Method and apparatus for sensing in a guard period

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses, and systems related to sensing using a guard period, which can be used in integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) or other wireless communication systems. An example method for wireless communication includes transmitting, by a first base station using a first antenna array, a sensing signal with at least a portion of a guard period, where the guard period is a period of time separating a downlink communication and an uplink communication.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This patent document relates to wireless communication and sensing. Background Technology

[0002] Mobile telecommunications technologies are driving the world toward an increasingly connected and networked society. Compared to existing wireless networks, next-generation systems and communication technologies will need to support a wider range of use case characteristics and provide more complex and granular access requirements and flexibility. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This patent document discloses, among other things, techniques related to processing signals on the transmission side by adding window functions in integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) systems or other wireless communication systems.

[0004] In one example aspect, a wireless communication method is disclosed. The method includes: a first base station using a first antenna array to transmit a sensing signal utilizing at least a portion of a guard period, wherein the guard period is a time period that separates downlink communication and uplink communication.

[0005] In another example, a wireless communication method is disclosed. The method includes receiving reflected sensing signals from a second base station using a second antenna array during a protection period, wherein the protection period is a time segment separating downlink and uplink communication.

[0006] In yet another example, a wireless communication device is disclosed, which includes at least one processor configured or operable to perform the methods described above.

[0007] In yet another example, a computer-readable storage medium is disclosed. The computer-readable storage medium stores code that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the methods described above. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating an example of a protection period is shown, which provides the user equipment with time to switch between downlink and uplink signals.

[0009] Figures 2 to 4 A schematic diagram illustrating an example involving the transmission of sensing signals and the reception of reflected sensing signals is shown.

[0010] Figures 5 to 8 A schematic diagram illustrating an example of a periodic time slot configuration involving subcarrier spacing is shown.

[0011] Figure 9A schematic diagram is shown illustrating an example of configuring downlink symbols, flexible symbols, and uplink flexible symbols via parameters of dl-UL-TransmissionPeriodicity, nrofDownlinkSlots, nrofDownlinkSymbols, nrofUplinkSymbols, and nrofUplinkSlots.

[0012] Figure 10 A schematic diagram is shown illustrating an example of configuring sensing symbols based on tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon and tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationDedicated.

[0013] Figure 11 An exemplary block diagram of a hardware platform that may be part of a network device or a communication device is shown.

[0014] Figure 12 Examples of network communications including a base station (BS) and a user equipment (UE) based on some implementations of the disclosed technology are shown.

[0015] Figure 13 This is a flowchart representation of a method for wireless communication according to one or more embodiments of the present technology.

[0016] Figure 14 This is a flowchart representation of another example of a wireless communication method according to one or more embodiments of the present technology. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The headings for each section below are for ease of understanding of the disclosed subject matter and do not in any way limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Therefore, one or more features of one section may be combined with one or more features of another section. Furthermore, for clarity, the terms 6G or Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) are used. Nevertheless, the techniques disclosed in this document are not limited to 6G or ISAC technologies and can be used in wireless systems implementing other protocols.

[0018] As a popular 6G technology, ISAC is expected to add considerable value to wireless communication systems. Widely deployed communication infrastructure can be enhanced to provide radar services such as traffic control and monitoring, drone detection, and railway obstacle detection. ISAC can also be implemented in various mobile communication devices in scenarios such as autonomous driving, smart homes, and healthcare.

[0019] The rapid development of ISAC has made it very promising for 6G technology. ISAC enables future communication systems to not only transmit data, but also extract valuable information from the physical world.

[0020] ISAC has garnered increasing attention from both academia and industry, leading to increased research investment. For example, global standardization related to ISAC has been initiated. Feasibility studies for ISAC began with 3GPP Release 19, and the ITU has adopted ISAC as one of the six key use cases for 6G. However, one of the challenges facing ISAC is how to achieve high-performance sensing without compromising communication performance.

[0021] Due to the rapid development of wireless communication, Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) has become a very promising technology for 6G. It enables future communication systems not only to transmit data but also to extract valuable information from the physical world. ISAC has received increasing attention from both academia and industry, leading to increased research investment. Furthermore, global standardization related to ISAC has been initiated. Feasibility studies for ISAC began with 3GPP Release 19, and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has adopted ISAC as one of the six key application scenarios for 6G. However, one challenge lies in reducing sensing overhead. Conventionally, sensing signals consume communication resources, thus impacting communication performance. Alternatively, communication signals can be multiplexed for sensing, but this does not guarantee sensing performance.

[0022] According to TS 38.211, 5G NR supports slot configuration using the tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon, tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationDedicated, and DCI formats. If tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon is provided to the User Equipment (UE), the UE sets the slot format according to each slot within the multiple slots indicated by tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon. If tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationDedicated is additionally provided to the UE, the parameter tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationDedicated only overrides the flexible symbol for each slot within the multiple slots provided by tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon. The flexible symbol is further determined by the DCI format. The SFI-index field value in DCI format 2_0 indicates to the UE the slot format for each slot in the available number of slots.

[0023] If the UE is not configured to monitor PDCCH for DCI format 2_0, then when provided—or when tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon and tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationDedicated are not provided to the UE—the symbol set for the time slot—indicated by tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon and tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationDedicated is flexible: (1) if the UE receives a corresponding indication in DCI format, the UE receives PDSCH or CSI-RS in the symbol set of the time slot; or (2) if the UE receives a corresponding indication in DCI format, RAR UL grant, fallbackRAR UL grant, or successRAR, the UE transmits PUSCH, PUCCH, PRACH, or SRS in the symbol set of the time slot.

[0024] TS 38.311 does not explicitly specify the requirements for the guard period (GP), but it requires allowing the remote UE to switch from downlink (DL) signals to uplink (UL) signals, such as... Figure 1 As shown. Additionally, in the current network, the tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationDedicated and DCI formats are optional and rarely used. tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon is used to directly determine uplink and downlink, and the remaining flexible symbols are used for GP.

[0025] This patent document proposes multiplexing the protection period for sensing, which ensures sensing performance without consuming communication resources. For example... Figure 1 As shown, in normal communication, GP is left blank, which provides time for the UE to switch from DL to UL under certain propagation delays.

[0026] These idle resources are multiplexed by transmitting sensing signals in the GP. In addition to improved resource utilization, another advantage is that interference between sensing and communication can be avoided by using BS transmit / receive (TX / RX) timing adjustments.

[0027] During normal communication time slots, timing adjustments are performed by the UE, and the BS transmission timing is fixed to avoid overlap with preceding and following symbols. Since the GP is idle and used only for sensing, adjusting the TX / RX timing is more flexible. Additionally, the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) parameter set can be adjusted to suit sensing requirements.

[0028] The methods and schemes proposed in this application facilitate the use of GP for sensing, thereby ensuring performance without sacrificing communication performance.

[0029] Details of the proposed method will be discussed in the following embodiments. Although different embodiments are named by enumeration, the technology disclosed from one embodiment can be combined with technology from other embodiments.

[0030] Example 1

[0031] This section discloses, among other things, examples of using antenna arrays to transmit and receive sensing signals between wireless nodes / wireless devices.

[0032] Here, a wireless node can be a base station (BS); a wireless device can be a user equipment (UE).

[0033] In one example, such as Figure 2 As shown, the BS (BS1) uses a first antenna array (array 1) to transmit sensing signals. On the receiving side, the BS uses a second antenna array (array 2) to receive reflected sensing signals.

[0034] Here, the sensing signal 202 uses the entire GP band 204 between the DL signal 208 and the UL signal 206.

[0035] In other examples, base stations near BS1 utilize the same communication time slot configuration, and sensing in the GP helps avoid interference.

[0036] Example 2

[0037] This section discloses, among other things, examples of using antenna arrays to transmit and receive sensing signals between wireless nodes / wireless devices.

[0038] Here, a wireless node can be a base station (BS); a wireless device can be a user equipment (UE).

[0039] like Figure 3 As shown, the sensing function (SF) is a sensing-related network element. The SF allocates sensing resources to the first BS (BS1) and the second BS (BS2).

[0040] BS1 will use the first antenna array (array 1) to transmit sensing signals in the allocated sensing resources. BS2 will use the second antenna array (array 2) to receive reflected sensing signals.

[0041] In one example, the sensing signal 302 may use a portion of the GP band 304.

[0042] In other examples of this embodiment, base station timing adjustments can be performed. These adjustments are performed by BS2. A propagation delay occurs along the line-of-sight (LOS) path from BS1 to BS2. The purpose of the timing adjustment is to postpone the occurrence of sensing RX 306. Furthermore, base station timing adjustments can reduce potential cyclic prefix (CP) overhead for sensing symbols.

[0043] In a further example of this embodiment, base stations near BS1 and BS2 can utilize the same TDD time slot configuration 300, so sensing in GP will help avoid signal interference.

[0044] In addition, such as Figure 3 As shown, there is a gap between the DL band and the sensing signal band 302. This configuration can illustrate an example of avoiding interference from other base stations, which can be achieved through a specific amount of propagation delay.

[0045] Example 3

[0046] This section discloses, among other things, examples of using antenna arrays to transmit and receive sensing signals between wireless nodes / wireless devices.

[0047] Here, a wireless node can be a base station (BS); a wireless device can be a user equipment (UE).

[0048] As described in the embodiments, when base stations utilize the same TDD time slot configuration, interference between signals can be avoided by using propagation delay in sensing within the GP. However, this may not always be the case.

[0049] In one example, such as Figure 4 As shown, base stations near the first base station (BS1) and the second base station (BS2) (i.e., BS3, BS4) may not utilize the same TDD time slot configuration 400. Here, the sensing signal 402 may need to use overlapping periods of the GP bands 404 of different base stations to transmit the signal. This configuration improves system flexibility.

[0050] Example 4

[0051] This embodiment discloses, among other things, an example of a periodic single-pattern time slot configuration.

[0052] In one example, such as Figure 5 As shown, a 5 ms periodic single-pattern time slot configuration can have a 30 kHz subcarrier spacing. Here, four symbols are used for GP every 5 ms.

[0053] like Figure 5As shown, the two middle symbols can be used for sensing using GP. Here, the two sensing symbols can have a 30 kHz subcarrier spacing and be transmitted. Alternatively, a single sensing symbol can have a 15 kHz subcarrier spacing and can also be transmitted.

[0054] Example 5

[0055] This embodiment discloses, among other things, an example of a periodic dual-pattern time slot configuration.

[0056] In one example, such as Figure 6 As shown, a periodic dual-pattern time slot configuration of 2.5 ms can have a subcarrier spacing of 30 kHz. Here, two symbols are used for GP every 2.5 ms, with the second S symbol used for GP sensing.

[0057] Example 6

[0058] This embodiment discloses, among other things, an example of a periodic single-pattern time slot configuration.

[0059] In one example, such as Figure 7 As shown, a periodic single-pattern time slot configuration of 2.5 ms can have a subcarrier spacing of 30 kHz. Here, one symbol is used for GP every 2.5 ms. In this alternative embodiment, symbol S is used for GP sensing.

[0060] Example 7

[0061] This embodiment discloses an example of a dual single-pattern time slot configuration, among other things.

[0062] In one example, such as Figure 8 As shown, a periodic single-pattern time slot configuration of 2.5 ms can have a subcarrier spacing of 30 kHz. Here, two symbols are used for GP every 2.5 ms.

[0063] In this embodiment, the sensing resources are not aligned with normal communication symbols, thus illustrating the gaps that reflect propagation delays used to avoid interference.

[0064] In another example, normal communication symbols can be configured with different sets of waveform parameters.

[0065] Example 8

[0066] This embodiment discloses, among other things, an example of configuring a protection period.

[0067] As described in the above embodiments, GP helps to avoid interference. Figure 9As shown, tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon configures downlink symbols, flexible symbols, and uplink symbols via parameters of dl-UL-TransmissionPeriodicity, nrofDownlinkSlots, nrofDownlinkSymbols, nrofUplinkSymbols, and nrofUplinkSlots. This configuration can directly configure the slot structures described in Examples 4 to 7, where the flexible symbols act as GP symbols.

[0068] The NR standard supports more flexible configurations, allowing the tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationDedicated and DCI formats to further configure flexible symbols for downlink or uplink.

[0069] also, Figure 9 An example is shown where the sensing symbol is configured based on tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon. Subsequently, the flexible symbol placed before the sensing symbol can be configured as a DL symbol, or it can be left unconfigured. Furthermore, the flexible symbol placed after the sensing symbol can be configured as a UL symbol, or it can be left unconfigured.

[0070] In addition, such as Figure 9 As shown, the single flexible symbol positioned before the sensing symbol can be left unconfigured. This will prevent downlink interference to GP sensing from other base stations in the presence of propagation delays.

[0071] In addition, such as Figure 9 As shown, the single flexible symbol positioned after the sensing symbol may not be configured. This will avoid sensing interference to the UL band of other base stations in the presence of propagation delay.

[0072] Example 9

[0073] This embodiment discloses, among other things, an example of configuring sensing symbols based on tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon and then on tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationDedicated.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the DCI format can be further configured with flexible symbols as DL symbols and UL symbols.

[0075] In one example, such as Figure 10As shown, after flexible symbols have been configured as described herein, the remaining flexible symbols are not used for communication. Instead, flexible symbols between the downlink and uplink can be identified as GPs. Furthermore, sensing resources can be allocated using at least a portion of the GPs.

[0076] In this embodiment, to avoid interference with the sensing DL signal from other base stations in the presence of propagation delay, the first GP symbol may not be assigned to the sensing signal. Additionally, to avoid sensing interference with the UL signal of other base stations in the presence of propagation delay, the last GP symbol may not be assigned to the sensing signal.

[0077] System Overview

[0078] Figure 11 An example block diagram of a hardware platform 1100 is shown, which may be part of a network device (e.g., a base station) or a communication device (e.g., a user equipment (UE)). The hardware platform 1100 includes at least one processor 1110 and a memory 1105 on which instructions are stored. When executed by the processor 1110, the instructions configure the hardware platform 1100 to perform... Figures 1 to 10 The operations described herein and the operations in the various embodiments described in this patent application document. Transmitter 1115 transmits or sends information or data to another device. For example, a network device transmitter can send a message to a user equipment. Receiver 1120 receives information or data transmitted or sent by another device. For example, a user equipment can receive a message from a network device.

[0079] The implementation methods discussed above are applicable to wireless communication. Figure 12 An example of a communication system (e.g., a 6G or NR cellular network) is shown, comprising a base station 1220 and one or more user equipments (UEs) 1211, 1212, and 1213. In some embodiments, the UE accesses the BS (e.g., the network) using a communication link to the network (sometimes referred to as the uplink direction, as depicted by dashed arrows 1231, 1232, and 1233), which then enables subsequent communication from the BS to the UE (e.g., shown as the direction from the network to the UE, sometimes referred to as the downlink direction, as depicted by arrows 1241, 1242, and 1243). In some embodiments, the BS sends information to the UE (sometimes referred to as the downlink direction, as depicted by arrows 1241, 1242, and 1243), which then enables subsequent communication from the UE to the BS (e.g., shown as the direction from the UE to the BS, sometimes referred to as the uplink direction, as depicted by dashed arrows 1231, 1232, and 1233). UE can be, for example, a smartphone, tablet, mobile computer, machine-to-machine (M2M) device, Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.

[0080] Example technical solutions

[0081] Under the heading of this section, some example technical features preferably implemented by the embodiments are disclosed in conjunction with the technical features from the previously disclosed embodiments.

[0082] Figure 13 An example flowchart representation of a method for wireless communication according to one or more embodiments of the present technology is shown. Operation 1302 includes: a first base station using a first antenna array to transmit a sensing signal utilizing at least a portion of a guard period, wherein the guard period is a time period separating downlink communication from uplink communication. Furthermore, each of the sensing transmission units can be configured to have the same duration as a data transmission unit including a data cyclic prefix and data symbols. Additionally, the duration of the virtual cyclic prefix can be greater than the duration of the cyclic prefix, and the duration of the shortened symbol can be less than the duration of the data symbol.

[0083] Figure 14 Another example of a wireless communication method according to one or more embodiments of the present technology is shown. Operation 1402 includes: receiving a reflected sensing signal from a second base station using a second antenna array during a guard period, wherein the guard period is a time period separating downlink communication from uplink communication. Furthermore, each of the sensing transmission units can be configured to have the same duration as a data transmission unit including a data cyclic prefix and data symbols. Additionally, the duration of the virtual cyclic prefix can be greater than the duration of the cyclic prefix, and the duration of the shortened symbol can be less than the duration of the data symbol. In some embodiments, the second base station and the first base station can be the same base station. In some embodiments, upon receiving the reflected sensing signal, the second base station can perform further operations, such as processing the sensing signal to derive information from it, as described in this document.

[0084] The above description Figures 13 to 14 Various preferred embodiments and additional features of the method are as follows. Further examples are described with reference to embodiments 1 to 9.

[0085] In one example aspect, a wireless communication method is disclosed (e.g., reference...). Figure 13 The described method includes: a first base station using a first antenna array to transmit a sensing signal utilizing at least a portion of a guard period, wherein the guard period is a time period that separates downlink communication from uplink communication. In another example aspect, another wireless communication method is disclosed (e.g., Figure 14The method described in the figure 1400 includes: receiving a reflected sensing signal from a second base station using a second antenna array during a protection period, wherein the protection period is a time period that separates downlink communication from uplink communication.

[0086] In some embodiments, the first base station or the second base station processes the received reflected sensing signal to obtain sensing information.

[0087] In some embodiments, the protection period is the time interval between time slot configurations.

[0088] In some embodiments, the symbols in the sensing signal are not aligned with the communication symbols.

[0089] In some embodiments, the sensing signal uses a parameter set different from that of the communication symbol.

[0090] In some embodiments, the method discussed above further includes timing adjustment by a second base station.

[0091] In some embodiments, the sensing signal uses a first flexible symbol configured in the tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon configuration.

[0092] In some embodiments, the flexible symbols before and after the sensing signal are not configured for communication using other configurations.

[0093] In some embodiments, the flexible symbol preceding the sensing signal can only be configured for downlink communication using other configurations.

[0094] In some embodiments, the flexible symbol following the sensing signal can only be configured for uplink communication using other configurations.

[0095] In some embodiments, a sensing-related network element transmits a sensing resource configuration to at least one of a first base station and a second base station, wherein the configuration allocates sensing resources for at least a portion of a protection period.

[0096] In some embodiments, the sensing resource configuration includes at least one of the following: 1) start slot indication, 2) periodicity and slot offset, 3) timing offset, 4) repetition factor, 5) SFN0 offset, 6) resource bandwidth, 7) start physical resource block, or 8) number of symbols in the slot.

[0097] It will be appreciated that this document discloses methods and apparatus related to achieving high-performance sensing in ISAC or other wireless communication systems without compromising communication performance. While ISAC has garnered attention in academia, existing research on ISAC or other communication systems does not cover sensing using GP for improved resource utilization and BS timing adjustment. This patent application discloses various solutions for transmitting the sensed signal over the communication channel during the guard period. By achieving at least high-performance sensing, the proposed methods and schemes will improve communication efficiency and accuracy in ISAC and other wireless communication systems.

[0098] The disclosed embodiments and other embodiments, modules, and functional operations described in this document can be implemented in digital electronic circuits, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware (including the structures disclosed in this document and their structural equivalents), or in one or more combinations thereof. The disclosed embodiments and other embodiments can be implemented as one or more computer program products, i.e., one or more computer program instruction modules encoded on a computer-readable medium for execution by or control of the operation of a data processing apparatus. The computer-readable medium can be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage substrate, a memory device, a composition of material that implements machine-readable propagation signals, or one or more combinations thereof. The term "data processing apparatus" covers all means, devices, and machines for processing data, including, by way of example, a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple processors or computers. In addition to hardware, the apparatus may include code that creates an execution environment for the computer program in discussion, such as code constituting processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, or one or more combinations thereof. A propagation signal is an artificially generated signal, such as a machine-generated electrical signal, optical signal, or electromagnetic signal, which is generated to encode information for transmission to a suitable receiver device.

[0099] Computer programs (also known as programs, software, software applications, scripts, or code) can be written in any programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages; and can be deployed in any form, including as standalone programs or as modules, components, subroutines, or other units suitable for a computing environment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored as part of a file containing other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), as a single file dedicated to the program in question, or as multiple co-located files (e.g., a file storing one or more modules, subroutines, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to execute on a single computer, or on multiple computers located at a single site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected via a communication network.

[0100] The processes and logic flows described in this document can be executed by one or more programmable processors that execute one or more computer programs to perform functions by manipulating input data and generating outputs. The processes and logic flows can also be executed by special-purpose logic circuitry (e.g., FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit)), and devices can also be implemented as such special-purpose logic circuitry.

[0101] Processors suitable for executing computer programs include, by way of example, both general-purpose microprocessors and special-purpose microprocessors, as well as any one or more processors in any kind of digital computer. Typically, a processor receives instructions and data from read-only memory or random access memory, or both. The fundamental elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Typically, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to, one or more mass storage devices (e.g., disks, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks) for storing data, to receive data from, to, or both of these devices. However, a computer does not necessarily have such devices. Computer-readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, media, and memory devices, including, by way of example, semiconductor memory devices such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; disks such as internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM discs. Processors and memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated into, special-purpose logic circuitry.

[0102] While this document contains numerous details, these details should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed invention or the scope of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Certain features described in this document within 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. Furthermore, although features may be described above as operating in certain combinations, or even initially claimed in this way, one or more features from a claimed combination may be removed from that combination in some cases, and the claimed combination may involve sub-combinations or variations thereof. Similarly, although operations are depicted in a particular order in the drawings, this should not be construed as requiring such operations to be performed in the specific order shown or in sequential order, or requiring the performance of all shown operations to achieve the desired result.

[0103] Only a few examples and implementations are disclosed. Variations, modifications, and enhancements can be made to the described examples, implementations, and other implementations based on the disclosed content.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication, comprising: The first base station uses the first antenna array to transmit sensing signals during at least a portion of the protection period. The protection period is the time period that separates downlink communication from uplink communication.

2. A method for wireless communication, comprising: During the protection period, the second base station uses a second antenna array to receive reflected sensing signals. The protection period is the time period that separates downlink communication from uplink communication.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first base station or the second base station processes the received reflected sensing signal to obtain sensing information.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein, The protection period is the time interval between time slot configurations.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein, The symbols in the sensing signal are not aligned with the communication symbols.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein, The sensing signal uses a parameter set different from that of the communication symbol.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising: The timing adjustment is performed by the second base station.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein, The sensing signal uses the first flexible symbol configured in the tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon configuration.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The flexible symbols before and after the sensing signal are not configured for communication using other configurations.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein, The flexible symbols preceding the sensing signals can only be configured for the downlink communication performed using other configurations.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein, The flexible symbol following the sensing signal can only be configured for the uplink communication performed using other configurations.

12. The method of claim 2, wherein, The sensing-related network element transmits a sensing resource configuration to at least one of the first base station and the second base station, wherein the configuration allocates the sensing resources for at least a portion of the protection period.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein, The sensing resource configuration includes at least one of the following: 1) start time slot indication, 2) periodicity and time slot offset, 3) timing offset, 4) repetition factor, 5) SFN0 offset, 6) resource bandwidth, 7) start physical resource block, or 8) number of symbols in the time slot.

14. An apparatus for a communication network, comprising: A processor configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A computer-readable storage medium having code stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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