Apparatus and method for communication

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for sensing service resource allocation. In the solution, a communication device obtains, from a plurality of sensing devices, first information respectively indicating a plurality of sets of available sensing resources; determines, from an intersection of the plurality of sets of available sensing resources, a first target set of sensing resources for the plurality of sensing devices; and allocates, from the first target set of sensing resources, at least one sensing resource to at least one of the plurality of sensing devices for transmitting a sensing signal for a sensing service.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to the field of communication technology, and more particularly to devices and methods for sensing service resource allocation. Background Technology

[0002] Sensing technologies are employed in a variety of applications, with the expectation of accurate sensing results. For example, to support intelligent transportation and / or autonomous driving, more vehicles and devices are equipped with sensing technologies. In traffic environments, cameras, radar, and lidar systems are the most commonly used sensors in the automotive industry to maintain sensing capabilities for autonomous vehicles at various levels of autonomy. In Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC), the allocation of sensing service resources among multiple sensing nodes is required. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Generally speaking, embodiments of this disclosure provide a solution for allocating sensing service resources.

[0004] In a first aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor configured to cause the communication device to: obtain first information indicating a plurality of available sensing resource sets from a plurality of sensing devices respectively; determine a first target sensing resource set for the plurality of sensing devices from the intersection of the plurality of available sensing resource sets; and allocate at least one sensing resource from the first target sensing resource set to at least one of the plurality of sensing devices for transmitting sensing signals for sensing services.

[0005] In a second aspect, a sensing device is provided, comprising: a processor configured to cause the sensing device to: transmit first information indicating an available set of sensing resources to a communication device; and receive from the communication device an allocation of at least one sensing resource within a first target set of sensing resources, wherein the first target set of sensing resources is determined from the intersection of a plurality of available sets of sensing resources at a plurality of sensing devices, the plurality of sensing devices including the sensing device; and use the allocated at least one sensing resource to perform the transmission of a sensing signal for a sensing service.

[0006] In a third aspect, a communication method performed by a communication device is provided. The method includes: obtaining first information indicating a plurality of available sensing resource sets from a plurality of sensing devices; determining a first target sensing resource set for the plurality of sensing devices from the intersection of the plurality of available sensing resource sets; and allocating at least one sensing resource from the first target sensing resource set to at least one of the plurality of sensing devices for transmitting sensing signals for sensing services.

[0007] In a fourth aspect, a communication method performed by a sensing device is provided. The method includes: transmitting first information indicating an available set of sensing resources from the sensing device to a communication device; receiving from the communication device an allocation of at least one sensing resource within a first target set of sensing resources, wherein the first target set of sensing resources is determined from the intersection of multiple sets of available sensing resources at multiple sensing devices, the multiple sensing devices including sensing devices; and using the allocated at least one sensing resource to perform the transmission of sensing signals for a sensing service.

[0008] In a fifth aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided having instructions stored thereon that, when executed on at least one processor, cause at least one processor to perform the method according to the third or fourth aspect.

[0009] Other features of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0010] The above and other objects, features and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent from the description of some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure in more detail in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1A An example communication environment in which example embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented is shown; Figure 1B A general communication environment in which example embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented is shown; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an example sensing mode according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown; Figure 3 The basic signaling flow of ISAC according to some embodiments of this disclosure is shown; Figures 4A to 4B A schematic diagram illustrating the problem analysis of ISAC in the prior art is shown; Figure 5 The signaling flow for the allocation of sensing service resources according to some embodiments of this disclosure is shown; Figure 6 A schematic diagram illustrating example available sensing resources according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown; Figure 7 A schematic diagram illustrating the process of establishing a target sensing resource set according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown; Figure 8 The signaling flow for establishing a set of target sensing resources according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated; Figure 9 The signaling flow for establishing a set of target sensing resources according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated; Figure 10The signaling flow for a resource allocation process for a target sensing resource set according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated; Figure 11 Another signaling flow is shown for a resource allocation process for a target sensing resource set according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 12 Another signaling flow is shown for a resource allocation process for a target sensing resource set according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 13 A flowchart is shown illustrating a method implemented at a communication device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 14 Flowcharts illustrating methods implemented at a sensing device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure are shown; and Figure 15 A simplified block diagram of an apparatus suitable for implementing an example embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0011] In all the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements. Detailed Implementation

[0012] The principles of this disclosure will now be described with reference to some exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described for illustrative purposes only and to assist those skilled in the art in understanding and implementing this disclosure, and do not imply any limitation on the scope of this disclosure. The embodiments described herein can be implemented in various ways other than those described below.

[0013] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all 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 pertains.

[0014] As used herein, the term "terminal device" refers to any device with wireless or wired communication capabilities. Examples of terminal devices include, but are not limited to, user equipment (UE), personal computers, desktop computers, mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, tablets, wearable devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC) devices, Internet of Everything (IoE) devices, machine-type communication (MTC) devices, devices on vehicles used for V2X communication (where X refers to pedestrians, vehicles, or infrastructure / networks), devices used for integrated access and backhaul (IAB), space vehicles or air vehicles in non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) including satellites and high-altitude platforms (HAPs) and covering unmanned aerial systems (UAS), extended reality (XR) devices including different types of reality (such as augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and virtual reality (VR)), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) commonly referred to as drones (aircraft without any human pilots), devices on high-speed trains (HSTs), or image capture devices (such as digital cameras, sensors, gaming devices, music storage devices, and playback devices), or internet devices that enable wireless or wired internet access and browsing, etc. "Terminal equipment" can also have "multicast / broadcast" features to support public safety and mission-critical applications, V2X applications, transparent IPv4 / IPv6 multicast delivery, IPTV, smart TV, radio services, software delivery over wireless, group communications, and IoT applications. It can also incorporate one or more Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs), also known as multi-SIMs. The term "terminal equipment" is used interchangeably with UE, mobile station, subscriber station, mobile terminal, subscriber terminal, or wireless device.

[0015] The term "network device" refers to a device that provides or hosts a cell or coverage area that terminal devices can communicate with. Examples of network devices include, but are not limited to, NodeB (or NB), evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), next-generation NodeB (gNB), Transmitter Receiver Point (TRP), Remote Radio Unit (RRU), Radio Header (RH), Remote Radio Header (RRH), IAB node, low-power nodes such as femtonodes, piconodes, reconfigurable smart surfaces (RIS), etc.

[0016] Terminal devices or network devices can have artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning capabilities. It typically includes models that have been trained based on a large amount of collected data for a specific function and can be used to predict some information.

[0017] The terminal or network device can operate on several frequency ranges, such as FR1 (e.g., 450 MHz to 6000 MHz), FR2 (e.g., 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz), bands greater than 100 GHz, and terahertz (THz). It can also operate on licensed / unlicensed / shared spectrum. In multiple radio dual connectivity (MR-DC) applications, the terminal device can have more than one connection to the network device. The terminal or network device can operate in full-duplex, flexible-duplex, and cross-split-duplex modes.

[0018] The embodiments of this disclosure can be executed in test equipment, such as a signal generator, signal analyzer, spectrum analyzer, network analyzer, test terminal device, test network device, or channel simulator. In some embodiments, the terminal device can be connected to a first network device and a second network device. One of the first network device and the second network device can be a master node, and the other can be a slave node. The first network device and the second network device can use different Radio Access Technologies (RATs). In some embodiments, the first network device can be a first RAT device, and the second network device can be a second RAT device. In some embodiments, the first RAT device is an eNB, and the second RAT device is a gNB. Information related to different RATs can be transmitted from at least one of the first network device or the second network device to the terminal device. In some embodiments, first information can be transmitted from the first network device to the terminal device, and second information can be transmitted directly or via the first network device from the second network device to the terminal device. In some embodiments, information related to the configuration of the terminal device can be transmitted via the first network device from the second network device, the configuration of which is configured by the second network device. Information related to the reconfiguration of the terminal device configured by the second network device can be transmitted directly or via the first network device from the second network device to the terminal device.

[0019] 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. The term “comprising” and its variations should be understood as open-ended terms meaning “including, but not limited to.” The term “based on” should be understood as “at least partially based on.” The terms “one embodiment” and “embodiment” should be interpreted as “at least one embodiment.” The term “another embodiment” should be understood as “at least one other embodiment.” The terms “first,” “second,” etc., may refer to different or the same objects. Other explicit and implicit definitions may be included below.

[0020] In some examples, values, processes, or devices are referred to as “best,” “lowest,” “highest,” “minimum,” “maximum,” etc. It should be understood that such descriptions are intended to indicate that a choice can be made among many functional alternatives used, and that such a choice does not need to be better, smaller, higher, or more preferred than other choices.

[0021] As used herein, the terms "resource," "transmission resource," "uplink resource," or "downlink resource" can refer to any resource used to perform communication, such as resources in the time domain, frequency domain, spatial domain, code domain, or any other resource used to implement communication. In the following, unless explicitly stated otherwise, resources in the frequency and time domains will be used as examples of transmission resources used to describe some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. Note that the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.

[0022] As used herein, the term “3GPP sensing data” can refer to data derived from 3GPP radio signals that are used for sensing purposes and are affected by (e.g., reflection, refraction, diffraction) an object of interest or environment, and that data may optionally be processed within a 5G mobile communication technology (5G) system.

[0023] The term “5G wireless sensing” can refer to the characteristics of a 5G system (5GS) that utilizes new radio frequency (NR) signals and, in some cases, previously defined information available in the EPC (Evolved Packet Core) and Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) to provide the ability to obtain information about the characteristics of the environment and the characteristics of objects within the environment (e.g., shape, size, orientation, speed, location, distance, or relative motion between objects).

[0024] The term "sensing measurement process" can refer to the process used to collect sensing measurement data.

[0025] The term "sensing transmitter" can refer to an entity that transmits a sensing signal that will be used by the sensing service in its operation. A sensing transmitter can be an NR radio access network (RAN) node or a UE. The sensing transmitter can be located in the same or a different entity than the sensing receiver.

[0026] The term "sensing receiver" can refer to an entity that receives a sensing signal that will be used by the sensing service in its operation. The sensing receiver can be an NR RAN node or a UE. The sensing receiver can be located in the same or a different entity than the sensing transmitter.

[0027] The term "sensing result" can refer to the processed 3GPP sensing data requested by a service consumer.

[0028] The term "sensing target area" can refer to the area that needs to be sensed, which is derived from the dynamic characteristics of the area from any moving obstacle (e.g., a car, person, animal) by means of affected (e.g., reflection, refraction, diffraction) wireless signals. There are two types of target areas: "static sensing target area," which can refer to a predefined area that is not moving from the perspective of the sensing transmitter; and "moving sensing target area," which can refer to a credible area of ​​a moving target from the perspective of the sensing transmitter.

[0029] The following key performance indicators (KPIs) can be applied to the definition of use cases with quantitative sensing requirements.

[0030] The term "accuracy of positioning estimation" can refer to how close the measured sensing result (i.e., position) of a target object is to its actual position value. It can also be derived as horizontal sensing accuracy (the sensing result error in a 2D reference or horizontal plane) and vertical sensing accuracy (the sensing result error on the vertical axis or height).

[0031] The term "accuracy of velocity estimation" can refer to how close the measured and sensed velocity of a target object (i.e., velocity) is to its actual velocity.

[0032] The term "maximum sensing service latency" can refer to the time elapsed between the event that triggers the determination of a sensing result and the time when the sensing result becomes available at the sensing system interface.

[0033] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of an example communication environment 100 in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented is shown. Communication environment 100 illustrates a traffic scenario requiring sensing technology. As shown, to support intelligent transportation and / or autonomous driving, one or more of network devices 102-1, 102-2, terminal devices 103-1, 103-2, and vehicles 104-1, 104-2 are equipped with sensing technology to sense traffic conditions. Accurate sensing results are important for achieving safe and reliable vehicle control and avoiding accidents in the environment. One or more of network devices 102-1, 102-2, terminal devices 103-1, 103-2, and vehicles 104-1, 104-2 can transmit signals for sensing certain objects in the environment. One or more of network devices 102-1, 102-2, terminal devices 103-1, 103-2, and vehicles 104-1, 104-2 can collect measurement results of the sensed signals for use in intelligent transportation and / or autonomous driving.

[0034] In some example embodiments, network devices 102-1, 102-2 and terminal devices 103-1, 103-2 are in a radio access network (RAN). Terminal devices 103-1, 103-2 can communicate with network devices(s) 102-1 and / or network devices 102-2. Network devices 102-1, 102-2 can be communicatively connected to a core network (CN) 106, which can also be connected to one or more third-party applications 108. Third-party applications 108 may include one or more applications supporting intelligent transportation and / or autonomous driving, such as map service providers, intelligent transportation system (ITS) management platforms, etc. In some example embodiments, vehicles 104-1, 104-2 may include communication devices communicatively connected to network devices 102-1, 102-2 or communicating directly with third-party applications 108.

[0035] The variety of traffic objects (e.g., vehicles, pedestrians, motorized vehicles, non-motorized vehicles, etc.) and dense buildings complicate traffic conditions. Traffic accidents often occur at intersections, such as when pedestrians suddenly rush into the road from unseen locations (e.g., behind tall buildings or trees), highlighting the urgent need for 24 / 7 real-time road condition monitoring. Therefore, accurate sensing data is required to provide timely driving warnings or driver assistance information to vehicles.

[0036] In intelligent transportation sensing scenarios, the purpose of sensing may include, but is not limited to, dynamic maps (large area) for autonomous driving, assisted driving and dynamic map-based road management; vehicle trajectory tracking; illegal driving (e.g., occupying emergency lanes, speeding).

[0037] Beyond intelligent transportation, there are many other sensing scenarios, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and indoor health. In UAV sensing scenarios, the purpose of sensing can include, but is not limited to, dynamic maps (large areas), such as autonomous driving, assisted driving, and route management based on dynamic maps; UAV trajectory tracking; spatial intrusion and route correction (such as UAVs deviating from their flight path, speeding, or entering no-fly zones); and dynamic maps (at the UE center): autonomous flight and assisted flight. In indoor health sensing scenarios, the purpose of sensing can include, but is not limited to, abnormal behavior detection (e.g., falls, prolonged sitting, abnormal postures); detection of vital signs (e.g., breathing, heartbeat); and intelligent control (home control based on human location and behavior, such as turning on lights).

[0038] Without loss of generality, Figure 1BA schematic diagram of a general communication environment 105 in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented is shown. Communication environment 105 illustrates integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), which is designed to integrate sensing functionality into a communication system. The sensing functionality is intended to enable the network to “see” the world through wireless signals and other inputs, thereby connecting the physical world with the digital world.

[0039] Communication environment 105 includes one or more communication devices 110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-N capable of communicating with sensing device 130. As shown, one or more communication devices 110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-N are configured to transmit one or more signals to sense target 120. For the purposes of discussion, communication devices 110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-N may be collectively referred to or individually as communication device 110. Multiple measurement results of the transmitted signals may be collected and provided to sensing device 130. In some example embodiments, target 120 may have communication capabilities and may communicate with one or more communication devices 110 and / or sensing device 130. In some example embodiments, target 120 may collect multiple measurement results of the transmitted signals and provide them to sensing device 130.

[0040] The sensing device 130 can determine sensing results based on received measurement results(s). Depending on the actual use case, the sensing results can be used for various purposes. For example, in intelligent transportation and / or autonomous driving use cases, the sensing results can be used to provide driving warnings or driver assistance information to the vehicle.

[0041] Communication device 110 may include various types of devices in different use cases for sensing. In some example embodiments, communication device 110 may include, but is not limited to, network devices (e.g., ng-eNB or gNB or ng-eNB / gNB distributed units (DU)), terminal devices, and / or any other device equipped with sensing technology and having communication capabilities. Communication device 110 may transmit and / or receive sensing signals. In some embodiments, communication device 110 may be referred to as a sensing node.

[0042] Target 120 can be any object or device to be sensed. In some examples, target 120 can be a human body, a car, a building, an animal, an eMTC device, a narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) device, a Redcap device, an environmental IoT device A, an environmental IoT device B, or an environmental IoT device C. In some examples, target 120 may or may not have the measurement capability to obtain the sensed signal, for example, an end device or other device specific to the sensed measurement. Target 120 with measurement capability may sometimes be referred to as a "target device" with measurement capability. The definitions of environmental IoT devices A / B / C are as follows: Environmental IoT device A has no energy storage and no independent signal generation, i.e., backscatter transmission. Environmental IoT device B has energy storage and no independent signal generation, i.e., backscatter transmission. The use of stored energy may include amplification of the reflected signal. Environmental IoT device C with energy storage has independent signal generation, i.e., an active RF component for transmission.

[0043] The sensing function device 130 can be any suitable type of device capable of receiving measurement results of signals and providing sensing results. In some examples, the sensing function device 130 may include or be implemented as a CN function or entity in a CN or a network device in a RAN. Although the term "sensing function device" is used herein, it may be used interchangeably with any other term.

[0044] The signal transmitted for sensing (sometimes referred to as the “sensing signal”) may include any suitable type of signal, including but not limited to synchronization signal block (SSB), channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), positioning reference signal (PRS), demodulation reference signal (DMRS), probe reference signal (SRS), communication signal such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal, (multiple) specific sensing signals, or any other signal.

[0045] Measurement results of the sensed signals used for sensing can include final sensing results (such as target distance, velocity, dynamic map, reference signal received power (RSPR), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), channel information, etc.), intermediate results (such as point cloud information based on sensed measurements), preliminary results (such as time delay spread spectrum, Doppler spectrum, and other information), and / or raw measurements of the signal (such as in-phase / quadrature (I / Q) currents). The type of measurement results can be flexibly configured for different use cases.

[0046] Sensing results can include any desired information that can be derived from multiple measurements of the sensed signals. As some examples, sensing results can include target distance, target size, target velocity, target position, target direction of movement, target's surrounding environment, real-time map, etc.

[0047] In some embodiments, communication devices 110 (e.g., network devices and / or terminal devices) may report their sensing capabilities, enabling sensing function devices 130 to know the sensing capabilities of communication devices 110 and select the appropriate communication device 110 for the sensing service based on, for example, supported sensing modes and TX / RX functions. Supported sensing modes may indicate which(s) of communication devices(s) transmit sensing signals, which(s) of communication devices(s) receive sensing signals, and how the measurement of the sensing signals is reported to sensing function devices 130. Sensing capabilities may indicate the supported sensing modes(s) of communication device(s), the role of communication device(s) in the supported sensing modes(s) (e.g., the role of a transmitter or receiver), and the level of sensing accuracy (e.g., sensing distance, distance resolution, or sensing speed, speed resolution).

[0048] The sensing function device 130 can perform a sensing measurement configuration to select an appropriate communication device 110 for sensing and send the sensing measurement configuration to a network device to control the sensing process. The sensing measurement configuration may indicate a transmission mode (e.g., a network device for transmitting sensing signals, a terminal device for receiving sensing signals); a role in supported sensing modes (e.g., the role of a transmitter or receiver); quality of service requirements, such as position accuracy, velocity accuracy, and distance resolution; a measurement reporting mode (e.g., periodic or event-triggered conditions); and / or other auxiliary information (e.g., target size / movement trajectory). The communication device 110 involved in the sensing service can report sensing measurement results to the sensing function device 130. Measurements may include final results, such as target distance, velocity, dynamic map, RSPR / RSRQ, channel information, etc.; intermediate results, such as point cloud information based on sensing measurements; preliminary results, such as time delay spread spectrum, Doppler spectrum, and other information; and raw results, such as the I / Q stream of the raw signal.

[0049] In some embodiments, the sensing measurements may originate from a single device, and the sensing function device 130 may process the measurements from that device. In some embodiments, different sensing measurements may originate from multiple devices, but the sensing function device 130 may process the different sensing measurements independently. In some embodiments, different sensing measurements may originate from multiple sensing nodes, and the sensing function device 130 may process the different sensing measurements together.

[0050] The communications in communication environments 100 and 105 can conform to any suitable standard, including but not limited to Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Evolution, LTE-A, New Radio (NR), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN), Machine Type Communication (MTC), etc. Embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented according to any generation of communication protocols currently known or developed in the future. Examples of communication protocols include, but are not limited to, first-generation (1G), second-generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth-generation (5G) communication protocols, 5.5G, 5G Advanced networks, or sixth-generation (6G) networks.

[0051] It should be understood that Figure 1A and Figure 1B The number of devices and their connections shown are for illustrative purposes only and do not imply any limitation. Communication environments 100 and 105 may include any suitable number of devices configured to implement the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. Although not shown, it should be understood that one or more additional devices may be located in a cell, and one or more additional cells may be deployed in the communication environment. Note that although illustrated as a network device, a network device may be another device besides a network device. Although illustrated as a terminal device, a terminal device may be another device besides a terminal device, such as a Positioning Reference Unit (PRU).

[0052] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of six example sensing modes according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0053] As shown in the figure, in sensing mode (A) 200, the sensing signal for sensing target 230 is transmitted by network device 210 and received or measured by network device 210 itself. In sensing mode (B) 201, the sensing signal for sensing target 230 is transmitted by network device 210 and received or measured by another network device 212. In sensing mode (C) 202, the sensing signal for sensing target 230 is transmitted by network device 210 and received or measured by terminal device 220.

[0054] In sensing mode (D) 203, the sensing signal for the sensing target 230 is transmitted by the terminal device 220 and received or measured by the terminal device 220 itself. In sensing mode (E) 204, the sensing signal for the sensing target 230 is transmitted by the terminal device 220 and received or measured by the network device 210. In sensing mode (F) 205, the sensing signal for the sensing target 230 is transmitted by the terminal device 220 and received or measured by another terminal device 222. The above six sensing modes 200-205 can be combined based on different scenarios, environments, and service requirements.

[0055] It should be understood that Figure 3 The sensing mode shown in A is merely an example, and many other sensing modes can exist. It should be understood that more than one second communication device can be involved in a sensing service. Figure 3 As can be seen from the sensing modes in A, there can be various combinations of devices used to measure sensing signals.

[0056] Figure 3 The basic signaling flow of an ISAC according to some embodiments of this disclosure is illustrated. In step 1a, the Application Function (AF) device sends a service request message (also known as a sensing service request) to trigger a sensing service. The service request message may include, for example, but not limited to, service type, service requirements, etc. In step 1b, the NG-RAN node triggers the sensing service by sending a service request message, similar to step 1a. In step 1c, the UE triggers the sensing service by sending a service request message, also similar to step 1a. In step 2a, an NG-RAN node signaling procedure is performed, wherein the network device acts as a sensing transmitter and the same network device acts as a sensing receiver, or a network device acts as a sensing transmitter and another network device acts as a sensing receiver. In step 2b, a UE signaling procedure is performed, wherein a terminal device acts as a sensing transmitter and a network device acts as a sensing receiver, a terminal device acts as a sensing transmitter and another terminal device acts as a sensing receiver, or a network device acts as a sensing transmitter and a terminal device acts as a sensing receiver. In steps 3a to 3c: the Sensing Function (SF) device sends sensing results to the AF device, the NG-RAN node, and the UE.

[0057] Figures 4A to 4B A schematic diagram illustrating the problem analysis of ISAC in the prior art is shown. For example... Figure 4AAs shown, node 410 transmits sensing signal 1 for sensing target 430, and node 412 receives the reflected sensing signal 1 for sensing target 1. Simultaneously, node 412 transmits sensing signal 2 for sensing target 440, and node 410 receives the reflected sensing signal 2 for sensing target 440. Although the node is shown as a network device, it can be either a network device or an end device. There may be overlap between sensing signal 1 and sensing signal 2 in the frequency or time domain. However, sensing signal 1 and sensing signal 2 should not overlap in both the frequency and time domains. Otherwise, inter-node interference would be significant.

[0058] Alternative or additional land, such as Figure 4B As shown, node 410 transmits a sensing signal 1 for sensing target 430, and node 412 receives a reflected sensing signal 1 for sensing target 430. Node 412 can simultaneously communicate with other communication devices 420. Although the node is shown as a network device, it can be a network device or a terminal device. In this context, node 412 should avoid using the resources used in ISAC in other services with other communication devices to avoid inter-node interference. This disclosure aims to address at least some of the above-mentioned problems.

[0059] refer to Figure 5 The document illustrates a signaling flow 500 for the allocation of sensing service resources according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The signaling flow 500 relates to a communication device 501 and one or more sensing devices 502-1, 502-2, ..., 502-M (collectively or individually referred to as sensing device 502).

[0060] Communication device 501 and any one of one or more sensing devices 502-1, 502-2, ..., 502-M can be Figure 1B The communication device 110 is described above. In some embodiments, either the communication device 501 or the sensing device 502 may be a network device (e.g., an ng-eNB or gNB or a distributed unit (DU) of an ng-eNB / gNB), a terminal device, and / or any other device equipped with sensing technology and having communication capabilities. In some embodiments, the communication device 501 may be, or may be included in, one of a plurality of sensing devices 502, a core network (CN) device, or a radio access network (RAN) device. That is, the communication device 501 may be integrated into one of the sensing devices 502, or may be separate from any of the sensing devices 502. The communication device 501 may be considered to include control functions for at least controlling the allocation of sensing resources of the plurality of sensing devices 502.

[0061] In signaling stream 500, sensing device 502 transmits (505) first information to communication device 501. The first information indicates a set of available sensing resources. Communication device 501 obtains (510) first information from multiple sensing devices 502.

[0062] After obtaining first information from multiple sensing devices 502, communication device 501 determines (515) a first target sensing resource set (referred to as a hybrid mode available sensing resource set or resource pool) for the multiple sensing devices 502. The first target sensing resource set is determined based on the intersection of multiple available sensing resource sets.

[0063] Then, the communication device 501 allocates (520) at least one sensing resource to at least one of a plurality of sensing devices for transmitting sensing signals for sensing services. The at least one allocated sensing resource may come from a first target sensing resource set. At least one sensing device 502 receives (525) the allocation of at least one sensing resource from the communication device 501, and then uses the at least one allocated sensing resource to perform (530) transmitting sensing signals for sensing services.

[0064] refer to Figure 6 The diagram illustrates an example sensing resource 600 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the available sensing resource may be an intersection of available resources of sensing devices, or a subset of the intersection of available resources of sensing devices. In a hybrid sensing mode, the available sensing resource may be shared by multiple sensing devices.

[0065] In some embodiments, the communication device 501 can be any type of communication device with control functions. The communication device 501 or the control functions are used to avoid resource usage configuration among multiple sensing devices, establish a target sensing resource set as described above, update the target sensing resource set, and allocate at least one sensing resource from the target sensing resource set for different sensing services and sensing devices.

[0066] When the control function resides in a CN device, RAN device, and / or UE node, if the control function is in the device, it can be, for example, but not limited to, an SF (Sensing Function), Operation and Maintenance (O&M), Authentication Management Function (AMF), and / or Location Management Function (LMF); or if the control function is in a 5G split architecture of the RAN device, it can be, for example, in a Centralized Unit (CU). In some other embodiments, the control function can be a logical entity. For example, if the SF can establish or update a target set of sensing resources for sensing resource allocation, the control function will be considered in the SF. It is the same as that in the RAN device or terminal device.

[0067] In some embodiments, the communication device 501 may transmit corresponding resource information requests (also referred to as sensing resource requests) to multiple sensing devices 502. In response to the corresponding resource information request, first information indicating multiple sets of available sensing resources can be received from the multiple sensing devices 502. In some embodiments, the communication device 501 may request a corresponding sensing network device or terminal device to upload its available resources.

[0068] In some embodiments, after receiving a resource information request from communication device 501, sensing device 502 may transmit first information indicating an available set of sensing resources. The available set of sensing resources from multiple available sets of sensing resources from one of the multiple sensing devices may indicate, for example, but not limited to, at least one available frequency band for sensing, at least one available bandwidth portion (BWP) for sensing, and / or at least one specific time-frequency resource for sensing. Alternatively or additionally, the available set of sensing resources from multiple available sets of sensing resources from one of the multiple sensing devices may include a portion of the entire available set of sensing resources at the sensing device.

[0069] For example, a sensing device can upload its available sensing resources to a control function. In some embodiments, the available sensing resources can be multiple frequency bands, multiple bandwidth portions (BWPs), or specific time-frequency resources. In some embodiments, multiple frequency bands or bandwidth portions (BWPs) can be configured solely for sensing services. Available sensing resources can be time and frequency resources within multiple frequency bands or BWPs. In some embodiments, multiple frequency bands or BWPs can be allocated for sensing services. Time and frequency resources included in multiple frequency bands or BWPs, configured partially statically or semi-statically, can be configured for sensing services. Other unconfigured resources within multiple frequency bands or BWPs can be used for other services.

[0070] Some RBs / time slots / subframes / frames are configured solely for sensing services, not limited to one or more specific frequency bands or BWPs. These RBs / time slots / subframes / frames are only used for sensing within available sensing resources. Other unconfigured resources are used for other types of services.

[0071] The sensed reference signal can be a set of RB symbols. The sensed signal symbols can have a static or semi-static configuration within (multiple) RBs. Other symbols of the RBs are used for other services. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the black blocks are symbols for sensing service 1, the gray blocks are symbols for sensing service 2, and the white blocks are symbols for other services (e.g., data communication services).

[0072] In some embodiments, the sensing capabilities of sensing device 502 (e.g., supported sensing modes or whether the sensing device is a transmitter and / or receiver in a sensing service) also need to be transmitted to communication device 501 with control functions. In some embodiments, since the available sensing resources of the sensing device can be used for multiple available sensing resources, sensing device 502 can upload a portion of the set of available sensing resources to a control function. Alternatively, sensing device 502 can upload all available resources, and different control functions can coordinate these resources.

[0073] When the sensing device 502 (e.g., the first sensing device 502-1 among a plurality of sensing devices) is a terminal device, the first sensing device 502-1 can transmit the first information to a network device serving the terminal device, so that the network device transmits the first information to a communication device. The communication device 501 can then receive the first information from the network device serving the terminal device.

[0074] For example, if sensing device 502 is a terminal device, the control function also controls its serving network device. The terminal device may not need to send available sensing resources to the terminal device because the serving network device knows the available sensing resources of the terminal device. Therefore, the serving network device can upload the terminal device and its available sensing resources to the control function. Alternatively or additionally, if sensing device 502 is a terminal device and its serving network device is not a sensing device, the terminal device can send available resources to the serving network device, and the serving network device can send these resources to the communication device 501 with the control function.

[0075] In some embodiments, the first target sensing resource set may include a portion or all of the intersection of multiple available sensing resource sets at sensing device 502. For example, a communication device 501 with control functions may determine the target sensing resource set based on available sensing resources. The communication device 501 may select all or part of the intersection of available sensing resources of the sensing devices, which will form the target sensing resource set. (See reference...) Figure 7 The diagram 700 illustrates a process for establishing a target sensing resource set according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Based on the available sensing resources at sensing node 1 (shown in light gray boxes) and the available sensing resources at sensing node 2 (shown in dark gray boxes), the communication device 501 can determine the target sensing resource set as blocks marked with diagonal lines.

[0076] In some embodiments, the communication device 501 may send second information indicating a first target sensing resource set to multiple sensing devices. For example, the communication device 501 may send the target sensing resource set to the sensing devices. The target sensing resource set can be used by the sensing devices to provide sensing services. Non-intersecting resources can be used for other sensing services or other types of services. In some other embodiments, the target sensing resource set may be region-specific, and the communication device 501 may be region-specific.

[0077] Furthermore, the location of communication equipment 501 may have some impact on the transmission interfaces. First, some transmission interfaces used in the communication system will be introduced. For example, RAN equipment is either a gNB or an ng-eNB. The gNB provides NR user plane and control plane protocol termination to the terminal equipment. The ng-eNB provides E-UTRA user plane and control plane protocol termination to the terminal equipment. The gNB and ng-eNB interconnect with each other via the Xn interface. The gNB and ng-eNB also connect to the 5GC via the NG interface, more specifically, to the AMF via the NG-C interface, and to the UPF (User Plane Functions) via the NG-U interface.

[0078] The general principles of the NG interface specification are as follows: - The NG interface supports the exchange of signaling information between NG-RAN and 5GC; From a logical perspective, NG is a point-to-point interface between NG-RAN nodes and 5GC nodes. Even without a direct physical connection between NG-RAN and 5GC, a point-to-point logical interface is still feasible; and - This NG interface supports the separation of the control plane and the user plane.

[0079] The general principles of the specification for the Xn interface are as follows: - The Xn interface is open; - The Xn interface supports the exchange of signaling information between two NG-RAN devices and forwards PDUs to the corresponding tunnel endpoints; From a logical perspective, Xn is a point-to-point interface between two NG-RAN devices. A point-to-point logical interface is feasible even when there is no direct physical connection between the two NG-RAN devices.

[0080] In this disclosure, if the control function is in the CN device, the sensing RAN device can perform the following via the RAN and CN interfaces: a) receiving a request message from the control function for uploading available resources, b) uploading the available resources to the control function, and c) receiving a target set of sensing resources from the control function. Operations a) to c) above are performed via the NG interface in 5G. For sensing terminal devices, operations a) to c) above can be performed via the UE and RAN interface (Uu interface) and the RAN and CN interfaces.

[0081] Alternatively, if the control function is in the RAN node, the sensing RAN device can perform operations a) to c) above via the RAN-to-RAN interface. In 5G, this is the Xn interface and the NG interface. For the sensing terminal device, operations a) to c) above can be performed via dedicated signaling (e.g., RRC reconfiguration) in the Uu interface.

[0082] In some other embodiments, if the control function is in the terminal device, the sensing RAN device can perform the above operations a) to c) via dedicated signaling (e.g., RRC reconfiguration) in the Uu interface. For the sensing terminal device, it can perform the above operations a) to c) via sensing terminal device -> serving RAN -> another sensing terminal device including the control function. Alternatively, available resources can be transmitted via UE-to-UE interface, which is a side link in 5G.

[0083] exist Figure 8 The above embodiments are further illustrated, showing a signaling flow 800 for the establishment process of a target sensing resource set according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The signaling flow 800 relates to a communication device 501, and a sensing terminal device 801 and a sensing network device 802 (which are... Figure 5 (Example of sensing device 502). Any of the communication device 501, sensing terminal device 801, or sensing network device 802 can be... Figure 1B The communication device 110 is mentioned. In some embodiments, the communication device 501 may be a network device (e.g., an ng-eNB or gNB or a distributed unit (DU) of ng-eNB / gNB), a terminal device, and / or any other device equipped with control functions and having communication capabilities.

[0084] like Figure 8As shown, the communication device 501, which has a communication device 501, transmits (805) a sensing resource request to the sensing network device 802 and (810) a sensing resource request to the sensing terminal device 801. Then, the sensing network device 802 and the sensing terminal device 801 transmit (815, 820) their available sensing resources to the communication device 501, which has a communication device 501. After receiving the available sensing resources, the communication device 501 establishes (825) a target sensing resource set with the communication device 501, and then transmits (830) an indication of the target sensing resource set to the sensing network device 802, and transmits (835) an indication of the target available sensing resource set to the sensing network device 801.

[0085] In this disclosure, it may be necessary to update the target set of available sensing resources. In some embodiments, communication device 501 may determine third information received from sensing device 502 (e.g., a second sensing device 502-2 among a plurality of sensing devices). The third information may indicate the set of available sensing resources at the second sensing device 502-2 or an updated portion of the set of available sensing resources (also referred to as available sensing resources or (a plurality of) incremental sensing resources). For example, sensing device 502 may periodically send all available resources or resources that have been added and / or removed ((a plurality of) incremental sensing resources) to communication device 501.

[0086] The communication device 501 can update the first target sensing resource set (also known as the resource pool) based on third information. The communication device 501 can update the target sensing resource set. If the sensing device sends all available resources, the remaining resources are unavailable for sensing. Furthermore, the communication device 501 should remove them from the target sensing resource set. If the sensing device sends added and removed resources, the communication device 501 updates the target sensing resource set according to the recommendations from the sensing device.

[0087] The communication device 501 can then allocate at least one sensing resource to at least one of the plurality of sensing devices for transmitting sensing signals for sensing services. At least one sensing resource can be allocated from an updated first target sensing resource set. That is, the communication device 501 can send the updated target sensing resource set to the corresponding transmitting device.

[0088] In some other embodiments, communication device 501 may transmit corresponding resource update requests (also referred to as resource pool update requests) to multiple sensing devices. Third information may be received from the second sensing device 502-2 in response to a corresponding resource information request. In some embodiments, communication device 501 may send an instruction to the sensing devices to request an update to a target sensing resource set. Alternatively or additionally, communication device 501 may send an update configuration to the sensing devices to configure periodic events to trigger updates to the target sensing resource set. In some embodiments, updates to the target available sensing resource set may be triggered periodically (without an instruction).

[0089] In this scenario, communication device 501 can obtain fourth information from another sensing device added to the plurality of sensing devices, indicating the available set of sensing resources at that other sensing device, or fifth information indicating that any sensing device 502 (e.g., third sensing devices 502-3) has been removed from the plurality of sensing devices. Communication device 501 can then update the first target sensing resource set based on at least one of the fourth or fifth information. Communication device 501 can allocate at least one sensing resource to at least one of the plurality of sensing devices for transmitting sensing signals for sensing services. At least one sensing resource can be allocated from the updated first target sensing resource set.

[0090] In some embodiments, the communication device 501 may transmit multiple resource pre-configurations to multiple sensing devices, wherein the resource pre-configuration indicates a subset of sensing resources pre-allocated to the sensing devices in a first target sensing resource set. In some embodiments, the communication device 501 may allocate sensing resources to each sensing UE / RAN and notify them before a new sensing service arrives. Furthermore, when a new sensing service arrives, the sensing UE and sensing RAN can directly use the pre-allocated sensing resources. This should be performed after the target sensing resource set is established. A portion of the target sensing resource set may be used for pre-allocation, and this portion may be reserved for sensing resource updates based on sensing service requirements.

[0091] In some embodiments, the communication device 501 may transmit sixth information to multiple sensing devices. The sixth information may indicate an updated first target sensing resource set or an updated portion of the updated first target sensing resource set. In some embodiments, the communication device 501 may send the updated target sensing resource set to a corresponding transmitting device. The communication device 501 may send the updated portion of the target sensing resource set to a corresponding sensing device. Alternatively or additionally, the updated target sensing resource set may be transmitted to a sensing device upon request.

[0092] In some other embodiments, the communication device 501 may receive at least one release instruction from at least one sensing device 502, wherein at least one sensing resource has been allocated to the at least one sensing device 502. The at least one release instruction may be used to release the allocated at least one sensing resource. The communication device 501 may then allocate those sensing resources to other sensing services.

[0093] exist Figure 9 The above embodiments are further illustrated, showing a signaling flow 900 for the establishment process of a target sensing resource set according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The signaling flow 900 relates to a communication device 501, and a sensing terminal device 901 and a sensing network device 902 (which are... Figure 5 (Example of sensing device 502). Any of the communication device 501, sensing terminal device 901, or sensing network device 902 can be... Figure 1B The communication device 110 is mentioned. In some embodiments, the communication device 501 may be a network device (e.g., an ng-eNB or gNB or a distributed unit (DU) of ng-eNB / gNB), a terminal device, and / or any other device equipped with control functions and having communication capabilities.

[0094] like Figure 9 As shown, communication device 501, having communication device 501, transmits (905) a target sensing resource set update request to sensing network device 902 and (910) a target sensing resource set update request to sensing terminal device 901. After receiving the target sensing resource set update request, sensing terminal device 902 may transmit (915) the currently available sensing resource set or an update to the available sensing resource set (multiple incremental available resources) to communication device 501. Sensing terminal device 901 may transmit (920) its currently available sensing resource set or an update to the available sensing resource set (multiple incremental available resources) to communication device 501. Communication device 501 may then update (925) the target sensing resource set and transmit (930, 940) indications to the updated target sensing resource set or the updated portion of the updated target sensing resource set (multiple incremental available resources) to sensing network device 902 and sensing terminal device 901, respectively.

[0095] In this disclosure, it may be necessary to allocate a target set of sensing resources. In some embodiments, sensing device 502 may request available resources from communication device 501, and then sensing device 502 may configure sensing signaling.

[0096] In this scenario, if a sensing service is triggered at any sensing device 502 (e.g., a fourth sensing device 502-4 among a plurality of sensing devices), that sensing device may transmit a resource request (also referred to as a sensing resource request) to the communication device 501. Upon receiving the resource request, the communication device 501 may allocate at least one sensing resource to the fourth sensing device 502-4 for transmitting sensing signals for the triggered sensing service. The at least one sensing resource is allocated based on the resource request and from either a first target sensing resource set or an updated first target sensing resource set.

[0097] In some embodiments, the CN can trigger a sensing service and prepare a sensing configuration / instruction. The communication device 501 should also be aware of the sensing configuration to allocate sensing resources. Furthermore, the communication device 501 can send the allocated resources to the corresponding sensing device. The sensing service can be triggered by a sensing terminal device or a sensing network device. The sensing terminal device or sensing network device then sends an instruction to the communication device 501 to request sensing resources from a target sensing resource set. This instruction can also be used for the sensing service. The communication device 501 can then allocate sensing resources and send them back to the sensing terminal device or sensing network device. This instruction or configuration may include, for example, but not limited to, the sensing type and / or the amount of resources required. The communication device 501 can be in the CN device / sensing network device / sensing terminal device.

[0098] Communication device 501 may receive a release instruction (also referred to as resource release) from fourth sensing devices 502-4. The release instruction is used to release at least one allocated sensing resource. Alternatively or additionally, communication device 501 may release at least one allocated sensing resource after a time condition of a triggered sensing service has been met. In some embodiments, once the sensing service ends, the sensing terminal device and / or sensing network device may send an end / release instruction to communication device 501 to release the allocated resources, making these resources available for allocation to other sensing devices. In some other embodiments, if the sensing service has a time condition, communication device 501 will release the resources once the sensing service meets the time condition.

[0099] exist Figure 10 The above embodiments are further illustrated below. Figure 10 Signaling flow 1000 for establishing a target sensing resource set according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. Signaling flow 1000 relates to communication device 501, and sensing terminal device 1001 and sensing network device 1002 (which are... Figure 5 (Example of sensing device 502). Any of the communication device 501, sensing terminal device 1001, or sensing network device 1002 can be... Figure 1BThe communication device 110 is mentioned. In some embodiments, the communication device 501 may be a network device (e.g., an ng-eNB or gNB or a distributed unit (DU) of ng-eNB / gNB), a terminal device, and / or any other device equipped with control functions and having communication capabilities.

[0100] like Figure 10 As shown, communication device 501, sensing terminal device 1001, or sensing network device 1002 triggers (1005, 1010, 1015) sensing services. Sensing network device 1002 and sensing terminal device 1001 transmit (1020, 1025) corresponding sensing resource requests to communication device 501. Then, communication device 501 allocates (1030) sensing resources from an established target sensing resource set and transmits the allocated sensing resources (1035, 1040) to sensing network device 1002 and sensing terminal device 1001 respectively for the triggered sensing services. Sensing network device 1002 and sensing terminal device 1001 use the allocated sensing resources to provide (1045) their sensing services.

[0101] Then, the sensing terminal device 1001 transmits (1055) resource release to the communication device 501, and the sensing network device 1002 transmits (1050) resource release to the communication device 501 to release the allocated resources.

[0102] In some embodiments, the control function can pre-configure a subset of hybrid-mode sensing resources available for each node. In this case, the communication device 501 can transmit multiple resource pre-configurations to multiple sensing devices respectively. The resource pre-configuration can indicate a subset of sensing resources pre-allocated to the sensing devices in a first target sensing resource set. The sensing device 502 can receive the resource pre-configuration from the communication device 501. If a sensing service is triggered, the sensing device 502 uses at least one sensing resource from the pre-allocated subset of sensing resources to perform the transmission of sensing signals for the sensing service.

[0103] In some embodiments, the control function can allocate sensing resources to each sensing UE / RAN and notify them before a new sensing service arrives. Furthermore, when a new sensing service arrives, the sensing UE and sensing RAN can directly use the pre-allocated sensing resources. This should be performed after the hybrid-mode sensing available resources are established. A portion of the hybrid-mode sensing available resources can be used for pre-allocation, and a portion can be reserved for sensing resource updates based on sensing service requirements.

[0104] In some embodiments, communication device 501 may determine the corresponding resource usage of multiple subsets of sensing resources pre-allocated to multiple sensing devices, or an update to a first target sensing resource set. Communication device 501 may update multiple resource pre-configurations. Based on, for example, the corresponding resource usage or the update to the first target sensing resource set, the multiple resource pre-configurations may be updated. Then, communication device 501 may transmit the updated multiple resource pre-configurations to the multiple sensing devices respectively. Sensing device 502 may receive the updated resource pre-configurations from communication device 501. If another sensing service is triggered, sensing device 502 uses at least one sensing resource from the updated subset of sensing resources to perform the transmission of sensing signals for that other sensing service.

[0105] In some embodiments, the control function can monitor the usage of pre-allocated sensing resources for each sensing device and update the pre-allocated sensing resources based on the requirements of the sensing service. This can be a semi-static update.

[0106] In some embodiments, if a subset of sensing resources fails to meet the resource requirements of a triggered sensing service, a fifth sensing device 502-5 among a plurality of sensing devices may transmit a resource request to a communication device 501. The communication device 501 may receive the resource request from the fifth sensing device 502-5. The sensing service may be triggered at the fifth sensing device 502-5. The communication device 501 may then allocate at least one additional sensing resource from the first target sensing resource set to the fifth sensing device 502-5. The at least one additional sensing resource may be excluded from a plurality of pre-configured resources. The fifth sensing device 502-5 may receive another allocation of at least one additional sensing resource from the communication device 501. In some other embodiments, if the pre-allocated sensing resources cannot meet the requirements of the sensing service, the sensing RAN / UE may send an indication to the control function for more sensing resources.

[0107] In some embodiments, the communication device 501 may receive at least one release instruction from at least one of a plurality of sensing devices. The at least one release instruction may be used to release at least one of a plurality of resource preconfigurations.

[0108] exist Figure 11 The above embodiments are further illustrated below. Figure 11 Signaling flow 1100 for a resource update process for a target sensing resource set according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. Signaling flow 1100 relates to communication device 501, and sensing terminal device 1101 and sensing network device 1102 (which are... Figure 5 (Example of sensing device 502). Any of the communication device 501, sensing terminal device 1101, or sensing network device 1102 may be... Figure 1B The communication device 110 is mentioned. In some embodiments, the communication device 501 may be a network device (e.g., an ng-eNB or gNB or a distributed unit (DU) of ng-eNB / gNB), a terminal device, and / or any other device equipped with control functions and having communication capabilities.

[0109] like Figure 11 As shown, communication device 501 pre-allocates (1105) sensing resources from an established target sensing resource set. Then, communication device 501 transmits (1110) the pre-allocated sensing resources to sensing network device 1102 and (1115) the pre-allocated sensing resources to sensing terminal device 1101. Communication device 501, sensing terminal device 1101, and sensing network device 1102 trigger (1120) sensing services. When a sensing service is triggered, sensing terminal device 1101 and sensing network device 1102 then use the pre-allocated sensing resources to provide (1125) their sensing services. In some cases, communication device 501, sensing terminal device 1101, and sensing network device 1102 subsequently trigger (1130) other sensing services. Then, sensing terminal device 1101 and sensing network device 1102 can still use the pre-allocated sensing resources to provide (1135) other sensing services.

[0110] In some embodiments, the control function may pre-configure multiple resource sets for each sensing node and use resource set IDs to activate or deactivate resource sets. In this case, communication device 501 may determine multiple resource subset identifiers. The resource subset identifiers may identify a sensing resource subset of a first target sensing resource set. Communication device 501 may then transmit the multiple resource subset identifiers to multiple sensing devices. After receiving the multiple resource subset identifiers, if a sensing service is triggered, any sensing device 502 (e.g., the sixth sensing device 502-6 among the multiple sensing devices) may transmit a resource request to communication device 501. Communication device 501 may receive the resource request from the sixth sensing device 502-6. Communication device 501 may then transmit indication information based on the resource request. The indication information is used to activate at least one sensing resource subset identified by at least one of the multiple resource subset identifiers.

[0111] In some embodiments, the communication device 501 may prepare multiple sensing resource set configurations for each sensing network device or terminal device, and send the multiple sensing resource set configurations to the sensing network device or terminal device before the sensing service is triggered. When the sensing service is triggered, the communication device 501 may activate one or more subsets of sensing resources by indication.

[0112] In some embodiments, the control function may assign a sensing resource subset ID to each sensing network device or terminal device. Activation indication may include the resource subset ID. The sensing network device or terminal device may send a request message to the control function to activate specific or multiple prepared sensing resource sets, wherein the resource subset ID indicates the sensing resource set. The control function may send a feedback message to the sensing network device or terminal device indicating which sensing resource sets have been successfully activated. The sensing RAN / UE may send a request message to the control function to request sensing resources, and the control function may indicate which sensing resource sets are active via the resource set ID.

[0113] In some embodiments, the communication device 501 may receive a release instruction from the sixth sensing device, the release instruction being used to release at least one subset of sensing resources. In some embodiments, once the sensing service is complete, the sensing terminal device and / or the sensing network device may send an end / release instruction to the control function to release (multiple) resource sets, making these (multiple) resource sets available for allocation to other sensing devices. Resource set IDs (multiple) may be used.

[0114] exist Figure 12 The above embodiments are further illustrated below. Figure 12 Signaling flow 1200 for a resource update process for a target sensing resource set according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. Signaling flow 1200 relates to communication device 501, and sensing terminal device 1201 and sensing network device 1202 (which are... Figure 5 (Example of sensing device 502). Any of the communication device 501, sensing terminal device 1201, or sensing network device 1202 may be... Figure 1B The communication device 110 is mentioned. In some embodiments, the communication device 501 may be a network device (e.g., an ng-eNB or gNB or a distributed unit (DU) of ng-eNB / gNB), a terminal device, and / or any other device equipped with control functions and having communication capabilities.

[0115] like Figure 12As shown, communication device 501 pre-allocates (1205) (multiple) resource subsets for each transmitting node. Then, communication device 501 pre-allocates (1210) the pre-allocated (multiple) sensing subsets to sensing network device 1202 and pre-allocates (1215) the pre-allocated (multiple) sensing subsets to sensing terminal device 1201. Next, communication device 501, sensing terminal device 1201, or sensing network device 1202 triggers (1220) a sensing service. If the sensing service is triggered, sensing terminal device 1202 can transmit (1225) a sensing resource request to communication device 501, and sensing terminal device 1201 can transmit (1230) a sensing resource request to communication device 501. Upon receiving a resource request, the communication device transmits (1235) (multiple) resource subset IDs to sensing network device 1202 and (1240) (multiple) resource subset IDs to sensing terminal device 1201. In some embodiments, once the sensing service is completed, the sensing network device 1202 transmits (1245) a resource release with (multiple) resource subset IDs to the communication device 501, and the sensing terminal device 1201 transmits (1250) a resource release with (multiple) resource subset IDs to the communication device 501.

[0116] In some embodiments, the available resources of the sensing terminal device / network device can be used to establish multiple target sensing resource sets. To avoid resource conflicts between different target sensing resource sets, multiple control functions may also be needed to exchange relevant information about the target sensing resource sets when establishing them.

[0117] In this scenario, communication device 501 can receive relevant information about a target sensing resource set (i.e., a second target sensing resource set) from another communication device with control functions. This relevant information can indicate the second target sensing resource set. The second target sensing resource set can be determined by the other communication device for multiple additional sensing devices. Communication device 501 can determine whether there are overlapping resources between the first and second target sensing resource sets. If at least one overlapping sensing resource exists, communication device 501 can transmit an indication of the at least one overlapping sensing resource to the other communication device. Alternatively or additionally, communication device 501 can update the first target sensing resource set by excluding at least one overlapping sensing resource.

[0118] In some embodiments, when a first control function establishes hybrid sensing available resources, it sends relevant resource information to other nearby second control functions, third control functions, etc. The hybrid sensing available resources may be sent along with the sensing UE / RAN-related ID. The second control functions, third control functions, etc., compare the hybrid sensing available resources with their own hybrid sensing available resources. If any resource overlap is detected, the second control functions, third control functions, etc., may send a feedback message to the first control function to indicate the overlapping resources. The first control function may then cease using the overlapping resources. To update the hybrid sensing available resources of other control functions, the resources occupied by the hybrid sensing available resources of the first control function are not considered. Alternatively, if any resource overlap is detected, the second control functions, third control functions, etc., may cease using the overlapping resources to avoid resource conflicts.

[0119] Figure 13 A flowchart of a communication method 1300 implemented at a communication device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For discussion purposes, [the following will be discussed]. Figure 5 Method 1300 is described from the perspective of communication device 501.

[0120] In box 1310, communication device 501 obtains first information indicating multiple sets of available sensing resources from multiple sensing devices.

[0121] In box 1320, communication device 501 determines a first target sensing resource set for multiple sensing devices from the intersection of multiple available sensing resource sets.

[0122] In block 1330, communication device 501 allocates at least one sensing resource from a first target sensing resource set to at least one sensing device among a plurality of sensing devices for transmitting sensing signals for sensing services.

[0123] In some example embodiments, the communication device 501 may also transmit corresponding resource information requests to multiple sensing devices; and wherein first information indicating multiple available sensing resource sets is received from multiple sensing devices in response to the corresponding resource information requests.

[0124] In some example embodiments, the available sensing resource set from a plurality of available sensing resource sets of one of a plurality of sensing devices indicates: at least one available frequency band for sensing, at least one available bandwidth portion (BWP) for sensing, or at least one specific time-frequency resource for sensing.

[0125] In some example embodiments, the available sensing resource set from a plurality of available sensing resource sets of one of a plurality of sensing devices includes a portion of the entire available sensing resource set at the sensing device.

[0126] In some example embodiments, a first sensing device among a plurality of sensing devices includes a terminal device, and wherein a processor is configured to cause a communication device 501 to receive first information from a network device serving the terminal device, the first information indicating a set of available sensing resources at the terminal device.

[0127] In some example embodiments, the first target sensing resource set includes a portion or all of the intersection of multiple available sensing resource sets.

[0128] In some example embodiments, the communication device 501 may also transmit second information indicating a first target set of sensing resources to multiple sensing devices.

[0129] In some example embodiments, the communication device 501 may further determine third information received from a second sensing device among a plurality of sensing devices, the third information indicating an available set of sensing resources or an updated portion of the available set of sensing resources at the second sensing device; update a first target set of sensing resources based on the third information; and allocate at least one sensing resource from the updated first target set of sensing resources to at least one sensing device among the plurality of sensing devices for transmitting sensing signals for sensing services.

[0130] In some example embodiments, the communication device 501 may also transmit corresponding resource update requests to multiple sensing devices; and wherein the third information is received from the second sensing device in response to a corresponding resource information request.

[0131] In some example embodiments, the communication device 501 may also obtain at least one of the following: fourth information from another sensing device added to the plurality of sensing devices, the fourth information indicating the available set of sensing resources at the other sensing device, or fifth information indicating that a third sensing device has been removed from the plurality of sensing devices; and updating a first target sensing resource set based on at least one of the fourth or fifth information; and allocating at least one sensing resource from the updated first target sensing resource set to at least one of the plurality of sensing devices for transmitting sensing signals for sensing services.

[0132] In some example embodiments, the communication device 501 may also transmit sixth information to a plurality of sensing devices, the sixth information indicating an updated first target sensing resource set or an updated portion of the updated first target sensing resource set.

[0133] In some example embodiments, the communication device 501 may also receive at least one release instruction from at least one sensing device that has been allocated at least one sensing resource to release the allocated at least one sensing resource.

[0134] In some example embodiments, the communication device 501 may also receive a resource request from a fourth sensing device among a plurality of sensing devices, where a sensing service is triggered; and allocate at least one sensing resource to the fourth sensing device based on the resource request and from a first hybrid mode sensing resource pool or an updated first target sensing resource set for transmitting sensing signals for the triggered sensing service.

[0135] In some example embodiments, the communication device 501 may also receive a release instruction from the fourth sensing device to release at least one allocated sensing resource, or release at least one allocated sensing resource after the time condition of the triggered sensing service is met.

[0136] In some example embodiments, the communication device 501 may also transmit multiple resource pre-configurations to multiple sensing devices respectively, wherein the resource pre-configuration indicates a subset of sensing resources of the first target sensing resource set pre-allocated to the sensing devices.

[0137] In some example embodiments, the communication device 501 may also determine at least one of the following: corresponding resource usage of multiple subsets of sensing resources pre-allocated to multiple sensing devices, or an update of a first target sensing resource set; update multiple resource pre-configurations based on at least one of the following: corresponding resource usage or an update of the first target sensing resource set; and transmit the updated multiple resource pre-configurations to the multiple sensing devices respectively.

[0138] In some example embodiments, the communication device 501 may also receive a resource request from a fifth sensing device among a plurality of sensing devices, where a sensing service is triggered at the fifth sensing device; and allocate at least one additional sensing resource within a first target sensing resource set to the fifth sensing device, wherein the at least one additional sensing resource is excluded from the plurality of pre-configured resources.

[0139] In some example embodiments, the communication device 501 may also receive at least one release instruction from at least one of a plurality of sensing devices to release at least one of a plurality of resource preconfigurations.

[0140] In some example embodiments, the communication device 501 may further determine a plurality of resource subset identifiers, the resource subset identifiers identifying a sensing resource subset of a first target sensing resource set; transmit the plurality of resource subset identifiers to a plurality of sensing devices; receive a resource request from a sixth sensing device among the plurality of sensing devices, the sensing service being triggered at a fourth sensing device; and based on the resource request, transmit indication information to activate at least one sensing resource subset identified by at least one of the plurality of resource subset identifiers.

[0141] In some example embodiments, the communication device 501 may also receive a release instruction from a sixth sensing device to release at least one subset of sensing resources.

[0142] In some example embodiments, the communication device 501 may also receive resource pool information from another communication device, the resource pool information indicating a second target sensing resource set, the second target sensing resource set being determined by the other communication device for a plurality of other sensing devices; determine whether there are overlapping resources between the first target sensing resource set and the second target sensing resource set; and in response to determining that there are at least one overlapping sensing resource, transmit an indication of at least one overlapping sensing resource to the other communication device, or update the first target sensing resource set by excluding at least one overlapping sensing resource.

[0143] In some example embodiments, communication device 501 is or is included in one of a plurality of sensing devices, core network (CN) devices, or radio access network (RAN) devices.

[0144] Figure 14 A flowchart illustrating a communication method 1400 implemented at a sensing device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For discussion purposes, [the following will be discussed]. Figure 5 Method 1400 describes the angle of the sensing device 502 in the middle.

[0145] In box 1410, sensing device 502 transmits first information to communication device indicating the available set of sensing resources.

[0146] In block 1420, sensing device 502 receives from communication device an allocation of at least one sensing resource within a first target sensing resource set, wherein the first target sensing resource set is determined from the intersection of multiple available sensing resource sets at multiple sensing devices, including sensing devices.

[0147] In box 1440, sensing device 502 uses at least one allocated sensing resource to perform the transmission of sensing signals for sensing services.

[0148] In some example embodiments, the sensing device may also receive a resource information request from the communication device; and based on the resource information request, transmit first information indicating the available set of sensing resources.

[0149] In some example embodiments, the available sensing resource set indicates at least one available frequency band for sensing, at least one available bandwidth portion (BWP) for sensing, or at least one specific time-frequency resource for sensing.

[0150] In some example embodiments, the available sensing resource set includes a portion of the entire available sensing resource set at the sensing device.

[0151] In some example embodiments, the sensing device includes a terminal device, and the sensing device may also transmit first information indicating a set of available sensing resources at the terminal device to a network device serving the terminal device, so that the network device transmits the first information to the communication device.

[0152] In some example embodiments, the first target sensing resource set includes a portion or all of the intersection of multiple available sensing resource sets.

[0153] In some example embodiments, the sensing device may also receive second information from the communication device indicating a first target set of sensing resources.

[0154] In some example embodiments, the sensing device may also transmit received third information to the communication device, the third information indicating the available sensing resource set or an updated portion of the available sensing resource set at the second sensing device, to update the first target sensing resource set.

[0155] In some example embodiments, the sensing device may also receive resource update requests from the communication device; and based on the resource update requests, transmit third information to the communication device.

[0156] In some example embodiments, the sensing device may also receive sixth information from the communication device, the sixth information indicating an updated first target sensing resource set or an updated portion of the updated first target sensing resource set.

[0157] In some example embodiments, the sensing device may also transmit a resource request to the communication device in response to determining that a sensing service has been triggered; and receive from the communication device the allocation of at least one sensing resource within a first target sensing resource set.

[0158] In some example embodiments, the sensing device may also transmit a release instruction to the communication device to release at least one sensing resource.

[0159] In some example embodiments, the sensing device may also receive resource pre-configuration from the communication device, the resource pre-configuration indicating a subset of sensing resources pre-allocated to the sensing device from a first target sensing resource set; and in response to determining that a sensing service is triggered, use at least one sensing resource from the pre-allocated subset of sensing resources to perform the transmission of sensing signals for the sensing service.

[0160] In some example embodiments, the sensing device may also receive an updated resource preconfiguration from the communication device, the updated resource preconfiguration indicating an updated subset of resources; and in response to determining that another sensing service is triggered, perform the transmission of sensing signals for the other sensing service using at least one sensing resource from the updated subset of sensing resources.

[0161] In some example embodiments, the sensing device may also transmit a resource request to the communication device in response to determining that a subset of sensing resources fails to meet the resource requirements of a triggered sensing service; and receive from the communication device further allocation of at least one additional sensing resource within the first target sensing resource set, wherein the at least one additional sensing resource is excluded from the resource pre-configuration.

[0162] In some example embodiments, the sensing device may also receive multiple resource subset identifiers from the communication device, the resource subset identifiers identifying a sensing resource subset of a first target sensing resource set; transmit a resource request to the communication device in response to determining that a sensing service has been triggered; and receive indication information from the communication device to activate at least one sensing resource subset identified by at least one of the multiple resource subset identifiers.

[0163] In some example embodiments, the sensing device may also transmit a release instruction to the communication device to release at least one subset of sensing resources.

[0164] Figure 15 This is a simplified block diagram of a device 1500 suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. Device 1500 can be considered as another example implementation of any device shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, device 1500 can be implemented at or as a part of terminal device 110 or network device 120.

[0165] As shown in the figure, device 1500 includes a processor 1510, a memory 1520 coupled to the processor 1510, a suitable transceiver 1540 coupled to the processor 1510, and a communication interface coupled to the transceiver 1540. The memory 1520 stores at least a portion of a program 1530. The transceiver 1540 can be used for required bidirectional or unidirectional communication. The transceiver 1540 may include at least one of a transmitter 1542 and a receiver 1544. The transmitter 1542 and receiver 1544 may be functional modules or physical entities. The transceiver 1540 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication; however, in practice, the access node mentioned in this application may have several antennas. The communication interface can represent any interface required for communication with other network elements, such as the X2 / Xn interface for bidirectional communication between eNBs / gNBs, the S1 / NG interface for communication between the Mobility Management Entity (MME) / Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) / SGW / UPF and the eNB / gNB, the Un interface for communication between the eNB / gNB and the Relay Node (RN), or the Uu interface for communication between the eNB / gNB and the terminal equipment.

[0166] Assume that program 1530 includes program instructions that, when executed by the associated processor 1510, enable device 1500 to operate according to embodiments of the present disclosure, as discussed herein with reference to Figures 1 through 15. The embodiments herein may be implemented by computer software executable by the processor 1510 of device 1500, or by hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. Processor 1510 may be configured to implement various embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, a combination of processor 1510 and memory 1520 may form processing unit 1550 suitable for implementing various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0167] Memory 1520 can be of any type suitable for a local technology network and can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as, as non-limiting examples, non-transitory computer-readable storage media, semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. Although only one memory 1520 is shown in device 1500, several physically different memory modules may exist in device 1500. As a non-limiting example, processor 1510 can be of any type suitable for a local technology network and may include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, (multiple) digital signal processors (DSPs), and processors based on multi-core processor architectures. Device 1500 may have multiple processors, such as application-specific integrated circuit chips that are time-dependent on a clock synchronized with a main processor.

[0168] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication device including a circuit system is provided. The circuit system is configured to: obtain first information indicating a plurality of available sensing resource sets from a plurality of sensing devices; determine a first target sensing resource set for the plurality of sensing devices from the intersection of the plurality of available sensing resource sets; and allocate at least one sensing resource from the first target sensing resource set to at least one of the plurality of sensing devices for transmitting sensing signals for sensing services. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the circuit system can be configured to perform any of the methods discussed above implemented by the communication device.

[0169] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a sensing device including a circuit system is provided. The circuit system is configured to: transmit first information indicating an available set of sensing resources to a communication device; and receive from the communication device an allocation of at least one sensing resource within a first target set of sensing resources, wherein the first target set of sensing resources is determined from the intersection of multiple sets of available sensing resources at multiple sensing devices, the multiple sensing devices including sensing devices; and use the allocated at least one sensing resource to perform the transmission of sensing signals for a sensing service. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the circuit system can be configured to perform any of the methods discussed above implemented by the sensing device.

[0170] As used herein, the term "circuit system" can refer to hardware circuitry and / or a combination of hardware circuitry and software. For example, a circuit system can be a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware. As another example, a circuit system can be any part of a hardware processor combined with software, including multiple digital signal processors, software, and multiple memories that work together to enable a device (e.g., a terminal device or network device) to perform various functions. As yet another example, a circuit system can be hardware circuitry and / or a processor that requires software / firmware to operate, such as a microprocessor or a portion thereof, but the software may be absent when operation is not required. As used herein, the term "circuit system" also encompasses the implementation of hardware circuitry or processor(s) alone, or a portion thereof, and its associated software and / or firmware.

[0171] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a communication apparatus is provided. The communication apparatus includes: components for obtaining first information indicating a plurality of available sensing resource sets from a plurality of sensing devices; components for determining a first target sensing resource set for the plurality of sensing devices from the intersection of the plurality of available sensing resource sets; and components for allocating at least one sensing resource from the first target sensing resource set to at least one of the plurality of sensing devices, for transmitting sensing signals for a sensing service. In some embodiments, the first component may include components for performing corresponding operations of method 1300. In some example embodiments, the first component may also include components for performing other operations in some example embodiments of method 1300. The components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module.

[0172] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a sensing device is provided. The sensing device includes: components for transmitting first information indicating an available set of sensing resources to a communication device; and components for receiving from the communication device an allocation of at least one sensing resource within a first target set of sensing resources, wherein the first target set of sensing resources is determined from the intersection of multiple sets of available sensing resources at multiple sensing devices, the multiple sensing devices including sensing devices; and components for using the allocated at least one sensing resource to perform the transmission of a sensing signal for a sensing service. In some embodiments, a second component may include components for performing corresponding operations of method 1400. In some example embodiments, the second component may also include components for performing other operations in some example embodiments of method 1400. The components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module.

[0173] In summary, the embodiments of this disclosure provide the following aspects.

[0174] In one aspect, a communication device is proposed, comprising: a processor configured to cause the communication device to: obtain first information indicating a plurality of available sensing resource sets from a plurality of sensing devices respectively; determine a first target sensing resource set for the plurality of sensing devices from the intersection of the plurality of available sensing resource sets; and allocate at least one sensing resource from the first target sensing resource set to at least one of the plurality of sensing devices for transmitting sensing signals for sensing services.

[0175] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to: transmit a corresponding resource information request to a plurality of sensing devices; and wherein first information indicating a plurality of available sensing resource sets is received from the plurality of sensing devices in response to the corresponding resource information request.

[0176] In some embodiments, the available sensing resource set from a plurality of available sensing resource sets of one of a plurality of sensing devices indicates: at least one available frequency band for sensing, at least one available bandwidth portion (BWP) for sensing, or at least one specific time-frequency resource for sensing.

[0177] In some embodiments, the available sensing resource set from a plurality of available sensing resource sets of one of a plurality of sensing devices includes a portion of the entire available sensing resource set at the sensing device.

[0178] In some embodiments, a first sensing device among a plurality of sensing devices includes a terminal device, wherein a processor is configured to cause a communication device to receive first information from a network device serving the terminal device, the first information indicating a set of available sensing resources at the terminal device.

[0179] In some embodiments, the first target sensing resource set includes a portion or all of the intersection of multiple available sensing resource sets.

[0180] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to transmit second information indicating a first target set of sensing resources to a plurality of sensing devices.

[0181] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to: determine third information received from a second sensing device among a plurality of sensing devices, the third information indicating an available set of sensing resources or an updated portion of the available set of sensing resources at the second sensing device; update a first target set of sensing resources based on the third information; and allocate at least one sensing resource from the updated first target set of sensing resources to at least one sensing device among the plurality of sensing devices for transmitting sensing signals for sensing services.

[0182] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to: transmit a corresponding resource update request to a plurality of sensing devices; and wherein third information is received from a second sensing device in response to a corresponding resource information request.

[0183] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to: obtain at least one of the following: fourth information from another sensing device added to the plurality of sensing devices, the fourth information indicating an available set of sensing resources at the other sensing device, or fifth information indicating that a third sensing device has been removed from the plurality of sensing devices; and update a first target set of sensing resources based on at least one of the fourth or fifth information; and allocate at least one sensing resource from the updated first target set of sensing resources to at least one of the plurality of sensing devices for transmitting sensing signals for sensing services.

[0184] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to transmit sixth information to a plurality of sensing devices, the sixth information indicating an updated first target sensing resource set or an updated portion of the updated first target sensing resource set.

[0185] In some embodiments, the processor is configured to cause the communication device to receive at least one release instruction from at least one sensing device that has been allocated at least one sensing resource to release the allocated at least one sensing resource.

[0186] In some embodiments, the processor is configured to cause the communication device to: receive a resource request from a fourth sensing device among a plurality of sensing devices, wherein a sensing service is triggered at the fourth sensing device; and allocate at least one sensing resource to the fourth sensing device based on the resource request and from a first hybrid mode sensing resource pool or an updated first target sensing resource set for transmitting sensing signals for the triggered sensing service.

[0187] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to: receive a release instruction from the fourth sensing device to release at least one allocated sensing resource, or release at least one allocated sensing resource after a time condition of a triggered sensing service is met.

[0188] In some embodiments, the processor is configured to cause the communication device to transmit a plurality of resource pre-configurations to a plurality of sensing devices, the resource pre-configurations indicating a subset of sensing resources pre-allocated to the sensing devices of a first target sensing resource set.

[0189] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to: determine at least one of the following: corresponding resource usage of a plurality of sensing resource subsets pre-allocated to a plurality of sensing devices, or an update to a first target sensing resource set; update a plurality of resource pre-configurations based on at least one of the following: corresponding resource usage or an update to the first target sensing resource set; and transmit the updated plurality of resource pre-configurations to the plurality of sensing devices respectively.

[0190] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to: receive a resource request from a fifth sensing device among a plurality of sensing devices, wherein a sensing service is triggered at the fifth sensing device; and allocate at least one additional sensing resource within a first target sensing resource set to the fifth sensing device, wherein the at least one additional sensing resource is excluded from the plurality of pre-configured resources.

[0191] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to receive at least one release instruction from at least one of a plurality of sensing devices to release at least one of a plurality of resource preconfigurations.

[0192] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to: determine a plurality of resource subset identifiers, the resource subset identifiers identifying a sensing resource subset of a first target sensing resource set; transmit the plurality of resource subset identifiers to a plurality of sensing devices; receive a resource request from a sixth sensing device among the plurality of sensing devices, the sensing service being triggered at a fourth sensing device; and based on the resource request, transmit indication information to activate at least one sensing resource subset identified by at least one of the plurality of resource subset identifiers.

[0193] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to receive a release instruction from the sixth sensing device to release at least one subset of sensing resources.

[0194] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to: receive resource pool information from another communication device, the resource pool information indicating a second target sensing resource set, the second target sensing resource set being determined by the other communication device for a plurality of other sensing devices; determine whether there are overlapping resources between the first target sensing resource set and the second target sensing resource set; and, in response to determining that there are at least one overlapping sensing resource, transmit an indication of at least one overlapping sensing resource to the other communication device, or update the first target sensing resource set by excluding at least one overlapping sensing resource.

[0195] In some embodiments, the communication device is or is included in one of a plurality of sensing devices, core network (CN) devices, or radio access network (RAN) devices.

[0196] In one aspect, a sensing device is proposed, comprising: a processor configured to cause the sensing device to: transmit first information indicating an available set of sensing resources to a communication device; and receive from the communication device an allocation of at least one sensing resource within a first target set of sensing resources, wherein the first target set of sensing resources is determined from the intersection of a plurality of available sets of sensing resources at a plurality of sensing devices, the plurality of sensing devices including the sensing device; and use the allocated at least one sensing resource to perform the transmission of a sensing signal for a sensing service.

[0197] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the sensing device to: receive a resource information request from a communication device; and based on the resource information request, transmit first information indicating a set of available sensing resources.

[0198] In some embodiments, the available sensing resource set indicates: at least one available frequency band for sensing, at least one available bandwidth portion (BWP) for sensing, or at least one specific time-frequency resource for sensing.

[0199] In some embodiments, the available sensing resource set includes a portion of the entire available sensing resource set at the sensing device.

[0200] In some embodiments, the sensing device includes a terminal device, wherein the processor is configured to cause the sensing device to: transmit first information indicating a set of available sensing resources at the terminal device to a network device serving the terminal device, thereby causing the network device to transmit the first information to the communication device.

[0201] In some embodiments, the first target sensing resource set includes a portion or all of the intersection of multiple available sensing resource sets.

[0202] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the sensing device to receive second information indicating a first target set of sensing resources from the communication device.

[0203] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the sensing device to transmit received third information to the communication device, the third information indicating an available set of sensing resources at the second sensing device or an updated portion of the available set of sensing resources, to update the first target set of sensing resources.

[0204] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the sensing device to: receive a resource update request from the communication device; and transmit third information to the communication device based on the resource update request.

[0205] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the sensing device to receive sixth information from the communication device, the sixth information indicating an updated first target sensing resource set or an updated portion of the updated first target sensing resource set.

[0206] In some embodiments, the processor is configured to cause the sensing device to: transmit a resource request to a communication device in response to determining that a sensing service has been triggered; and receive an allocation of at least one sensing resource within a first target set of sensing resources from the communication device.

[0207] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the sensing device to transmit a release instruction to the communication device to release at least one sensing resource.

[0208] In some embodiments, the processor is configured to cause the sensing device to: receive a resource preconfiguration from a communication device, the resource preconfiguration indicating a subset of sensing resources pre-allocated to the sensing device from a first target sensing resource set; and, in response to determining that a sensing service is triggered, perform the transmission of sensing signals for the sensing service using at least one sensing resource from the pre-allocated subset of sensing resources.

[0209] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the sensing device to: receive an updated resource preconfiguration from a communication device, the updated resource preconfiguration indicating an updated subset of resources; and, in response to determining that another sensing service is triggered, perform the transmission of sensing signals for the other sensing service using at least one sensing resource from the updated subset of sensing resources.

[0210] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the sensing device to: transmit a resource request to a communication device in response to determining that a subset of sensing resources fails to meet the resource requirements of a triggered sensing service; and receive from the communication device a further allocation of at least one additional sensing resource within a first target set of sensing resources, wherein the at least one additional sensing resource is excluded from the resource pre-configuration.

[0211] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the sensing device to: receive from the communication device a plurality of resource subset identifiers, the resource subset identifiers identifying a sensing resource subset of a first target sensing resource set; transmit a resource request to the communication device in response to determining that a sensing service has been triggered; and receive from the communication device indication information to activate at least one sensing resource subset identified by at least one of the plurality of resource subset identifiers.

[0212] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the sensing device to transmit a release instruction to the communication device to release at least one subset of sensing resources.

[0213] In one aspect, a communication device includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to perform the methods implemented by the communication device as discussed above.

[0214] In one aspect, a sensing device includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to perform the methods implemented by the sensing device as discussed above.

[0215] In one aspect, a computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause at least one processor to perform the method implemented by the communication device as discussed above.

[0216] In one aspect, a computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause at least one processor to perform the method implemented by the sensing device as discussed above.

[0217] In one aspect, a computer program includes instructions that, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform the methods implemented by the communication device as discussed above.

[0218] In one aspect, a computer program includes instructions that, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform the methods implemented by the sensing device as discussed above.

[0219] Generally, the various embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects can be implemented in hardware, while others can be implemented in firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of the embodiments of this disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other graphical representation, it should be understood that, as non-limiting examples, the blocks, apparatuses, systems, techniques, or methods described herein can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0220] This disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions that execute in a device on a target real or virtual processor, such as those included in a program module, to perform the processes or methods described above with reference to Figures 1 to 15. Typically, a program module includes routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc., that perform a specific task or implement a specific abstract data type. In various embodiments, the functionality of a program module can be combined or split among program modules as needed. The machine-executable instructions for the program module can execute within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, the program module can reside in both local and remote storage media.

[0221] Program code used to perform the methods of this disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. This program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that when executed by the processor or controller, the program code causes the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may be executed entirely on a machine, partially on a machine, as a stand-alone software package, partially on a machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0222] The aforementioned program code may be embodied on a machine-readable medium, which may be any tangible medium that can contain or store a program used by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The machine-readable medium may be a machine-readable signal medium or a machine-readable storage medium. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatus, or devices, or any suitable combination thereof. More specific examples of machine-readable storage media will include electrical connections having one or more wires, portable computer disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fiber, portable optical disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0223] Furthermore, although the operations are described in a specific order, this should not be construed as requiring that these operations be performed in the specific order shown or sequentially, or that all the operations shown be performed to achieve the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, while several specific embodiment details are contained in the foregoing discussion, these details should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features described in the context of individual embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented individually or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple embodiments.

[0224] Although this disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological actions, it should be understood that the disclosure as defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described above. Rather, the specific features and actions described above are disclosed as exemplary forms for implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A communication device, comprising: Processor, the processor being configured to cause the communication device to: First information indicating multiple sets of available sensing resources is obtained from multiple sensing devices; A first target sensing resource set for the plurality of sensing devices is determined from the intersection of the plurality of available sensing resource sets; as well as At least one sensing resource is allocated from the first target sensing resource set to at least one of the plurality of sensing devices for transmitting sensing signals for sensing services.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to: Transmit corresponding resource information requests to the plurality of sensing devices; and The first information indicating the plurality of available sensing resource sets is received from the plurality of sensing devices in response to the corresponding resource information request.

3. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the available sensing resource set from one of the plurality of sensing devices indicates: At least one available frequency band for sensing, At least one available bandwidth portion (BWP) for sensing, or At least one specific time-frequency resource for sensing.

4. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to: Transmit second information indicating the first target sensing resource set to the plurality of sensing devices.

5. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to: A third piece of information received from a second sensing device among the plurality of sensing devices is determined, the third piece of information indicating the set of available sensing resources at the second sensing device or an updated portion of the set of available sensing resources; Based on the third information, update the first target sensing resource set; as well as At least one sensing resource is allocated from the updated first target sensing resource set to at least one of the plurality of sensing devices for transmitting sensing signals for sensing services.

6. The communication device of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to: Transmit corresponding resource update requests to the plurality of sensing devices; and The third information is received from the second sensing device in response to the corresponding resource information request.

7. The communication device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to: Obtain at least one of the following: A fourth piece of information from another sensing device added to the plurality of sensing devices, the fourth piece of information indicating the set of available sensing resources at the other sensing device, or Fifth information indicating that a third sensing device has been removed from the plurality of sensing devices; as well as Update the first target sensing resource set based on at least one of the fourth or fifth information; as well as At least one sensing resource is allocated from the updated first target sensing resource set to at least one of the plurality of sensing devices for transmitting sensing signals for sensing services.

8. The communication device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to: A sixth piece of information is transmitted to the plurality of sensing devices, the sixth piece of information indicating an updated first target sensing resource set or an updated portion of the updated first target sensing resource set.

9. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the processor is configured to cause the communication device to: The at least one sensing device, which has been allocated the at least one sensing resource, receives at least one release instruction to release the allocated at least one sensing resource.

10. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the processor is configured to cause the communication device to: A resource request is received from a fourth sensing device among the plurality of sensing devices, and a sensing service is triggered at the fourth sensing device; and Based on the resource request and from the first hybrid mode sensing resource pool or the updated first target sensing resource set, at least one sensing resource is allocated to the fourth sensing device for transmitting sensing signals for the triggered sensing service.

11. The communication device of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to: Receive a release instruction from the fourth sensing device to release the allocated at least one sensing resource, or After the time condition for the triggered sensing service is met, the at least one allocated sensing resource is released.

12. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the processor is configured to cause the communication device to: Multiple resource pre-configurations are transmitted to the multiple sensing devices respectively, and the resource pre-configurations indicate the subset of sensing resources pre-allocated to the sensing devices from the first target sensing resource set.

13. The communication device of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to: Determine at least one of the following: the resource usage of a plurality of sensing resource subsets pre-allocated to the plurality of sensing devices, or an update to the first target sensing resource set; The plurality of pre-configured resources are updated based on at least one of the following: the corresponding resources use or are updated in relation to the first target sensing resource set; as well as The updated resource pre-configurations are transmitted to the plurality of sensing devices respectively.

14. The communication device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to: A resource request is received from a fifth sensing device among the plurality of sensing devices, and a sensing service is triggered at the fifth sensing device; and At least one additional sensing resource within the first target sensing resource set is assigned to the fifth sensing device, wherein the at least one additional sensing resource is excluded from the plurality of pre-configured resources.

15. The communication device according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to: Receive at least one release instruction from at least one of the plurality of sensing devices to release at least one of the plurality of resource preconfigurations.

16. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to: Multiple resource subset identifiers are determined, and each resource subset identifier identifies a sensing resource subset of the first target sensing resource set; Transmit the identifiers of the multiple resource subsets to the multiple sensing devices; A resource request is received from the sixth sensing device among the plurality of sensing devices, and the sensing service is triggered at the fourth sensing device; as well as Based on the resource request, transmission indication information is used to activate at least one sensed resource subset identified by at least one of the plurality of resource subset identifiers.

17. The communication device of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the communication device to: Receive a release instruction from the sixth sensing device to release the at least one subset of sensing resources.

18. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the communication device is or is included in one of the plurality of sensing devices, core network (CN) devices, or radio access network (RAN) devices.

19. A sensing device, comprising: A processor, configured to cause the sensing device to: Transmit first information indicating the available set of sensing resources to the communication device; as well as The communication device receives the allocation of at least one sensing resource within the first target sensing resource set. The first target sensing resource set is determined from the intersection of multiple available sensing resource sets at multiple sensing devices, including the sensing devices themselves. as well as The at least one allocated sensing resource is used to perform the transmission of sensing signals for the sensing service.

20. The sensing device of claim 19, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the sensing device to: Receive resource information request from the communication device; and Based on the resource information request, the first information indicating the available set of sensing resources is transmitted.

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