Radar sensing using adaptive phase change device (APD)

Abstract

The present disclosure provides devices, methods, and systems for radar sensing using adaptive phase change devices (APDs). An example apparatus (e.g., base station, user equipment, satellite network entity, etc.) first transmits (340) initial radar signals in multiple directions to identify occluded objects. Based on the identified location of the occluded object, the device may employ (366) to assist in causing the signal to bypass the APD of at least one occluded object (e.g., based on its registered location) (such as an APD positioned to reflect radio waves from the device to reach behind the occluded object). The apparatus causes the APD to change (377) the phase vector to change the reflection direction of the APD radar sensing signal to scan an occluded object occluded by the occlusion object. When the device finds the occluded object, the device determines (386) an APD configuration set for the occluded object-specific signal path.

Description

Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 492,615, titled “RADAR SENSING USING ADAPTIVE PHASE-CHANGING DEVICES (APDS),” filed March 28, 2023, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to positioning sensing related to wireless communications. BACKGROUND

[0003] Radio detection and ranging (radar) uses electromagnetic waves to determine the distance and velocity of objects, which can reveal the position of the objects. A radar system or device typically includes a transmitter that produces electromagnetic waves, a transmit antenna, a receive antenna, a receiver, and a processor to determine properties of the objects (e.g., distance, velocity, etc.). The radar system or device can use time of flight (e.g., the time of travel between transmission from the transmit antenna and reception at the receive antenna) or frequency-modulated continuous wave changes (e.g., changes in the phase of the radio waves) to determine the properties.

[0004] Modern wireless communication devices use radio waves for communication. These wireless devices can use the same radio waves for radar ranging and sensing to determine the position of other wireless devices (e.g., for transmitting radio beams in a particular direction to improve signal strength). Such wireless devices often face obstacles or obstructions that impede or prohibit radar ranging and sensing from detecting the position of the compatible wireless communication devices. SUMMARY

[0005] The present disclosure provides methods, systems, and techniques for acquiring obstacle information during wireless communication with compatible communication devices in order to cause signal paths to bypass these obstacles. High frequency radio waves, such as used in 5thgeneration (5G) communications and beyond, can be subject to signal obstruction or degradation by various stationary or mobile obstacles (e.g., walls, windows, water vapor, human bodies, etc.). A network entity (e.g., a base station (BS)) can perform beamforming (e.g., changing the directional properties of transmit and receive beams) to identify a signal path with the best signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In the absence of obstacles, such a signal path is typically a line-of-sight (e.g., a straight line between two points in space).

[0006] However, when the line of sight is obstructed, the network entity can utilize an adaptive phase-changing device (APD) to change the beam direction (e.g., by reflection) and to make a signal path around the obstacle. Such APDs include reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS), also known as intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRS), and wireless control modules. The APD includes a plurality of configurable antenna elements that can change the direction of signal reflection by changing the respective phase of the antenna elements.

[0007] According to aspects of the present disclosure, the network entity trains the APD to assist in radar ranging (or joint radar and communication signaling). The APD or other entity such as a server provides the network entity with positioning or location information of the APD so that the network entity can select the APD. The training of the APD includes varying the APD in terms of various possible configurations (e.g., testing different beam directions at the network entity and reflection angles of the APD) to identify an APD configuration that makes a signal path around a known obstacle. For example, the network entity uses a radar signal and detects reflections of the radar signal (if any) to determine an APD configuration that makes a signal path around the obstacle and that can be received by a compatible wireless communication device.

[0008] A radar signal reflection from an obstructed / unknown object indicates that a temporarily configured APD has reflected a radar sensing signal behind the obstacle. This APD configuration establishes a signal path and allows the network entity to further investigate (e.g., attempt to communicate with the obstructed object using the reflected signal instead of the line of sight signal). The network entity can perform such training without knowing the obstacle information in the surrounding environment (e.g., behind the known obstacle when using the APD), thereby saving a significant amount of resource expenditure (e.g., no feedback signaling from the UE is needed). In the present disclosure, an “obstructed object” refers to an unknown object that is obstructed by an obstacle such that a detector cannot reach the obstructed object by a line of sight signal. The obstructed object can include a UE device that is capable of communication and a non-UE object (e.g., any object that reflects a radar sensing signal).

[0009] According to aspects of the example method, the device first transmits initial radar signals in a plurality of directions to identify an obstructing object (or a plurality of obstructing objects). For example, upon receiving a reflection of at least a portion of the radar signals, the device identifies at least one obstructing object location of at least one obstructing object using various radar sensing techniques. Based on the identified location of the at least one obstructing object, the device selects an APD that is positioned to reflect radio waves from the device to reach behind the obstructing object. In some cases, the device stores pre-registered locations of a plurality of APDs. The device also controls the APD.

[0010] The device then transmits radar signals in a fine direction toward the APD. The device controls the APD to generate a plurality of APD radar signals in various directions. The plurality of APD radar signals in the various directions enable the device to detect a concealed object behind an occluding object. When the concealed object reflects the radar signals back to the APD and to the device, the device determines a set of configuration parameters of a radio transmission path via the APD. For example, the set of configuration parameters of the radio transmission path can include parameters of the device for transmission in the fine direction, a phase change configuration of the APD, and other ranging or mobility attributes of the concealed object.

[0011] Generally, the radar sensing and communication signaling device can be implemented in a base station (e.g., as a monostatic radar system), a non-terrestrial network entity, a (mobile) UE, or any wireless device capable of performing radar sensing and communication. An occluding object reflects, attenuates, or interferes with a passing radio signal. A concealed object can include any object behind an occluding object that is initially identified by radar sensing. The concealed object can include (but need not) a wireless device capable of signal transmission with the device, as the present disclosure provides various techniques for determining configuration parameters of a signal path via an APD without requiring an active signal emitted by the concealed object (i.e., the return of the radar signal is passive). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] The described embodiments and the advantages thereof can best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] Figure 1 is a diagram depicting a first example environment for radar sensing using an adaptive phase change device (APD) to overcome at least one obstacle in accordance with some embodiments;

[0014] Figure 2 is a diagram depicting a second example environment for radar sensing using an APD to overcome two or more obstacles in accordance with some embodiments;

[0015] Figure 3 is a signaling diagram depicting a first example method of radar sensing using an APD to overcome at least one obstacle in accordance with some embodiments;

[0016] Figure 4 is a signaling diagram depicting a second example method of radar sensing using an APD to overcome two or more obstacles in accordance with some embodiments;

[0017] Figure 5is a flow diagram depicting an example method for radar sensing using APDs, according to some embodiments;

[0018] Figure 6 is a flow diagram depicting an example method for radar sensing using APDs, according to some embodiments; and

[0019] Figure 7 is a block diagram of an example apparatus diagram depicting an apparatus for performing radar sensing using APDs, according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Wireless apparatuses such as base stations (BSs), user equipment (UEs), and the like (e.g., non-terrestrial network entities) can use radio waves for both communication signaling and positioning sensing, which is referred to as joint communication and radar sensing. Joint communication and radar sensing uses millimeter waves that are compliant with Fifth Generation (5G) New Radio (NR) standards and beyond, such that both functions can employ the same set of hardware (e.g., transmitters, receivers, processors, and the like) while using respective software implementations (e.g., by using a software-defined radio). For example, when the wireless apparatuses use massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) and / or beamforming (e.g., using directional and narrow radio beams), the wireless apparatuses can use common spatial access principles for both communication systems and radar systems.

[0021] Radar sensing capabilities can provide advantages in various communication applications including beamforming, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) positioning sensing, and the like. Radar sensing includes transmitting radio waves and analyzing the echoes of the radio waves (if any) to determine properties of an object (here, an obstacle, obstruction, or other wireless apparatus). These properties can include the object’s distance (or range), direction, and speed of movement. The radar apparatus (integrated in the aforementioned wireless apparatuses) can include a monostatic radar with a receiver co-located with a transmitter, or a bistatic radar with a transmitter and receiver spaced apart by a certain distance. In either configuration, the radar apparatus can use non-continuous waves (in time-of-flight) or continuous waves (including frequency modulation).

[0022] In joint communication and radar sensing, a wireless device utilizes cooperative or joint use of space-time resources for both communication links and radar sensing echoes. For example, a signal beam formed by an antenna array or panel can perform both downlink / uplink communication and perform signal processing for radar detection. In some cases, in addition to communicating with one or more compatible communication devices, a wireless device can also perform bistatic radar sensing (e.g., using one of the compatible communication devices as a receiver for radar sensing signals). In some cases, a wireless device can perform hybrid monostatic and bistatic sensing to enable vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication and radar sensing. Although the following discussion uses monostatic radar sensing as an example (e.g., in Figure 1 and Figure 3 a person having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that examples can also use bistatic radar sensing (e.g., in Figure 2 and Figure 4 ).

[0023] In either case, conventional wireless devices generally require line-of-sight reflections (sometimes referred to as “echoes”) to enable radar sensing. That is, if an occluded object (e.g., a device that is in an established communication) is moving and moves behind an occlusion, the communication will terminate and radar sensing will not be able to identify an updated position of the occluded object because the occlusion will also occlude the radar sensing waves. The present disclosure solves such problems by using one or more adaptive phase change devices (APDs) to reflect radar sensing waves around an occlusion in order to obtain an updated position of an occluded device without needing to return a communication signal from the device. After a wireless device obtains an updated position of a moving communication device, the wireless device can quickly and efficiently identify a new communication beam / channel with the occluded device based on the updated position (e.g., while using an APD to bypass the occlusion). Because joint communication and radar sensing use high frequency radio waves that are susceptible to occlusion, the present disclosure focuses on using APDs to enable bypassing obstacles.

[0024] The APD includes a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), also known as an intelligent reflecting surface (IRS), that includes a plurality of antenna elements that are tunable to interact (passively or actively) with electromagnetic waves. For example, a passive RIS can include an array of antenna elements of sub-wavelength size that have properties such as reflection, negative refraction, absorption, or scattering. A RIS controller applies or configures phase vectors of the RIS elements to change the reflection properties (e.g., change the output direction of a radio wave reflection). In some cases, the configuration of the RIS elements uses similar principles as beamforming (using antenna elements to control the direction of a wave front by weighting the amplitude and / or phase). Thus, even if the device and the APD maintain a relatively constant position with respect to each other, the device can configure the APD to generate reflected beams in various directions by controlling the phase vectors and other configuration aspects of the APD. Although the following examples use phase vectors as a general term to discuss controlling the APD, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various parameters of aspects of the APD can also be controlled or adjusted depending on the specific case. In some examples, APD and RIS are interchangeable terms.

[0025] The present disclosure provides example devices, systems, and methods for identifying radio transmission signal paths using radar sensing with APD assistance to address issues related to blockage of high frequency radio waves. For example, when a device wishes to communicate with a compatible communication device behind a blocking object, the device can use radar for localization sensing before attempting communication signaling. The device can use the disclosed methods to learn the obstacle environment in order to make better beamforming decisions, or to find updated locations of known devices that have moved behind obstacles or experienced blockage due to the intervention of moving obstacles, among other use cases.

[0026] Radar sensing using APDs faces multiple challenges. First, when a network entity accesses multiple APDs located at different locations, the network entity can not know how to select a particular APD to bypass a particular but unknown obstacle. Second, the network entity attempts to configure the incident and reflection angles of a particular APD to reach a blocked object (that can be moving) that is blocked by an obstacle. For the purposes of radar sensing, the moving blocked object can be: a UE or a device capable of communicating with the network entity; or an object that is not capable of communicating with the network entity. Third, the network entity should perform these operations in a resource-efficient manner. The present disclosure provides methods and techniques to address these challenges. For example, the present disclosure addresses the problem of obstacle identification and APD configuration inefficiency by having the network entity perform radar sensing to estimate the obstacle location and narrow down the available signal directions to bypass the obstacle for a signal path. In this way, the network entity can better select an APD from multiple available APDs to reach a UE device.

[0027] For example, a wireless communication device controlling APDs can identify at least one occluded object location of at least one occluded object based on reflections of radar signals by first transmitting radar signals in various directions, thereby identifying radio transmission signal paths around the obstruction. After identifying the at least one occluded object location, the device selects one or more available APDs to determine signal paths to occluded objects behind the at least one occluded object. The hardware of the wireless communication device (often referred to as the “device”) for radar sensing also performs communication signaling. Generally, the devices described herein can be network entities or UE devices. The devices are described below from a high level and examples are provided for specific cases when the device is a network entity and when the device is a UE device.

[0028] During operation, the device first performs preliminary radar sensing without using any APDs and detects at least one occluded object location (when the device does not detect an occluded object, the device will operate using line-of-sight joint radar communication signaling without involving APDs). Based on the results of the preliminary radar sensing, the device models its surroundings using the at least one occluded object (e.g., size, direction, and distance relative to the device).

[0029] Second, the device uses the relative locations of: (1) the device, (2) APDs that have registered their locations with the device, and (3) the at least one occluded object detected based on the preliminary radar sensing to select, from one or more deployed APDs, APDs that can geometrically enable signals from the device to bypass the at least one occluded object (e.g., the geometric constraints depend on how much the APD can change the direction of the signal). For example, the device selects APDs that can geometrically reflect the signal paths around the occluded object (i.e., evasive reflection paths that avoid the occluded object).

[0030] When multiple APDs are available, the device can store registrations of the respective locations of the multiple APDs. The registrations can include initial registrations, updated registrations, or both. The initial or updated registration information can include the initial or updated locations (e.g., adjustable) and the reflection configurations supported by the APDs. The device can select APDs that provide good coverage (e.g., range, distance, or signal strength) behind the at least one occluded object. When two or more APDs provide alternative signal paths that evade the occluded object, the device can select one based on a rule or user preference (e.g., random selection, sequential selection, user indication, etc.).

[0031] Third, after selecting the APD, the device emits radar signals in a fine direction towards the APD. The fine direction avoids the at least one obstructing object. Thus, the device can emit radar signals around the obstructing object and use the APD to reflect the radar signals to go around or avoid the at least one obstructing object. Using a control signal to the APD, the device changes the reflection configuration of the APD to produce APD radar signals in multiple directions. At least some of the APD radar signals in the multiple directions can reach the obstructed object behind the at least one obstructing object.

[0032] When the device configures the APD to change the reflection angle of the APD radar signals, the device can initiate the change of the angle by detecting the expiration of a timer corresponding to the radar sensing range or by detecting a reflection from the obstructed object via the APD. Upon detecting the expiration or the reflection, the device can update the APD configuration to change the radar signal reflection in a next direction of the multiple directions. Since the same signal path formed with the APD can be applicable to both radar sensing and signal communication, the device can obtain a set of configuration parameters for a (future) radio transmission signal path via the APD in order to wirelessly communicate with the obstructed object (when the obstructed object is able to signal with the device). The set of configuration parameters corresponds to one of the multiple directions of the APD radar signals.

[0033] In some cases, if the device does not detect a radar sensing reflection of the APD radar signals (e.g., indicating that the device has not detected the obstructed object behind the at least one obstructing object), the APD can use a default set of configuration parameters. In some cases, the device detects multiple obstructed objects. Then, the device can configure the APD (by applying a corresponding set of configuration parameters to each of the multiple obstructed objects) to direct the radar sensing signals to one of the multiple obstructed objects (or sequentially to all of the multiple obstructed objects) based on certain criteria (e.g., distance from the APD, speed of movement, etc.). For example, the device can prioritize radar sensing of the obstructed object closest to the APD among the multiple obstructed objects.

[0034] The apparatus can use the transmitter and receiver for monostatic radar sensing. The radar transmitter and radar receiver can be the same as the existing transmitter and receiver used for signal communication, or can be a dedicated transmitter / receiver for radar sensing. For example, when the apparatus is a network entity (e.g., a terrestrial or non-terrestrial network (NTN) base station (BS)), the apparatus can have a dedicated transmitter and receiver for radar sensing (e.g., monostatic radar). In other cases, the apparatus can also use a common set of transmitters and receivers for simultaneous network communication and radar sensing, sometimes referred to as joint communication radar sensing. Similarly, when the apparatus is a mobile UE apparatus (e.g., a smartphone) or a battery-powered NTN base station, the apparatus can use the same transmitter and receiver for signal communication and monostatic radar sensing. Such apparatuses can alternatively have a dedicated set of transmitters and receivers for radar sensing.

[0035] When the apparatus changes the reflection configuration of the APD, the apparatus can transmit to the APD a respective set of configuration parameters corresponding to different antenna element phases to change the reflection configuration of the APD (e.g., when the APD is a passive RIS). The set of configuration parameters can be based on a fixed positioning of the network entity, the at least one occluded object location, and a location of the APD.

[0036] To cause the APD to reflect the incident radar signal in fine directions to create APD radar signals in multiple directions, the apparatus transmits to the APD a respective set of configuration parameters one after another. For example, the apparatus transmits a first set of configuration parameters, waits until detection of the occluded object or radar sensing (e.g., based on a reflection or a timer expiration) is complete, and then transmits a next set of configuration parameters. In some cases, the apparatus can transmit multiple sets of configuration parameters regardless of the radar sensing results of each set of configuration parameters to collect extensive available data for analysis. In some cases, the apparatus can refrain from transmitting a subsequent set of configuration parameters when the apparatus has successfully detected the occluded object (e.g., the reflected signal exceeds a threshold).

[0037] When the apparatus is a network entity and after the apparatus has established wireless communication with the occluded object behind the occluded object, the apparatus can grant control of the APD to the occluded object. The occluded object can be a UE apparatus and transmit signals to the apparatus using the reciprocity principle, where the APD uses the same configuration to provide the signal path identified by radar sensing to support a reverse signal path. The occluded object with control of the APD can then perform radar sensing to further identify obstacles in the environment around the occluded object and other occluded objects reachable by virtue of the APD based on reflections of the APD radar signals.

[0038] When the apparatus is a UE apparatus that has been in wireless communication with a network entity having initial control of APDs, the UE apparatus can transmit a message to the network entity indicating its radar sensing capabilities. The UE apparatus can receive APD registration information from the network entity (e.g., in response to the radar sensing capabilities of the UE apparatus). The UE apparatus can first perform sensing with its own radar sensing system to find an occluded object. When the UE apparatus fails to detect an occluded object (e.g., an obstruction identified by the radar sensing system of the UE apparatus), the UE apparatus can request control of an APD (e.g., among a plurality of APDs registered at the network entity) and use the APD to find a signal path around the obstruction. That is, the signal path relies on a particular configuration of the APD associated with a reflection angle.

[0039] When the apparatus has identified or determined an APD configuration that provides a signal path for radar sensing, the apparatus can transmit other signals (e.g., a physical random access channel, a channel state information reference signal, a sounding reference signal, and / or procedures for initiating communication) toward the occluded object via the APD reflecting a communication signal as a radar sensing signal under the same or similar configuration. The signal path implementing joint radar sensing and communication enables communication between the apparatus and the occluded object. For example, when the occluded object is a UE, the UE can transmit an initial access request to the apparatus using the signal path provided by the APD, as discussed below with respect to Figure 1 .

[0040] Figure 1 is a diagram depicting a first example environment 100 for radar sensing using adaptive phase change apparatuses (APDs) to overcome at least one obstruction, in accordance with some embodiments. As shown, a plurality of obstructions 110 and 112 surround an apparatus 120. In some cases, the apparatus 120 can use one or more of APDs 122, 124, and 126 to cause radio waves to go around the obstructions 110 and 112. An occluded object 130 located behind the obstruction 110 is out of line of sight of the apparatus 120. As discussed further below, the apparatus 120 can use the APD 122 to perform radar sensing behind the obstruction 110, obtain a set of configuration parameters for a reflected radio transmission signal path to the occluded object 130, and establish communication.

[0041] In some cases, the device 120 can transmit the radar sensing signal 140 in a first general direction (e.g., to the right as shown, or to a side of the surrounding environment). The first general direction depends on the existing antenna configuration of the device 120. Using the existing antenna configuration, the device 120 can ignore spaces or areas that are not covered by the radar sensing signal 140. In some examples, the device 120 can include another antenna panel (or change the configuration) to transmit the radar sensing signal 139 to a second general direction (e.g., toward the obstacle 112).

[0042] In addition to performing radar sensing, the device 120 can receive a map of known / permanent obstacles (e.g., a building floor plan and / or an elevation map including walls / windows / doors or fixed devices in the case of an indoor mapping). The device 120 can then direct the radar sensing signal 140 to verify the map or align the map with obstacles detected by radar sensing. In some cases, the device 120 can discover obstacles in the environment based on movement of the occluded object, such as by transmitting the radar sensing signal 140 toward a general area that the occluded object can enter.

[0043] In one embodiment, the device 120 is a base station (or any fixed network entity). The device 120 has radar sensing capability. The device 120 has the right to control the APDs 122, such as for example, via a control channel during radar sensing. Before selecting the APD 122, the device 120 first performs a general radar sensing operation to detect surrounding environment obstacles, for example, by transmitting the radar sensing signal 140 in various (general) directions. Based on the general radar sensing results, the device 120 computes / creates / generates a low-precision map about the detected obstacles 110. By detecting or measuring the reflections 142 of the radar sensing signal 140, the device 120 determines the distance, direction, and other attributes (such as span or coverage area) of the obstacles 110.

[0044] The device 120 then selects an APD from the APDs 122, 124, and 126 that is capable of reflecting radio waves from the device 120 to evade the obstacles 110. The device 120 selects the APD based on the geometric relationship of the relative position of the device 120 itself, the positions of the APDs 122, 124, and 126, and the position of the obstacles 110. The device 120 accesses the positioning / locations of the APDs 122, 124, 126 registered or updated by the respective APDs. Since the positioning of the device 120 as well as the APDs 122, 124, and 126 are relatively constant in this example, the respective incoming angles of the radio waves from the device 120 to the APDs 122, 124, or 126 are also relatively constant.

[0045] At a stable angle of incidence, each of the APDs 122, 124, and 126 can change the direction of reflection by changing the respective physical orientation of the APDs 122, 124, and 126 and / or changing the phase shift parameters of the respective antenna array, thereby enabling a range of reflections of the radar sensing signals. The apparatus 120 can then determine which APD is capable of sending a radar sensing radio wave reflection behind the obstruction 110 based on each APD’s respective range of reflections. As shown in Figure 1 Because the APDs 124 and 126 are located to the left of the obstruction 110, the reflected radio signals from the apparatus 120 and away from the APDs 124 or 126 would still be blocked by the obstruction 110 (e.g., the APDs 124 and 126 cannot geometrically provide a viable signal path to reach the space to the right of the obstruction 110). In the example shown, Figure 1 The APD 122, in the example shown, provides a geometrically viable signal path by reflecting the radar sensing signals 140 around the obstruction 110.

[0046] In selecting the APD 122 to bypass the obstruction 110, the apparatus 120 decides the phase of that APD based on the positioning of the APD 122 and the expected positioning of the occluded object 130 (e.g., generally behind the obstruction 110, or a predicted positioning based on a previously known location and / or movement speed of the occluded object 130). Because the occluded object 130 is not in line of sight with the apparatus 120, the apparatus 120 uses the APD 122 to reflect radio waves between the apparatus 120 and the occluded object 130.

[0047] In some cases, the apparatus 120 can have access to a high-precision spatial map of the obstruction 110 (and other obstructions in the surrounding environment) and possible locations of occluded objects (e.g., chairs, people, UEs, etc.). In addition to or instead of the initial radar sensing, which, when performed, helps the apparatus 120 align the high-precision map, the apparatus 120 uses the high-precision spatial map. When the high-precision spatial map is not available, the apparatus 120 performs the initial radar sensing to compute or create a low-precision spatial map (and can further perform a detection operation by producing beams from the APD 122 in different directions to determine a reflection configuration for the APD 122, as discussed below).

[0048] Using a high-precision spatial map or a low-precision spatial map, the apparatus 120 can computationally determine an APD 122 phase parameter (e.g., a phase vector) that configures the APD 122 to reflect the APD radar sensing signals 144 / 148 and potentially the communication signals 149 to / from the occluded object 130. For example, after the apparatus 120 determines the reflection configuration of the APD 122, when the occluded object 130 is a UE, the apparatus 120 can conduct an initial access procedure (e.g., provide parameters for a RACH procedure) by signaling with the occluded object 130 via the APD 122 to establish communication with the occluded object 130.

[0049] In some cases, the apparatus 120 does not have access to a high-precision spatial map and needs to determine the configuration of the APD 122. For example, the apparatus 120 changes the APD phase and produces different scan beams / radio waves in different directions behind the obstacle 110. In some cases, the apparatus 120 configures the APD 122 to reflect the APD radar sensing signals 144 in a first direction (of multiple candidate directions in a scan). The apparatus 120 then transmits a radar sensing signal 141 in a fine direction toward the APD 122 and waits for a reflection 146, 148 of the APD radar sensing signal to return from the occluded object 130. In some cases, the apparatus 120 communicates with the APD 122 about the APD phase scan pattern. For example, the apparatus 120 sends a series of phases to the APD 122 and informs the APD 122 when to apply each phase of the series of phases. In this way, the apparatus 120 can align its radar transmission / reception processing with the APD phase scan to detect the occluded object 130 within an estimated phase reflection time.

[0050] When the APD radar sensing signals 144 miss the occluded object 130 and a timer expires (e.g., the timer limit corresponds to a detectable distance behind the obstacle 110), the apparatus 120 configures the APD 122 to reflect the APD radar sensing signals 144 in a next direction (of multiple candidate directions in a scan) until the apparatus 120 receives a reflected APD radar sensing signal 146, 148. If the apparatus 120 has tried various configurations of the APD 122 and does not receive a reflected APD radar sensing signal 146, 148 (e.g., because the timer for each configuration has expired), the apparatus 120 can set the APD 122 to a default configuration and complete the radar sensing attempt. If the apparatus 120 receives an APD reflection 148 of a reflected APD radar sensing signal from the APD 122, the apparatus 120 performs processing on the received reflected radar signal 148 to determine properties of the occluded object 130.

[0051] In some cases, there can be multiple occluded objects (not shown) behind the obstacle 110. The apparatus 120 can complete a scan cycle to obtain various properties of the detected objects (e.g., distance, direction, speed of movement, etc.) and treat them as candidates for the occluded object 130 (and, if the occluded object 130 is a wireless apparatus, establish communication via a RACH procedure to determine which candidate is the occluded object 130).

[0052] Figure 2 is a diagram depicting a second example environment 200 for radar sensing using APDs to overcome two or more obstacles 110 and 212, according to some embodiments. In the example environment 200, the obstacle 110 prevents the apparatus 120 from performing radar sensing via the APD 122 to discover the occluded object 130 behind the obstacle 110. For example, even though the apparatus 120 is in communication with the APD 122 (e.g., via other forms of wireless communication that are not occluded, or via landline), the apparatus 120 cannot get radar sensing signals (or other signals) to the APD 122 due to the occlusion of the obstacle 110. In addition to being in communication with the APD 122, the apparatus 120 is also in communication with a mobile apparatus 132 (or second UE) that is located behind the obstacle 110. Figure 2 shows how the mobile apparatus 132 performs radar sensing and communicates with the occluded object 130, with the apparatus 120 granting access to the APD 122.

[0053] For example, the mobile apparatus 132 performs radar sensing 242 (similar to Figure 1 the radar sensing performed by the apparatus 120) and detects properties of the obstacle 212 (e.g., distance, direction, size / shape, and / or relative movement) that occlude the line of sight to the occluded object 130. Since the apparatus 120 is in communication with the mobile apparatus 132 and the APD 122, the apparatus 120 knows the locations and capabilities of the mobile apparatus 132 and the APD 122 (either reported or registered), and determines that the mobile apparatus 132 can perform radar sensing with the assistance of the APD 122. The apparatus 120 then passes control of the APD 122 (via the connection 250) to the mobile apparatus 132. The mobile apparatus 132 then sends commands to the APD 122 via the APD control channel 254 to align the APD phase vector with the radar sensing processing on the mobile apparatus side 132.

[0054] As with the first example environment 100, the mobile apparatus 132 can be in communication with the apparatus 120 via a direct connection 252. Figure 1Similar to the discussion in , the mobile device 132 can receive the positioning / location / orientation information of the APD 122 and use this information to determine the APD phase vector (determined based on the location of the mobile device 132 and the properties of the obstacle 212) to avoid the obstacle 212. After configuring the APD phase vector using the radar sensing 242, the mobile device 132 can initiate an initial access procedure with the occluded object 130 (such as a sidelink communication or downlink or uplink synchronization as a proxy for the device 120) to establish the signaling communication 249. In some cases, the occluded object 130 can move into a “dead zone” that neither the device 120 nor the mobile device 132 can reach with the help of the APD 122. In this case, the device 120 can record the “dead zone” information for future reference and terminate the existing radar sensing attempt.

[0055] In some cases, similar to Figure 1 the radar sensing procedure under APD assistance, the mobile device 132 performs radar sensing by evaluating a series of phase vectors of the APD 122. The mobile device 132 can control the series of phase vectors directly via the APD control channel 254 or via the device 120 (using the connection 250) through the APD control channel 252. In the first case where the mobile device 132 controls the APD 122 directly via the APD control channel 254, the device 120 can configure the APD control resources at the mobile device 132 (via the connection 250). For example, the APD control resources can include time resources about when the APD can be used to reflect radar sensing waveforms / signals from the mobile device 132. In the second case, the device 120 uses existing control access via the APD control channel 252, similar to Figure 1 the control access in .

[0056] As shown in Figure 2 , the mobile device 132 can signal its positioning and radar sensing capabilities to the device 120 via the connection 250. Based on the positioning / capability information, the device 120 identifies the APD 122 and provides the mobile device 132 with the relevant information of the APD 122, including, for example, the location, orientation, and configuration capabilities of the APD 122. After receiving the information of the APD 122, the mobile device 132 sends a message to the device 120 requesting to use the APD 122 for radar sensing. The request can include the corresponding phase vector to configure the APD 122.

[0057] In some implementations, upon receiving a request from mobile device 132 to use APD 122 for radar sensing, device 120 shares APD location information to mobile device 132. Additionally, device 120 can also share its own radar sensing results (e.g., with respect to obstacle 110) to mobile device 132. That is, device 120 cooperates with mobile device 132 to produce an object map of environment 200 (e.g., by sharing radar sensing results). The object map can help mobile device 132 (or device 120) to configure the phase vector of APD 122 with less trial-and-error, compared to the case without the object map.

[0058] When device 120 allocates APD resources to mobile device 132, device 120 can grant mobile device 132 direct control of APD 122. For example, device 120 grants mobile device 132 time resources and frequency resources for transmission in APD control channel 254. Device can also grant mobile device 132 time resources for APD reflection or receiving a returned / reflected radar sensing signal from APD. When mobile device 132 or device 120 on behalf of mobile device 132 requests to send APD control (including phase vector), device 120 informs APD 122 of the phase vector from mobile device 132. In some cases, device 120 still sends a grant to mobile device 132, so that mobile device 132 knows when to transmit a radar sensing waveform that aligns with the APD reflection configuration.

[0059] In some implementations, Figure 2 (not shown in environment 200) multiple mobile devices are available for device 120 to perform cooperative radar sensing. Using the radar sensing techniques discussed above, device 120 can employ multiple mobile devices (e.g., mobile device 132) and multiple available APDs to perform comprehensive radar sensing to construct a high-precision map of the surrounding environment (as radar sensing aided by mobile devices and APDs enables device 120 to perform radar sensing behind multiple obstacles of obstacles 110 and 212 in environment 200). Figure 2

[0060] Figure 3 is a signaling diagram 300 depicting a first example method of radar sensing using an APD to overcome at least one obstacle, in accordance with some embodiments. Signaling diagram 300 corresponds to some of the operations performed by device 120, APD 122, and occluded object 130, discussed in device 120. Figure 1 As shown, device 120 performs 340 radar sensing to identify obstacle locations (e.g., a surrounding environment map) around device 120. The initial radar sensing enables device 120 to determine a general location and / or orientation of surrounding environment obstacles or occlusions.​

[0061] The device 120 has access to available APD locations, positions, orientations, capabilities, and other registration information for one or more APDs. The device 120 selects 366 an APD based on the APD location so that the selected APD provides reflections of radar sensing waves from the device 120 to circumvent one or more of the surrounding environmental obstacles. In Figure 1 In the illustrated example, the device 120 selects APD 122 because APD 122 enables radar sensing signals 140 to travel in a reflection direction behind the obstacle 110 (as APD radar sensing signals 144). After selecting APD 122, the device 120 transmits 375 a control command of one or more APD phase vectors to APD 122. The one or more APD phase vectors configure the reflection direction at APD 122.

[0062] The device 120 then transmits 376 radar signals in a fine direction toward APD 122 (e.g., specifically toward APD 122 beamforming without wasting energy in the dead zone or obstacle 110). In accordance with the control command from the device 120, APD 122 changes 377 the phase vector or other reflection configuration to reflect radar sensing signals from the device 120 (e.g., as APD radar sensing signals 144) in multiple directions (in the fine direction toward APD 122) over time to “scan” the occluded object 130 behind the obstacle 110. That is, APD 122 reflects 380 the radar signals. When the radar signals reach the occluded object 130, the occluded object 130 reflects / returns 382 a portion of the APD radar sensing signals to APD 122, which then reflects 384 the returned portion of the APD radar sensing signals to the device 120.

[0063] The device 120 correlates the returned radar signal strength and time to the phase vector of APD 122 to determine 386 an APD configuration specific to the occluded object 130. The device 120 transmits 388 the specific APD configuration to APD 122 to configure APD 122. When APD 122 reflects radar sensing radio waves and / or radio waves for communication signals in a similar direction (e.g., joint communication and radar sensing, radar sensing alone, or communication alone), the configured APD 122 establishes (390 and 392) a signal path for communication between the device 120 and the occluded object 130.

[0064] Figure 4 is a depiction of radar sensing using APDs to overcome two or more obstacles, such as Figure 2FIG. 4 illustrates a signaling diagram 400 of a second example method of the apparatus 120 and the UE 132 to detect one or more obstacles 110 and 212) that obstruct the line of sight to the area behind the obstacles. The signaling diagram 400 corresponds to operations performed by the apparatus 120, the mobile device 132 (or UE 132 as shown), the APD 122, and the occluded object 130 discussed above with respect to FIG. 3. Figure 2 The apparatus 120 receives 460 a first message from the UE 132 indicating radar sensing capabilities of the UE 132. The apparatus 120 receives 461 a second message from the UE 132 indicating APD control capabilities of the UE 132. In some cases, the UE 132 can transmit the first message and the second message together or as a single message. In some cases, the UE 132 can include other information, such as a position or movement status of the UE 132. Figure 4 The apparatus 120 provides 462 APD information to the UE 132 in response to receiving the capability information. The APD information includes a plurality of APDs available to the apparatus 120, and a plurality of APDs available to the UE 132 through control transfer. Upon receiving the APD information, the UE 132 performs 440 radar sensing and detects one or more obstacles that obstruct the line of sight to the area behind the obstacles. In view of the detected obstacles, the UE 132 decides 466 to use one or more of the APDs available that take into account the obstacles to further perform radar sensing behind the detected obstacles, as the occluded object 130 can be behind the obstacles.

[0065] The apparatus 120 provides 462 APD information to the UE 132 in response to receiving the capability information. The APD information includes a plurality of APDs available to the apparatus 120, and a plurality of APDs available to the UE 132 through control transfer. Upon receiving the APD information, the UE 132 performs 440 radar sensing and detects one or more obstacles that obstruct the line of sight to the area behind the obstacles. In view of the detected obstacles, the UE 132 decides 466 to use one or more of the APDs available that take into account the obstacles to further perform radar sensing behind the detected obstacles, as the occluded object 130 can be behind the obstacles. Figure 4 The UE 132 sends 468 a request to the apparatus 120 for radar sensing resources (for use with the APD 122) and APD control. The apparatus 120 then transmits 470 a grant of APD resources to the UE 132. The UE 132 transmits 472 control commands to the APD 122. The UE 132 requests 474 APD phase vectors from the apparatus 120. The apparatus 120 transmits 476 control commands to the APD 122. For example, the control commands include an indication of control transfer to the UE 132. In some cases, the control commands include APD phase vectors for causing the APD 122 to reflect radar sensing waves in various directions. In some cases, instead of requesting from the apparatus 120, the UE 132 can determine the APD phase vectors based on the APD information received at 462. The UE 132 can also transmit 476 the control commands directly to the APD 122 without relying on the apparatus 120 (with appropriate identification and authorization by the apparatus 120).

[0066] The apparatus 120 provides 462 APD information to the UE 132 in response to receiving the capability information. The APD information includes a plurality of APDs available to the apparatus 120, and a plurality of APDs available to the UE 132 through control transfer. Upon receiving the APD information, the UE 132 performs 440 radar sensing and detects one or more obstacles that obstruct the line of sight to the area behind the obstacles. In view of the detected obstacles, the UE 132 decides 466 to use one or more of the APDs available that take into account the obstacles to further perform radar sensing behind the detected obstacles, as the occluded object 130 can be behind the obstacles.

[0067] The apparatus 120 provides 462 APD information to the UE 132 in response to receiving the capability information. The APD information includes a plurality of APDs available to the apparatus 120, and a plurality of APDs available to the UE 132 through control transfer. Upon receiving the APD information, the UE 132 performs 440 radar sensing and detects one or more obstacles that obstruct the line of sight to the area behind the obstacles. In view of the detected obstacles, the UE 132 decides 466 to use one or more of the APDs available that take into account the obstacles to further perform radar sensing behind the detected obstacles, as the occluded object 130 can be behind the obstacles.

[0068] UE 132, APD 122, and the obstructed object 130 operate using radar sensing detection configured for each APD (e.g., reflection direction) 477. For example, using a first set of phase vectors, APD 122 receives a first set of radar signals from UE 132 478. UE 132 configures the beamforming of the radar sensing signals to propagate towards APD 122 in a fine direction 141. APD 122 reflects the radar sensing signals towards the obstructed object 130 480. Multiple sets of phase vectors configure APD 122 to scan behind obstacles obstructing the line of sight of UE 132.

[0069] Operation 477 continues / repeates until APD 122 receives 482 a return of at least a portion of the radar sensing signal from the obscured object 130 and reflects 484 the returned radar sensing signal to UE 132. In some cases, operation 477 is repeated for the available phase vectors, and UE 132 determines 486 that a set of phase vectors corresponding to the strongest returned radar sensing signal is the appropriate configuration for APD 122 to provide signal paths 490 and 492 between UE 132 and the obscured object 130 (assuming UE 132, APD 122, and the obscured object 130 do not move relative to each other). If UE 132, APD 122, and the obscured object 130 move relative to each other (because movement is an attribute that can be determined by the time variation of distance), then UE 132 can generate a set of phase vectors for APD 122 to provide a variable signal path based on relative movement.

[0070] Below Figure 5 and Figure 6 Based on Figure 1 Device 120 and Figure 2 The perspective of the mobile device 132 provides a view with Figure 3 and Figure 4 The details related to the signaling interaction are shown.

[0071] Figure 5 This is a flowchart depicting a method 500 for radar sensing using an APD, according to some embodiments. Such as a base station or UE (e.g., Figure 1 to Figure 4 The wireless device (device 120) can perform method 500.

[0072] like Figure 5 As shown, method 500 transmits 540 radar signals in a first plurality of directions using a wireless device (e.g., Figure 3 (As part of operation 340) begins. Then, the wireless device receives at least a portion of the radar signal reflected from the 542 radar (e.g., from an obstacle). Figure 1operation 142). The wireless device identifies 565 at least one occluded object location of the at least one occluded object based on the reflections (e.g., Figure 3 operation 340). For example, the wireless device performs radar sensing to obtain a coarse map of obstacles of its surroundings, such as Figure 1 The device 120 in FIG. 1 uses radar sensing signals 140 to identify obstacles 110. In some cases, instead of or in addition to performing radar sensing, the wireless device receives a map that provides a positioning and occlusion coverage of the at least one occluded object.

[0073] The wireless device then selects 566 an APD to assist the device in evading the at least one occluded object based on the relative locations (e.g., Figure 3 operation 366). In some implementations, the wireless device further selects the APD from the plurality of deployed APDs based on the at least one occluded object location and a respective location of the plurality of deployed APDs such that radar signals in a fine direction reach the APD; and radar signals in a second plurality of directions reflected by the APD reach behind the at least one occluded object. In some cases, the wireless device receives or has received a registration of the respective locations and directions of the plurality of deployed APDs. In some cases, one or more of the plurality of deployed APDs can be mobile and provide corresponding location updates to the device in the registration.

[0074] The wireless device transmits 576 radar signals in a fine direction toward the APD based on the at least one occluded object location and a location of the APD (such as Figure 3 radar signals 376 of FIG. 1, or considering Figure 1 radar signals 141 of FIG. 1). For example, the fine direction can be produced by beamforming at the wireless device to avoid unnecessary energy loss in other directions (e.g., toward the occluded object or directions that do not reach the APD).

[0075] The method 500 continues with the wireless device applying / changing 577 a phase variation configuration of the APD (e.g., a plurality of phase vectors applied to the APD over time) to produce APD radar signals in a second plurality of directions for detecting the occluded object (such as Figure 3 operation 377). For example, the wireless device changes 577 the phase variation configuration of the APD to produce the APD radar signals by transmitting respective sets of configuration parameters corresponding to the plurality of phases of the APD to produce the APD radar signals in the second plurality of directions based on one or more of: a fixed positioning of the network entity, the at least one occluded object location, or the location of the APD.

[0076] In some cases, the wireless device can transmit each configuration parameter set by performing a detection operation on each configuration parameter set before transmitting the next configuration parameter set. For example, performing the detection operation could include detecting the expiration of a timer based on the radar sensing range, or detecting the reflection of a radar signal from an object at the receiver. In some cases, the wireless device can provide a complete APD control command, which includes multiple sets of phase vectors to be applied at the APD over a period of time (e.g., scanning in various directions at predefined time intervals). When a reflection of the APD radar signal is detected, or when no reflection is detected after a timer expires, the wireless device repeats / changes the phase-change configuration of the 577 APD.

[0077] The wireless device determines a set of configuration parameters (e.g., 586) for the path of radio transmission signals toward the obstructed object via the APD based on the reflection and phase-change configuration of the radar signal from the obstructed object. Figure 3 Operation 386).

[0078] In some implementations, the wireless device can establish a connection with an object behind at least one occluding object (such as...). Figure 2 The mobile device 132) has a wireless connection. The wireless device can grant the object control over the APD. In some cases, with access to the APD, the object can perform actions related to... Figure 2 The operations performed by the wireless device discussed herein are similar to those discussed elsewhere. For example, the wireless device includes a UE device (e.g., Figure 2 Mobile device 132). Wireless device to have APD (e.g., Figure 2 The network entity initially controlled by APD 122 (e.g., Figure 2 The device 120 in the middle transmits a message indicating the radar sensing capability of the UE device or the result of radar sensing performed by the UE device (e.g., Figure 4 (450 and 451). The UE device receives APD information from the network entity and requests control of the APD from the network entity.

[0079] When the obscured object is surrounded by two or more obstacles, the wireless device (e.g., Figure 2 The device 120 can employ assistance from a UE device (e.g., mobile device 132). For example, Figure 5 The wireless device can employ another device to perform operations similar to those in Operations 566, 576, 577, and 586. If the wireless device itself cannot reach the obstructed object using an available APD, but the UE device can (such as...) Figure 2As shown in the example, the wireless device can use the UE device for radar sensing and / or communication with the obscured object. Example operation of a wireless device (e.g., mobile device 132) as a UE device is discussed below.

[0080] Figure 6 This is a flowchart depicting a method 600 for radar sensing using an APD by a UE device communicating with a network entity, according to some embodiments. The UE device (e.g., Figure 2 and Figure 4 The UE 132) can execute method 600.

[0081] like Figure 6 As shown, method 600 allows the UE device to optionally transmit an indication of 660 radar sensing capabilities to a network entity (e.g., Figure 4 Operation 460) begins. In some embodiments, the UE device also transmits 661 an indication of APD control capabilities (e.g., Figure 4 (Operation 461). In other examples, the UE device's capabilities in radar sensing and / or APD control may already be available to network entities in other ways (e.g., pre-registered).

[0082] Method 600 continues, the UE device performs 640 radar sensing (e.g., Figure 4 Operation 440). For example, even with access to the APD, a network entity can seek assistance from a UE device capable of radar sensing and / or APD control to locate obstructed objects that the network entity cannot reach (e.g., Figure 2 (device 120). Then, the network entity can request the connected UE device to perform radar sensing. If the UE device does not detect any obstructing objects, the UE device may be in line of sight to objects that are inaccessible to the network entity.

[0083] If the UE device detects at least one obstructing object, the UE device decides to use an APD that is available to the network device (and in this case, applicable to the UE device) to avoid at least one obstructing object (e.g., Figure 4 (Operation 466). For example, the wireless device reports the location of at least one obstructing object to a network entity. The location of at least one obstructing object enables the network entity to identify (e.g., based on multiple APDs registered at the network entity) one or more APDs that may assist the wireless device in routing communication signals around the at least one obstructing object. The UE device responds to an indication that it has received one or more available APDs and their corresponding locations from the network entity.

[0084] Then, the UE device requests 668 and receives from the network entity radar sensing resources and APD control (e.g., one of the available APDs capable of reflecting radar signals based on the corresponding location) from the network entity.Figure 4 The network entity can select or identify an APD to replace the wireless device because the network entity has more computational resources and information about the APD than the wireless device in some cases.

[0085] The UE device then transmits 678 (e.g., using monostatic radar) radar signals (e.g., radar sensing signals) in the first plurality of directions and a fine direction toward the APD. Figure 4 The APD reflects the radar sensing signals around the at least one occluded object based on the phase vectors configured by the wireless device. The monostatic radar of the wireless device receives reflections of at least a portion of the radar signals and reflections of the APD radar signals. The monostatic radar is configured to operate a common set of transmitters and receivers for network communications.

[0086] In some implementations, the APD control commands change the phase change configuration of the APD by causing phase changes of the antennas of the APD to produce APD radar signals over time in a second plurality of directions (e.g., multiple sets of phase vectors for multiple directions). In some cases, changing the phases of the antenna elements of the APD to produce the APD radar signals in the second plurality of directions includes passively changing the directional characteristics of the APD or actively changing the directional characteristics and the amplitude characteristics of the APD.

[0087] The UE device determines 686 a set of configuration parameters for the APD for radar sensing and / or communications based on the reflections of the radar signals from the target object and the phase change configuration (e.g., operations 486 of FIG. 4). Figure 4

[0088] Figure 5 The methods 500 and 600 can be performed by a device having components or hardware resources as shown in FIG. 6. Figure 6 Figure 7

[0089] Figure 7 is a block diagram of an example device diagram 700 depicting a device (e.g., the device 120, a base station, a UE, the occluded object 130, or the mobile device 132) in accordance with some embodiments. The device diagram 700 describes a device that can implement various aspects of radar sensing with the assistance of an APD. The device 120 can include additional functions and interfaces that are omitted for clarity from Figure 7

[0090] ​​​​The device 120 includes an antenna 701, a radio frequency (RF) front end 704, and one or more RF transceivers 706 (e.g., a 3GPP fourth generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) transceiver 706-1 and a 5G NR transceiver 706-2) for communicating with base stations such as 5G RAN and / or E-UTRAN. One antenna array can be used for cellular signaling, and (optionally) another antenna array can be used for wireless communication across a sidelink connection.

[0091] The device 120 includes one or more additional transceivers 706-3, such as a local wireless network transceiver, for communicating with other UE devices (e.g., mobile devices 132) such as UE devices in a wireless connection configuration with the device 120 over one or more local wireless networks (e.g., WLAN, Bluetooth, near-field communication (NFC), personal area network (PAN), wireless fidelity direct (Wi-Fi-Direct), IEEE 702.15.4, ZigBee, Thread, mm Wave, etc.). The RF front end 704 couples or connects the LTE transceiver 706-1, the 5G NR transceiver 706-2, and the local wireless network transceiver 706-3 to the antenna 701 to facilitate various types of wireless communication.

[0092] The antenna 701 of the device 120 includes an array of multiple antennas configured similarly or differently from each other. The antenna 701 and the RF front end 704 are tuned to and / or can be capable of tuning to one or more frequency bands such as those defined by 3GPP 4G LTE, 3GPP 5G NR, IEEE Wireless Access Metropolitan Area Network (WMAN), or other communication standards. The antenna 701, the RF front end 704, the LTE transceiver 706-1, the 5G NR transceiver 706-2, and / or the local wireless network transceiver 706-3 are configured to support beamforming (e.g., analog, digital, or hybrid), or in-phase and quadrature (I / Q) operations (e.g., I / Q modulation or demodulation operations) for transmission and reception of communications with base stations. By way of example, the antenna 701 and the RF front end 704 operate in sub-terahertz bands, sub-7 GHz bands, and / or above-7 GHz bands defined by 3GPP LTE, 3GPP 5G NR, or other communication standards.

[0093] Using at least a portion of the antenna 701, the device 120 can form steered or non-steered, wide or narrow, or shaped (e.g., shaped as a hemisphere, a cube, a sector, a cone, or a cylinder) beams. One or more transmit antennas can have a non-steered omnidirectional radiation pattern, or can be capable of producing a wide steerable beam.

[0094] The device 120 includes a monostatic radar 708 that includes at least a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter and receiver are shared for radar sensing and control / data signaling operations (e.g., antenna 701 can be used). The monostatic radar 708 can use time-of-flight principles or frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) principles to measure properties of objects (e.g., distance, direction, movement, size, etc.) based on radar sensing signals returned from the objects.

[0095] The device 120 can include one or more sensors (not shown) implemented to detect various properties such as temperature, supplied power, power usage, battery status, etc. The sensors can include any one or combination of a temperature sensor, a thermistor, a battery sensor, and a power usage sensor. The device 120 uses the various properties to determine whether the device 120 has the ability to connect to a cellular network through its air interface or whether the device 120 only has sufficient resources (e.g., battery power, etc.) to connect to a cellular network using a sidelink connection to another UE device.

[0096] The device 120 also includes at least one processor 710 and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium 712 (CRM 712). The computer-readable storage medium described herein does not include propagating signals. The CRM 712 includes any suitable memory or storage device(s) such as random access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), read-only memory (ROM), or Flash memory, which can be used for storage of device data 714 of the device 120. The device data 714 includes, for example, user data, multimedia data, beamforming codebooks, applications, and / or an operating system of the device 120, which can be executed by the processor 710 to implement user plane communications, control plane signaling, and user interaction with the device 120.

[0097] The CRM 712 includes a communication manager 716. Alternatively or additionally, the communication manager 716 is implemented in whole or in part as hardware logic or circuitry integrated with or separate from other components of the device 120. The communication manager 716 configures the RF front end 704, the LTE transceiver 706-1, the 5G NR transceiver 706-2, and / or the local wireless network transceiver 706-3 to perform one or more wireless communication operations.

[0098] The CRM 712 further includes a radar sensing manager 718, an APD controller 720, and an obstacle database 722. The radar sensing manager 718 and the APD controller 720 enable the device 120 to configure and / or control APDs to bypass obstacles that obstruct line-of-sight radar sensing. For example, the radar sensing manager 718 manages a coarse mapping of obstacles in the device’s 120 surroundings (without using APDs) and saves detected obstacles in the obstacle database 722. The device 120 can store APD information in a storage of the computer-readable storage medium 712 and identify one or more APDs that provide a reflective path to bypass a currently detected obstacle. The APD controller 720 generates sets of phase vectors for controlling one or more APDs to change a reflection direction to thereby sweep a plurality of directional radar sensing beams behind one or more obstacles and enables the monostatic radar 708 and the processor 710 to identify occluded objects behind the one or more obstacles. In some embodiments, one or more of these components are implemented, in whole or in part, as hardware logic or circuitry integrated with or separate from other components of the device 120.

[0099] Unless specifically stated otherwise, terms such as “building,” “receiving,” “transmitting,” and / or the like, refer to the actions and processes of a computing device that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computing device’s registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computing device’s memories, registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices. Also, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc. as used herein are meant as labels to distinguish among different elements and can not necessarily have an ordinal meaning according to their numerical designation.

[0100] Examples described herein also relate to a device for performing the operations described herein. This device can be specially constructed for the required purposes, or it can comprise a general-purpose computing device selectively programmed by a computer program stored in the computing device. Such a computer program can be stored in a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium.

[0101] The methods and illustrative examples described herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general purpose systems can be used with or programmed to implement the teachings herein. General purpose programmer selectable components can be constructed for implementing the required method steps. The required structure of several of such systems are presented as set forth in the above description. For example, the method 700 is performed by processing logic that includes hardware (e.g., circuitry, dedicated logic, programmable logic, processors, processing devices, central processing units (CPUs), system on a chip (SoC), etc.), software (e.g., instructions run / executed on a processing device and / or application), firmware (e.g., microcode), or a combination thereof.

[0102] The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. While the disclosure has been described with reference to specific illustrative examples, it will be recognized that the disclosure is not limited to the examples described. The scope of the disclosure should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with their full scope of equivalents.

[0103] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes" and / or "including", when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. Therefore, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0104] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions / acts described can occur out of the order described. For example, two sequentially depicted figures can in fact be executed substantially concurrently or sometimes in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality / acts involved.

[0105] While the method operations are described in a particular, sequential order, it should be understood that other operations can be performed in between described operations, described operations can be adjusted so that they occur at slightly different times or the described operations can be distributed in a system so that processing occurs across various ones of the operations at different times.

[0106] Various units, circuits, or other components can be described or claimed as "configured to" or "configurable to" perform one or more tasks. In such contexts, the phrase "configured to" or "configurable to" generally means that the unit / circuit / component includes structure (e.g., circuitry) that is directed to performing the task or tasks during operation by having, for example, the structure include hardware such as circuitry that performs the task(s) during operation. As such, the unit / circuit / component can be "configured to" or "configurable to" perform the task even when the unit / circuit / component is not currently on. The unit / circuit / component "configured to" perform one or more tasks or "configurable to" perform one or more tasks recited in a "configured to" or "configurable to" clause is expressly

[0107] The foregoing description has been described with reference to particular embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the embodiments and their practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular uses contemplated. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the disclosure is not to be limited to the details given herein, but can be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of identifying a radio transmission signal path by a device having control of an adaptive phase change device (APD), the method comprising: transmitting, by the device, a radar signal in a first plurality of directions (140); receiving, at the device, reflections of at least a portion of the radar signal (142); identifying (340), based on the reflections, at least one occluding object location of at least one occluding object; transmitting (376), based on the at least one occluding object location and a location of the APD, the radar signal in a refined direction toward the APD (141); changing (377) a phase change configuration of the APD to produce APD radar signals in a second plurality of directions for detecting an object; and determining (386), based on reflections of the APD radar signals from the object and the phase change configuration, a set of configuration parameters of a radio transmission signal path via the APD.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: selecting, by the device, the APD from a plurality of deployed APDs based on the at least one occluding object location and respective locations of the plurality of deployed APDs such that (1) the radar signal in the refined direction reaches the APD; and (2) the APD radar signals in the second plurality of directions reach behind the at least one occluding object.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, the selecting further comprising: receiving a registration of the respective locations of the plurality of deployed APDs, wherein one or more of the plurality of deployed APDs move and provide corresponding location updates to the device in the registration.

4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, changing the phase change configuration of the APD to produce the APD radar signals comprises: transmitting a respective set of configuration parameters corresponding to a plurality of phases of the APD based on one or more of: a fixed positioning of a network entity, the at least one occluding object location, or the location of the APD.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, transmitting the respective set of configuration parameters comprises: completing a detection operation for each set of configuration parameters before transmitting a next set of configuration parameters, wherein completing the detection operation comprises: detecting, by the device, an expiration of a timer based on a radar sensing range; or detecting, by the device at a receiver, reflections of the APD radar signals from the object.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: establishing a wireless connection with the object behind the at least one occluding object; and granting control of the APD to the object.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting, by the device as a user equipment (UE) device, a message to a network entity having initial control of the APD indicating a radar sensing capability of the UE device or a result of radar sensing performed by the UE device; receiving information of the APD from the network entity; and requesting control of the APD from the network entity. requesting control of the APD from the network entity comprises: transmitting, to the network entity, a request to perform radar sensing at the network entity to detect the object behind the at least one occluding object identified by the device; and 8. The method of claim 7, wherein, ​ ​ receiving, from the network entity, an indication of a failure to detect the object.

9. The method of claim 7 or 8, wherein, receiving the information of the APD includes: reporting, to the network entity, the at least one occluded object location; receiving, from the network entity in response to the reporting, an indication of one or more available APDs and respective locations of the one or more available APDs; and requesting control of the APD includes: selecting one of the one or more available APDs as the APD.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein, changing a phase change configuration of the APD includes: changing phases of antenna elements of the APD to produce the APD radar signals in the second plurality of directions.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, changing the phases of the antenna elements of the APD to produce the APD radar signals in the second plurality of directions includes: passively changing a directional characteristic of the APD; or actively changing a directional characteristic and an amplitude characteristic of the APD.

12. A user equipment (UE) comprising: one or more radio frequency (RF) modems; a processor coupled to the one or more RF modems; and at least one memory storing executable instructions to manipulate at least one of the processor or the one or more RF modems to perform the method of any of claims 1-12.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising a monostatic radar configured to: transmit the radar signals in the first plurality of directions and the fine direction, and receiving a reflection of at least a portion of the radar signal and a reflection of the APD radar signal, wherein, the monostatic radar is configured to operate a common set of transmitters and receivers for network communications.

14. A network entity comprising: one or more radio frequency (RF) modems; a processor coupled to the one or more RF modems; and at least one memory storing executable instructions to manipulate at least one of the processor or the one or more RF modems to perform the method of any of claims 1-12.

15. The network entity of claim 14, further comprising a monostatic radar at a fixed location configured to: transmit the radar signals in the first plurality of directions and the fine direction, and receiving a reflection of at least a portion of the radar signal and a reflection of the APD radar signal, wherein, the monostatic radar is configured to operate a common set of transmitters and receivers for network communications.

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