Method and apparatus for semi-persistent radar sensing in a wireless communication system

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses in a wireless network enable semi-persistent radar sensing in a wireless communication system. The UE (110) receives (235), from the network (120), a semi-static radar resource configuration that specifies a plurality of radar resource sets. The UE later receives (245) a command that directs the UE to transmit one or more radar signals and / or monitor for reception of one or more radar signals using a selected radar resource set among the plurality of radar resource sets.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This document generally describes the methods and apparatus for operating in wireless communication systems, such as those described in the concurrent 3GPP Technical Specifications (TS), also known as 3GPP communication systems. Background Technology

[0002] Telecommunications technology aspires to efficiently integrate wireless communication and radar sensing. Radar sensing relies on detecting reflected radar signals and analyzing them to determine the distance, angle, and radial velocity of a tracked object. Radar (i.e., devices that emit and / or detect radar signals) is known for its use in military and air traffic control operations. Radar hardware can be present in user equipment (UE) to replace or supplement other sensors, such as cameras. Radar sensing offers improved performance under certain environmental conditions, such as low light and fog, or moving or overlapping objects. While using radar can be advantageous, there are many challenges associated with operating radar in the UE. One such challenge relates to interference that radar can introduce when using signals with frequencies similar to those used for wireless communication. Radar operation can reduce UE sensitivity or introduce additional noise, which can blur or distort wireless communication signals (especially received signals with lower power), thus hindering the UE from correctly decoding the wireless communication signals. In some cases, radar operation can cause the UE to miss phone calls, exhibit poor call quality, or experience long delays in downloading information, leading to user frustration.

[0003] Configuring, starting, and stopping the UE's radar transmission and / or reception requires significant signaling overhead, including time-frequency resources, available antennas, transmit power, processing capabilities, etc., used for such control signaling. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The various embodiments described in this document reduce signaling overhead for radar operation of the UE by using a semi-static UE radar resource configuration that specifies multiple radar resource sets. A UE that has received such a configuration then receives a command to use one of the radar resource sets. The UE's radar operation is based on a semi-persistent scheduling technique, under which the UE does not wait for instructions regarding each radar transmit / receive, but operates in a specified manner until prompted to stop or change the current radar operation, or until a predetermined maximum radar operation period expires.

[0005] According to some embodiments, a network entity (NE), such as a base station (BS), a unit of a distributed BS, or a core network (CN) device, communicates a radar resource configuration to the UE specifying at least two radar resource sets. The NE may provide this radar resource configuration using a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message. The NE then sends a command (e.g., a control signal) instructing the UE to use the selected radar resource set from the radar resource sets specified in the radar resource configuration to transmit radar signals or monitor for receiving radar signals. The NE may send this command using a Downlink Control Information (DCI) message or a Media Access Control (MAC) control element (CE).

[0006] The radar resource set specifies one or more of the following: time allocation domains (e.g., slot or symbol index, periodicity, and offset of radar transmission within a frame or subframe, or resource element); frequency domain allocation (e.g., frequency band, bandwidth portion, supplementary uplink indication for signaling when the radar resource set employs supplementary uplink as defined in the 3GPP technical specifications, or resource block); and / or spatial allocation domains (e.g., antenna port or combination of antenna ports to be used and / or indication of whether one or more radar signals are directional or isotropic). Further radar-related parameters include radar signal definitions (e.g., radar modulation techniques, radar waveforms, and / or radar sequences); and / or one or more radar operation parameters (e.g., indication of whether the radar resource set is to be used for transmitting or receiving radar signals, radar transmit power, time periods associated with the UE periodically transmitting one or more radar signals and / or monitoring for receiving one or more radar signals, or radar operation duration limits after which the UE stops transmitting radar signals and / or stops monitoring radar signals without an explicit stop radar command).

[0007] According to other embodiments, a UE connected to the NE receives a radar resource configuration specifying multiple radar resource sets, and then receives a command instructing the UE to use a selected radar resource set among the multiple radar resource sets to transmit one or more radar signals and / or monitor for receiving one or more radar signals. Attached Figure Description

[0008] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments, and these embodiments are explained together with the description.

[0009] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of a UE and NE configured to perform a radar sensing method according to various embodiments.

[0010] Figure 2This is a signaling diagram illustrating messages and actions related to a radar sensing method utilizing semi-static radar resource configuration, according to an embodiment.

[0011] Figure 3 A scenario using semi-persistent radar according to an embodiment is shown.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a wireless communication method performed by an NE according to an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a wireless communication method performed by a UE according to an embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The methods and apparatus described in this section embody techniques related to configuring radar sensing in a UE, such as reducing signaling overhead. In this specification, the term "monostatic radar sensing" (or simply "monostatic radar") refers to a target detection technique using a co-located radar transmitter and radar (reflected) receiver (e.g., the radar transmitter and receiver are mounted on the same UE). In contrast, the term "bistatic radar sensing" (or simply "bistatic radar") refers to a target detection technique using a radar transmitter and a radar receiver separated at a distance equivalent to the expected target distance (e.g., only one of the radar transmitter and receiver is mounted on the UE, and the other is located at a base station or another UE). Further, the term "multistatic radar sensing" (or simply "multistatic radar") refers to a target detection technique using three or more radar components (including at least one transmitter and at least one receiver).

[0015] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of UE 110 and NE 120 configured to perform methods related to radar sensing in a wireless communication system, according to various embodiments. The term "RADAR" was coined during World War II as an acronym for radio-assisted detection and ranging, but has since entered English and other languages ​​as a common noun no longer capitalized.

[0016] UE 110 is configured to exchange radio messages 101 with NE 120 and transmit and / or receive radar signals 102. Therefore, UE 110 shows both a radio frequency (RF) front-end 111 and radar hardware 112, but these two components can be implemented using a single radio. The UE's antenna and RF front-end 111 can be tuned to one or more frequency bands (e.g., subcarriers), as defined by the 3GPP technical specifications describing Long Term Evolution (LTE, also known as 4G), 5th Generation (5G, also known as New Radio, NR) and 6th Generation (6G) systems, and implemented by corresponding transceivers. Figure 1 A UE 110 with a transceiver 113 is shown, without specifying any radio access technology (RAT). However, a UE may include multiple transceivers, each dedicated to a single RAT (e.g., LTE / 4G, 5G / NR, 6G, etc.). Here, the term "transceiver" refers to a combination of a transmitter and a receiver for wireless (radio) communication signals.

[0017] UE 110 further includes at least one processor 114 and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium 116 storing executable instructions that cause the processor to operate various technologies related to radar sensing. The at least one processor 114 may include a general-purpose processor and / or a dedicated processing unit. The processor 114 controls (i.e., processes, prepares, and / or interprets) signals, information, and data related to radar sensing and wireless communication. The executable instructions may include radar-related software 118 and a communication manager 119.

[0018] NE 120 may be a base station, a unit of a distributed BS, or a CN device communicating with UE 110 (wireless / radio). The NE's antenna and RF front-end 121 may be tuned to one or more frequency bands (e.g., subcarriers), as defined by 3GPP TS describing LTE / 4G, 5G, or 6G systems. Signals on these frequency bands are generated (if transmitted) or preprocessed (if received) by transceiver 122. The NE may use communication hardware 121, 122 for radar signal transmission or reception. Alternatively, the NE may have separate hardware (not shown) for radar, or the NE may not be configured for radar transmission or reception.

[0019] NE 120 includes at least one processor 123 and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium 124 (e.g., memory) that stores executable instructions and device data 125 (such as information about the UE's capabilities, including radar capabilities). The at least one processor 123 may include a general-purpose processor and / or a dedicated processing unit. The processor can control (i.e., process, prepare, and interpret) signals, information, and data exchanged between NE 120 and UE 110 and other network devices (UE and / or NE, not shown). Executable instructions may include a radar configuration manager 126 and a communications manager 127.

[0020] NE 120 may also include an inter-base station interface 128 and a core network (CN) interface 129. The inter-base station interface is the hardware and software that enables NE 120 to exchange communications with other network entities, and the CN interface enables NE 120 to interact with CN functions and devices.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a signaling diagram illustrating messages and actions related to radar sensing in UE 110 and NE 120 according to an embodiment. In this diagram, time flows from top to bottom, meaning that actions and events shown at higher positions occur earlier than those shown at lower positions. First, UE 110 sends a 230 UE Radar Capability message to NE 120. This message is optional, as suggested by the dashed lines. The UE can implicitly convey its radar capability by indicating the type of hardware known to provide radar sensing during initial access. Alternatively, the radar capability may become a default feature in future devices, and the UE will then notify the NE that this capability does not exist.

[0022] NE 120 sends a semi-static UE radar resource configuration (235) to UE 110, comprising multiple (i.e., at least two) radar resource sets. NE 120 may use Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages to communicate the radar resource configuration to UE 110. The term "semi-static" refers to resource allocations (such as time-domain allocation, frequency-domain allocation, spatial-domain allocation, etc.) that remain relatively constant without [further context needed]. a priori The intention is to limit the effectiveness of this radar resource allocation to a certain time period. However, the radar resource allocation can be replaced or adjusted. This approach allows for a level of flexibility in radar resource allocation while maintaining a degree of stability.

[0023] A radar resource set specifies one or more of the following: a time allocation domain (e.g., time slot or symbol index, periodicity, and offset of radar transmission relative to the start of a frame or subframe), a frequency domain allocation (e.g., frequency band, bandwidth portion), and a spatial domain allocation (e.g., antenna ports or combinations of antenna ports to be used and / or an indication of whether one or more radar signals are directional or isotropic). Optionally, a radar resource set may also have associated radar signal definitions (e.g., radar modulation techniques, radar waveforms, and / or sequences), and / or radar operating parameters (e.g., an indication of whether the UE operates as a transmitter, receiver, or both of the radar signals, transmit power levels, periodicity of each radar cycle, and / or a duration or counter for which the UE stops radar use in the absence of a command or control signal, as described later). However, it should be noted that radar signal definitions and / or radar operating parameters can also be specified via a control signal that triggers the UE to use a specific resource set for radar signals. It should also be noted that radar signal definitions and / or radar operating parameters can be determined by the UE's radar hardware and are common to all radar resource sets. Using semi-static radar resource configuration reduces overhead signaling because, on the one hand, compared to dynamically configuring radar resources, the BS does not need to consider and send radar resource configuration every time it uses the UE's radar. On the other hand, compared to statically configuring radar resources, the configured resource set is not continuously reserved for the radar regardless of whether the UE is currently using the radar.

[0024] Radar signal carriers typically have (but are not limited to) microwave frequencies, and these signals are usually (but not necessarily) modulated. Therefore, the carrier can be pulse-modulated (i.e., pulses with a duration much shorter than the interval between pulses) to allow for the detection of the radar signal. Radar pulses can last for several microseconds, long enough to ensure that the radar transmitter emits sufficient energy so that the reflected pulse can be detected by an intended receiver. Since the amount of energy directed at a distant target is the product of the peak transmitted power and the transmission duration, the pulse width constrains the maximum detectable range of the target. The pulse width also constrains range resolution (i.e., the ability to distinguish two targets close together) and near-range dead zones (because reflections cannot be detected while the radar pulse is being transmitted).

[0025] Different radar resource sets can correspond to different antenna ports or combinations of antenna ports, and this can depend on the type of radar sensing technology. In the case of monostatic radar, the direction of radar transmission and the direction of the incident (reflected) radar signal may be the same. In the case of bistatic radar where the UE operates as a receiver of the radar signal, using combinations of antenna ports may be advantageous because the direction of the arriving (reflected) radar signal may not be known in advance. Similar considerations apply to the case of multistatic radar where the UE operates as either a transmitter or a receiver.

[0026] The manner in which any radar resource set is used depends on the type of radar sensing: monostatic, bistatic, or multistatic radar sensing. In the case of monostatic or multistatic radar where the UE both transmits radar signals and detects reflected radar signals, the radar resource set may include time-frequency-spatial domain resources for both transmitting radar signals and monitoring for receiving reflected radar signals. In the case of bistatic or multistatic radar where the UE only receives radar signals, the radar resource set may include resources for reporting measurements associated with the received radar signals. One of the operational parameters may be an indication of whether the resource will be used for transmitting radar signals, for receiving radar signals, or for both. Radar resource configuration may include such indications associated with the radar resource set, or this indication may alternatively be provided by the NE within a command (control signaling) instructing the UE to use a specific resource set.

[0027] Radar resource configuration can also associate radar signal definitions with radar resource sets. A radar signal definition specifies one or more of the following: radar modulation techniques, radar waveforms, and / or sequences. For example, a radar modulation technique could be orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or orthogonal time-frequency spatial modulation (OTFS). Radar signals are typically pulse trains, which can be square, sinusoidal, triangular, etc. This pulse train can be a sequence of on / off pulses that are enhanced to fine-tune the detection of reflected signals.

[0028] The UE can switch between different radar resource sets according to the configured policy (i.e., a predetermined order, a time interval for using the first radar resource set before switching to the second radar resource set, or an event that will trigger a switch to another radar resource set). In terms of frequency domain allocation, the selected (i.e., the NE-indicated) radar resource set can employ supplementary uplink (i.e., a frequency lower than the normal uplink frequency, where the lower frequency extends / improves uplink coverage).

[0029] One radar operation parameter that can be provided via radar resource configuration or via control signals that trigger radar use is the "Auto Stop" field. This field indicates that radar use should stop after a predetermined time interval, when triggered (e.g., when the UE moves its position / orientation or changes its speed beyond a threshold), or when an upper layer (application layer) instructs the UE (e.g., after a predetermined number of repetitions). In other words, another radar operation parameter is a timer, counter, or other event that can trigger the UE to stop using the radar. This other radar operation parameter can be associated with one or more radar resource sets in the radar resource configuration or specified via control signaling that triggers radar use.

[0030] Now return to Figure 2The NE 120 selects a specific radar resource set from over 240 for the UE. This selection can be triggered by a UE request for radar procedures (not shown, e.g., when visibility at the UE's location is low) or by the NE's assessment of the UE's radar usage in relation to services or benefits offered in the current environment (e.g., the UE using radar in response to an augmented reality application request). The NE 120 can select a specific radar resource set from multiple sets, such as to minimize potential interference between the UE's radar signal and other radar signals detectable by the radar receiver, or potential interference with communication signals.

[0031] Then, NE 120 sends a 245 control signal to the UE to trigger radar use of the UE with a specific radar resource set (transmitting radar signals, monitoring for receiving radar signals, or both). The control signal can be downlink control information (DCI) transmitted on the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), or it can be embedded in a media access control (MAC) control element (CE).

[0032] Upon receiving a control signal, the UE performs a semi-persistent radar transmission (250) using a specific radar resource set indicated by the control signal. This semi-persistent UE radar transmission (or reception if the UE is assisting bistatic radar processing) can continue until another control signal (e.g., a DCI similar to 352 described later) dynamically stops it, until a radar usage command is overridden (e.g., via another control signal 355), or after a predetermined radar usage stop instruction. Unlike periodic radar usage that repeats at predetermined time intervals, non-periodic radar usage means that the UE transmits radar signals and / or monitors for receiving radar signals in one or more cycles, but not periodically. In some embodiments, non-periodic radar usage causes the UE to transmit radar signals and / or monitor for receiving radar signals for a predetermined duration (i.e., another radar operating parameter, which may be common to multiple radar resource sets or specific to a radar resource set). In other embodiments, non-periodic usage causes the UE to repeatedly transmit radar signals and / or monitor for receiving radar signals until the radar-based task is completed. The NE can determine whether the radar-based task is completed by receiving task-related results or explicit messages from the UE.

[0033] Downlink Control Information (DCI) messages transmitted on the PDCCH typically trigger aperiodic radar use (initiating radar use without requiring a stop / cancel command). The DCI indicates a specific radar resource set that the UE will use for radar sensing. The same DCI may include fields related to radar sensing and wireless communication, such as Physical Uplink Shared (or Control) Channel (PUSCH) transmission. DCIs can be transmitted on one or more carriers that are different from a specific radar resource set.

[0034] Periodic radar usage can be triggered by a MAC CE, which instructs the UE to periodically send radar signals using a specific set of radar resources until another (stop radar) control signal is received or until the UE receives another radar control message that overrides the current radar control message. Figure 3 A scenario illustrating the use of semi-persistent radar scheduling according to an embodiment is shown. In this figure (e.g.) Figure 2 In the middle, time flows from top to bottom. Conversely, MAC CE can be used to trigger non-periodic radar use, and DCI can be used to trigger periodic radar use.

[0035] NE 120 sends 335 (similar to 235 and can be performed using an RRC message) to UE 110, which includes a UE radar resource configuration comprising multiple radar resource sets. NE 120 then sends 345 to UE 110 specifying radar resource set 1 (i.e., a specific radar resource set among the multiple radar resource sets). In response, UE 110 performs semi-persistent radar transmission (similar to 250). That is, the UE periodically transmits radar signal 102 using radar resource set 1 (350a, 350b, 350c, ..., 350n, where there is a time interval T between successive transmissions) to locate the position of target 305 based on reflected radar signal 303 (i.e., the UE performs monostatic radar sensing). The time interval T (period) between successive radar transmissions can be a characteristic specified for radar resource set 1, or it can be conveyed by NE 120 using MAC CE. Note that transmitting radar signals is illustrative rather than restrictive; instead, the UE can periodically monitor radar resource set 1 for receiving radar signals. Furthermore, target 305 is depicted as being extended to convey its availability throughout the entire time interval shown.

[0036] Upon receiving control signal 352 from NE 120, UE 110 ceases periodically transmitting radar signals using radar resource set 1. NE 120 may later send another radar command 355 via a DCI message, which instructs radar resource set 2 (another radar resource set). In some embodiments, NE may send radar command 355 without sending control signal 352 instructing the UE to cease using radar, or NE may combine both control signals. Therefore, the transmission of control signal 352 and another command 355 is optional (as suggested by using dashed lines). Upon receiving this DCI message (which may be another MAC CE instead of DCI), UE 110 begins using radar resource set 2 for transmitting radar signals, receiving radar signals, or both. The DCI indicates the radar resource set defined in RRC signaling 335, which UE 110 should use for transmitting radar signals after the DCI. MAC CE similarly indicates (via RRC) a predefined radar resource set. DCI may also include permission for PDSCH and PUSCH used for normal data transmission (i.e., a single DCI may permit semi-persistent radar sensing as well as data transmission and / or reception). For illustrative purposes (and not as a limitation), command 355 instructs UE 110 to operate as a radar receiver in a bistatic or multistatic radar system (i.e., the UE receives reflected radar signal 307), in which different devices transmit radar signal 306 to locate the position of target 309. Note that target 309 may be the same target 305 located at different positions relative to the UE.

[0037] In the case of bistatic or multistatic radar sensing, the UE radar resource configuration (which can be communicated via RRC signaling such as 235 and 335) can include a radar resource set for receiving NE radar transmissions (e.g., resource set 2, indicated later at 355), and can also specify resources for the UE to provide feedback 362 regarding radar measurements. A DCI or MAC CE (such as 355) can trigger the UE to begin monitoring the radar resource set to detect radar transmissions and then feed back the radar measurements to the NE. Fields currently defined for DCI format 0_0 (e.g., frequency domain resource assignment, time domain resource assignment, modulation and coding scheme, UL / SUL indicator, etc.) and DCI format 0_1 ​​(e.g., carrier indicator, bandwidth portion indicator, etc., in addition to those mentioned for DCI format 0_0) can be reused to indicate radar resource sets. Alternatively, an index can be used to point to a radar resource set within the radar resource set defined via the radar resource configuration.

[0038] As already mentioned, a supplementary uplink (SUL) band can be specified for one of the radar resource sets included in the radar resource configuration (which can be communicated using RRC signaling). The DCI can include UL / SUL indicators for radar sensing resources, similar to the current DCI format 0_0 or 0_1 used for PUSCH data transmission using UL or SUL.

[0039] Figure 4 This is a wireless communication method 400 performed by the NE according to an embodiment. The NE may be connected to the UE (e.g., Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 (110) Base station, distributed base station unit, or CN device (e.g., Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 Method 400 includes sending a 435 signal to a UE connected to the NE, specifying a radar resource configuration of multiple radar resource sets. As discussed above, the NE may use RRC messages to communicate the radar resource configuration, and the radar resource sets may specify time-domain allocation, frequency-domain allocation, and / or spatial-domain allocation. Additionally, the radar resource configuration may include radar signal definitions and / or one or more radar operating parameters. Method 400 further includes sending a 445 command to the UE, which instructs the UE to use a specific radar resource set among the multiple radar resource sets to transmit and / or receive one or more radar signals. The command may also indicate the radar signal definitions and / or radar operating parameters. The method may optionally (as suggested by using dashed lines) include sending a 452 signal to the UE (which corresponds to 352) instructing the UE to stop using the selected radar resource set. Before, after, or instead of sending such a control signal to the UE, the NE may send another command similar to 445 (e.g., ...). Figure 4 The dashed arrow in the middle suggests the loop.

[0040] Figure 5This is a wireless communication method 500 performed by a UE according to an embodiment. Method 500 includes receiving, 535, a radar resource configuration specifying a plurality of radar resource sets from an NE. One or more individual characteristics (time-domain allocation, frequency-domain allocation, spatial-domain allocation, and optionally radar signal definitions and / or one or more radar operating parameters) can be specified for each radar resource set in the radar resource sets. Method 500 further includes receiving, 545, a command instructing the UE to use a selected radar resource set among the plurality of radar resource sets to transmit and / or receive one or more radar signals. Although the UE can receive the command from the same NE that has already communicated the radar resource configuration, due to the time elapsed between communicating the radar resource configuration and receiving the command, the UE may have been handed over to another base station and therefore receive the command from another NE. The UE can then (optionally) receive, 555 (similar to 352), a control signal instructing the UE to stop using the selected radar resource set. Also optionally, when the UE receives radar signals on the selected radar resource set, the UE can send, 562 (similar to 362), feedback (e.g., a radar measurement report) related to at least one received radar signal.

[0041] According to a first example, a wireless communication method performed by an NE includes: (A) sending a radar resource configuration specifying a plurality of radar resource sets to a UE, and (B) sending a command to the UE instructing the UE to use a specific radar resource set among the plurality of radar resource sets to transmit one or more radar signals and / or monitor for receiving one or more radar signals. According to a second example, in the wireless communication method as in the first example, the specific radar resource set relates to the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH). According to a third example, in the wireless communication method as in the first or second example, the radar resource configuration specifies at least one of the following for each radar resource set in the plurality of radar resource sets: a time-domain allocation, a frequency-domain allocation, or a spatial-domain allocation.

[0042] According to the fourth example, in the wireless communication method of the third example, the time domain allocation specifies at least one of a time slot or symbol index, periodicity, radar signal offset within a frame or subframe, or resource element. According to the fifth example, in the wireless communication method of the third or fourth example, the frequency domain allocation specifies at least one of a frequency band, bandwidth portion, supplementary uplink indication for signaling when the radar resource set employs supplementary uplink as defined in the 3GPP technical specification, or resource block. Further, according to the sixth example, in the wireless communication method of any of the third, fourth, or fifth examples, the spatial domain allocation specifies at least one of the following: an antenna port or combination of antenna ports, and an indication of whether the one or more radar signals are directional or isotropic.

[0043] According to the seventh example, in any of the wireless communication methods of the first to sixth examples, a radar signal definition is associated with at least one radar resource set among the plurality of radar resource sets. Here, the radar signal definition specifying at least one of a radar waveform, radar modulation technique, or radar sequence is associated with at least one radar resource set among the plurality of radar resource sets. According to the eighth example, in the wireless communication method of the seventh example, the transmission of the radar resource configuration includes specifying the radar signal definition associated with the at least one radar resource set among the plurality of radar resource sets. According to the ninth example, in the wireless communication method of the seventh example, the transmission of the command includes specifying the radar signal definition associated with the particular radar resource.

[0044] According to the tenth example, in the wireless communication method of any of the first to ninth examples, one or more radar operation parameters are associated with at least one radar resource set among the plurality of radar resource sets. Here, the one or more radar operation parameters specify at least one of the following: an indication of whether the radar resource set will be used to transmit radar signals and / or to receive radar signals; a radar transmit power level; a period of time associated with transmitting one or more radar signals and / or monitoring for receiving one or more radar signals; or a radar operation duration limit after which the UE stops transmitting radar signals and / or stops monitoring radar signals without an explicit stop radar command. According to the eleventh example, in the wireless communication method of the tenth example, the transmission of the radar resource configuration includes specifying the one or more operation parameters associated with the at least one radar resource set among the plurality of radar resource sets. According to the twelfth example, in the wireless communication method of the tenth example, the transmission of the command includes specifying the one or more operation parameters associated with the particular radar resource.

[0045] According to Example 13, in any of the wireless communication methods in Examples 1 to 12, the transmission of the radar resource configuration includes transmitting an RRC message conveying the radar resource configuration.

[0046] According to Example 14, in the wireless communication method of any one of Examples 1 to 13, the command instructs the UE to periodically transmit the one or more radar signals and / or periodically monitor for receiving the one or more radar signals using the specific radar resource set. According to Example 15, in the wireless communication method of Example 14, the command specifies the time period between continuously transmitting the one or more radar signals and / or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals. According to Example 16, in the wireless communication method of Example 14, for the specific radar resource set, the radar resource configuration specifies the time period between continuously transmitting the one or more radar signals and / or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals.

[0047] According to Example 17, in any of the wireless communication methods in Examples 1 through 13, the command triggers the UE to periodically transmit the one or more radar signals and / or monitor for receiving the one or more radar signals. According to Example 18, in the wireless communication method of Example 17, the transmission of the command includes specifying conditions for the UE to stop periodically transmitting the one or more radar signals and / or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals.

[0048] According to Example 19, in any of the wireless communication methods in Examples 1 through 18, the transmission of the command includes transmitting downlink control information (DCI) indicating the specific radar resource set. According to Example 13, in the wireless communication method of Example 20, the DCI is transmitted on a different carrier than one or more carriers of the specific radar resource set.

[0049] According to Example 21, in any of the wireless communication methods in Examples 1 through 18, the transmission of the command includes transmitting a MAC CE embedded with the command.

[0050] According to Example 22, in any of the wireless communication methods in Examples 1 to 21, the particular radar resource set specifies resources for the UE to transmit feedback related to radar signals received by the UE while monitoring the particular radar resource set.

[0051] According to Example 23, the method of any one of Examples 1 to 22 further includes: receiving radar capability from the UE, wherein the radar resource configuration is based on the radar capability.

[0052] According to Example 24, the wireless communication method of any one of Examples 1 to 23 further includes: sending a control signal to the UE, the control signal instructing the UE to stop using the particular radar resource set to send the one or more radar signals and / or monitor for receiving the one or more radar signals.

[0053] According to Example 25, a wireless communication method performed by a UE connected to a NE includes: (A) receiving from the NE a radar resource configuration specifying a plurality of radar resource sets, and (B) receiving a command instructing the UE to use a specific radar resource set among the plurality of radar resource sets to transmit one or more radar signals and / or monitor for receiving one or more radar signals. According to Example 26, in the wireless communication method of Example 25, the specific radar resource set relates to the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH).

[0054] According to Example 27, in the wireless communication method of Example 25 or 26, each of the plurality of radar resource sets includes at least one of the following: time-domain allocation, frequency-domain allocation, or spatial-domain allocation. According to Example 28, in the wireless communication method of Example 27, the time-domain allocation specifies at least one of a time slot or symbol index, periodicity, and the offset of the radar signal within a frame or subframe, or a resource element. According to Example 29, in the wireless communication method of Example 27 or 28, the frequency-domain allocation specifies at least one of a frequency band, a bandwidth portion, a supplementary uplink indication for signaling when the radar resource set employs a supplementary uplink as defined in the 3GPP technical specification, or a resource block. According to Example 30, in the wireless communication method of any of Examples 27 to 29, the spatial-domain allocation specifies at least one of the following: (i) an antenna port or a combination of antenna ports, and (ii) an indication of whether the one or more radar signals are directional or isotropic.

[0055] According to Example 31, in the wireless communication method of any one of Examples 25 to 30, a radar signal definition is associated with at least one radar resource set among the plurality of radar resource sets, specifying that the radar signal definition, specifying at least one of a radar waveform, radar modulation technique, or radar sequence, is associated with at least one radar resource set among the plurality of radar resource sets. According to Example 32, in the wireless communication method of Example 31, the transmission of the radar resource configuration includes specifying the radar signal definition associated with the at least one radar resource set among the plurality of radar resource sets. According to Example 33, in the wireless communication method of Example 32, the transmission of the command includes specifying the radar signal definition associated with the particular radar resource.

[0056] According to Example 34, in the wireless communication method of any of Examples 25 to 33, one or more radar operation parameters are associated with at least one radar resource set among the plurality of radar resource sets. Here, the one or more radar operation parameters specify at least one of the following: (i) an indication of whether the radar resource set will be used to transmit radar signals and / or to receive radar signals, (ii) a radar transmit power level, (iii) a period of time associated with transmitting one or more radar signals and / or monitoring for receiving one or more radar signals, or (iv) a radar operation duration limit after which the UE stops transmitting radar signals and / or stops monitoring radar signals without an explicit stop radar command. According to Example 35, in the wireless communication method of Example 34, the transmission of the radar resource configuration includes specifying the one or more operation parameters associated with the at least one radar resource set among the plurality of radar resource sets. According to Example 36, in the wireless communication method of Example 34, the transmission of the command includes specifying the one or more operation parameters associated with the particular radar resource.

[0057] According to Example 37, in any of the wireless communication methods in Examples 25 to 36, the reception of the radar resource configuration includes receiving an RRC message conveying the radar resource configuration.

[0058] According to Example 38, in the wireless communication method of any one of Examples 25 to 37, the command instructs the UE to periodically transmit the one or more radar signals and / or periodically monitor for receiving the one or more radar signals using the specific radar resource set. According to Example 39, in the wireless communication method of Example 38, the command specifies a time period between continuously transmitting the one or more radar signals and / or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals. According to Example 40, in the wireless communication method of Example 38, for the specific radar resource set, the radar resource configuration specifies a time period between continuously transmitting the one or more radar signals and / or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals.

[0059] According to Example 41, the wireless communication method of any one of Examples 25 to 37 further includes: upon receiving the command, periodically transmitting the one or more radar signals and / or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals. According to Example 42, in the wireless communication method of Example 41, receiving the command includes retrieving conditions for the UE to stop periodically transmitting the one or more radar signals and / or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals.

[0060] According to Example 43, in the wireless communication method of any one of Examples 25 to 42, receiving the command includes receiving a DCI message including the command indicating the particular radar resource set. According to Example 44, in the wireless communication method of Example 43, the DCI is received on a carrier different from one or more carriers of the particular radar resource set.

[0061] According to Example 45, in any of the wireless communication methods in Examples 25 to 42, the reception of the command includes receiving a MAC CE embedded with the command.

[0062] According to Example 46, in the wireless communication method of any one of Examples 25 to 45, the particular radar resource set specifies resources for the UE to transmit feedback related to radar signals received by the UE while monitoring the particular radar resource set. According to Example 47, the wireless communication method of any one of Examples 25 to 46 further includes: transmitting the UE's radar capabilities to the NE to assist the NE in generating the radar resource configuration.

[0063] According to Example 48, the wireless communication method of any one of Examples 25 to 47 further includes: receiving a control signal that instructs the UE to stop using the particular radar resource set to transmit the one or more radar signals and / or monitor for receiving the one or more radar signals.

[0064] According to Example 49, the wireless communication method of any one of Examples 25 to 48 further includes: transmitting feedback related to at least one received radar signal.

[0065] According to Example 50, a wireless communication device includes a processor, a transceiver, and a computer-readable storage medium storing executable instructions for the processor to use the transceiver to execute any of the examples from the first to the 49th examples.

[0066] The embodiments described in this section are referenced to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. The detailed description does not exclude other embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. The embodiments are not limited to the described configurations but can be extended to other arrangements.

[0067] Throughout this section, references to "embodiment" or "example" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" appearing in various places throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0068] The numerical adjectives “first,” “second,” and “third” do not imply any order (they are not ordinal numbers), but are markers used to distinguish individual instances of similar elements. Unless otherwise explicitly indicated, references to the singular (e.g., “a” or “a kind,” “the”) should include the plural.

[0069] Although features and elements of this embodiment are described in specific combinations in the embodiments, each feature or element may be used alone without other features and elements in the embodiments, or in various combinations with or without other features and elements disclosed herein. Methods or flowcharts may be implemented as computer programs, software, or firmware tangibly embodied in a computer-readable storage medium for execution by a specially programmed computer or processor.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method (400) performed by a network entity (120) NE, the method comprising: Send (435) a semi-static radar resource configuration specifying multiple radar resource sets to the user equipment (110) UE; as well as Send a (445) command to the UE, the command instructing the UE to use a specific radar resource set among the plurality of radar resource sets to send one or more radar signals (102) and / or monitor for receiving the one or more radar signals.

2. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the semi-static radar resource configuration specifies at least one of the following for the particular radar resource set: Time domain allocation, Frequency domain allocation, or Spatial domain allocation.

3. The wireless communication method of claim 2, wherein the semi-static radar resource configuration specifies the spatial domain allocation, the spatial domain allocation including antenna ports or combinations of antenna ports and / or an indication of whether the one or more radar signals are directional or isotropic.

4. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the semi-static radar resource configuration or the command specifies a radar signal definition associated with the particular radar resource set, the radar signal definition specifying at least one of a radar waveform, a radar modulation technique, or a radar sequence.

5. The wireless communication method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the semi-static radar resource configuration or the command includes one or more radar operating parameters associated with the particular radar resource set, the one or more radar operating parameters specifying at least one of the following: Instructions regarding whether the radar resource set will be used to transmit and / or receive radar signals. Radar transmit power level, The period associated with transmitting the one or more radar signals and / or monitoring the time period for receiving the one or more radar signals, or Radar operation duration limit: After the radar operation duration limit is reached, the UE stops transmitting radar signals and / or stops monitoring radar signals without an explicit stop radar command.

6. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the command (i) instructs the UE to periodically transmit the one or more radar signals and / or periodically monitor for receiving the one or more radar signals using the specific radar resource set, and (ii) specifies the time period between continuously transmitting the one or more radar signals and / or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals.

7. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the command triggers the UE to send the one or more radar signals and / or monitor for receiving the one or more radar signals until a stop condition is met.

8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: The UE receives radar capabilities, wherein the semi-static radar resource configuration is based on the radar capabilities.

9. A wireless communication method (500) performed by a user equipment (110) UE connected to a network entity (120) NE, the method comprising: Receive (535) from the NE a semi-static radar resource configuration specifying multiple radar resource sets; as well as Receive (545) command, which instructs the UE to use a specific radar resource set among the plurality of radar resource sets to send one or more radar signals (102) and / or monitor for receiving the one or more radar signals.

10. The wireless communication method of claim 9, wherein the semi-static radar resource configuration specifies at least one of the following for the particular radar resource set: Time domain allocation, Frequency domain allocation, or Spatial domain allocation.

11. The wireless communication method of claim 10, wherein the semi-static radar resource configuration specifies the spatial domain allocation, the spatial domain allocation including antenna ports or combinations of antenna ports, and / or an indication of whether the one or more radar signals are directional or isotropic.

12. The wireless communication method of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the semi-static radar resource configuration or the command specifies a radar signal definition associated with the particular radar resource set, the radar signal definition specifying at least one of a radar waveform, a radar modulation technique, or a radar sequence.

13. The wireless communication method of any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the semi-static radar resource configuration or the command includes one or more radar operating parameters associated with the particular radar resource set, the one or more radar operating parameters specifying at least one of the following: Instructions regarding whether the radar resource set will be used to transmit and / or receive radar signals. Radar transmit power level, The period associated with transmitting the one or more radar signals and / or monitoring the time period for receiving the one or more radar signals, or Radar operation duration limit: After the radar operation duration limit is reached, the UE stops transmitting radar signals and / or stops monitoring radar signals without an explicit stop radar command.

14. The wireless communication method of any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the command (i) instructs the UE to periodically transmit the one or more radar signals and / or periodically monitor for receiving the one or more radar signals using the specific radar resource set, and (ii) specifies a time period between continuously transmitting the one or more radar signals and / or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals.

15. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, further comprising: Upon receiving the command, send the one or more radar signals and / or monitor for receiving the one or more radar signals until the stop condition is met.

16. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, further comprising: The feedback is transmitted using resources indicated by the specific radar resource set for feedback related to radar signals received while monitoring the specific radar resource set.

17. A wireless communication device (110, 120) comprising a processor (114, 123), a transceiver (113, 122), and a computer-readable storage medium (116, 124) storing executable instructions, the executable instructions being used by the processor to perform any of the methods described in claims 1-16 using the transceiver.

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