Radar utilization of communication signals in wireless devices

Abstract

A method for radar utilization of communication signals in a wireless device (WD) and a wireless device are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method in a WD includes configuring a first set of spatial characteristics for a first transmit signal to be transmitted to a network node. The method further includes configuring a second set of spatial characteristics for a second transmit signal to be transmitted to the network node, where the second transmit signal is adapted for communication and radar sensing. The method further includes transmitting the first and second transmit signals using time and frequency resources allocated by the network node for communication with the network node.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to wireless communication, and in particular, to radar utilization of communication signals in a wireless device (WD). BACKGROUND

[0002] The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has developed and is developing standards for fourth generation (4G) (also referred to as Long Term Evolution (LTE)) and fifth generation (5G) (also referred to as New Radio (NR)) wireless communication systems. Such systems provide, among other features, wide-band communication between network nodes, such as base stations, and mobile wireless devices (WDs), as well as communication between network nodes and between WDs. 3GPP can also develop standards for sixth generation (6G) wireless communication networks.

[0003] The present disclosure relates to mobile devices (also referred to as wireless devices (WDs) or user equipment (UE) in 3GPP standards) and spatial transmission properties of RF signals transmitted by WDs. Related requirements identified in 3GPP that impose transmission requirements can be relevant.

[0004] In 3GPP technical standard (TS) 38.101, the following related requirements are set forth:

[0005] - Requirements for maximum output power level, such as absolute power level.

[0006] - Requirement that a WD shall have a spherical coverage. This means a requirement for the ability to cover an entire sphere on different beams. There is no requirement on how wide or narrow the individual beams shall be. The WD can adjust each beam as needed or desired; and

[0007] - Beam correspondence: 3GPP standards define beam correspondence as the ability of a WD to select a suitable beam for uplink (UL) transmission based on downlink (DL) measurements, whether or not dependent on UL beam sweeping. Thus, the WD can determine which spatial properties of an UL signal are suitable for communication with a network node based on measurements of a DL signal.

[0008] Within a cellular wireless communication system, radio resources (combinations of time and frequency slots - also referred to as resource elements) are typically controlled by a central network node. For example, in 3GPP systems such as LTE and NR, radio resources for each cell are controlled by a base station, referred to as an eNB or gNB.

[0009] A wireless device can utilize the allocated transmission resources for tasks assigned by the base station, e.g. sending reference, control and / or data signals to one or more base stations (uplink transmission) or to one or more other wireless devices (sidelink transmission). Resources can be allocated by the network for transmissions with different purposes, e.g. control channels can be transmitted for assessing radio channel properties or for managing radio resource configuration or for radio signal based positioning functions as supported by standardized communication protocols. Promising future technology areas for using radio resources in cellular wireless communication systems also for combined radar and communication purposes.

[0010] Solutions have been proposed on how to multiplex time and frequency resources between radar and communication purposes and beams and beam directions can be shared. In particular, when having two different directions (beams) for radar and communication, solutions have been proposed for using one beam on one set of resources for radar while using another beam of another different set of resources for communication.

[0011] However, there are also solutions for combined transmissions using allocated uplink signals for radar transmission.

[0012] Transmission resources in a wireless communication system can be used for various purposes, e.g. data transmission, control signaling, positioning or radar.

[0013] Allocated network resources can be coupled with properties determined by the WD to configure transmission parameters of the wireless device. These properties can be spatial properties of the transmission. A wireless device using network allocated signals for communication transmission can optimize the properties to make them as suitable as possible for communication. However, doing so can mean that the transmission becomes less optimized for radar signaling. On the other hand, current solutions do not allow for optimizing the transmission for radar operation as such, since e.g. directing radiated energy in sensing relevant directions can severely harm communication signal reception and related functions of the network node, e.g. gNB. SUMMARY

[0014] There is a need for a signal transmission scheme in the WD that allows for radar signal optimization without compromising on simultaneous communication functionality. Embodiments described herein can advantageously provide a method in a wireless device for radar signal transmission.

[0015] In some embodiments, a wireless device is configured to use a plurality of time and frequency resources allocated by a network node for communication purposes. The device transmits communication signals on two subsets of the resources. In some embodiments, the WD uses a first set of resources for communication signals. The WD uses a second set of resources for communication and radar signal transmission.

[0016] The WD determines an opportunity to adjust the signal on the second subset for improved radar operation and modifies one or more spatial transmission characteristics of the signal on the second subset. In particular, the device can control the direction of a subset of the total transmitted energy of the signal for radar purposes separately from the direction of the transmitted energy manipulated according to traditional principles for communication. In some embodiments, both spatial subsets of transmitted energy (targeting radar and communication) can transmit communication component signal content.

[0017] The effect of this modification of the transmission characteristics is that the WD can adjust the signal to operate better as a radar signal compared to traditional behavior for communication use. This improvement can mean better radar precision, for example, by building a beam lobe that emits the required amount of energy in the intended radar direction, or by adjusting the beam width of one or more sidelobes to achieve better angular granularity in radar operation. Furthermore, for radar illumination in spatial directions, the modification can also be used to provide an over-the-air synchronization reference path between the transmitting and receiving nodes in a bistatic radar operation.

[0018] The communication purpose can include any of idle mode or active mode operation, which means that the resources for communication and radar can include control signaling, such as random access preamble transmission, sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission, positioning reference signal (PRS) transmission, such as sidelink positioning signal (SL-PRS), sidelink synchronization signal, and / or control channel and data transmission.

[0019] In some embodiments, the WD is configured to use resources allocated for communication signaling to implement both radar operation and communication within the wireless network. The WD can be configured to use the communication resources on each of at least one of a first subset of resources and a second subset of resources to transmit a communication signal that is a sum of two spatial configurations. The WD can also use the resources of the second subset for radar transmission.

[0020] In some embodiments, the WD determines an opportunity to optimize the signal on the second subset for radar operation and modifies one or more spatial transmission characteristics of the signal on the second subset.

[0021] The WD can improve radar operation compared to traditional (i.e., known) behavior.

[0022] Control signaling for the WD radar function can be kept to a minimum amount. Example implementations can be transparent to the network and can not require any additional signaling between the WD and a network node, such as a gNB or eNB, to manage the function.

[0023] Some embodiments can provide one or more of the following:

[0024] • Spectrum efficiency, since radar transmissions do not require dedicated spectrum resources; and / or

[0025] • Energy efficiency, since the same parts in the TX chain are used for both communication and sensing at the same time.

[0026] The modification of the beam shape can be implemented by modifying the antenna weights in polar and / or Cartesian domain, thus being applicable to both analog and digital beamforming transmitters.

[0027] According to one aspect, there is provided a WD configured to communicate with a network node. The WD comprises processing circuitry configured to configure a first set of spatial properties for a first transmit signal to be transmitted to the network node, and to configure a second set of spatial properties for a second transmit signal to be transmitted to the network node, the second transmit signal being suitable for both communication and radar sensing. The WD further comprises a radio interface in communication with the processing circuitry, configured to transmit the first transmit signal and the second transmit signal using time and frequency resources allocated by the network node for communication with the network node.

[0028] According to this aspect, in some embodiments, the processing circuitry is further configured to configure a first subset of time and frequency resources and a second subset of time and frequency resources, and the radio interface is further configured to transmit, to the network node, the first transmission signal with the configured first set of spatial characteristics on the first subset and the second transmission signal with the configured second set of spatial characteristics on the second subset. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry is further configured to modify spatial characteristics of the second set of spatial characteristics to configure the second transmission signal for radar sensing. In some embodiments, spatial characteristics of the first set of spatial characteristics are determined prior to transmission of sounding reference signals, SRS, and maintained until the next SRS transmission. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry is further configured to modify the second set of spatial characteristics during a sounding reference signal, SRS, period while maintaining a communication beam with the first set of spatial characteristics. In some embodiments, the first set of spatial characteristics is selected to provide a main lobe for communication signaling and the second set of spatial characteristics is selected to provide a side lobe for radar sensing using the communication signaling. In some embodiments, the radio interface comprises a first set of antennas configured to transmit the first transmission signal according to a first set of spatial characteristics and a second set of antennas configured to transmit the second transmission signal according to the second set of spatial characteristics. In some embodiments, the radio interface is configured to transmit both the first transmission signal and the second transmission signal from the same set of antennas. In some embodiments, the second set of spatial characteristics comprises a first set of beamforming weights for forming a radar beam and the first set of spatial characteristics comprises a second set of beamforming weights for forming a communication beam. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry is further configured to add the first set of beamforming weights and the second set of beamforming weights to produce a beam pattern for transmitting a radar signal on the radar beam and a communication signal on the communication beam, wherein the radar signal and the communication signal are the same transmission signal. In some embodiments, the radar beam and the communication beam are transmitted using the same set of time frequency resources.

[0029] According to another aspect, a method in a wireless device, WD, configured to communicate with a network node is provided. The method comprises configuring a first set of spatial characteristics for a first transmission signal to be transmitted to the network node. The method comprises configuring a second set of spatial characteristics for a second transmission signal to be transmitted to the network node, the second transmission signal being suitable for both communication and radar sensing. The method further comprises transmitting the first transmission signal and the second transmission signal using time and frequency resources allocated by the network node for communication with the network node.

[0030] According to this aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises configuring a first subset of time and frequency resources and a second subset of time and frequency resources. In some embodiments, the method further comprises transmitting, to the network node, a first transmit signal having a configured first set of spatial characteristics on the first subset. In some embodiments, the method further comprises transmitting, to the network node, the second transmit signal having a configured second set of spatial characteristics on the second subset. In some embodiments, the method further comprises modifying spatial characteristics of the second set of spatial characteristics to configure the second transmit signal for radar sensing. In some embodiments, spatial characteristics of the first set of spatial characteristics are determined prior to transmission of sounding reference signals (SRS) and are maintained until the next SRS transmission. In some embodiments, the method further comprises modifying the second set of spatial characteristics during a sounding reference signal (SRS) period while maintaining a communication beam having the first set of spatial characteristics. In some embodiments, the first set of spatial characteristics is selected to provide a main lobe for communication signaling and the second set of spatial characteristics is selected to provide a side lobe for radar sensing using the communication signaling. In some embodiments, the method further comprises transmitting the first transmit signal according to the first set of spatial characteristics and including a second set of antennas configured to transmit the second transmit signal according to the second set of spatial characteristics. In some embodiments, the method comprises transmitting both the first transmit signal and the second transmit signal from the same set of antennas. In some embodiments, the second set of spatial characteristics comprises a first set of beamforming weights for forming a radar beam and the first set of spatial characteristics comprises a second set of beamforming weights for forming a communication beam. In some embodiments, the method comprises adding the first set of beamforming weights and the second set of beamforming weights to produce a beam pattern for transmitting radar signals on the radar beam and communication signals on the communication beam, wherein the radar signals and the communication signals are the same transmitted signal. In some embodiments, the radar beam and the communication beam are formed using the same set of time frequency resources. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and the attendant advantages and features thereof will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example network architecture of a communication system connected via an intermediate network to a host computer according to the principles in the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 2is a block diagram of a host computer communicating via a network node with a WD in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example method implemented at a WD for executing a client application in a communication system including a host computer, a network node and the WD in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example method implemented at a WD for receiving user data in a communication system including a host computer, a network node and the WD in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example method implemented at a host computer for receiving user data from a WD in a communication system including the host computer, a network node and the WD in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example method implemented at a host computer for receiving user data from a WD in a communication system including the host computer, a network node and the WD in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 7 is a flowchart of an example procedure for radar utilization of a communication signal in a WD;

[0039] Figure 8 is a flowchart of another example procedure for radar utilization of a communication signal in a WD;

[0040] Figure 9 is a system overview of radar utilization of a communication signal in a WD;

[0041] Figure 10 is an illustration of resource elements for radar signal transmission and communication signal transmission; and

[0042] Figure 11 is an example of combining a communication beam and a radar beam to produce a combined beam pattern. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Before describing the example embodiments in detail, it should be noted that embodiments primarily exist in the combination of apparatus components and processing steps related to radar utilization of a communication signal in a wireless device (WD). Accordingly, components are represented by conventional symbols in the drawings, and specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. Only those details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments, however, are shown and described and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. The same reference numerals will be used throughout the description and drawings to refer to the same or like components.

[0044] As used herein, relational terms, such as“first” and“second,”“top” and “bottom,” and the like, can be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the concepts described herein. 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.

[0045] In embodiments described herein, the joining term“in communication with” and the like, can be used to indicate electrical or data communication, e.g., via physical contacts, induction, electromagnetic radiation, radio signaling, infrared signaling or optical signaling. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that multiple components can interoperate and modifications and variations of electrical and data communication are possible.

[0046] In some embodiments described herein, the term“coupled,”“connected,” and the like, can be used herein to indicate a connection, although not necessarily directly, and can include wired and / or wireless connection.

[0047] The term“network node” used herein can be any type of network node included in a radio network, which can also include any of the following: a base station (BS), a radio base station, a base transceiver station (BTS), a base station controller (BSC), a radio network controller (RNC), a g-NodeB (gNB), an evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB), a Node B, a multi- standard radio (MSR) radio node such as a MSR BS, a multi-cell / multicast coordination entity (MCE), an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a relay node, a donor node controlling relay, a radio access point (AP), a transmission point, a transmission node, a remote radio unit (RRU) remote radio head (RRH), a core network node (e.g., mobile management entity (MME), self-organizing network (SON) node, a coordinating node, a positioning node, an MDT node, etc.), an external node (e.g., a third party node, a node external to the current network), a node in a distributed antenna system (DAS), a spectrum access system (SAS) node, an element management system (EMS), etc. A network node can also include a test equipment. The term“radio node” used herein can also be used to denote a wireless device (WD), such as a wireless device (WD) or a radio network node.

[0048] In some embodiments, the non-limiting terms wireless device (WD) or user equipment (UE) can be used interchangeably. A WD herein can be any type of wireless device capable of communicating with a network node or another WD over radio signals, such as a wireless device (WD). The WD can also be a radio communication device, target device, device to device (D2D) WD, machine type WD or WD capable of machine to machine communication (M2M), low-cost and / or low-complexity WD, sensor equipped WD, tablet, mobile terminal, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongle, customer premises equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (IoT) device, or a Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) device, etc.

[0049] Further, in some embodiments, the general term“radio network node” is used. It can be any type of radio network node, which can include any of the following: a base station, a radio base station, a base transceiver station, a base station controller, a network controller, RNC, evolved Node B (eNB), Node B, gNB, multi-cell / multicast coordination entity (MCE), IAB node, relay node, access point, radio access point, remote radio unit (RRU) remote radio head (RRH).

[0050] The general term“beam” can refer to a main lobe of a directional beam with side lobes. The term“beam” can refer to a beam pattern with a main lobe and side lobes. The term“beam” can generally refer to a beam pattern. A beam pattern can refer to a communication beam pattern, a radar beam pattern, or a combined communication and radar beam pattern.

[0051] It is to be noted that although terminology from one particular wireless system, such as 3GPP LTE and / or New Radio (NR), can be used in this disclosure, this does not in any way limit the scope of the disclosure to only the aforementioned system. Other wireless systems, including but not limited to Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), can also benefit from exploiting the ideas embraced in this disclosure.

[0052] It is also to be noted that functions described herein as being carried out by a wireless device or a network node can be distributed in whole or in part to several wireless devices and / or network nodes. In other words, it is contemplated that functions of the network nodes and wireless devices described herein can be carried out by a single physical device, or, alternatively, can be distributed among several physical devices.

[0053] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0054] Some embodiments provide for radar utilization of communication signals in a wireless device (WD).

[0055] Reference is now made to the drawings, in which like elements are referred to by like reference numerals, Figure 1A schematic diagram of a communication system 10 according to an embodiment is shown in Figure 1 and can for example support a 3GPP-type cellular network which can accommodate standards such as LTE and / or NR (5G), including an access network 12, for example a radio access network, and a core network 14. The access network 12 comprises a plurality of network nodes 16a, 16b, 16c (collectively referred to as network nodes 16), such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area 18a, 18b, 18c (collectively referred to as coverage areas 18). Each network node 16a, 16b, 16c can be connected to the core network 14 by means of a wired or wireless connection 20. A first wireless device (WD) 22a located in coverage area 18a is configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding network node 16a. A second WD 22b in coverage area 18b is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding network node 16b. While a plurality of WDs 22a, 22b (collectively referred to as WDs 22) are illustrated in this example, the

[0056] Furthermore, it is contemplated that a WD 22 can be in simultaneous communication and / or configured to separately communicate with more than one network node 16 and more than one type of network node 16. For example, a WD 22 can have dual connectivity with an LTE capable network node 16 and a NR capable network node 16, which can be the same or a different type of network node 16. As another example, a WD 22 can be in communication with eNBs for LTE / E-UTRAN and gNBs for NR / NG-RAN.

[0057] The communication system 10 can be connected to a host computer 24, which can be embodied in hardware and / or software and can be embodied in a standalone server, a cloud implementation, distributed servers, or a processing resource in a server farm. The host computer 24 can be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or can be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The connections 26, 28 between the communication system 10 and the host computer 24 can extend directly from the core network 14 to the host computer 24 or can extend via an optional intermediate network 30. The intermediate network 30 can be one of, or a combination of more than one of, a public, private or hosted network; the intermediate network 30, if any, can be a backbone network or the Internet; in some embodiments, the intermediate network 30 can comprise two or more sub-networks (not shown).

[0058] Figure 1The communication system as a whole enables connectivity between one of the connected WDs 22a, 22b and the host computer 24. The connectivity can be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection. The host computer 24 and the connected WDs 22a, 22b are configured to communicate using the OTT connection via the access network 12, the core network 14, any intermediate network 30, and possible further infrastructure (not shown) as hosts as intermediaries. The OTT connection can be transparent

[0059] The wireless device 22 is configured to comprise a beam configuration unit 34 configured to configure a first set of spatial properties for a first transmit signal to be transmitted to a network node, and to configure a second set of spatial properties for a second transmit signal to be transmitted to the network node, wherein the second transmit signal is applicable for communication and radar sensing.

[0060] Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the WD 22, network node 16 and host computer 24 discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to Figure 2 Example implementations of the WD 22, network node 16 and host computer 24 discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to

[0061] The processing circuitry 42 can be configured to control any of the methods and / or processes described herein and / or to cause such methods and / or processes to be performed, for example by the host computer 24. The processor 44 corresponds to one or more processors 44 for performing the functions of the host computer 24 described herein. The host computer 24 includes memory 46 that is configured to store data, programmatic software code and / or other information described herein. In some embodiments, the software 48, and / or the host application 50, can include instructions that, when executed by the processor 44 and / or processing circuitry 42, cause the processor 44 and / or processing circuitry 42 to perform the processes described herein with respect to the host computer 24. The instructions can be software associated with the host computer 24.

[0062] The software 48 can be executable by the processing circuitry 42. The software 48 includes a host application 50. The host application 50 can be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as a WD 22 connecting via an OTT connection 52 terminating at the WD 22 and the host computer 24. In providing the service to the remote user, the host application 50 can provide user data which is transmitted using the OTT connection 52. The “user data” can be data and information described herein as implementing the described functions. In one embodiment, the host computer 24 can be configured for providing control and functionality to a service provider and can be operated by or in conjunction with the service provider.

[0063] The communication system 10 further includes the network node 16 provided in a communication system 10 that comprises hardware 58 enabling it to communicate with the host computer 24 and the WD 22. The hardware 58 can include a communication interface 60 for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of the communication system 10 as well as a radio interface 62 for setting up and maintaining at least a wireless connection 64 with a WD 22 located in a coverage area 18 served by the network node 16. The radio interface 62 can be formed as or can include, for example, one or more RF transmitters, one or more RF receivers, and / or one or more RF transceivers. The communication interface 60 can be configured to facilitate a connection 66 to the host computer 24. The connection 66 can be direct or it can pass through a core network 14 of the communication system 10 and / or through one or more intermediate networks 30 outside the communication system 10.

[0064] In the illustrated embodiment, the hardware 58 of the network node 16 further includes processing circuitry 68. The processing circuitry 68 can include a processor 70 and a memory 72. In particular, in addition to or instead of a processor such as a central processing unit(s) and a memory, the processing circuitry 68 can comprise integrated circuitry for processing and / or control, e.g., one or more processors and / or processor cores and / or FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuitry) adapted to execute instructions, hi particular, the processor 70 can be configured to access (e.g., write to and / or read from) memory 72, which can include any kind of volatile and / or nonvolatile storage, e.g., cache and / or buffer memory and / or RAM (Random Access Memory) and / or ROM (Read Only Memory) and / or optical storage and / or EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM).

[0065] Thus, the network node 16 further has software 74 stored internally, e.g., in the memory 72 or in an external memory (e.g., a database, a storage array, a network storage device, etc.) accessible by the network node 16 through an external connection. The software 74 can be executable by the processing circuitry 68. The processing circuitry 68 can be configured to control any of the methods and / or processes described herein and / or to cause such methods, and / or processes to be performed, e.g., by the network node 16. The processor 70 corresponds to one or more processors 70 for performing network node 16 functions described herein. The memory 72 is configured to store data, programmatic software code and / or other information described herein. In some embodiments, the software 74 can include instructions that, when executed by the processor 70 and / or processing circuitry 68, cause the processor 70 and / or processing circuitry 68 to perform the processes described herein with respect to the network node 16.

[0066] The communication system 10 further includes the WD 22 already referred to. The WD 22 can have hardware 80, which can include a radio interface 82 configured to set up and maintain a wireless connection 64 with a network node 16 serving a coverage area in which the WD 22 is currently located. The radio interface 82 can be formed as or can include, for example, one or more RF transmitters, one or more RF receivers, and / or one or more RF transceivers.

[0067] The hardware 80 of WD 22 further includes processing circuitry 84. The processing circuitry 84 can include a processor 86 and memory 88. In particular, in addition to or instead of a processor, such as a central processing unit, and memory, the processing circuitry 84 can comprise integrated circuitry for processing and / or control, e.g., one or more processors and / or processor cores and / or FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuitry) adapted to execute instructions, hi particular, the processor 86 can be configured to access (e.g., write to and / or read from) memory 88, which can include any kind of volatile and / or nonvolatile storage and / or data repository. For example, the memory 88 can include a cache memory and / or a buffer storage and / or a RAM (Random Access Memory) and / or a ROM (Read Only Memory) and / or an optical memory and / or an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM).

[0068] Thus, the WD 22 can further comprise software 90, which is stored in, for example, memory 88 at the WD 22, or in an external memory accessible by the WD 22 (e.g., a database, a storage array, a network storage device, etc.). The software 90 can be executable by the processing circuitry 84. The software 90 can include a client application 92. The client application 92 can be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via the WD 22, with the support of the host computer 24. In the host computer 24, an executing host application 50 can communicate with the executing client application 92 via the OTT connection 52 terminating at the WD 22 and the host computer 24. In providing the service to the user, the client application 92 can receive request data from the host application 50 and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection 52 can transfer both the request data and the user data. The client application 92 can interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides. Further, the radio interface 82 can include a plurality of antenna panels 94 configured to individually or jointly form beams with spatial characteristics that can be optimized to facilitate simultaneous communication and radar signaling.

[0069] Processing circuitry 84 can be configured to control any of the methods and / or processes described herein and / or to cause such methods and / or processes to be performed, e.g., by WD 22. Processor 86 corresponds to one or more processors 86 for performing WD 22 functions described herein. WD 22 includes memory 88 that is configured to store data, programmatic software code and / or other information described herein. In some embodiments, the software 90 and / or the client application 92 can include instructions that, when executed by processor 86 and / or processing circuitry 84, enable processor 86 and / or processing circuitry 84 to perform processes described herein with respect to WD 22. For example, the processing circuitry 84 of wireless device 22 can include a beam configuration unit 34 configured to configure a first set of spatial properties for a first transmission signal to be transmitted to a network node, and to configure a second set of spatial properties for a second transmission signal to be transmitted to the network node, wherein the second transmission signal is adapted for communication and radar sensing.

[0070] In some embodiments, the inner workings of the network nodes 16, WD 22, and host computer 24 can be as shown in FIG. 10 and independently, the surrounding network topology can be that of FIG. 9. Figure 2 Figure 1

[0071] In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the OTT connection 52 is drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between the host computer 24 and the wireless device 22 via the network node 16, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices. Network infrastructure can determine the routing, which can be configured to hide from the WD 22 or from the service provider operating the host computer 24, or both. Figure 2

[0072] In some embodiments, the host computer 24 includes processing circuitry 42 configured to provide user data and a communication interface 40 configured to forward the user data to a cellular network for transmission to the WD 22. In some embodiments, the cellular network further includes a network node 16 having a radio interface 62. In some embodiments, the network node 16 is configured to and / or the network node’s 16 processing circuitry 68 is configured to perform the functions and / or methods described herein for preparing / initiating / maintaining / supporting / ending transmissions to the WD 22, and / or preparing / terminating / maintaining / supporting / ending reception of transmissions from the WD 22.

[0073] ​​​In some embodiments, host computer 24 includes processing circuitry 42 and a communication interface 40 configured to receive user data originating from transmissions from WD 22 to network node 16. In some embodiments, WD 22 is configured to and / or include a radio interface 82 and / or processing circuitry 84 configured to implement the functions and / or methods described herein for preparing / initiating / maintaining / supporting / terminating transmissions to network node 16, and / or preparing / terminating / maintaining / supporting / terminating reception of transmissions from network node 16.

[0074] although Figure 1 and Figure 2 Various "units," such as beam configuration unit 34, are shown, which reside within a corresponding processor. However, it is conceivable that these units could be implemented such that a portion of the unit is stored in a corresponding memory within the processing circuitry. In other words, the units can be implemented within the processing circuitry in hardware or a combination of hardware and software.

[0075] Figure 3 This illustrates a communication system (e.g., according to one embodiment) Figure 1 and Figure 2 The flowchart illustrates an example method implemented in a communication system. The communication system may include a host computer 24, a network node 16, and a WD 22, which may be referenced... Figure 2 The methods described herein. In the first step, host computer 24 provides user data (block S100). In an optional sub-step of the first step, host computer 24 provides user data by executing a host application (e.g., host application 50) (block S102). In the second step, host computer 24 initiates a transmission carrying user data to WD 22 (block S104). In an optional third step, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, network node 16 sends the user data carried in the transmission initiated by host computer 24 to WD 22 (block S106). In an optional fourth step, WD 22 executes a client application associated with host application 50 executed by host computer 24, such as client application 92 (block S108).

[0076] Figure 4 This illustrates a communication system (e.g., according to one embodiment) Figure 1 The flowchart illustrates an example method implemented in a communication system. The communication system may include a host computer 24, a network node 16, and a WD 22, which may be referenced... Figure 1 and Figure 2those described with reference to the illustrative embodiments of Figures 1 through 7. In a first step, the host computer 24 provides user data (Block SI 10). In an optional substep (not shown) the host computer 24 provides the user data by executing a host application, such as the host application 50. In a second step, the host computer 24 initiates a transmission of the user data to the WD 22 (Block SI 12). The transmission can pass via the network node 16, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In an optional third step, the WD 22 receives the user data carried in the transmission (Block SI 14).

[0077] Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example method implemented in a communication system, such as the communication system of Figure 1 . The communication system can include a host computer 24, a network node 16 and a WD 22, which can be those described with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 . In an optional first step of the method, the WD 22 receives input data provided by the host computer 24 (Block SI 16). In an optional substep of the first step, the WD 22 executes the client application 92 which provides the user data in response to the received input data provided by the host computer 24 (Block SI 18). Additionally or alternatively, in an optional second step, the WD 22 provides user data (Block S120). In an optional substep of the second step, the WD provides the user data by executing the client application, such as the client application 92 (Block S122). In providing the user data, the executed client application 92 can further take into account user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided, the WD 22 can initiate, in an optional third substep, a transmission of the user data to the host computer 24 (Block S124). In a fourth step of the method, the host computer 24 receives the user data transmitted from the WD 22, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure (Block S126).

[0078] Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating an example method implemented in a communication system, such as the communication system of Figure 1 . The communication system can include a host computer 24, a network node 16 and a WD 22, which can be those described with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2Those described. In an optional first step of the method, the network node 16 receives user data from the WD 22, block S128, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In an optional second step, the network node 16 initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer 24, block S130. In a third step, the host computer 24 receives the user data carried by the transmission initiated by the network node 16, block S132.

[0079] Figure 7 is a flowchart outlining an example procedure in a wireless device 22 according to some embodiments of the disclosure. One or more blocks described herein can be implemented by one or more elements of the wireless device 22, such as by one or more of the processing circuitry 84 (including the beam configuration unit 34), the processor 86, the radio interface 82, and / or the communications interface 60. The wireless device 22, such as via the processing circuitry 84 and / or the processor 86 and / or the radio interface 82, is configured to configure a first set of spatial properties for a first transmission signal to be transmitted to a network node, block S134. The method comprises configuring a second set of spatial properties for a second transmission signal to be transmitted to the network node, the second transmission signal being adapted for communication and radar sensing, block S136. The method further comprises transmitting the first transmission signal and the second transmission signal using time and frequency resources allocated by the network node for communication with the network node, block S138.

[0080] According to this aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes configuring a first subset of time and frequency resources and a second subset of time and frequency resources. In some embodiments, the method further includes transmitting, to the network node, a first transmit signal having a configured first set of spatial characteristics on the first subset. In some embodiments, the method further includes transmitting, to the network node, a second transmit signal having a configured second set of spatial characteristics on the second subset. In some embodiments, the method further includes modifying spatial characteristics of the second set of spatial characteristics to configure the second transmit signal for radar sensing. In some embodiments, the spatial characteristics of the first set of spatial characteristics are determined prior to transmission of sounding reference signals (SRS) and are maintained until the next SRS transmission. In some embodiments, the method further includes modifying the second set of spatial characteristics during a sounding reference signal (SRS) period while maintaining a communication beam having the first set of spatial characteristics. In some embodiments, the first set of spatial characteristics is selected to provide a main lobe for communication signaling and the second set of spatial characteristics is selected to provide a side lobe for radar sensing using the communication signaling. In some embodiments, the method further includes transmitting the first transmit signal according to the first set of spatial characteristics and including a second set of antennas configured to transmit the second transmit signal according to the second set of spatial characteristics. In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting both the first transmit signal and the second transmit signal from the same set of antennas. In some embodiments, the second set of spatial characteristics includes a first set of beamforming weights for forming a radar beam and the first set of spatial characteristics includes a second set of beamforming weights for forming a communication beam. In some embodiments, the method includes adding the first set of beamforming weights and the second set of beamforming weights to produce a beam pattern for transmitting radar signals on the radar beam and communication signals on the communication beam, where the radar signals and the communication signals are the same transmitted signal. In some embodiments, the radar beam and the communication beam are formed using the same set of time frequency resources.

[0081] Figure 8 is a flowchart representation of an example procedure in a wireless device 22 in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. One or more of the blocks described herein can be implemented by one or more elements of the wireless device 22, such as by one or more of the processing circuitry 84 (including the beam configuration unit 34), the processor 86, the radio interface 82, and / or the communications interface 60. The procedure implemented by the wireless device 22, the processing circuitry 84, the radio interface 82, and / or the communications interface 80 can include initiating a radar mode and starting a beam sweep operation (S140). Figure 8An example procedure of the enables a WD 22 to search for a suitable radar adjusted of its transmit beams during communication with a network. The WD can determine a need to adjust its transmit spatial characteristics in order to also implement radar operations and switch between different options of such adjustments. In one or more examples, such adjustments can be implemented in communication with the network between SRS periods. In this way, the network can implement analysis (e.g., channel sensing) on signals transmitted by the WD with the same device-originated transmission characteristics as the communication, while the device can adjust its transmission characteristics for upcoming SRS transmissions.

[0082] Figure 8 The procedure of the includes determining whether an acceptable radar adjusted spatial characteristic has been identified (block S142). If an acceptable radar adjusted spatial characteristic has been identified, the identified acceptable radar adjusted spatial characteristic is used for transmissions of the radar operation (block S144). On the other hand, if an acceptable radar adjusted spatial characteristic has not been identified, a time for beam modification is determined (block S146). Methods of determining whether an acceptable radar adjusted spatial characteristic has been identified are disclosed herein. Some methods can be implemented through communication with one or more other wireless devices, e.g., by receiving one or more indicators of radar sensing performance or detected signal strength from a different wireless device. Such communication can be implemented through, e.g., a communication protocol other than a cellular technology protocol, e.g., a local connection communication between devices via Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, or other local or short-range communication. In one or more examples, the determination can be implemented by the WD itself, e.g., by analyzing one or more transmission or reception characteristics, e.g., energy transmitted in a particular direction relative to movement of the device.

[0083] For example, the determined time for beam modification can be earlier than a sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission. The spatial characteristics of the beam can be adjusted in order to select one of a set of radar beam alternatives (block S148). The SRS can be transmitted, and the radar beam can be evaluated for radar operations (block S150). The procedure then proceeds to block S152 to determine whether the radar mode has ended. If not, the procedure proceeds to block S142. If the radar mode has ended, the procedure ends.

[0084] Some embodiments include a WD configured to transmit control signaling and / or data on transmit resources allocated for uplink and / or sidelink transmissions of the WD in a wireless communication network. Upon determining an opportunity to utilize an upcoming transmission for radar sensing operations, the WD can temporarily adjust its spatial transmit characteristics so that energy from the control and / or data transmissions for the WD's uplink and / or sidelink communications can also be used for radar sensing in a better way than without the adjusted spatial characteristics. This can include temporarily adding transmit energy in a direction suitable for radar sensing via a sidelobe from the transmitter chain while implementing control and / or data communications with the wireless network. In this way, radar sensing operations can be implemented by using a transmit signal that is like the transmit signal expected to be generated according to the communication protocol for communications with the wireless network. Using one or more of these signals and / or channels generated for communicating with the wireless network over the uplink and / or sidelink, the transmissions can be implemented for radar sensing in addition to the communications without specific configuration or additional control signaling of the network.

[0085] In other words, both the first and second transmit signals can be signals that the network node expects to be transmitted by the WD and are constructed according to the provisions of the communication protocol used in communications with the network node. For example, the first and second transmit signals can be two control signals of the same type that are transmitted by the WD at different times. Or, they can be data transmission occasions in which the WD transmits payload data to the network or another WD. For example, the first and second transmit signals can be two occasions of SRS transmissions, two occasions of random access preamble transmissions, two occasions of PRS transmissions, two occasions of sidelink synchronization signals, or two occasions of any data and / or control channels or signals that the WD is to transmit according to the communication protocol utilized. Adapting the second transmit signal for additional use in radar signaling can include the WD serving a dual purpose (both communication and radar) with the transmission of the second transmit signal. At the same time, the channel coding, data generation, signal generation, modulation, or other protocol or signal generation modifications of the second transmit signal can be without change. This is in comparison to the first transmit signal. The only change can be a change in the spatial characteristics utilized. Thus, when the WD determines to use an upcoming transmission for radar sensing in addition to a communication purpose, a second set of spatial characteristics can be used by the WD for the transmission, where the second set of transmit spatial characteristics supports the additional use of radar sensing. In other words, the adaptation of the transmit signal for additional use in radar signaling can be implemented by applying different spatial transmit characteristics, for example, to create a sidelobe of transmit energy in a direction of interest for radar sensing when the signal is transmitted.

[0086] The WD can be configured to modify the second set of spatial characteristics to configure the second transmit signal for radar sensing. For example, the WD can apply different spatial transmit characteristics when transmitting the second transmit signal compared to when the WD transmits the first transmit signal, resulting in a different angular output power transmit pattern. In this case, the transmitted energy can be more suitable for transmission for both intended communication and radar sensing. However, as mentioned above, the first and second transmit signals can be the same type of signal with the same information and the same signal properties. Signal properties can include modulation, coding, sequence generation, or any property of a radio protocol layer that affects the signal. In other words, the second transmit signal can be formed by adding transmit energy from the WD in different directions when implementing transmission of the second signal compared to when implementing transmission of the first signal. This can be done in such a way that more energy is transmitted in the sidelobe directions compared to the energy transmission of the first signal. The WD can have dual transmission purposes: radar sensing and communication with the known upcoming transmission of the second signal. Configuring the second transmit signal can include configuring the WD to use the second transmit signal for combined communication and radar sensing. In some embodiments, configuring the second transmit signal can mean that the signal generation in all other beams in different transmit directions from the WD is the same for the first and second transmissions.

[0087] Furthermore, the WD can be configured to configure a first subset of time and frequency resources and a second subset of time and frequency resources. This can include configuring the WD to identify a first subset of network allocated time and frequency resources suitable only for communication purposes. The WD can be configured to also identify a second subset of network allocated time and frequency resources suitable for combined communication and radar sensing. Furthermore, the WD can apply a first set of spatial transmit characteristics to upcoming transmissions on the first subset of resources and it can apply a second set of spatial transmit characteristics to upcoming transmissions on the second subset of resources. In this way, the transmissions on the second subset of resources can need to transmit more energy in the sidelobe directions, for example, compared to the transmissions on the first subset of resources. In addition, the reflected RF signals from this additional energy can be used for radar sensing by the WD or radar sensing by another WD in the vicinity of the WD.

[0088] Having described the general process flow of the arrangements of the present disclosure and provided examples of hardware and software arrangements for implementing the processes and functions of the present disclosure, the following sections provide details and examples of arrangements of radar utilization of communication signals in a wireless device (WD).

[0089] Figure 9 A high-level overview of the scenarios for this proposal is shown in FIG. 1. Figure 9The basic assumption of the examples is that the WD 22 operates as a communication device in a cellular wireless system and can be simultaneously configured to implement radar / sensing operations. The network node allocating the communication resources can not be aware of the simultaneous radar configuration of the WD 22. In other words, one or more radio resource elements can be shared to be used both for communication with another entity in the network and for radar functionality. Figure 10 Examples of such resource allocation sharing are shown in the figures.

[0090] In some embodiments, the WD 22 can modify one or more spatial transmission characteristics of the signal when transmitted on the combined resources to form different beam patterns to improve the radar functionality.

[0091] In some embodiments, the modification is made during a certain time period when the WD 22 is engaged in radar operations. In some embodiments, the WD 22 can be engaged in a radar operation session, which in turn can be initiated in a number of different ways. Such radar functionality initiation can be done at least by one or more of the following:

[0092] - User initiation via a user interface, which triggers the WD 22 to start operating the radar functionality. This can initiate a WD 22 coordination functionality, where a number of WDs in the vicinity can be identified as suitable WDs to support dual or multi-base radar operation. Such coordination can be done via separate communication links, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth local connections, or by WD 22 to WD 22 (sidelink) communication over the cellular connection;

[0093] - Initiated by another WD 22 requiring its implementation of radar operations, similar to the above alternative; and / or

[0094] - Initiated by the network node involving the WD 22’s radar operation via the signaling protocol used between the WD 22 and the cellular network.

[0095] The WD 22 can extract the required radar signal transmission beam power and direction from the above radar functionality initiation. Once the WD 22 has determined that radar operations are to be performed, the WD 22 can start adjusting its spatial characteristics for the intended radar operation. For example, the required radar illumination direction and over-the-air synchronization reference path between the transmitting (TX) and (RX) nodes (for dual-base radar operation). In some embodiments, the network node 16 can assume that beam correspondence functionality will be valid for the WD 22, meaning that irrespective of the adjustment of the spatial characteristics, the main lobe should be maintained in order to ensure that the WD 22 is able to determine its optimal transmit beam for communication using the receive beam characteristics, irrespective of any adjustment of the side lobes for radar operations.

[0096] Furthermore, the WD 22 can be licensed for sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission, or can be licensed for other transmissions that can be used to maintain a good communication link assessment between the WD 22 and the network in the uplink.

[0097] In some embodiments, the WD 22 can adjust the spatial characteristics of the beam, for example, prior to an SRS transmission, and then maintain the same spatial characteristics until the next SRS transmission. In this way, the WD 22 can implement a radar beam sweep over multiple SRS transmission cycles, while at the same time maintaining the transmission characteristics from SRS transmission to data transmission for each SRS cycle. In this way, the network node 16 can evaluate the full transmission properties of the WD 22 for each SRS transmission, and reliably estimate the communication contribution of the radar lobes configured according to the subset of spatial characteristics of the beam used for communication and radar signaling. The network node 16 can estimate and consider the possible interference impact of the radar lobes on other transmission and reception points (TRPs) or cells.

[0098] In some embodiments, the WD 22 can implement multiple different spatial transmissions over time during a single SRS cycle. If the SRS sounding procedure is not frequent, the WD 22 can implement radar sensing in multiple directions between two SRS transmissions. In this way, the WD 22 can modify the transmission over time to ensure that different side lobes of the radar beam can be used, while still maintaining the same main lobe for communication transmission purposes. In alternative embodiments, the WD 22 can thus use only the second dedicated communication lobe (second subset of spatial characteristics) to implement the communication related transmissions of the network node 16 (e.g., SRS sounding transmissions) for determining channel conditions and possible link adaptation, when the radar lobe is deactivated. The network node 16 then does not need to rely on any energy contained in the radar lobe, and the communication transmission is robust to any radar transmission direction.

[0099] Example method of spatial transmission modification

[0100] The WD 22 can implement the modification of its spatial characteristics in a variety of ways, while still maintaining compliance with the radio requirements.

[0101] In some embodiments, the WD 22 can be modified for radar optimization of multiple antenna panels 94 for the same transmission. In this way, the WD 22 can transmit a main beam from a first antenna panel 94, in addition to also adding a second radar optimized beam transmitted by a second antenna panel 94.

[0102] In some embodiments, the WD 22 can be configured to combine the communication beam and the radar beam for transmission from the same antenna panel 94. For each of the two beams, the beam / precoding weights can be determined individually. For the communication lobe, which can be the main beam or the lobe with the desired signal power in the beam direction for communication signaling, the precoding coefficients can be determined based on previously received signals or measurements and / or based on configuration information from the network node 16 according to traditional algorithms. For the radar lobe, the lobe direction and configuration can be determined based on the desired illumination area / direction for the WD 22 position and orientation. The weights for forming the radar lobe can be based on the predetermined positions and radiation patterns of the WD 22 antenna elements. The position and orientation can be based on previous sensing and / or positioning information, input from an inertial motion unit (IMU), etc.

[0103] The desired direction can be determined based on detected objects in a previously sensed or imaged area, e.g., to perform a higher resolution scan of a part of the area or of the remaining spatial area to be sensed, e.g., to complete a scan of the environment, etc. For each antenna element, the corresponding weights for the two beams can be added to obtain the weights for the combined transmission pattern. In a beamformer with Cartesian antenna element weights, e.g., a digital beamformer, the I and Q coordinates are added separately. In a beamformer with polar antenna element weights, e.g., an analog beamformer, the magnitude and phase of the added vector must be calculated. This can be obtained, e.g., by converting the two weights to Cartesian coordinates I and Q, which can then be added separately, and then converting the result back to polar coordinates. Without quantization, the result can be a perfect sum of the two beam patterns. However, analog beamformers with polar weights tend to have significant quantization of the magnitude and phase weights, which can affect the result. Therefore, simulations were implemented to study the impact of quantization when adding a lower power radar beam to the main communication beam.

[0104] Example simulation of beam modification

[0105] Figure 11 An example MATLAB simulation is shown to illustrate the beamforming effect when adding a strong beam pattern to a weaker beam pattern when using antenna weights in magnitude and phase form, when all phase and magnitude weights are quantized. In the example of Figure 11 the stronger pattern is the angular power spectrum of a communication transmission (communication beam) and the weaker pattern is the angular power spectrum of a radar transmission (radar beam). Quantized magnitude and phase are common in analog beamforming circuits.

[0106] In Figure 11In this case, the combined beam pattern follows the two main lobes very well. All amplitudes are quantized in 10 equidistant levels, and the phases are quantized in 10-degree steps. In other words, the array patterns can be successfully added with reasonable quantization requirements.

[0107] For the simulation results of Figure 11 the sum of the two array patterns is clipped to the maximum value of the antenna element weights (otherwise it would exceed the maximum value), instead of reducing the overall array amplitude to accommodate all amplitude weights in range. Despite this clipping, the sum pattern follows the two main lobes very well.

[0108] Figure 11 is a simulation of a linear array of 8 antenna elements with one wavelength spacing. Figure 3 The 90-degree angle on the x-axis in corresponds to the boresight.

[0109] As described above, in some embodiments, the radar lobe and the communication lobe can have signal content in a common time and frequency resource element. In some embodiments, the radar lobe content can be different from the communication lobe content. To improve ranging performance, the radar lobe signal can be a different sequence with autocorrelation or cross-correlation properties, or a shorter signal occupying only a part of the allocated symbol to reduce full-duplex leakage, etc. Some embodiments can be employed in cases where the radar lobe direction can not contribute to the signal received by the network node 16 (e.g., the WD 22 is in line-of-sight (LOS) and / or the radar lobe is directed away from the direction towards the network node 16). Any prior signaling by the network node 16 for configuring the WD 22 transmission, e.g., preparatory UL sensing or DL RS reception and evaluation and application of beam correspondence, can then be implemented in a case of only communication lobe activity while the radar lobe is inactive.

[0110] Some embodiments can include one or more of the following:

[0111] Embodiment 1. A method in a WD 22 for radar signal transmission, comprising:

[0112] configuring a first transmission lobe for radar signal transmission,

[0113] configuring a second transmission lobe for communication signal transmission,

[0114] transmitting the first lobe and the second lobe simultaneously.

[0115] Embodiment 2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the first lobe and the second lobe contain a second [communication] signal.

[0116] Example 3. The method of Example 1, wherein the first lobe contains first [radar] signals and the second lobe contains second [communication] signals.

[0117] Example 4. The method of Example 2, wherein the first lobe and the second lobe are transmitted by summing first and second lobe pre-coding / beamforming weights on two or more antenna elements of a first antenna panel.

[0118] Example 5. The method of Example 2, wherein the first lobe and the second lobe are transmitted by applying first lobe pre-coding / beamforming weights on a first antenna panel and second lobe pre-coding / beamforming weights on a second antenna panel.

[0119] Example 6. The method of Example 1, wherein first lobe pre-coding / beamforming weights are configured based on a desired radar scanning direction relative to the WD 22, and second lobe pre-coding / beamforming weights are configured based on optimizing communication signal transmission [conventional].

[0120] Example 7. The method of Example 1, further comprising implementing a preparatory signal reception / transmission to allow the NW to schedule / configure communication transmission (1) where only the second lobe is activated, or (2) where the first lobe and the second lobe are activated. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the concepts described herein can be embodied as a method, data processing system, computer program product, and / or computer storage media storing executable computer program code. Accordingly, the concepts described herein can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects (all referred to herein as a“circuit” or“module”). Any process, step, action and / or functionality described herein can be performed by, and / or associated to, a corresponding module, which can be implemented in software and / or firmware and / or hardware. Furthermore, the disclosure can take the form of a computer program product on a tangible computer usable storage medium having computer program code embodied in the medium that can be executed by a computer. Any suitable tangible computer readable medium can be utilized including a hard disk, CD-ROM, electronic storage, optical storage, or magnetic storage.

[0121] Some embodiments are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, systems and computer program products. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0122] These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable memory or storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function / act specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0123] The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0124] It will be understood that the functions / acts noted in the blocks can occur out of the order noted in the operational illustrations. For example, two blocks noted in succession can in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks can sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality / acts involved. Although some of the diagrams can include arrows on communication paths to show the primary direction of communication, it is to be understood that communication can occur in the opposite direction to the arrows.

[0125] Computer program code for carrying out operations of the concepts described herein can be written in an object oriented programming language, such as Python, Java®, or C++. However, the computer program code for carrying out operations of the disclosure can also be written in a conventional procedural programming language, such as the "C" programming language. The program code can execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer. In the latter scenario, the remote computer can be connected to the user's computer through a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection can be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

[0126] Many different embodiments are disclosed herein with reference to the above description and drawings. It should be appreciated that describing and showing the embodiments in this manner is not intended to limit the scope of what the inventors have contributed to the art but rather serves the more purpose of enabling a thorough and complete understanding of the embodiments. Accordingly, the disclosure of specific details is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Further, unless otherwise noted, the drawings are not drawn to scale. For the purpose of clarity, not all contemplated embodiments will be described. Numerous specific implementations are described to illustrate the embodiments. However, particular implementations can be practiced without resorting to the details discussed in the following part.

[0127] Abbreviations that can be used in the preceding description include:

[0128] 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project

[0129] DL Downlink

[0130] eNB Evolved Node B

[0131] gNB Next Generation Node B

[0132] SRS Sounding Reference Signal

[0133] LTE Long Term Evolution

[0134] NR New Radio

[0135] UL Uplink

[0136] WD Wireless Device

[0137] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments described herein are not limited to what has been particularly shown and described above. Furthermore, unless mentioned otherwise, all drawings are not drawn to scale. Various modifications and variations can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A wireless device, WD, (22) configured to communicate with a network node (16), the WD (22) comprising: processing circuitry (84) configured to: configure a first set of spatial properties for a first transmit signal to be transmitted to the network node (16); configure a second set of spatial properties for a second transmit signal to be transmitted to the network node (16), the second transmit signal being applicable for communication and radar sensing; and a radio interface (82) in communication with the processing circuitry (84) and configured to transmit the first transmit signal and the second transmit signal using time and frequency resources allocated by the network node (16) for communication with the network node (16).

2. The WD (22) of claim 1, wherein: the processing circuitry (84) is further configured to configure a first subset of the time and frequency resources and a second subset of the time and frequency resources; and the radio interface (82) is further configured to: transmit the first transmit signal with the configured first set of spatial properties to the network node (16) on the first subset; and transmit the second transmit signal with the configured second set of spatial properties to the network node (16) on the second subset. the processing circuitry (84) is further configured to modify spatial properties of the second set of spatial properties to configure the second transmit signal for radar sensing.

3. The WD (22) of any of claims 1 and 2, wherein, the spatial properties of the second set of spatial properties are determined prior to transmission of sounding reference signals, SRS, and are maintained until the next SRS transmission.

4. The WD (22) of any of claims 1-3, wherein, the processing circuitry (84) is further configured to modify the second set of spatial properties during a sounding reference signal, SRS, period while maintaining a communication beam with the first set of spatial properties.

5. The WD (22) of any of claims 1-4, wherein, the first set of spatial properties is selected to provide a main lobe for communication signaling and the second set of spatial properties is selected to additionally provide a side lobe for radar sensing using the communication signaling.

6. The WD (22) of any of claims 1-5, wherein the radio interface (82) comprises a first set of antennas configured to transmit the first transmit signal according to the first set of spatial properties and comprises a second set of antennas configured to transmit the second transmit signal according to the second set of spatial properties.

7. The WD (22) of any of claims 1-6, wherein the radio interface (82) is configured to transmit both the first transmit signal and the second transmit signal from the same set of antennas.

8. The WD (22) of any of claims 1-6, wherein, the second set of spatial properties comprises a first set of beamforming weights for forming a radar beam and the first set of spatial properties comprises a second set of beamforming weights for forming a communication beam.

9. The WD (22) of any of claims 1-8, wherein, the processing circuitry (84) is further configured to add the first set of beamforming weights and the second set of beamforming weights to produce a beam pattern for transmitting a radar signal on the radar beam and a communication signal on the communication beam, and wherein the radar signal and the communication signal are the same transmitted signal.

10. The WD (22) of claim 9, wherein, the radar beam and the communication beam are transmitted using the same set of time frequency resources.

11. The WD (22) of any of claims 9 and 10, wherein ​ 12. A method in a wireless device, WD (22), configured to communicate with a network node (16), the method comprising: configuring (S134) a first set of spatial properties for a first transmit signal to be transmitted to the network node (16); configuring (S136) a second set of spatial properties for a second transmit signal to be transmitted to the network node (16), the second transmit signal being adapted for communication and radar sensing; and transmitting (S138) the first transmit signal and the second transmit signal using time and frequency resources allocated by the network node (16) for communication with the network node (16).

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: configuring a first subset of the time and frequency resources and a second subset of the time and frequency resources; transmitting the first transmit signal with the configured first set of spatial properties to the network node (16) on the first subset; and transmitting the second transmit signal with the configured second set of spatial properties to the network node (16) on the second subset.

14. The method of any one of claims 12 and 13, further comprising: modifying spatial properties of the second set of spatial properties to configure the second transmit signal for radar sensing.

15. The method of any one of claims 12-14, wherein, spatial properties of the first set of spatial properties are determined prior to transmission of sounding reference signals, SRS, and maintained until the next SRS transmission.

16. The method of any of claims 12-15, further comprising: modifying the second set of spatial properties during a sounding reference signal, SRS, period while maintaining a communication beam with the first set of spatial properties.

17. The method of any one of claims 12-16, wherein, the first set of spatial properties is selected to provide a main lobe for communication signaling and the second set of spatial properties is selected to provide a side lobe for radar sensing using the communication signaling.

18. The method of any of claims 12-17, further comprising: transmitting the first transmit signal according to the first set of spatial properties and including a second set of antennas configured to transmit the second transmit signal according to the second set of spatial properties.

19. The method of any of claims 12-17, further comprising: transmitting both the first transmit signal and the second transmit signal from the same set of antennas.

20. The method of any one of claims 12-19, wherein, the second set of spatial properties includes a first set of beamforming weights for forming a radar beam and the first set of spatial properties includes a second set of beamforming weights for forming a communication beam.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising: adding the first set of beamforming weights and the second set of beamforming weights to produce a beam pattern for transmitting a radar signal on the radar beam and a communication signal on the communication beam, and wherein the radar signal and the communication signal are the same transmitted signal.

22. The method of any one of claims 20 and 21, wherein, the radar beam and the communication beam are transmitted using the same set of time frequency resources.

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