometimes be located on ground-based control stations, base stations 102, and / or other UEs 104. The UEs 104 can include one or more dedicated receivers specifically designed to receive the signal 124 in order to derive geographic location information from the SVs 112.

[0063] In a satellite positioning system, the use of signal 124 may be enhanced by various satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS) that may be associated with or otherwise enabled for use with one or more global and / or regional navigation satellite systems. For example, SBAS may include augmentation systems that provide integrity information, differential corrections, and the like, such as the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), the Multifunctional Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS), the Global Positioning System (GPS)-Assisted Geo-Augmented Navigation, or the GPS and Geo-Augmented Navigation System (GAGAN), among others. Thus, as used herein, a satellite positioning system may include any combination of one or more global and / or regional navigation satellites associated with such one or more satellite positioning systems.

[0064] In one aspect, SV 112 may additionally or alternatively be part of one or more non-terrestrial networks (NTNs). In an NTN, SV 112 connects to an earth station (also referred to as a ground station, NTN gateway, or gateway), which in turn connects to elements in the 5G network, such as a modified base station 102 (without a ground antenna) or a network node in a 5GC. This element, in turn, provides access to other elements in the 5G network and ultimately provides access to entities outside the 5G network, such as Internet web servers and other user devices. Thus, instead of or in addition to communication signals from terrestrial base station 102, UE 104 can receive communication signals (e.g., signal 124) from SV 112.

[0065] In particular, leveraging the increased data rates and reduced latency of NR, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication technology is being implemented to support intelligent transportation system (ITS) applications, such as wireless communication between vehicles (vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V)), between vehicles and roadside infrastructure (vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I)), and between vehicles and pedestrians (vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P)). The goal is to enable vehicles to sense their surroundings and communicate this information to other vehicles, infrastructure, and personal mobile devices. This type of vehicle communication will enable safety, mobility, and environmental improvements that current technologies cannot provide. Once fully implemented, this technology is expected to reduce non-damaged vehicle collisions by 80%.

[0066] Still refer to Figure 1 , the wireless communication system 100 may include a plurality of V-UEs 160 that may communicate with a base station 102 over a communication link 120 using a Uu interface (i.e., an air interface between a UE and a base station). The V-UEs 160 may also communicate directly with each other over a wireless side link 162, with a roadside unit (RSU) 164 (roadside access point) over a wireless side link 166, or with a sidelink-capable UE 104 over a wireless side link 168 using a PC5 interface (i.e., an air interface between sidelink-capable UEs). A wireless side link (or simply "sidelink") is an adaptation of a core cellular network (e.g., LTE, NR) standard that allows direct communication between two or more UEs without going through a base station. Sidelink communication can be unicast or multicast and can be used for device-to-device (D2D) media sharing, V2V communication, V2X communication (e.g., cellular V2X (cV2X) communication, enhanced V2X (eV2X) communication, etc.), emergency rescue applications, and the like. One or more V-UEs in a group of V-UEs 160 utilizing sidelink communication may be within the geographic coverage area 110 of the base station 102. Other V-UEs 160 in such a group may be outside the geographic coverage area 110 of the base station 102 or otherwise unable to receive transmissions from the base station 102. In some cases, groups of V-UEs 160 communicating via sidelink communication may utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, where each V-UE 160 transmits to every other V-UE 160 in the group. In some cases, the base station 102 facilitates the scheduling of resources for sidelink communication. In other cases, sidelink communication is performed between V-UEs 160 without involving the base station 102.

[0067] In one aspect, the sidelinks 162, 166, 168 can operate over a wireless communication medium of interest, which can be shared with other vehicles and / or infrastructure access points, as well as other wireless communications between other RATs. A "medium" can include one or more time, frequency, and / or spatial communication resources (e.g., encompassing one or more channels across one or more carriers) associated with wireless communications between one or more transmitter / receiver pairs.

[0068] In one aspect, sidelinks 162, 166, 168 may be cV2X links. The first generation of cV2X has been standardized in LTE, and the next generation is expected to be defined in NR. cV2X is a cellular technology that also enables device-to-device communications. In the United States and Europe, cV2X is expected to operate in the licensed ITS band below 6 GHz. Other frequency bands may be allocated in other countries. Thus, as a specific example, the medium of interest utilized by sidelinks 162, 166, 168 may correspond to at least a portion of the licensed ITS band below 6 GHz. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this frequency band or cellular technology.

[0069] In one aspect, the side links 162, 166, 168 can be dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) links. DSRC is a unidirectional or bidirectional short- to medium-range wireless communication protocol that uses the Wireless Access in Vehicular Environment (WAVE) protocol (also known as IEEE 802.11p) for V2V, V2I, and V2P communications. IEEE 802.11p is an approved modification to the IEEE 802.11 standard and operates in the licensed ITS band at 5.9 GHz (5.85 GHz-5.925 GHz) in the United States. In Europe, IEEE 802.11p operates in the ITS G5A band (5.875 GHz-5.905 MHz). Other frequency bands may be allocated in other countries. The V2V communications briefly described above occur on a safety channel, which in the United States is typically a 10 MHz channel dedicated to safety purposes. The remainder of the DSRC band (75 MHz total bandwidth) is intended for other services of interest to drivers, such as road regulations, toll collection, parking automation, etc. Thus, as a specific example, the medium of interest utilized by the sidelinks 162 , 166 , 168 may correspond to at least a portion of the licensed ITS band at 5.9 GHz.

[0070] Alternatively, the medium of interest may correspond to at least a portion of an unlicensed frequency band shared among various RATs. Although different licensed frequency bands have been reserved for certain communication systems (e.g., by government entities such as the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC)), these systems (particularly those employing small cell access points) have recently expanded operations into unlicensed frequency bands such as the Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) band used by wireless local area network (WLAN) technologies (most notably the IEEE 802.11x WLAN technology, commonly referred to as "Wi-Fi"). Example systems of this type include different variants of CDMA systems, TDMA systems, FDMA systems, orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) systems, single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) systems, and the like.

[0071] Communication between V-UEs 160 is referred to as V2V communication, communication between a V-UE 160 and one or more RSUs 164 is referred to as V2I communication, and communication between a V-UE 160 and one or more UEs 104 (where these UEs 104 are P-UEs) is referred to as V2P communication. V2V communication between V-UEs 160 may include, for example, information regarding the position, speed, acceleration, heading, and other vehicle data of these V-UEs 160. V2I information received at a V-UE 160 from one or more RSUs 164 may include, for example, road regulations, parking automation information, etc. V2P communication between a V-UE 160 and a UE 104 may include, for example, information regarding the position, speed, acceleration, and heading of the V-UE 160, as well as the position, speed (e.g., if the UE 104 is carried by a user on a bicycle), and heading of the UE 104.

[0072] Note that although Figure 1 Only two of the UEs are illustrated as V-UEs (V-UE 160), but any of the illustrated UEs (e.g., UE 104, 152, 182, 190) may be V-UEs. In addition, although only these V-UEs 160 and a single UE 104 have been illustrated as being connected via a side link, Figure 1Any of the illustrated UEs, whether V-UEs, P-UEs, etc., may be capable of sidelink communications. Furthermore, while only UE 182 is depicted as being capable of beamforming, any of the illustrated UEs (including V-UE 160) may be capable of beamforming. Where V-UEs 160 are capable of beamforming, they may beamform toward each other (i.e., toward other V-UEs 160), toward RSUs 164, toward other UEs (e.g., UEs 104, 152, 182, 190), and so forth. Thus, in some cases, V-UE 160 may utilize beamforming on sidelinks 162, 166, and 168.

[0073] The wireless communication system 100 may also include one or more UEs (such as UE 190) that are indirectly connected to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links. Figure 1 In the example of FIG1 , UE 190 has a D2D P2P link 192 with one of UEs 104 connected to one of base stations 102 (e.g., UE 190 can indirectly obtain cellular connectivity through the D2D P2P link), and has a D2D P2P link 194 with WLAN STA 152 connected to WLAN AP 150 (UE 190 can indirectly obtain WLAN-based Internet connectivity through the D2D P2P link). In one example, D2D P2P links 192 and 194 can be supported by any well-known D2D RAT, such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), Etc. As another example, D2D P2P links 192 and 194 may be side links, as described above with reference to side links 162 , 166 , and 168 .

[0074] Figure 2AAn example wireless network architecture 200 is illustrated. For example, 5GC 210 (also known as the Next Generation Core (NGC)) can be functionally considered to include control plane (C-plane) functions 214 (e.g., UE registration, authentication, network access, gateway selection, etc.) and user plane (U-plane) functions 212 (e.g., UE gateway functions, access to data networks, IP routing, etc.), which operate in conjunction to form the core network. A user plane interface (NG-U) 213 and a control plane interface (NG-C) 215 connect gNBs 222 to 5GC 210, and specifically to user plane functions 212 and control plane functions 214, respectively. In additional configurations, ng-eNBs 224 can also connect to 5GC 210 via NG-C 215 to control plane functions 214 and NG-U 213 to user plane functions 212. Furthermore, ng-eNBs 224 can communicate directly with gNBs 222 via backhaul connections 223. In some configurations, the next generation RAN (NG-RAN) 220 may have one or more gNBs 222, while other configurations include one or more of ng-eNBs 224 and gNBs 222. Either gNB 222 or ng-eNB 224 (or both) may communicate with one or more UEs 204 (e.g., any of the UEs described herein).

[0075] Another optional aspect may include a location server 230 that can communicate with the 5GC 210 to provide location assistance for the UE 204. The location server 230 can be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively can each correspond to a single server. The location server 230 can be configured to support one or more location services for the UE 204 that can be connected to the location server 230 via the core network, the 5GC 210, and / or via the Internet (not illustrated). In addition, the location server 230 can be integrated into a component of the core network, or alternatively can be external to the core network (e.g., a third-party server, such as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) server or a service server).

[0076] Figure 2B Another example wireless network structure 240 is illustrated. 5GC 260 (which may correspond to Figure 2AThe 5GC 210 in the network can be functionally considered to be a control plane function provided by the access and mobility management function (AMF) 264, and a user plane function provided by the user plane function (UPF) 262, which operate in conjunction to form the core network (i.e., the 5GC 260). The functions of the AMF 264 include: registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, lawful interception, transmission of session management (SM) messages between one or more UEs 204 (e.g., any of the UEs described herein) and a session management function (SMF) 266, a transparent proxy service for routing SM messages, access authentication and access authorization, transmission of short message service (SMS) messages between the UE 204 and a short message service function (SMSF) (not shown), and security anchor functionality (SEAF). The AMF 264 also interacts with an authentication server function (AUSF) (not shown) and the UE 204, and receives intermediate keys established as a result of the UE 204 authentication process. In case of UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) based authentication, the AMF 264 retrieves security material from the AUSF. The functionality of the AMF 264 also includes Security Context Management (SCM). The SCM receives keys from the SEAF, which the SCM uses to derive access network specific keys. The functionality of the AMF 264 also includes location service management for regulatory services, for transmission of location service messages between the UE 204 and the Location Management Function (LMF) 270 (which acts as the location server 230), for transmission of location service messages between the NG-RAN 220 and the LMF 270, for allocation of Evolved Packet System (EPS) bearer identifiers for interoperation with EPS, and UE 204 mobility event notifications. In addition, the AMF 264 also supports functionality for non-3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) access networks.

[0077] The functions of the UPF 262 include: acting as an anchor point for intra-RAT / inter-RAT mobility (when applicable), acting as an external protocol data unit (PDU) session point for interconnection to a data network (not shown), providing packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection, user plane policy rule enforcement (e.g., gating, redirection, traffic steering), lawful interception (user plane collection), traffic usage reporting, user plane quality of service (QoS) handling (e.g., uplink / downlink rate enforcement, reflective QoS marking in downlink), uplink traffic verification (service data flow (SDF) to QoS flow mapping), transport level packet marking in uplink and downlink, downlink packet buffering and downlink data notification triggering, and transmitting and forwarding one or more "end markers" to the source RAN node. The UPF 262 may also support the delivery of location service messages between the UE 204 and a location server (such as the SLP 272) on the user plane.

[0078] The functions of the SMF 266 include session management, UE Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management, selection and control of user plane functions, traffic steering configuration for routing traffic to the correct destination at 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 called the N11 interface.

[0079] Another optional aspect may include an LMF 270 that can communicate with the 5GC 260 to provide location assistance for the UE 204. The LMF 270 can be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively, each can correspond to a single server. The LMF 270 can be configured to support one or more location services for the UE 204, which can connect to the LMF 270 via the core network, the 5GC 260, and / or via the Internet (not shown). The SLP 272 may support similar functionality to the LMF 270, but whereas the LMF 270 may communicate with the AMF 264, the NG-RAN 220, and the UE 204 on a control plane (e.g., using interfaces and protocols intended to carry signaling messages rather than voice or data), the SLP 272 may communicate with the UE 204 and external clients (e.g., third-party servers 274) on a user plane (e.g., using protocols intended to carry voice and / or data, such as the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and / or IP).

[0080] Yet another optional aspect may include a third-party server 274 that can communicate with the LMF 270, SLP 272, 5GC 260 (e.g., via the AMF 264 and / or UPF 262), NG-RAN 220, and / or UE 204 to obtain location information (e.g., a location estimate) of the UE 204. Thus, in some cases, the third-party server 274 may be referred to as a location service (LCS) client or an external client. The third-party servers 274 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.

[0081] The user plane interface 263 and the control plane interface 265 connect the 5GC 260, and specifically the UPF 262 and AMF 264, respectively, to one or more gNBs 222 and / or ng-eNBs 224 in the NG-RAN 220. The interface between the gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224 and the AMF 264 is referred to as the "N2" interface, while the interface between the gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224 and the UPF 262 is referred to as the "N3" interface. The gNBs 222 and / or ng-eNBs 224 of the NG-RAN 220 can communicate directly with each other via a backhaul connection 223, referred to as an "Xn-C" interface. One or more of the gNBs 222 and / or ng-eNBs 224 can communicate with one or more UEs 204 over a wireless interface, referred to as a "Uu" interface.

[0082] The functionality of a gNB 222 is divided between a gNB Central Unit (gNB-CU) 226, one or more gNB Distributed Units (gNB-DUs) 228, and one or more gNB Radio Units (gNB-RUs) 229. The gNB-CU 226 is a logical node that includes base station functions, including delivery of user data, mobility control, radio access network sharing, positioning, session management, and more, in addition to those functions specifically assigned to the gNB-DU 228. More specifically, the gNB-CU 226 typically hosts the Radio Resource Control (RRC), Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) protocols for the gNB 222. The gNB-DU 228 is a logical node that typically hosts the Radio Link Control (RLC) and Medium Access Control (MAC) layers for the gNB 222. Its operation is controlled by the gNB-CU 226. One gNB-DU 228 can support one or more cells, and one cell is supported by only one gNB-DU 228. The interface 232 between the gNB-CU 226 and one or more gNB-DUs 228 is referred to as the "F1" interface. The physical (PHY) layer functionality of the gNB 222 is typically hosted by one or more independent gNB-RUs 229, which perform functions such as power amplification and signal transmission / reception. The interface between the gNB-DU 228 and the gNB-RU 229 is referred to as the "Fx" interface. Thus, the UE 204 communicates with the gNB-CU 226 via the RRC, SDAP, and PDCP layers, with the gNB-DU 228 via the RLC and MAC layers, and with the gNB-RU 229 via the PHY layer.

[0083] The deployment of a communication system (such as a 5G NR system) can be arranged with various components or parts in a variety of ways. In a 5G NR system or network, a network node, a network entity, a mobility element of a network, a RAN node, a core network node, a network element or a network equipment (such as a base station or one or more units (or one or more components) that perform base station functionality) can be implemented in an aggregated or disaggregated architecture. For example, a base station (such as a Node B (NB), an evolved NB (eNB), an NR base station, a 5G NB, an access point (AP), a transmit receive point (TRP) or a cell) can be implemented as an aggregated base station (also known as a standalone base station or a monolithic base station) or a disaggregated base station.

[0084] A converged base station may be configured to utilize a radio protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within a single RAN node. A decomposed base station may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed between two or more units, such as one or more central or centralized units (CUs), one or more distributed units (DUs), or one or more radio units (RUs). In some aspects, a CU may be implemented within a RAN node, and one or more DUs may be co-located with the CU, or alternatively, may be geographically or virtually distributed across one or more other RAN nodes. A DU may be implemented to communicate with one or more RUs. Each of the CUs, DUs, and RUs may also be implemented as a virtual unit, namely a virtual central unit (VCU), a virtual distributed unit (VDU), or a virtual radio unit (VRU).

[0085] Base station type operation or network design may take into account the aggregated nature of base station functionality. For example, a disaggregated base station may be used in an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network, an open radio access network (O-RAN (a network configuration such as that initiated by the O-RAN Alliance)), or a virtualized radio access network (vRAN, also known as a cloud radio access network (C-RAN)). Decomposition may include distributing functionality across two or more units at various physical locations, as well as virtually distributing functionality of at least one unit, which may enable flexibility in network design. The various units of a disaggregated base station or disaggregated RAN architecture may be configured for wired or wireless communication with at least one other unit.

[0086] Figure 2C An example disaggregated base station architecture 250 according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. Disaggregated base station architecture 250 may include one or more central units (CUs) 280 (e.g., gNB-CUs 226), which may communicate directly with a core network 267 (e.g., 5GC 210, 5GC 260) via backhaul links, or indirectly with the core network 267 through one or more disaggregated base station units (e.g., a near real-time (near-RT) RAN intelligent controller (RIC) 259 via an E2 link, or a non-real-time (non-RT) RIC 257 associated with a service management and orchestration (SMO) framework 255, or both). CUs 280 may communicate with one or more distributed units (DUs) 285 (e.g., gNB-DUs 228) via corresponding midhaul links (e.g., an F1 interface). DUs 285 may communicate with one or more radio units (RUs) 287 (e.g., gNB-RUs 229) via corresponding fronthaul links. The RUs 287 can communicate with corresponding UEs 204 via one or more radio frequency (RF) access links. In some implementations, a UE 204 can be served by multiple RUs 287 simultaneously.

[0087] Each of the units (i.e., CU 280, DU 285, RU 287, and near-RT RIC 259, non-RT RIC 257, and SMO framework 255) may include or be coupled to one or more interfaces configured to receive or transmit signals, data, or information (collectively, signals) via a wired or wireless transmission medium. Each of the units, or an associated processor or controller that provides instructions to the communication interfaces of these units, may be configured to communicate with one or more of the other units via the transmission medium. For example, these units may include a wired interface configured to receive or transmit signals to one or more of the other units via the wired transmission medium. Additionally, these units may include a wireless interface that may include a receiver, transmitter, or transceiver (such as a radio frequency (RF) transceiver) configured to receive or transmit signals, or both, to one or more of the other units via the wireless transmission medium.

[0088] In some aspects, the CU 280 may host one or more higher layer control functions. Such control functions may include radio resource control (RRC), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), etc. Each control function may be implemented using an interface that is configured to communicate signals with other control functions hosted by the CU 280. The CU 280 may be configured to handle user plane functionality (i.e., central unit-user plane (CU-UP)), control plane functionality (i.e., central unit-control plane (CU-CP)), or a combination thereof. In some specific implementations, the CU 280 may be logically split into one or more CU-UP units and one or more CU-CP units. When implemented in an O-RAN configuration, the CU-UP unit may communicate bidirectionally with the CU-CP unit via an interface (such as an E1 interface). As needed, the CU 280 may be implemented to communicate with the DU 285 for network control and signaling.

[0089] The DU 285 may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more base station functions for controlling the operation of one or more RUs 287. In some aspects, the DU 285 may host one or more of a radio link control (RLC) layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, and one or more higher physical (PHY) layers (such as modules for forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, etc.), depending at least in part on a functional split, such as that defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). In some aspects, the DU 285 may also host one or more lower PHY layers. Each layer (or module) may be implemented using an interface configured to communicate signals with other layers (and modules) hosted by the DU 285 or with control functions hosted by the CU 280.

[0090] Lower layer functionality may be implemented by one or more RUs 287. In some deployments, a RU 287 controlled by a DU 285 may correspond to a logical node that hosts RF processing functionality or low PHY layer functionality (such as performing Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Inverse FFT (iFFT), digital beamforming, Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) extraction and filtering, etc.), or both, based at least in part on a functional split, such as a lower layer functional split. In such an architecture, the RU 287 may be implemented to handle over-the-air (OTA) communications with one or more UEs 204. In some implementations, both real-time and non-real-time aspects of control and user plane communications with the RU 287 may be controlled by the corresponding DU 285. In some scenarios, this configuration may enable the DU 285 and CU 280 to be implemented in a cloud-based RAN architecture, such as a vRAN architecture.

[0091] The SMO framework 255 can be configured to support RAN deployment and provisioning of both non-virtualized and virtualized network elements. For non-virtualized network elements, the SMO framework 255 can be configured to support the deployment of dedicated physical resources for RAN coverage requirements, which can be managed via an operations and maintenance interface (such as the O1 interface). For virtualized network elements, the SMO framework 255 can be configured to interact with a cloud computing platform (such as Open Cloud (O-Cloud) 269) to perform network element lifecycle management (such as instantiating virtualized network elements) via a cloud computing platform interface (such as the O2 interface). Such virtualized network elements may include, but are not limited to, CU 280, DU 285, RU 287, and near-RT RIC 259. In some implementations, the SMO framework 255 can communicate with hardware aspects of the 4G RAN, such as Open eNB (O-eNB) 261, via the O1 interface. Additionally, in some implementations, the SMO framework 255 can communicate directly with one or more RUs 287 via the O1 interface. The SMO framework 255 may also include a non-RT RIC 257 configured to support the functionality of the SMO framework 255 .

[0092] The non-RT RIC 257 can be configured to include logic functions that implement non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML) workflows including model training and updating, or policy-based guidance of applications / features in the near-RT RIC 259. The non-RT RIC 257 can be coupled to or communicate with the near-RT RIC 259 (such as via an A1 interface). The near-RT RIC 259 can be configured to include logic functions that implement near-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources through data collection and actions over an interface (such as via an E2 interface) that connects one or more CUs 280, one or more DUs 285, or both, and the O-eNB with the near-RT RIC 259.

[0093] In some implementations, the non-RT RIC 257 may receive parameters or external enrichment information from an external server to generate an AI / ML model to be deployed in the near-RT RIC 259. This information may be utilized by the near-RT RIC 259 and may be received from non-network data sources or from network functions at the SMO framework 255 or the non-RT RIC 257. In some examples, the non-RT RIC 257 or the near-RT RIC 259 may be configured to tune RAN behavior or performance. For example, the non-RT RIC 257 may monitor long-term trends and patterns in performance and employ AI / ML models to perform corrective actions through the SMO framework 255 (such as via reconfiguration of O1) or by creating RAN management policies (such as A1 policies).

[0094] Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B and Figure 3C 2. The diagram illustrates a method that may be incorporated into a UE 302 (which may correspond to any UE described herein), a base station 304 (which may correspond to any base station described herein), and a network entity 306 (which may correspond to or embody any network function described herein, including location server 230 and LMF 270), or alternatively may be independent thereof. Figure 2A and Figure 2B Several example components (represented by corresponding blocks) in the NG-RAN 220 and / or 5GC 210 / 260 infrastructure (such as a dedicated network) depicted in the present disclosure are shown to support operations as described herein. It should be understood that these components can be implemented in different types of devices with different specific implementations (e.g., in an ASIC, in a system on a chip (SoC)), etc. The illustrated components can also be incorporated into other devices in the communication system. For example, other devices in the system may include components similar to those described as providing similar functionality. In addition, a given device may include one or more of these components. For example, a device may include multiple transceiver components that enable the device to operate on multiple carriers and / or communicate via different technologies.

[0095] UE 302 and base station 304 each include one or more wireless wide area network (WWAN) transceivers 310 and 350, respectively, which provide means (e.g., means for transmitting, means for receiving, means for measuring, means for tuning, means for preventing transmission, etc.) for communicating via one or more wireless communication networks (not shown), such as NR networks, LTE networks, GSM networks, etc. WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 can each be connected to one or more antennas 316 and 356, respectively, for communicating with other network nodes (such as other UEs, access points, base stations (e.g., eNBs, gNBs), etc.) via at least one designated RAT (e.g., NR, LTE, GSM, etc.) over a wireless communication medium of interest (e.g., a certain set of time / frequency resources in a particular spectrum). The WWAN transceiver 310 and the WWAN transceiver 350 can be configured in different ways to transmit and encode signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indicators, information, etc.) according to a specified RAT, and conversely, receive and decode the signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indicators, information, pilots, etc.), respectively. Specifically, the WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 include: one or more transmitters 314 and 354 for transmitting and encoding the signals 318 and 358, respectively, and one or more receivers 312 and 352 for receiving and decoding the signals 318 and 358, respectively.

[0096] At least in some cases, the UE 302 and the base station 304 each further include one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360, respectively. The short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 can be connected to one or more antennas 326 and 366, respectively, and provide for communicating over a wireless communication medium of interest via at least one designated RAT (e.g., WiFi, LTE-D, The short-range wireless transceiver 320 and the short-range wireless transceiver 360 are components (e.g., components for transmitting, components for receiving, components for measuring, components for tuning, components for preventing transmission, etc.) for communicating with other network nodes (such as other UEs, access points, base stations, etc.) using a PC5, dedicated short-range communication (DSRC), wireless access for vehicular environments (WAVE), near field communication (NFC), ultra-wideband (UWB), etc.). The short-range wireless transceiver 320 and the short-range wireless transceiver 360 can be configured in different ways to transmit and encode signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.) according to a specified RAT, and conversely, receive and decode signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.) respectively. Specifically, the short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 respectively include: one or more transmitters 324 and 364 for transmitting and encoding signals 328 and 368, respectively, and one or more receivers 322 and 362 for receiving and decoding signals 328 and 368, respectively. As a specific example, the short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 may be WiFi transceivers, transceiver, and / or transceiver, NFC transceiver, UWB transceiver or vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and / or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) transceiver.

[0097] At least in some cases, UE 302 and base station 304 also include satellite signal receivers 330 and 370. Satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 can be connected to one or more antennas 336 and 376, respectively, and can provide components for receiving and / or measuring satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378, respectively. If satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 are satellite positioning system receivers, satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378 can be Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) signals, Galileo signals, BeiDou signals, Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NAVIC), Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), etc. If satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 are non-terrestrial network (NTN) receivers, satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378 can be communication signals (e.g., carrying control and / or user data) originating from a 5G network. Satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 can include any suitable hardware and / or software for receiving and processing satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378, respectively. Satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 may request information and operations from other systems as appropriate and, at least in some cases, perform calculations using measurements obtained by any suitable satellite positioning system algorithm to determine the positions of UE 302 and base station 304, respectively.

[0098] The base station 304 and the network entity 306 each include one or more network transceivers 380 and 390, respectively, which provide means (e.g., means for transmitting, means for receiving, etc.) for communicating with other network entities (e.g., other base stations 304, other network entities 306). For example, the base station 304 may employ one or more network transceivers 380 to communicate with other base stations 304 or network entities 306 via one or more wired or wireless backhaul links. For another example, the network entity 306 may employ one or more network transceivers 390 to communicate with one or more base stations 304 via one or more wired or wireless backhaul links, or to communicate with other network entities 306 via one or more wired or wireless core network interfaces.

[0099] A transceiver can be configured to communicate over a wired or wireless link. A transceiver (whether a wired transceiver or a wireless transceiver) includes transmitter circuitry (e.g., transmitters 314, 324, 354, 364) and receiver circuitry (e.g., receivers 312, 322, 352, 362). In some implementations, a transceiver can be an integrated device (e.g., implementing transmitter circuitry and receiver circuitry in a single device), in some implementations can include separate transmitter circuitry and separate receiver circuitry, or in other implementations can be implemented in other ways. The transmitter circuitry and receiver circuitry of a wired transceiver (e.g., network transceivers 380 and 390 in some implementations) can be coupled to one or more wired network interface ports. Wireless transmitter circuitry (e.g., transmitters 314, 324, 354, 364) may include or be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), such as antenna arrays, that allow a corresponding device (e.g., UE 302, base station 304) to perform transmit "beamforming," as described herein. Similarly, wireless receiver circuitry (e.g., receivers 312, 322, 352, 362) may include or be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), such as antenna arrays, that allow a corresponding device (e.g., UE 302, base station 304) to perform receive beamforming, as described herein. In one aspect, the transmitter circuitry and the receiver circuitry may share the same multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), such that a corresponding device may only receive or only transmit at a given time, rather than both receive and transmit at the same time. The wireless transceivers (eg, WWAN transceivers 310 and 350, short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360) may also include a network listening module (NLM) or the like for performing various measurements.

[0100] As used herein, various wireless transceivers (e.g., transceivers 310, 320, 350, and 360 in some implementations, and network transceivers 380 and 390) and wired transceivers (e.g., network transceivers 380 and 390 in some implementations) may be generally referred to as a "transceiver," "at least one transceiver," or "one or more transceivers." Thus, whether a particular transceiver is a wired or wireless transceiver may be inferred based on the type of communication being performed. For example, backhaul communications between network devices or servers typically involve signaling via a wired transceiver, while wireless communications between a UE (e.g., UE 302) and a base station (e.g., base station 304) typically involve signaling via a wireless transceiver.

[0101] UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 also include other components that can be used in conjunction with the operations disclosed herein. UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 each include one or more processors 332, 384, and 394 for providing functionality related to, for example, wireless communication, as well as for providing other processing functionality. Thus, processors 332, 384, and 394 can provide means for processing, such as means for determining, means for computing, means for receiving, means for transmitting, means for indicating, and the like. In one aspect, processors 332, 384, and 394 can include, for example, one or more general-purpose processors, multi-core processors, central processing units (CPUs), ASICs, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), other programmable logic devices or processing circuits, or various combinations thereof.

[0102] UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306, respectively, include memory circuitry implementing memory 340, 386, and 396 (e.g., each including a memory device) for maintaining information (e.g., information indicating reserved resources, thresholds, parameters, etc.). Thus, memories 340, 386, and 396 can provide means for storing, means for retrieving, means for maintaining, etc. In some cases, UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 can include positioning components 342, 388, and 398, respectively. Positioning components 342, 388, and 398 can be hardware circuitry that is part of or coupled to processors 332, 384, and 394, respectively, and that, when executed, causes UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 to perform the functionality described herein. In other aspects, positioning components 342, 388, and 398 can be external to processors 332, 384, and 394 (e.g., part of a modem processing system, integrated with another processing system, etc.). Alternatively, the positioning components 342, 388, and 398 can be memory modules stored in memories 340, 386, and 396, respectively, which, when executed by the processors 332, 384, and 394 (or a modem processing system, another processing system, etc.), cause the UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 to perform the functionality described herein. Figure 3A Possible locations are illustrated for a location component 342, which can be, for example, part of one or more WWAN transceivers 310, memory 340, one or more processors 332, or any combination thereof, or can be a standalone component. Figure 3B Possible locations are illustrated for a location component 388, which can be, for example, part of one or more WWAN transceivers 350, memory 386, one or more processors 384, or any combination thereof, or can be a standalone component. Figure 3C Possible locations are illustrated for a location component 398, which can be, for example, part of one or more network transceivers 390, memory 396, one or more processors 394, or any combination thereof, or can be a standalone component.

[0103] The UE 302 may include one or more sensors 344 coupled to the one or more processors 332 to provide means for sensing or detecting movement and / or orientation information independent of motion data derived from signals received by the one or more WWAN transceivers 310, the one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320, and / or the satellite signal receiver 330. By way of example, the sensors 344 may include an accelerometer (e.g., a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device), a gyroscope, a geomagnetic sensor (e.g., a compass), an altimeter (e.g., a barometric altimeter), and / or any other type of motion detection sensor. Furthermore, 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 a position in a two-dimensional (2D) and / or three-dimensional (3D) coordinate system.

[0104] In addition, the UE 302 includes a user interface 346 that provides means for providing indications to the user (e.g., audible and / or visual indications) and / or for receiving user input (e.g., when the user actuates a sensing device such as a keypad, touch screen, microphone, etc.). Although not shown, the base station 304 and the network entity 306 may also include a user interface.

[0105] Referring in more detail to the one or more processors 384, in the downlink, IP packets from the network entity 306 may be provided to the processor 384. The one or more processors 384 may implement functionality for the RRC layer, the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, and the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer. One or more processors 384 may provide: RRC layer functionality associated with broadcasting of system information (e.g., Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block (SIB)), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter-RAT mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression, security (ciphering, deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functionality associated with delivery of upper layer PDUs, error correction through automatic repeat request (ARQ), concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, scheduling information reporting, error correction, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0106] Transmitter 354 and receiver 352 may implement Layer 1 (L1) functionality associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, including the physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (FEC) coding / decoding of the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping to the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing. Transmitter 354 handles the mapping to the signal constellation based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase-shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK), M-phase-shift keying (M-PSK), and M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM). The coded and modulated symbols may then be separated into parallel streams. Each stream may then be mapped to orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) subcarriers, multiplexed with reference signals (e.g., pilots) in the time and / or frequency domains, and then combined using an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a time-domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM symbol stream is spatially pre-decoded to generate multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from a channel estimator may be used to determine the coding and modulation schemes and for spatial processing. The channel estimates may be derived from a reference signal and / or channel condition feedback transmitted by the UE 302. Each spatial stream may then be provided to one or more different antennas 356. The transmitter 354 may modulate an RF carrier with the corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0107] At UE 302, receiver 312 receives the signal via its corresponding antenna 316. Receiver 312 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides this information to one or more processors 332. Transmitter 314 and receiver 312 implement Layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. Receiver 312 may perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial streams destined for UE 302. If there are multiple spatial streams destined for UE 302, they may be combined by receiver 312 into a single OFDM symbol stream. Receiver 312 then converts the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The frequency domain signal includes a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on each subcarrier, as well as the reference signal, are recovered and demodulated by determining the most likely signal constellation point transmitted by base station 304. These soft decisions may be based on channel estimates calculated by a channel estimator. The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally transmitted by base station 304 on the physical channel. The data and control signals are then provided to one or more processors 332, which implement layer 3 (L3) and layer 2 (L2) functionality.

[0108] In the downlink, one or more processors 332 provide demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the core network. One or more processors 332 are also responsible for error detection.

[0109] Similar to the functionality described in conjunction with downlink transmissions performed by the base station 304, the one or more processors 332 provide: RRC layer functionality associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) acquisition, RRC connection, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functionality associated with delivery of upper layer PDUs, error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs, resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ), priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0110] Channel estimates derived by a channel estimator from a reference signal or feedback sent by base station 304 may be used by transmitter 314 to select appropriate coding and modulation schemes and facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by transmitter 314 may be provided to different antennas 316. Transmitter 314 may modulate an RF carrier with the corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0111] Uplink transmissions are processed at the base station 304 in a manner similar to that described in conjunction with the receiver functionality at the UE 302. The receiver 352 receives the signal through its respective antenna 356. The receiver 352 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides the information to one or more processors 384.

[0112] In the uplink, one or more processors 384 provide demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from UE 302. The IP packets from one or more processors 384 may be provided to the core network. The one or more processors 384 are also responsible for error detection.

[0113] For convenience, UE 302, base station 304 and / or network entity 306 Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B and Figure 3C1 is shown as including various components that can be configured according to the various examples described herein. However, it should be understood that the illustrated components may have different functionality in different designs. In particular, Figures 3A to 3C Various components in are optional in alternative configurations, and various aspects include configurations that may vary due to design choice, cost, use of the device, or other considerations. For example, in Figure 3A In the case of , a specific implementation of UE 302 may omit WWAN transceiver 310 (e.g., a wearable device or tablet or PC or laptop may have Wi-Fi and / or Bluetooth capabilities but no cellular capabilities), or may omit short-range wireless transceiver 320 (e.g., only cellular, etc.), or may omit satellite signal receiver 330, or may omit sensor 344, etc. For another example, in Figure 3B In certain embodiments, a particular implementation of the base station 304 may omit the WWAN transceiver 350 (e.g., a Wi-Fi "hotspot" access point without cellular capabilities), or may omit the short-range wireless transceiver 360 (e.g., cellular only, etc.), or may omit the satellite signal receiver 370, etc. For the sake of brevity, illustrations of various alternative configurations are not provided herein, but will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0114] Various components of the UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 may be communicatively coupled to one another via data buses 334, 382, ​​and 392, respectively. In an aspect, the data buses 334, 382, ​​and 392 may form or be part of communication interfaces for the UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306, respectively. For example, where different logical entities are embodied in the same device (e.g., gNB and location server functionality incorporated into the same base station 304), the data buses 334, 382, ​​and 392 may provide for communication between the different logical entities.

[0115] Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B and Figure 3C The components of can be implemented in various ways. In some specific implementations, Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B and Figure 3CThe components of the present invention may be implemented in one or more circuits, such as, for example, one or more processors and / or one or more ASICs (which may include one or more processors). Here, each circuit may use and / or be combined with at least one memory component for storing information or executable code used by the circuit to provide the functionality. For example, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 310 to 346 may be implemented by the processor and memory components of UE 302 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). Similarly, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 350 to 388 may be implemented by the processor and memory components of base station 304 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). Moreover, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 390 to 398 may be implemented by the processor and memory components of network entity 306 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). For simplicity, various operations, actions, and / or functions are described herein as being performed by a UE, a base station, a network entity, or the like. However, as will be appreciated, such operations, actions and / or functions may actually be performed by specific components or combinations of components of the UE 302, base station 304, network entity 306, etc. (such as processors 332, 384, 394, transceivers 310, 320, 350 and 360, memories 340, 386 and 396, positioning components 342, 388 and 398, etc.).

[0116] In some designs, the network entity 306 may be implemented as a core network component. In other designs, the network entity 306 may operate independently of a network operator or cellular network infrastructure (e.g., NG RAN 220 and / or 5GC 210 / 260). For example, the network entity 306 may be a component of a dedicated network that may be configured to communicate with the UE 302 via the base station 304 or independently of the base station 304 (e.g., via a non-cellular communication link such as WiFi).

[0117] NR supports a variety of cellular network-based positioning techniques, including downlink-based positioning methods, uplink-based positioning methods, and downlink and uplink-based positioning methods. Downlink-based positioning methods include: Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) in LTE, Downlink Time Difference of Arrival (DL-TDOA) in NR, and Downlink Angle of Departure (DL-AoD) in NR. In OTDOA or DL-TDOA positioning procedures, the UE measures the difference between the time of arrival (ToA) of reference signals (e.g., positioning reference signals (PRS)) received from paired base stations (referred to as reference signal time difference (RSTD) or time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurements) and reports these differences to a positioning entity. More specifically, the UE receives identifiers (IDs) of a reference base station (e.g., a serving base station) and multiple non-reference base stations in assistance data. The UE then measures the RSTD between the reference base station and each non-reference base station. Based on the known positions of the involved base stations and the RSTD measurements, a positioning entity (e.g., a UE for UE-based positioning or a location server for UE-assisted positioning) can estimate the UE's position.

[0118] For DL-AoD positioning, the positioning entity uses measurement reports from the UE regarding the received signal strength measurements of multiple downlink transmit beams to determine the angle between the UE and the transmitting base station. The positioning entity can then estimate the UE's position based on the determined angle and the known location of the transmitting base station.

[0119] Uplink-based positioning methods include uplink time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA) and uplink angle of arrival (UL-AoA). UL-TDOA is similar to DL-TDOA, but is based on uplink reference signals (e.g., sounding reference signals (SRS)) sent by the UE to multiple base stations. Specifically, the UE sends one or more uplink reference signals, which are measured by a reference base station and multiple non-reference base stations. Each base station then reports the time of receipt of the reference signal (referred to as relative time of arrival (RTOA)) to a positioning entity (e.g., a location server) that knows the position and relative timing of the base stations involved. Based on the receive-to-receive (Rx-Rx) time difference between the reported RTOA of the reference base station and the reported RTOA of each non-reference base station, the known positions of the base stations, and their known timing offsets, the positioning entity can use TDOA to estimate the position of the UE.

[0120] For UL-AoA positioning, one or more base stations measure the received signal strength of one or more uplink reference signals (e.g., SRS) received from the UE on one or more uplink receive beams. The positioning entity uses the signal strength measurements and the angle of the receive beams to determine the angle between the UE and the base station. Based on the determined angle and the known location of the base station, the positioning entity can then estimate the UE's position.

[0121] Downlink and uplink-based positioning methods include enhanced cell ID (E-CID) positioning and multiple round-trip time (RTT) positioning (also referred to as "multi-cell RTT" and "multi-RTT"). In the RTT process, a first entity (e.g., a base station or UE) sends a first RTT-related signal (e.g., a PRS or SRS) to a second entity (e.g., a UE or base station), and the second entity sends a second RTT-related signal (e.g., an SRS or PRS) back to the first entity. Each entity measures the time difference between the arrival time (ToA) of the received RTT-related signal and the transmission time of the transmitted RTT-related signal. This time difference is called the received-to-transmit (Rx-Tx) time difference. The Rx-Tx time difference measurement can be made or adjusted to include only the time difference between the nearest time slot boundary of the received signal and the transmitted signal. The two entities may then transmit their Rx-Tx time difference measurements to a location server (e.g., LMF 270), which calculates the round-trip propagation time (i.e., RTT) between the two entities based on the two Rx-Tx time difference measurements (e.g., calculated as the sum of the two Rx-Tx time difference measurements). Alternatively, one entity may transmit its Rx-Tx time difference measurements to the other entity, which then calculates the RTT. The distance between the two entities may be determined based on the RTT and a known signal speed (e.g., the speed of light). For multi-RTT positioning, a first entity (e.g., a UE or base station) performs an RTT positioning procedure with multiple second entities (e.g., multiple base stations or UEs) to enable the location of the first entity to be determined based on the distance to the second entities and the known locations of the second entities (e.g., using multilateration). RTT and multi-RTT methods can be combined with other positioning technologies (such as UL-AoA and DL-AoD) to improve location accuracy.

[0122] The E-CID positioning method is based on radio resource management (RRM) measurements. In E-CID, the UE reports the serving cell ID, timing advance (TA), and the identifiers of detected neighboring base stations, estimated timing, and signal strength. The UE's position is then estimated based on this information and the known locations of the base stations.

[0123] To assist in positioning operations, a location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272) may provide assistance data to the UE. For example, the assistance data may include: an identifier of the base station (or cell / TRP of the base station) from which the reference signal is measured, reference signal configuration parameters (e.g., the number of consecutive time slots including PRS, the periodicity of consecutive time slots including PRS, a muting sequence, a frequency hopping sequence, a reference signal identifier, a reference signal bandwidth, etc.), and / or other parameters applicable to a particular positioning method. Alternatively, the assistance data may originate directly from the base station itself (e.g., in a periodically broadcast overhead message, etc.). In some cases, the UE itself may be able to detect neighboring network nodes without the use of assistance data.

[0124] In the case of OTDOA or DL-TDOA positioning procedures, the assistance data may also include an expected RSTD value and an associated uncertainty or search window around the expected RSTD. In some cases, the expected RSTD value range may be + / - 500 microseconds (μs). In some cases, when any of the resources used for positioning measurements are in FRI, the expected RSTD uncertainty value range may be + / - 32 μs. In other cases, when all resources used for positioning measurements are in FR2, the expected RSTD uncertainty value range may be + / - 8 μs.

[0125] A position estimate may be referred to by other names, such as a position estimate, a position, a position fix, a position fix, a fix, etc. A position estimate may be geodetic and include coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude), or may be municipal and include a street address, a postal address, or some other verbal description of the location. The position estimate may be further defined relative to some other known location or defined in absolute terms (e.g., using latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude). A position estimate may include an expected error or uncertainty (e.g., by including an area or volume within which the location is expected to be included with some specified or default confidence level).

[0126] NR is capable of supporting various sidelink ranging and positioning technologies. Sidelink-based ranging enables the determination of relative distances between UEs and optionally their absolute positions, where the absolute position of at least one of the UEs involved is known. This technology is valuable in situations where Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning is degraded or unavailable (e.g., tunnels, urban canyons, etc.), and can also enhance ranging and positioning accuracy when GNSS is available. Sidelink-based ranging can be implemented using a three-way handshake for session establishment, followed by the exchange of positioning reference signals (PRS), and finally messaging based on PRS transmission and reception from peer UEs to exchange measurements.

[0127] Sidelink ranging is based on calculating inter-UE round-trip time (RTT) measurements, as determined from the transmission and reception times of the PRS (a wideband positioning signal defined in LTE and NR). Each UE reports the RTT measurement along with its location (if known) to all other participating UEs. For UEs whose locations are completely unknown or not precisely known, the RTT process yields an inter-UE distance between the involved UEs. For UEs whose locations are precisely known, this distance yields an absolute location. UE participation, PRS transmission, and subsequent RTT calculations are coordinated by an initial three-way messaging handshake (PRS Request, PRS Response, and PRS Ack), as well as a message exchange (post-PRS message) following the PRS transmission to share measurements after receiving the PRS from the peer UE.

[0128] Figure 4 An example sidelink ranging and positioning process 400 according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The sidelink ranging and positioning process 400 may also be referred to as a sidelink RTT positioning process. Sidelink ranging is based on calculating inter-UE RTT measurements, as determined based on the transmission and reception times of PRS (a wideband reference signal defined in LTE and NR for positioning). Each UE reports the RTT measurement, along with its location (if known), to all other participating UEs. For UEs whose locations are completely unknown or not precisely known, the RTT process produces an inter-UE distance between the involved UEs. For UEs whose locations are precisely known, the ranging produces an absolute location. UE participation, PRS transmission, and subsequent RTT calculations are coordinated by an initial three-way messaging handshake (PRS request, PRS response, and PRS acknowledgement), as well as a message exchange (post-PRS message) following PRS transmission to share measurements after receiving the PRS from a peer UE.

[0129] The sidelink ranging and positioning process 400 (or session) begins at stage 405 with the broadcast of capability information by the peer UEs involved. Figure 4As shown, one of the peer UEs, namely UE 204-1 (e.g., any of the sidelink-capable UEs described herein), is capable of serving as an anchor UE for the sidelink ranging and positioning procedure 400, meaning that the UE has a known location. Accordingly, anchor UE 204-1 includes in its capabilities message an indication that it is capable of serving as an anchor UE for the sidelink ranging and positioning procedure 400. The capabilities message may also include the location of anchor UE 204-1, or the location may be provided later. Another UE, UE 204-2 (e.g., any of the sidelink-capable UEs described herein), is a target UE, meaning that the location of the UE is unknown or inaccurate and that the UE is attempting to be located. Based on the capabilities information received from anchor UE 204-1 indicating that anchor UE 204-1 is an anchor UE, target UE 204-2 knows that it will be able to determine its location based on performing the sidelink ranging and positioning procedure 400 with anchor UE 204-1.

[0130] After the initial capability exchange, the involved UEs 204 perform a three-way messaging handshake. At stage 410, the anchor UE 204-1 sends a PRS request (labeled "PRSrequest") to the target UE 204-2. At stage 415, the target UE 204-2 sends a PRS response (labeled "PRSresponse") to the anchor UE 204-1. At stage 420, the anchor UE 204-1 sends a PRS acknowledgement to the target UE 204-2. At this point, the three-way messaging handshake is complete. Note that although Figure 4 It is illustrated that the anchor UE 204-1 initiates the three-way message handshake, but the three-way message handshake may be initiated by the target UE 204-2 instead.

[0131] At stages 425 and 430, the involved peer UEs 204 transmit PRS to each other. The resources on which the PRS are transmitted may be configured / allocated by the network (e.g., a serving base station of one of the UEs 204) or negotiated by the UEs 204 during a three-way messaging handshake. The anchor UE 204-1 measures the transmit-to-receive (Tx-Rx) time difference between the transmit time of the PRS at stage 425 and the receive time of the PRS at stage 430. The target UE 204-2 measures the receive-to-receive (Rx-Tx) time difference between the receive time of the PRS at stage 425 and the transmit time of the PRS at stage 430. Note that, although Figure 4 It is illustrated that the anchor UE 204-1 transmits the PRS first, but the target UE 204-2 may transmit the PRS first instead.

[0132] At stages 435 and 440, the peer UEs 204 exchange their respective time difference measurements in a post-PRS message (labeled "postPRS"). If anchor UE 204-1 has not yet provided its location to target UE 204-2, it does so at this time. Each UE 204 is then able to determine the RTT between each UE 204 based on the Tx-Rx and Rx-Tx time difference measurements (specifically, the difference between the Tx-Rx and Rx-Tx time difference measurements). Based on the RTT measurements and the speed of light, each UE 204 can then estimate the distance (or range) between the two UEs 204 (specifically, the RTT measurement multiplied by half the speed of light). Since target UE 204-2 also has the absolute location (e.g., geographic coordinates) of anchor UE 204-1, target UE 204-2 can use this location and the distance to anchor UE 204-1 to determine its own absolute location.

[0133] Note that although Figure 4 Two UEs 204 are illustrated, but a UE may perform or attempt to perform the sidelink ranging and positioning process 400 with multiple UEs.

[0134] Figure 5 An example system 500 for wireless communication using a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) 510 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. A RIS (e.g., RIS 510) is a two-dimensional surface comprising a large number of low-cost, low-power, nearly passive reflective elements whose properties are reconfigurable (e.g., via software or control signals) rather than static. For example, by carefully tuning (e.g., using software or control signals) the phase shifts of the reflective elements, the scattering, absorption, reflection, and diffraction properties of the RIS can be changed over time. In this way, the electromagnetic (EM) properties of the RIS can be engineered to collect wireless signals from a transmitter (e.g., a base station, a UE, etc.) and passively beamform them toward a target receiver (e.g., another base station, another UE, etc.). In Figure 5 In the example of FIG. 5 , the first base station 502-1 controls the reflection property of the RIS 510 to communicate with the first UE 504-1.

[0135] The goal of RIS technology is to create an intelligent radio environment in which wireless propagation conditions are co-engineered along with physical layer signaling.This enhanced functionality of system 500 can provide technical benefits in multiple scenarios.

[0136] As a first example scenario, Figure 5As shown, a first base station 502-1 (e.g., any of the base stations described herein) attempts to transmit downlink wireless signals to a first UE 504-1 and a second UE 504-2 (e.g., any two of the UEs described herein, collectively referred to as UE 504) on multiple downlink transmit beams (labeled “0,” “1,” “2,” and “3”). However, unlike the second UE 504-2, the first UE 504-1 is unable to receive wireless signals on the line-of-sight (LOS) beam from the first base station 502-1 (i.e., the downlink transmit beam labeled “2”) because the first UE 504-1 is behind an obstacle 520 (e.g., a building, a hill, or other type of obstacle). In this scenario, the first base station 502-1 may instead use the downlink transmit beam labeled “1” to transmit wireless signals to the RIS 510 and configure the RIS 510 to reflect / beamform the incoming wireless signals toward the first UE 504-1. Thus, the first base station 502 - 1 can transmit wireless signals around the obstacle 520 .

[0137] Note that the first base station 502-1 may also configure the RIS 510 for use by the first UE 504-1 in uplink transmission. In this case, the first base station 502-1 may configure the RIS 510 to reflect uplink signals from the first UE 504-1 back to the first base station 502-1, thereby enabling the first UE 504-1 to transmit uplink signals around the obstacle 520.

[0138] As another example scenario in which system 500 may provide technical advantages, first base station 502-1 may be aware that obstacle 520 may create a "blind spot," i.e., a geographic area where downlink radio signals from first base station 502-1 are too attenuated to be reliably detected by UEs within the area (e.g., first UE 504-1). In this scenario, first base station 502-1 may configure RIS 510 to reflect downlink radio signals into the blind spot to provide coverage to UEs that may be located there (including UEs that first base station 502-1 is not aware of).

[0139] A RIS (e.g., RIS 510) may be designed to operate in a first mode (referred to as "Mode 1"), in which the RIS operates as a reconfigurable mirror, or in a second mode (referred to as "Mode 2"), in which the RIS operates as both a receiver and a transmitter (similar to the amplification and forwarding functionality of a relay node). Some RISs may be designed to be able to operate in either Mode 1 or Mode 2, while other RISs may be designed to operate only in Mode 1 or Mode 2. It is assumed that a Mode 1 RIS has negligible hardware group delay, while a Mode 2 RIS has non-negligible hardware group delay due to being equipped with limited baseband processing power. Due to the greater processing power of the Mode 2 RIS compared to the Mode 1 RIS, the latter may in some cases be able to calculate and report its transmit to receive (Tx-Rx) time difference measurement (i.e., the difference between the time a signal is reflected towards the UE and the time the signal is received back from the UE). In Figure 5 In the example of FIG. 5 , RIS 510 may be a Mode 1 RIS or a Mode 2 RIS.

[0140] Figure 5 Also illustrated is a second base station 502-2 that can transmit downlink wireless signals to one or both of the UEs 504. As an example, the first base station 502-1 can be a serving base station for the UE 504, and the second base station 502-2 can be a neighboring base station. The second base station 502-2 can transmit downlink positioning reference signals to one or both of the UEs 504 as part of a positioning procedure involving the UEs 504. Alternatively or additionally, the second base station 502-2 can be a secondary cell for one or both of the UEs 504. In some cases, the second base station 502-2 can also be capable of reconfiguring the RIS 510, assuming that the RIS is not controlled by the first base station 502-1 at the time.

[0141] Note that although Figure 5While one RIS 510 and one base station (i.e., first base station 502-1) controlling RIS 510 are illustrated, first base station 502-1 may control multiple RISs 510. Furthermore, RIS 510 may be controlled by multiple base stations 502 (e.g., both first base station 502-1 and second base station 502-2, and potentially more base stations). Communication between the base station controlling RIS 510 (i.e., first base station 502-1) may include a wired connection (e.g., fiber optic, Ethernet, etc.) or a wireless connection (e.g., LTE, NR, WiFi, etc.). RIS 510 may include an integrated UE for such wireless communication. Such wireless communication may occur in the downlink (DL), uplink (UL), or a combination thereof. In the UL scenario, RIS 510 operates as an antenna, using radiated power to transmit control signals and data from the integrated UE to the controlling base station 502-1 in a UL channel. In the example DL scenario, controlling base station 502-1 may transmit control signals and data to the integrated UE at RIS 510 in a downlink channel. In one aspect, RIS 510 need not be able to radiate power in a DL scenario, in which case the base station may send a DL reference signal to RIS 510 where it is modulated during reflection and directed back to base station 502-1.

[0142] Figure 6 is a diagram of an example architecture of a RIS 600 according to aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 5 The RIS 510 in FIG. 5 may be a Mode 1 RIS. Figure 6 As shown, RIS 600 mainly consists of a flat surface 610 and a controller 620. Flat surface 610 can be made of one or more material layers. Figure 6 In the example of FIG, the flat surface 610 may be composed of three layers. In this case, the outer layer has a large number of reflective elements 612 printed on a dielectric substrate to directly act on the incident signal. The middle layer is a copper plate to prevent signal / energy leakage. The last layer is a circuit board used to tune the reflection coefficient of the reflective elements 612 and is operated by a controller 620. The controller 620 can be a low-power processor such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0143] In a typical operating scenario, the optimal reflection coefficient of RIS 600 is at the base station (e.g. Figure 5The reflection coefficient is calculated at the first base station 502-1 in the control link and then transmitted to the controller 620 via a dedicated feedback link. The design of the reflection coefficient depends on the channel state information (CSI), which is updated only when the CSI changes, which is on a much longer time scale than the data symbol duration. Therefore, low-rate information exchange is sufficient for a dedicated control link, which can be implemented using low-cost copper wire or a simple, cost-effective wireless transceiver.

[0144] Each reflective element 612 is coupled to a positive-intrinsic-negative (PIN) diode 614. Furthermore, a bias line 616 connects each reflective element 612 in a column to a controller 620. By controlling the voltage across the bias line 616, the PIN diode 614 can be switched between an "on" mode and an "off" mode. This can achieve a phase shift difference of π (pi) radians. To increase the number of phase shift levels, more PIN diodes 614 can be coupled to each reflective element 612. In one aspect, the reflective elements 612 can be grouped into subsets of reflective elements, which can also be referred to as sub-panels. In this case, the reflective characteristics of the RIS 600 can be controllable on a sub-panel basis, where each sub-panel can be considered a micro-RIS co-located with other sub-panels.

[0145] RISs, such as RIS 600, offer significant advantages for practical implementation. For example, reflective element 612 merely passively reflects incoming signals, eliminating the need for any complex signal processing operations that would otherwise be required in RF transceiver hardware. Consequently, RIS 600 can operate at several orders of magnitude lower costs, both in terms of hardware and power consumption, than conventional active transmitters. Furthermore, due to the passive nature of reflective element 612, RIS 600 can be manufactured with a lightweight and limited layer thickness, and thus can be easily mounted on walls, ceilings, signs, streetlights, and the like. Furthermore, RIS 600 can operate in full-duplex (FD) mode without self-interference or thermal noise generation. Consequently, it can achieve higher spectral efficiency than active half-duplex (HD) relays, despite having less signal processing complexity than active FD relays, which require complex self-interference cancellation.

[0146] Figure 7A Parameters associated with a general model of a reflective beamforming scenario 700 for a reflective structure 702 of a RIS according to aspects of the present disclosure are illustrated. According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, the reflective structure 702 includes a plurality of super-elements E0 to E1. N (exist Figure 7A and Figure 7B 0 to E_N), the plurality of meta-elements are uniformly spaced a distance d from one another along an axis 710 perpendicular to the visual axis 712 (0° axis) of the reflective structure 702. The distance component (designated d i，n, where n is an index number ranging from 0 to the total number N-1 of superelements of reflective structure 702) corresponding to E of transmitter 704 and reflective structure 702 nth The distance between elements. The corresponding distance component (specified as d r,n , where n is an index number ranging from 0 to the total number N-1 of superelements of reflective structure 702) corresponds to E of reflective structure 702 nth The distance between the element and the receiver 706. Based on the above, the reflection gain h of the RIS can be expressed as follows:

[0147]

[0148] in The reflection coefficient corresponds to super-element n (where n is an index number ranging between 0 and the total number N of super-elements) of reflective structure 702.

[0149] Figure 7B Parameters associated with a far-field model of a reflection beamforming scenario 714 of a reflection structure 702 of an RIS according to various aspects of the present disclosure are illustrated. The reflection gain h of the far-field model of the RIS can be expressed as follows:

[0150]

[0151] in The reflection coefficient corresponds to super-element n (where n is an index number ranging between 0 and the total number of super-elements N-1) of reflective structure 702.

[0152] In some respects, α n ≡α, In some respects, {α n ,φ n} can be based on super element E0 to E N An enumeration collection of implemented constructs is exported.

[0153] In certain aspects, RIS-based sensing scenarios involve, for example, a base station transmitting a sensing signal toward the RIS. In such sensing scenarios (e.g., in a cellular network), the base station, as the transmitter of the sensing signal, may configure the angles of incidence / reflection toward the RIS for a set of radio resources (opportunities) based on the positioning of the base station and a sensing area (e.g., a target area where an object is to be detected) relative to the RIS. The RIS reflects the sensing signal toward the target area, where the reflected sensing signal is further reflected back toward the RIS by the target object. The RIS then reflects the sensing signal from the target object for reception by a network node (e.g., another base station, a UE, etc.). In some RIS-based sensing scenarios (e.g., in a cellular network), the base station (e.g., a gNB) configures the angles of incidence / reflection toward the sensing signal transmitted toward the RIS for a set of radio resources based on the positioning of the base station and the target area relative to the RIS.

[0154] Certain aspects of the present disclosure are achieved with the recognition that such RIS-based sensing scenarios may be difficult to implement in a V2X environment. In a V2X environment, a RIS may be located near a road turning point (e.g., an intersection, a road bend, etc.) to sense a target object (e.g., another vehicle) in a target area that is not within the line of sight (LOS) of a given vehicle crossing the road. However, in such a scenario, the RIS may be shared by multiple vehicles.

[0155] Certain aspects of the present disclosure are achieved based on the recognition that having each vehicle configure the angle / timing of the RIS to sense objects in its corresponding target area of ​​interest can be inefficient. For example, if each vehicle transmits an angle / timing configuration message to the RIS, the total signaling overhead required to configure the RIS, sensing signals, and so on can be very large, leading to communication overhead issues, system latency, and spectrum resource congestion. Furthermore, in multi-vehicle scenarios, the RIS may need to handle sensing signal conflicts, where multiple vehicles use the same set of radio resources to transmit sensing signals. Failure to resolve such conflicts reduces the practicality of the RIS in V2X environments. However, resolving such conflicts to prevent sensing signal conflicts can result in long transmission delays.

[0156] Certain aspects of the present disclosure are implemented to address such issues that arise in RIS-based sensing scenarios, such as in a V2X environment. According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, a RIS is operated using a reflection schedule that multiple UEs (e.g., UEs mounted on multiple vehicles) can use to schedule sensing signal transmission. In one aspect, the reflection schedule indicates incident-reflection angle pairs and times (e.g., timings) for activating one or more incident-reflection angle pairs at the RIS. In one aspect, the reflection schedule may also indicate the distance from the RIS at which a UE is authorized to transmit sensing signals. In one aspect, if multiple vehicles are within an incident angle threshold of the RIS (e.g., at an incident angle relative to the RIS within a threshold angle value) and have the same sensing target (e.g., sensing the same target area), the vehicles may reuse sensing signals transmitted by another vehicle, thereby reducing sensing signal resource consumption.

[0157] According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, a UE that desires to use a RIS (e.g., whose target sensing area is LOS-blocked) calculates an angle of incidence and one or more reflection angles based on the target sensing area and the UE's position relative to the RIS. The UE can then select from a reflection schedule one or more corresponding opportunities during which the calculated angle pairs are active at the RIS for sensing signal transmission and target object position / motion parameter estimation.

[0158] Figure 8 An example of a V2X environment 800 according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. In this example, a road 802 merges with another road 804 at an intersection 806. Vehicles traveling along road 802 have their LOS paths relative to road 804 blocked by obstacles 808 (e.g., buildings), preventing vehicles traveling along road 802 from determining the location of vehicles traveling along road 804 (and vice versa). To address this issue, a RIS 810 is located at intersection 806. RIS 810 is arranged at intersection 806 to allow UEs onboard vehicles traveling along road 802 to transmit sensing signals to detect the location and orientation of objects (e.g., other vehicles) in a target area 812 of road 804. Objects within target area 812 of road 804 reflect the sensing signals back toward RIS 810, which then reflects these sensing signals at least to the vehicle that transmitted the sensing signals. As will be explained in further detail herein, the relationship between the sending vehicle along road 802, RIS 810, and target vehicle 818 along road 804 represents a monostatic sensing signal scenario that allows the sending vehicle to determine the location of the target vehicle.

[0159] exist Figure 8In the example shown, vehicle 814 and vehicle 816 are traveling along road 802, and each vehicle wants to sense objects in target area 812. Since target area 812 is not within the LOS of either vehicle, vehicles 814 and 816 transmit sensing signals toward RIS 810, which are reflected by RIS 810 toward target area 812. Objects within target area 812, such as vehicle 818, reflect the sensing signals received from RIS 810 back toward RIS 810, which reflects the sensing signals back to the respective vehicles 814 and 816 from which they originated.

[0160] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, vehicles 814 and 816 transmit and receive sensing signals based on a reflective schedule so that the RIS 810 can be shared between vehicles with minimal communication overhead while reducing the likelihood of sensing signal collisions. Figure 9 900 is a table representing an example reflection schedule according to aspects of the present disclosure. In this example, the reflection schedule indicates incident angle and reflection angle pairs associated with corresponding opportunity indices. The incident angle θ associated with each opportunity is n (where n is an index corresponding to an opportunity index) corresponds to the angle at which the RIS 810 is configured to receive the sensed signal for reflection. The reflection angle associated with each opportunity (where n is an index corresponding to an opportunity index) corresponds to the angle at which the RIS 810 reflects the received sensing signal.

[0161] exist Figure 9 In the example reflection schedule shown, there are ten incident angles associated with each reflection angle in the angle-time pattern of the reflection schedule (e.g., the incident angles are in the outer loop of the angle-time pattern, while the reflection angles are in the inner loop of the angle-time pattern). Thus, the time duration during which a single incident angle is active can be 10 OFDM symbols (e.g., less than 1 ms when the parameter set is based on a 15 kHz subcarrier spacing). If the sensing signal period is 10 ms, a vehicle with a speed of 100 km / h may have the opportunity to transmit a sensing signal every 0.27 meters. In one aspect, a criterion can be used to determine whether the incident angle or reflection angle is in the outer loop or the inner loop of the angle-time pattern. The specific indication information can be a list of incident angles and a list of reflection angles. In another aspect, this information can be broadcast by the base station or RIS 810.

[0162] refer to Figure 8 , the vehicle 814 determines its position and / or orientation relative to the boresight of the RIS 810 and selects an incident angle θ from the reflectance schedule. n, its vehicle-mounted UE can send one or more sensing signals at this incident angle for reflection by RIS 810. In addition, vehicle 814 determines the reflection angle required to guide the sensing signals reflected from RIS 810 toward target area 812 Once the vehicle 814 determines the angle of incidence θ required to send and receive sensing signals to sense objects in the target area 812 n and reflection angle Yes, the vehicle 814 identifies the expected incident angle θ during the reflection schedule. n and reflection angle The corresponding timing is active at the RIS 810. The vehicle 814 can use the corresponding timing to n One or more sensing signals 820 are sent toward the RIS 810. The sensing signals 820 sent by the vehicle 814 are reflected by the RIS 810 at a desired reflection angle. Reflected towards target area 812. Objects within target area 812 (e.g., vehicle 818) may be reflected along the desired reflection angle. The sensed signals are reflected back toward the RIS 810, which then reflects the sensed signals along the desired incident angle θ. n Reflected to vehicle 814. Vehicle 814 can use the n The reflected signals received from the RIS 810 are used to determine the location of an object (eg, vehicle 818 ) within the target area 812 and other motion parameters.

[0163] Similarly, vehicle 816 determines its position and / or orientation relative to the boresight of RIS 810 and selects an angle of incidence θ from the reflectance schedule. n , its onboard UE can send one or more sensing signals at this incident angle for reflection by RIS 810. In addition, vehicle 816 determines the reflection angle required to direct the sensing signals reflected from RIS 810 toward target area 812 Once the vehicle 816 determines the angle of incidence θ required to send and receive sensing signals to sense objects in the target area 812 n and reflection angle Yes, the vehicle 816 identifies the expected incident angle θ during the reflection schedule. n and reflection angle The corresponding timing is active at RIS 810. Vehicle 816 can use the corresponding timing to n One or more sensing signals 822 are sent toward the RIS 810. The sensing signals 822 sent by the vehicle 816 are reflected by the RIS 810 at a desired reflection angle. Reflected towards target area 818. Objects within target area 812 (e.g., vehicle 818) may be reflected along the desired reflection angle. The sensed signals are reflected back toward the RIS 810, which then reflects the sensed signals along the desired incident angle θ. n Reflected to vehicle 816. Vehicle 816 can use the desired incident angle θ n The reflected signals received from the RIS 810 are used to determine the location of an object (eg, vehicle 818 ) within the target area 812 and other motion parameters.

[0164] like Figure 8 As shown, vehicles 814 and 816 have different angles of incidence relative to RIS 810. Consequently, vehicles 814 and 816 use different timing indices corresponding to the different times during which vehicles 814 and 816 transmit / receive their respective sensing signals 820 and 822. In this manner, sensing signal collisions between sensing signals 820 and 822 are avoided, thereby allowing both vehicles 814 and 816 to share the same RIS 810 resources, but during different timings. Furthermore, because RIS 810 operates according to the same reflection schedule for all vehicles, vehicles do not need to individually configure RIS 810 for location sensing operations, thereby reducing the communication overhead and latency associated with location sensing operations.

[0165] Figure 10 An example message / signal flow 1000 is shown that can be used for RIS-based location sensing according to aspects of the present disclosure. In this example, a network node 1002 (e.g., a base station) transmits a reflection schedule to a RIS 1004 at operation 1006. At operation 1008, the RIS 1004 generates reflection coefficients and time series for implementing the reflection schedule and begins executing the reflection schedule. At operation 1012, the network node 1002 may broadcast the reflection schedule and location of the RIS 1004 for reception by one or more sensing UEs, such as the sensing UE 1010. At operation 1014, the sensing UE 1010 uses at least its location, the location of the target area, and the location of the RIS to select a desired angle of incidence and angle of reflection pair from the reflection schedule. Using the desired angle of incidence and angle of reflection pair, the sensing UE 1010 selects one or more occasions from the reflection schedule during which the desired angle of incidence and angle of reflection pair is active at the RIS 1004.

[0166] At operation 1028, the sensing UE 1010 transmits a sensing signal toward the RIS 1004 during the selected opportunity. The RIS 1004 reflects the sensing signal toward the target area at operation 1018. At operation 1020, the target object 1022 located in the target area reflects the sensing signal back toward the RIS 1004. At operation 1024, the sensing signal is reflected back to the sensing UE 1010. At operation 1026, the sensing UE 1010 uses the reflected sensing signal to: 1) determine that the target object 1022 is present in the target area; 2) determine the location of the target object 1022; 3) determine the motion characteristics (e.g., speed, trajectory, etc.) of the target object 1022; or 4) any combination of the foregoing.

[0167] In one aspect, a sensing UE 1010 (eg, a UE onboard a vehicle traveling along a road) may measure the delay of the entire propagation path (vehicle-RIS-object-RIS-vehicle) as τ total Based on the known distance d1 between the RIS 1004 and the sensing UE 1010 (calculated by the UE based on the positioning of the RIS 1004 and the positioning of the sensing UE 1010), the distance d between the RIS 1004 and the target object 1022 is target Can be calculated as:

[0168]

[0169] Because the incident angle and the reflection angle for each opportunity are indicated in the reflection schedule, the sensing UE 1010 knows the reflection angle used by the RIS 1004 at the opportunity during which the sensing UE 1010 transmits its sensing signal (e.g., based on the opportunity for transmitting the sensing signal, the sensing UE 1010 knows the reflection angle ). Therefore, the sensing UE 1010 can be based on d target and to calculate the location of the target object 1022. In one aspect, the Doppler shift associated with the movement of the target object 1022 can be used to determine the motion parameters of the target object.

[0170] To avoid the possibility of two vehicles (UEs) with the same angle of incidence relative to the RIS using the same timing to transmit their sensing signals, various aspects of the present disclosure extend the reflection schedule to include a distance value associated with each timing index. Specific information indicated for the reflection schedule may be the angle of incidence, angle of reflection, and distance. In one aspect, a criterion may be used to determine whether the angle of incidence, angle of reflection, or distance is in the outer, middle, or inner loop of the angle-time pattern. In another aspect, this information may be broadcast by the base station or RIS 1004.

[0171] The distance values ​​in the reflection schedule may correspond to the distance between the sensing UE and the RIS at which the sensing UE can use the corresponding incident angle and reflection angle pair. In such a scenario, the sensing UE may determine the desired incident angle and reflection angle pair and locate the occurrence of the pair in the reflection schedule. However, the sensing UE may only transmit and receive sensing signals at the desired incident angle and reflection angle pair at times defined by the distance between the sensing UE and the RIS. Figure 11 An example reflection schedule 1100 including additional distance criteria for selecting an opportunity in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. Using the reflection schedule 1100, vehicles with the same angle of incidence but different distances relative to the RIS will select different opportunities to transmit their sensing signals.

[0172] A UE sharing a RIS may obtain a reflection schedule for the RIS in various ways. For example, the reflection schedule may be received by the UE in a transmission from the RIS and / or a base station. In various aspects, the reflection schedule may be received in: 1) one or more system information blocks (SIBs), 2) a multicast message directed to the UE and one or more other UEs, 3) a unicast message directed to the UE, or 4) any combination thereof.

[0173] exist Figure 10 In the illustrated example, a network node 1002, such as a base station, provides a reflection schedule to the RIS. However, if a base station is not present in the scenario, the reflection schedule may be determined or hard-coded at the RIS. In such a scenario, the RIS itself may broadcast the reflection schedule (e.g., using a corresponding wireless device, such as a UE) for the UE to receive and use. In one aspect, the RIS may broadcast the reflection schedule in a sidelink message.

[0174] Certain aspects of the present disclosure recognize that multiple vehicles within a V2X environment may have the same angle of incidence relative to the RIS and be within the same threshold distance of the RIS (e.g., as determined by the granularity of distances specified in a reflection schedule). Sensing signal transmission conflicts may result in such scenarios. Based on this recognition, certain aspects of the present disclosure contemplate multi-vehicle use of sensing signals transmitted by a single vehicle. Additionally, this multi-vehicle use of sensing signals may be employed even in scenarios where vehicles are outside the same threshold distance of the RIS. In this latter scenario, shared use of sensing signals can be used to reduce RF pollution in the V2X environment.

[0175] To address this scenario, the UE may send an indication on the control channel that the UE is reserving an opportunity for sending its sensing signal. In one aspect, the indication that the UE is reserving an opportunity may be multiple times at equal intervals, unequal intervals, or random intervals (or a combination thereof) to increase the likelihood that another UE monitoring the control channel will detect the reservation. In one aspect, the indication may indicate: 1) the opportunity reserved by the UE for sending the sensing signal, 2) the sensing signal format used to send the sensing signal, 3) the current location of the UE, or 4) any combination thereof. In one aspect, the sensing signal may be broadcast in the control channel resources.

[0176] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, before a UE has an opportunity to reserve sensing signal resources, another UE may reserve the same sensing signal resources required by the UE. In such a scenario, the UE may attempt to determine whether any other UE has reserved sensing signals by monitoring a control channel for indications of timings at which another UE is reserving for transmitting its own set of sensing signals. In one aspect, the timings reserved by the other UE may correspond to timings at which an incident-reflection angle pair at the RIS would reflect the sensing signal transmitted by the UE for the RIS to reflect onto a target area. In such a scenario, the UE may avoid transmitting its sensing signal during the timings reserved by the other UE. Conversely, the UE may receive signals reflected from objects in the target area from the RIS based on the sensing signals transmitted by the other UE, thereby avoiding sensing signal collisions. According to various aspects of the present disclosure, if both a UE and another UE attempt to reserve the same sensing signal resources, priority may be given to the UE closer to the RIS.

[0177] Figure 12 An example V2X environment 1200 according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. In this example, a road 1202 merges with another road 1204 at an intersection 1206. Vehicles traveling along road 1202 have their LOS paths relative to road 1204 blocked by obstacles 1208 (e.g., buildings), preventing vehicles traveling along road 1202 from determining the location of vehicles traveling along road 1204 (and vice versa). To address this issue, a RIS 1210 is located at intersection 1206. RIS 1210 is arranged at intersection 1206 to allow UEs onboard vehicles traveling along road 1202 to transmit sensing signals to detect the location and orientation of objects (e.g., other vehicles) in a target area 1212 on road 1204. Objects within target area 1212 of road 1202 reflect the sensing signal back toward RIS 1210 , which reflects the sensing signal to one or more vehicles traveling along road 1204 .

[0178] exist Figure 12In the example shown, vehicle 1214 and vehicle 1216 are traveling along road 1202, and each vehicle wants to sense an object (e.g., vehicle 1218) in target area 1212. Because target area 1212 is not within the LOS of either vehicle, vehicles 1214 and 1216 must use RIS 1210 to detect the object in target area 1212.

[0179] In this example, vehicles 1214 and 1216 have the same angle of incidence relative to RIS 1210 (e.g., the vehicles have angles of incidence within a threshold value of the same angle of incidence specified in the reflectance schedule). In some scenarios, vehicles 1214 and 1216 may also be within the same threshold distance of RIS 1210 (e.g., the vehicles have distances relative to the RIS within a threshold value of the same distance specified in the reflectance schedule). To avoid sensing signal collisions, certain aspects of the present disclosure involve using sensing signals transmitted by one vehicle (e.g., vehicle 1214) to detect objects in target area 1212 by multiple vehicles (e.g., vehicles 1214 and 1216) that are similarly located relative to RIS 1210 (e.g., within a threshold angle value of the same angle of incidence specified in the reflectance schedule and / or within a threshold distance value of the same distance value specified in the reflectance schedule).

[0180] exist Figure 12 In the illustrated scenario, vehicles 1214 and 1216 may monitor the control channel to determine whether one of the vehicles has reserved an opportunity from the reflection schedule for transmitting its sensing signal. In this example, vehicle 1214 monitors the control channel resources and finds that the opportunity corresponding to its angle of incidence is not reserved. Therefore, vehicle 1214 reserves the desired opportunity by broadcasting the reservation in the control channel resources (e.g., the backup control channel resources) and transmits its sensing signal at the reserved opportunity. In one aspect,

[0181] The vehicle 1216 monitors the control channel resources and determines that the opportunity corresponding to its incident angle is reserved and the indicated sensing signal format is the same as the sensing signal format required by the vehicle 1216. Figure 12 As shown, rather than transmitting its own sensing signal, vehicle 1216 receives a reflected signal 1222 corresponding to the sensing signal 1220 transmitted by vehicle 1214 .

[0182] The vehicle 1216 may be based on the distance d between the RIS 1210 and the target object (eg, the vehicle 1218). targetTo estimate the location of the target object, the UE uses the distance d1 between vehicle 1214 and RIS 1210 and the distance d2 between vehicle 1216 and RIS 1210. Vehicle 1216 measures the total propagation (vehicle 1-RIS-object-RIS-vehicle 2) delay as τ total , and the distance from the vehicle 1216 to the target object 1218 is determined as:

[0183]

[0184] Motion parameters of the target object 1218 may also be determined by the UE from the reflected sensing signal 1222 .

[0185] Figure 13 An example message / signal flow 1300 is shown that may be used for RIS-based position sensing in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 13 The depicted V2X environment includes two UEs, UE 1 and UE 2. UE 1 and UE 2 may be UEs onboard different vehicles traveling along a road. The V2X environment also includes a RIS 1302 shared by UE 1 and UE 2 for detecting objects and target areas (here shown as target object 1304).

[0186] In this example, UE 1 broadcasts its reservation of sensing signal resources at operation 1306. At operation 1308, UE 2 monitors control channel resources for sensing signal resource reservations made by other UEs and detects that UE 1 has reserved the same sensing signal resources (e.g., the same timing) as those required by UE 1 to detect a target object in a target area when in operation.

[0187] At operation 1312, UE 1 transmits its sensing signals toward RIS 1302, which reflects the sensing signals toward the target area at operation 1314. At operation 1316, target object 1304 reflects the sensing signals back to RIS 1302. The sensing signals are then reflected back to RIS 1302 at operation 1316, which reflects them to UE 2 at operation 1318 and to UE 1 at operation 1320. At operation 1322, UE 1 estimates the location of target object 1304 based on the known locations of UE 1 and RIS 1302. Similarly, at operation 1324, UE 2 estimates the location of target object 1304 based on the known locations of UE 2 and RIS 1302. Thus, both UE 1 and UE 2 use the same sensing signals to determine the location of target object 1304.

[0188] The various aspects disclosed above can be used to reduce radio resource consumption for control signaling messages between the RIS and the sensing UE, and also reduce the transmission latency of the sensing signal. According to certain aspects, various features of the present disclosure can be embodied in a standard. In one aspect, the signaling messages, RIS behavior, and UE behavior can be defined in a standard. In various aspects disclosed herein, the RIS can be synchronized with the sensing UE. This synchronization can be achieved using GPS devices used at both the RIS and the sensing UE, or by synchronizing the sensing UE and the RIS to the same base station (gNB).

[0189] Figure 14 An example method 1400 of wireless communication performed by a UE according to various aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. At operation 1402, the UE receives a reflection schedule associated with a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), wherein the reflection schedule indicates one or more incident-reflection angle pairs and an indication of a time to activate the one or more incident-reflection angle pairs at the RIS. In one aspect, operation 1402 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more processors 332, memory 340, and / or positioning component 342, any or all of which may be considered means for performing the operation.

[0190] At operation 1404, the UE transmits one or more sensing signals for reflection by the RIS based on the reflection schedule, wherein the one or more sensing signals are transmitted at one or more opportunities during which at least one of the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs is activated to reflect the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to the target area. In one aspect, operation 1404 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more processors 332, memory 340, and / or positioning component 342, any or all of which may be considered means for performing the operation.

[0191] In some aspects, method 1400 includes determining a location of an object in the target area based on one or more reflections of one or more sensing signals received from the RIS.

[0192] In some aspects, method 1400 includes determining, based at least on the reflection schedule, incident-reflection angle pairs that reflect one or more sensing signals from the RIS to the target area.

[0193] In some aspects, the reflection schedule further indicates a distance from the UE to the RIS at which the UE is authorized to transmit the one or more sensing signals.

[0194] In some aspects, method 1400 includes determining an incidence-reflection angle pair for directing one or more sensing signals from the RIS to a target area; and sending the one or more sensing signals at a time and a distance from the UE to the RIS indicated by a reflection schedule for activating the incidence-reflection angle pair configured to reflect the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to the target area.

[0195] In some aspects, method 1400 includes transmitting, on a control channel, an indication that the UE is reserving one or more opportunities for transmitting the one or more sensing signals.

[0196] In some aspects, the indication that the UE is reserving one or more opportunities for sending one or more sensing signals is sent multiple times at equal time intervals, unequal time intervals, random time intervals, or a combination thereof.

[0197] In some aspects, the reflection schedule is broadcast in control channel resources.

[0198] In some aspects, method 1400 includes broadcasting in a control channel resource an indication of one or more of the opportunities reserved by the UE for sending one or more sensing signals, a sensing signal format for sending the one or more sensing signals, a current location of the UE, or any combination thereof.

[0199] In some aspects, method 1400 includes: receiving an indication on a control channel that another UE is reserving an opportunity for sending one or more second sensing signals, wherein the opportunity reserved by the other UE corresponds to an opportunity in the one or more opportunities at which an incidence-reflection angle pair at the RIS will reflect the one or more sensing signals sent by the UE for reflection by the RIS to a target area; refraining from sending the one or more sensing signals during the opportunity reserved by the other UE; and receiving, from the RIS, a signal reflected from an object in the target area based on the one or more second sensing signals sent by the other UE.

[0200] In some aspects, the UE and the other UE are within a threshold angle of incidence relative to the RIS.

[0201] In some aspects, at the opportunity reserved by the other UE, the other UE is or will be closer to the RIS than the UE.

[0202] In some aspects, the reflection schedule is received from the RIS, received from the base station, hard-coded at the UE, or any combination thereof.

[0203] In some aspects, the reflection schedule is received in one or more system information blocks (SIBs), a multicast message directed to the UE and one or more other UEs, a unicast message directed to the UE, or any combination thereof.

[0204] As will be appreciated, a technical advantage of the method 1400 is that radio resource consumption of control signaling messages between the RIS and the sensing UE is reduced, and also the transmission latency of the sensing signal is reduced.

[0205] Figure 15 An example method 1500 for wireless communication performed by a RIS according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. At operation 1502, the RIS obtains a reflection schedule indicating one or more incident-reflection angle pairs and a time at which the one or more incident-reflection angle pairs are activated at the RIS. In one aspect, operation 1502 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more processors 332, memory 340, positioning component 342, and / or controller 620, any or all of which may be considered means for performing the operation.

[0206] At operation 1504, the RIS controls one or more reflective surfaces of the RIS to activate incident-reflection angle pairs based on the reflectivity schedule. In one aspect, operation 1504 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more processors 332, memory 340, positioning component 342, and / or controller 620, any or all of which may be considered means for performing the operation.

[0207] In some aspects, obtaining the reflection schedule includes: receiving the reflection schedule from a network node; obtaining the reflection schedule at the RIS, wherein the reflection schedule is hard-coded at the RIS; or a combination thereof.

[0208] In some aspects, the reflection schedule further indicates a distance from the UE to the RIS at which the UE is authorized to transmit one or more sensing signals by the UE.

[0209] In some aspects, method 1500 includes broadcasting the reflection schedule for receipt by one or more UEs.

[0210] As will be appreciated, a technical advantage of method 1500 is that radio resource consumption of control signaling messages between the RIS and the sensing UE is reduced, and also the transmission latency of the sensing signal is reduced.

[0211] In the above detailed description, it can be seen that different features are grouped together in each example. This disclosure should not be understood as an intention that the example clauses have more features than the features explicitly mentioned in each clause. On the contrary, the various aspects of the present disclosure may include less than all the features of the disclosed individual example clauses. Therefore, the following clauses should be considered to be incorporated into the description accordingly, where each clause itself can be used as a separate example. Although each dependent clause may refer to a specific combination of a clause with one of the other clauses in a clause, the aspects of the dependent clause are not limited to specific combinations. It should be understood that other example clauses may also include combinations of dependent clause aspects with the subject matter of any other dependent clause or independent clause or combinations of any features with other dependent clauses and independent clauses. The various aspects disclosed herein explicitly include these combinations, unless explicitly expressed or can be easily inferred that a specific combination is not intended to be used (for example, contradictory aspects, such as defining an element as both an electrical insulator and an electrical conductor). In addition, it is also expected that various aspects of a clause may be included in any other independent clause, even if the clause is not directly dependent on the independent clause.

[0212] Specific implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses:

[0213] Clause 1. A wireless communication method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving a reflection schedule associated with a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), wherein the reflection schedule indicates one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs and an indication of times when the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs are activated at the RIS; and sending one or more sensing signals for reflection by the RIS based on the reflection schedule, wherein the one or more sensing signals are sent at one or more occasions during which at least one of the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs is activated to reflect the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to a target area.

[0214] Clause 2. The method of Clause 1, further comprising determining a location of an object in the target area based on one or more reflections of the one or more sensing signals received from the RIS.

[0215] Clause 3. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 2, further comprising determining, based at least on the reflection schedule, incident-reflection angle pairs for reflecting the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to the target area.

[0216] Clause 4. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein: the reflection schedule further indicates a distance from the UE to the RIS at which the UE is authorized to transmit the one or more sensing signals.

[0217] Clause 5. The method according to clause 4, further comprising: determining an incidence-reflection angle pair for directing the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to the target area; and sending the one or more sensing signals at a time indicated by the reflection schedule for activating the incidence-reflection angle pair configured to reflect the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to the target area and at the distance of the UE from the RIS.

[0218] Clause 6. The method of any of clauses 1 to 5, further comprising sending an indication on a control channel that the UE is reserving one or more opportunities for sending the one or more sensing signals.

[0219] Clause 7. The method of clause 6, wherein: the indication that the UE is reserving the one or more opportunities for sending the one or more sensing signals is sent multiple times at equal time intervals, unequal time intervals, random time intervals, or a combination thereof.

[0220] Clause 8. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the reflection schedule is broadcast in a control channel resource.

[0221] Clause 9. A method according to any one of clauses 1 to 8, the method further comprising: broadcasting in a control channel resource an indication of: an opportunity in the one or more occasions reserved by the UE for sending the one or more sensing signals, a sensing signal format for sending the one or more sensing signals, a current location of the UE, or any combination thereof.

[0222] Clause 10. A method according to any one of clauses 1 to 9, the method further comprising: receiving an indication on a control channel that another UE is reserving an opportunity for sending one or more second sensing signals, wherein the opportunity reserved by the other UE corresponds to a timing in the one or more opportunities at which the incidence-reflection angle pair at the RIS will reflect the one or more sensing signals sent by the UE for reflection by the RIS to the target area; avoiding sending the one or more sensing signals during the opportunity reserved by the other UE; and receiving, from the RIS, a signal reflected from an object in the target area based on the one or more second sensing signals sent by the other UE.

[0223] Clause 11. The method of clause 10, wherein: the UE and the other UE are within a threshold angle of incidence relative to the RIS.

[0224] Clause 12. The method of any of clauses 10 to 11, wherein: at the opportunity reserved by the other UE, the other UE is or will be closer to the RIS than the UE.

[0225] Clause 13. The method of any of clauses 1 to 12, wherein: the reflection schedule is received from the RIS, received from a base station, hard-coded at the UE, or any combination thereof.

[0226] Clause 14. A method according to any one of clauses 1 to 13, wherein: the reflection schedule is received in one or more system information blocks (SIBs), a multicast message directed to the UE and one or more other UEs, a unicast message directed to the UE, or any combination thereof.

[0227] Clause 15. A method performed by a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), the method comprising: obtaining a reflection schedule, the reflection schedule indicating one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs and an indication of a time to activate the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs at the RIS; and controlling one or more reflective surfaces of the RIS to activate the incidence-reflection angle pairs based on the reflection schedule.

[0228] Clause 16. The method of clause 15, wherein obtaining the reflection schedule comprises: receiving the reflection schedule from a network node; obtaining the reflection schedule at the RIS, wherein the reflection schedule is hard-coded at the RIS; or a combination thereof.

[0229] Clause 17. The method of any one of clauses 15 to 16, wherein: the reflection schedule further indicates a distance from the UE to the RIS at which the UE is authorized to transmit the one or more sensing signals.

[0230] Clause 18. The method of any of clauses 15 to 17, further comprising broadcasting the reflection schedule for reception by one or more UEs.

[0231] Clause 19. A user equipment (UE), comprising: a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor, the at least one processor being communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor being configured to: receive, via the at least one transceiver, a reflection schedule associated with a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), wherein the reflection schedule indicates one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs and an indication of a time at which the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs are activated at the RIS; and send, via the at least one transceiver, one or more sensing signals for reflection by the RIS based on the reflection schedule, wherein the one or more sensing signals are sent at one or more occasions during which at least one of the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs is activated to reflect the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to a target area.

[0232] Clause 20. The UE of clause 19, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine a location of an object in the target area based on one or more reflections of the one or more sensing signals received from the RIS.

[0233] Clause 21. A UE according to any of clauses 19 to 20, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: determine, based at least on the reflection schedule, incident-reflection angle pairs for reflecting the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to the target area.

[0234] Clause 22. A UE as described in any of clauses 19 to 21, wherein: the reflection schedule further indicates a distance from the UE to the RIS at which the UE is authorized to transmit the one or more sensing signals.

[0235] Clause 23. A UE according to clause 22, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: determine an incidence-reflection angle pair for directing the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to the target area; and send the one or more sensing signals via the at least one transceiver at a time indicated by the reflection schedule for activating the incidence-reflection angle pair configured to reflect the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to the target area and at the distance of the UE from the RIS.

[0236] Clause 24. A UE as described in any of clauses 19 to 23, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: send, via the at least one transceiver, an indication on a control channel that the UE is reserving one or more opportunities for sending the one or more sensing signals.

[0237] Clause 25. The UE of clause 24, wherein the indication that the UE is reserving the one or more opportunities for sending the one or more sensing signals is sent multiple times at equal time intervals, unequal time intervals, random time intervals, or a combination thereof.

[0238] Clause 26. A UE as defined in any one of clauses 19 to 25, wherein the reflection schedule is broadcast in a control channel resource.

[0239] Clause 27. A UE according to any one of clauses 19 to 26, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: broadcast in a control channel resource an indication of: an opportunity in the one or more occasions reserved by the UE for sending the one or more sensing signals, a sensing signal format for sending the one or more sensing signals, a current location of the UE, or any combination thereof.

[0240] Clause 28. A UE according to any one of clauses 19 to 27, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive, via the at least one transceiver, an indication on a control channel that another UE is reserving an opportunity for sending one or more second sensing signals, wherein the opportunity reserved by the other UE corresponds to a timing in the one or more opportunities at which the incidence-reflection angle pair at the RIS will reflect the one or more sensing signals sent by the UE for reflection by the RIS to the target area; avoid sending the one or more sensing signals during the opportunity reserved by the other UE; and receive, via the at least one transceiver, a signal reflected from an object in the target area from the RIS based on the one or more second sensing signals sent by the other UE.

[0241] Clause 29. The UE of clause 28, wherein: the UE and the other UE are within a threshold angle of incidence relative to the RIS.

[0242] Clause 30. A UE as set forth in any of clauses 28 to 29, wherein: at the opportunity reserved by the other UE, the other UE is or will be closer to the RIS than the UE.

[0243] Clause 31. A UE as set forth in any of clauses 19 to 30, wherein the reflection schedule is received from the RIS, received from a base station, hard-coded at the UE, or any combination thereof.

[0244] Clause 32. A UE according to any one of clauses 19 to 31, wherein: the reflection schedule is received in one or more system information blocks (SIBs), a multicast message directed to the UE and one or more other UEs, a unicast message directed to the UE, or any combination thereof.

[0245] Item 33. A reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), comprising: a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor, the at least one processor being communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor being configured to: obtain a reflection schedule indicating one or more incident-reflection angle pairs and an indication of a time to activate the one or more incident-reflection angle pairs at the RIS; and control one or more reflective surfaces of the RIS to activate the incident-reflection angle pairs based on the reflection schedule.

[0246] Clause 34. The RIS of clause 33, wherein the at least one processor is configured to obtain the reflection schedule, comprising the at least one processor being configured to: receive the reflection schedule from a network node via the at least one transceiver; obtain the reflection schedule at the RIS, wherein the reflection schedule is hard-coded at the RIS; or a combination thereof.

[0247] Clause 35. The RIS of any of clauses 33 to 34, wherein: the reflection schedule further indicates a distance from the UE to the RIS at which a UE is authorized to transmit the one or more sensing signals.

[0248] Clause 36. The RIS of any of clauses 33 to 35, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to broadcast the reflection schedule for reception by one or more UEs.

[0249] Clause 37. A user equipment (UE), comprising: a component for receiving a reflection schedule associated with a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), wherein the reflection schedule indicates one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs and an indication of times when the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs are activated at the RIS; and a component for sending one or more sensing signals for reflection by the RIS based on the reflection schedule, wherein the one or more sensing signals are sent at one or more occasions during which at least one of the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs is activated to reflect the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to a target area.

[0250] Clause 38. The UE of clause 37, further comprising means for determining a location of an object in the target area based on one or more reflections of the one or more sensing signals received from the RIS.

[0251] Clause 39. A UE according to any of clauses 37 to 38, the UE further comprising means for determining, based at least on the reflection schedule, incident-reflection angle pairs for reflecting the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to the target area.

[0252] Clause 40. A UE as described in any of clauses 37 to 39, wherein: the reflection schedule further indicates a distance from the UE to the RIS at which the UE is authorized to transmit the one or more sensing signals.

[0253] Clause 41. The UE of clause 40, further comprising: means for determining an incidence-reflection angle pair for directing the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to the target area; and means for transmitting the one or more sensing signals at a time indicated by the reflection schedule for activating the incidence-reflection angle pair configured to reflect the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to the target area and at the distance of the UE from the RIS.

[0254] Clause 42. A UE as set forth in any of clauses 37 to 41, the UE further comprising means for transmitting, on a control channel, an indication that the UE is reserving one or more opportunities for transmitting the one or more sensing signals.

[0255] Clause 43. The UE of clause 42, wherein the indication that the UE is reserving the one or more opportunities for sending the one or more sensing signals is sent multiple times at equal time intervals, unequal time intervals, random time intervals, or a combination thereof.

[0256] Clause 44. A UE as defined in any of clauses 37 to 43, wherein the reflection schedule is broadcast in a control channel resource.

[0257] Clause 45. A UE according to any of clauses 37 to 44, the UE further comprising: broadcasting in a control channel resource an indication of: an opportunity in the one or more occasions reserved by the UE for sending the one or more sensing signals, a sensing signal format for sending the one or more sensing signals, a current location of the UE, or any combination thereof.

[0258] Clause 46. A UE according to any of clauses 37 to 45, the UE further comprising: means for receiving an indication on a control channel that another UE is reserving an opportunity for sending one or more second sensing signals, wherein the opportunity reserved by the other UE corresponds to an opportunity in the one or more opportunities at which the incidence-reflection angle pair at the RIS will reflect the one or more sensing signals sent by the UE for reflection by the RIS to the target area; means for avoiding sending the one or more sensing signals during the opportunity reserved by the other UE; and means for receiving, from the RIS, a signal reflected from an object in the target area based on the one or more second sensing signals sent by the other UE.

[0259] Clause 47. The UE of clause 46, wherein: the UE and the other UE are within a threshold angle of incidence relative to the RIS.

[0260] Clause 48. A UE as set forth in any one of clauses 46 to 47, wherein: at the opportunity reserved by the other UE, the other UE is or will be closer to the RIS than the UE.

[0261] Clause 49. A UE as set forth in any of clauses 37 to 48, wherein the reflection schedule is received from the RIS, received from a base station, hard-coded at the UE, or any combination thereof.

[0262] Clause 50. A UE according to any one of clauses 37 to 49, wherein: the reflection schedule is received in one or more system information blocks (SIBs), a multicast message directed to the UE and one or more other UEs, a unicast message directed to the UE, or any combination thereof.

[0263] Item 51. A reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), comprising: a component for obtaining a reflection schedule, the reflection schedule indicating one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs and an indication of the time at which the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs are activated at the RIS; and a component for controlling one or more reflective surfaces of the RIS to activate the incidence-reflection angle pairs based on the reflection schedule.

[0264] Clause 52. The RIS of clause 51, wherein the means for obtaining the reflection schedule comprises: means for receiving the reflection schedule from a network node; and means for obtaining the reflection schedule at the RIS, wherein the reflection schedule is hard-coded at the RIS; or a combination thereof.

[0265] Clause 53. The RIS of any of clauses 51 to 52, wherein: the reflection schedule further indicates a distance from the UE to the RIS at which a UE is authorized to transmit the one or more sensing signals.

[0266] Clause 54. The RIS of any of clauses 51 to 53, further comprising means for broadcasting the reflection schedule for reception by one or more UEs.

[0267] Clause 55. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to: receive a reflection schedule associated with a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), wherein the reflection schedule indicates one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs and an indication of times at which the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs are activated at the RIS; and send one or more sensing signals for reflection by the RIS based on the reflection schedule, wherein the one or more sensing signals are sent at one or more occasions during which at least one of the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs is activated to reflect the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to a target area.

[0268] Clause 56. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 55, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to perform the following operations: determine the location of an object in the target area based on one or more reflections of the one or more sensing signals received from the RIS.

[0269] Clause 57. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 55 to 56, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to perform the following operations: determine, based at least on the reflection schedule, an incident-reflection angle pair for reflecting the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to the target area.

[0270] Clause 58. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of clauses 55 to 57, wherein: the reflection schedule further indicates a distance from the UE to the RIS at which the UE is authorized to transmit the one or more sensing signals.

[0271] Clause 59. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to clause 58, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to: determine an incidence-reflection angle pair for directing the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to the target area; and send the one or more sensing signals at a time indicated by the reflection schedule for activating the incidence-reflection angle pair configured to reflect the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to the target area and at the distance of the UE from the RIS.

[0272] Clause 60. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 55 to 59, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to: send an indication on a control channel of one or more opportunities that the UE is reserving for sending the one or more sensing signals.

[0273] Clause 61. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to clause 60, wherein: the indication that the UE is reserving the one or more opportunities for sending the one or more sensing signals is sent multiple times at equal time intervals, unequal time intervals, random time intervals, or a combination thereof.

[0274] Clause 62. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of clauses 55 to 61, wherein the reflection schedule is broadcast in a control channel resource.

[0275] Clause 63. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 55 to 62, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to: broadcast in a control channel resource an indication of: a timing of the one or more timings reserved by the UE for sending the one or more sensing signals, a sensing signal format for sending the one or more sensing signals, a current location of the UE, or any combination thereof.

[0276] Clause 64. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 55 to 63, the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to: receive an indication on a control channel that another UE is reserving an opportunity for sending one or more second sensing signals, wherein the opportunity reserved by the other UE corresponds to an opportunity in the one or more opportunities at which the incidence-reflection angle pair at the RIS will reflect the one or more sensing signals sent by the UE for reflection by the RIS to the target area; avoid sending the one or more sensing signals during the opportunity reserved by the other UE; and receive, from the RIS, a signal reflected from an object in the target area based on the one or more second sensing signals sent by the other UE.

[0277] Clause 65. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 64, wherein: the UE and the other UE are within a threshold angle of incidence relative to the RIS.

[0278] Clause 66. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 64 to 65, wherein: at the opportunity reserved by the other UE, the other UE is or will be closer to the RIS than the UE.

[0279] Clause 67. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of clauses 55 to 66, wherein: the reflection schedule is received from the RIS, received from a base station, hard-coded at the UE, or any combination thereof.

[0280] Clause 68. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 55 to 67, wherein: the reflection schedule is received in one or more system information blocks (SIBs), a multicast message directed to the UE and one or more other UEs, a unicast message directed to the UE, or any combination thereof.

[0281] Item 69. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), cause the RIS to: obtain a reflection schedule indicating one or more incident-reflection angle pairs and an indication of a time at which the one or more incident-reflection angle pairs are to be activated at the RIS; and control one or more reflective surfaces of the RIS to activate the incident-reflection angle pairs based on the reflection schedule.

[0282] Clause 70. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to clause 69, wherein the computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the RIS, cause the RIS to obtain the reflection schedule include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the RIS, cause the RIS to perform the following operations: receive the reflection schedule from a network node; obtain the reflection schedule at the RIS, wherein the reflection schedule is hard-coded at the RIS; or a combination thereof.

[0283] Clause 71. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of clauses 69 to 70, wherein: the reflection schedule further indicates a distance from the UE to the RIS at which the UE is authorized to transmit the one or more sensing signals.

[0284] Clause 72. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 69 to 71, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the RIS, cause the RIS to broadcast the reflection schedule for reception by one or more UEs.

[0285] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different techniques and methods. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, light fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0286] In addition, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithmic steps described in conjunction with the various aspects disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination thereof. In order to clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been generally described above in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints proposed for the entire system. Those skilled in the art can implement the described functions in different ways for each specific application, but such specific implementation decisions should not be interpreted as resulting in departure from the scope of this disclosure.

[0287] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the various aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, a combination of one or more microprocessors and a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0288] The methods, sequences, and / or algorithms described in conjunction with the various aspects disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. 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. An example storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. In an alternative embodiment, 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 an alternative embodiment, the processor and the storage medium may reside in the user terminal as discrete components.

[0289] In one or more example aspects, the described functions may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium or sent via a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include both computer storage media and communication media, which include any media that facilitate the transfer of computer programs from one place to another. Storage media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, 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. Moreover, any connection is appropriately referred to as a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is sent from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwaves, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwaves are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc. Disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0290] Although the foregoing disclosure illustrates exemplary aspects of the present disclosure, it should be noted that various changes and modifications may be made herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. The functions, steps, and / or actions of the method claims according to the various aspects of the present disclosure described herein do not need to be performed in any particular order. In addition, although elements of the present disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, plural forms may also be considered unless explicitly stated to be limited to the singular.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving a reflection schedule associated with a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), wherein the reflection schedule indicates one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs and an indication of times to activate the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs at the RIS; as well as One or more sensing signals are sent for reflection by the RIS based on the reflection schedule, wherein the one or more sensing signals are sent at one or more occasions during which at least one of the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs is activated to reflect the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to the target area.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The location of an object in the target area is determined based on one or more reflections of the one or more sensing signals received from the RIS.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Incident-reflection angle pairs that reflect the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to the target area are determined based at least on the reflection schedule.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The reflection schedule further indicates a distance between the UE and the RIS at which the UE is authorized to transmit the one or more sensing signals.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: determining an incidence-reflection angle pair for directing the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to the target area; as well as The one or more sensing signals are transmitted at the time indicated by the reflection schedule for activating the incidence-reflection angle pair configured to reflect the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to the target area and at the distance of the UE from the RIS.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: An indication is sent on a control channel that the UE is reserving one or more opportunities for sending the one or more sensing signals.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The indication that the UE is reserving the one or more opportunities for sending the one or more sensing signals is sent multiple times at equal time intervals, unequal time intervals, random time intervals, or a combination thereof.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The reflection schedule is broadcast in control channel resources.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: broadcasting in a control channel resource an indication of: an opportunity among the one or more opportunities reserved by the UE for sending the one or more sensing signals, a sensing signal format for sending the one or more sensing signals, The current location of the UE, or Any combination of them.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving an indication on a control channel that another UE is reserving an opportunity for transmitting one or more second sensing signals, wherein the opportunity reserved by the other UE corresponds to an opportunity in the one or more opportunities at which the incidence-reflection angle pair at the RIS will reflect the one or more sensing signals transmitted by the UE for reflection by the RIS onto the target area; refraining from transmitting the one or more sensing signals during the opportunity reserved by the other UE; as well as A signal reflected from an object in the target area is received from the RIS based on the one or more second sensing signals transmitted by the other UE.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The UE and the another UE are within a threshold angle of incidence relative to the RIS.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein: At the opportunity reserved by the other UE, the other UE is or will be closer to the RIS than the UE.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein: The reflection schedule is received from the RIS, received from a base station, hard-coded at the UE, or any combination thereof.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein: The reflection schedule is received in one or more system information blocks (SIBs), a multicast message directed to the UE and one or more other UEs, a unicast message directed to the UE, or any combination thereof.

15. A method performed by a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), the method comprising: obtaining a reflectance schedule indicating one or more incidence-reflectance angle pairs and an indication of times to activate the one or more incidence-reflectance angle pairs at the RIS; as well as One or more reflective surfaces of the RIS are controlled to activate the incident-reflection angle pairs based on the reflectance schedule.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein obtaining the reflexology schedule comprises: receiving the reflection schedule from a network node; obtaining the reflection schedule at the RIS, wherein the reflection schedule is hard-decoded at the RIS; or A combination of them.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein: The reflection schedule further indicates a distance from the UE to the RIS at which the UE is authorized to transmit the one or more sensing signals.

18. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: The reflection schedule is broadcasted for reception by one or more UEs.

19. A user equipment (UE), comprising: Memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: receiving, via the at least one transceiver, a reflection schedule associated with a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), wherein the reflection schedule indicates one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs and an indication of times to activate the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs at the RIS; as well as One or more sensing signals are transmitted via the at least one transceiver for reflection by the RIS based on the reflection schedule, wherein the one or more sensing signals are transmitted at one or more occasions during which at least one of the one or more incidence-reflection angle pairs is activated for reflecting the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to a target area.

20. The UE of claim 19, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: The location of an object in the target area is determined based on one or more reflections of the one or more sensing signals received from the RIS.

21. The UE of claim 19, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: Incident-reflection angle pairs that reflect the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to the target area are determined based at least on the reflection schedule.

22. The UE according to claim 19, wherein: The reflection schedule further indicates a distance between the UE and the RIS at which the UE is authorized to transmit the one or more sensing signals.

23. The UE of claim 22, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: determining an incidence-reflection angle pair for directing the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to the target area; and The one or more sensing signals are transmitted via the at least one transceiver at a time indicated by the reflection schedule for activating the incidence-reflection angle pair configured to reflect the one or more sensing signals from the RIS to the target area and at the distance of the UE from the RIS.

24. The UE of claim 19, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: An indication is sent on a control channel via the at least one transceiver that the UE is reserving one or more opportunities for sending the one or more sensing signals.

25. The UE according to claim 24, wherein: The indication that the UE is reserving the one or more opportunities for sending the one or more sensing signals is sent multiple times at equal time intervals, unequal time intervals, random time intervals, or a combination thereof.

26. The UE according to claim 19, wherein: The reflection schedule is broadcast in control channel resources.

27. The UE of claim 19, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: broadcasting in a control channel resource an indication of: an opportunity among the one or more opportunities reserved by the UE for sending the one or more sensing signals, a sensing signal format for sending the one or more sensing signals, The current location of the UE, or Any combination of them.

28. The UE of claim 19, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receiving, via the at least one transceiver, an indication on a control channel that another UE is reserving an opportunity for transmitting one or more second sensing signals, wherein the opportunity reserved by the other UE corresponds to an opportunity in the one or more opportunities at which the incidence-reflection angle pair at the RIS will reflect the one or more sensing signals transmitted by the UE for reflection by the RIS onto the target area; refraining from transmitting the one or more sensing signals during the opportunity reserved by the other UE; as well as A signal reflected from an object in the target area is received from the RIS via the at least one transceiver based on the one or more second sensing signals transmitted by the other UE.

29. The UE according to claim 19, wherein: The reflection schedule is received from the RIS, received from a base station, hard-coded at the UE, or 30. A reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), comprising: Memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: obtaining a reflectance schedule indicating one or more incidence-reflectance angle pairs and an indication of times to activate the one or more incidence-reflectance angle pairs at the RIS; as well as One or more reflective surfaces of the RIS are controlled to activate the incident-reflection angle pairs based on the reflectance schedule.

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