Techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A server may be configured to facilitate sensing operations within unlicensed bands and / or within out-of-coverage areas of a wireless network. The server may transmit, to a network entity of a wireless network, a first control message indicating that a sensing operation (e.g., a monostatic sensing operation, a bistatic sensing operation, and / or a multi-static sensing operation), is to be performed by one or more user equipments (UEs) to identify one or more sensing targets located within a defined geographic zone of the wireless network. The server may transmit, to the one or more UEs based on transmitting the first control message, a second control message indicating a sensing configuration for performing the sensing operation within the defined geographic zone. The server may then receive one or more sensing reports associated with the sensing configuration from the one or more UEs.

Description

TECHNIQUES FOR USING A THIRD PARTY SERVER FOR PERFORMING SENSING OPERATIONSCROSS REFERENCE

[0001] The present Application for Patent claims priority to Greece Patent Application No. 20230100344 by LASTNAME et al., entitled “TECHNIQUES FOR USING A THIRD PARTY SERVER FOR PERFORMING SENSING OPERATIONS,” filed April 25, 2023, assigned to the assignee hereof, and expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0002] The following relates to wireless communications, including techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations.BACKGROUND

[0003] Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple-access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE- Advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems which may be referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may employ technologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), or discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple-access communications system may include one or more base stations, each supporting wireless communication for communication devices, which may be known as user equipment (UE).

[0004] In some wireless communications systems, wireless devices (e.g., UEs, base stations) may use radio frequency (RF) sensing operations to identify objects, determine object directi on / velocity, track objects, etc. During an RF sensing operation, atransmitting device transmits RF sensing signals, which may be reflected off objects and received by a receiving device (e.g., the transmitting wireless device, or one or more other wireless devices). The receiving device may determine time delays, phase shifts, and other parameters associated with the received sensing signals to identify a position, location, distance, or any combination, of the objects.SUMMARY

[0005] The described techniques relate to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses that support techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations. Generally, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to signaling and configurations that enable a server (e.g., third party server or over-the-top (OTT) server) to manage sensing operations. In particular, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to configurations and signaling that enable third party servers to manage or facilitate sensing operations within unlicensed bands and / or in geographic zones that are out-of-coverage of a wireless network. For example, a server may transmit a first control message to a network entity of a wireless network indicating that a sensing operation is to be performed by user equipments (UEs). The sensing operation may be a monostatic sensing operation, a bistatic sensing operation, or a multi-static sensing operation to identify sensing targets, such as objects, located within a geographic zone of the wireless network. The server may then transmit a second control message to the UEs indicating a sensing configuration for performing the sensing operation.Subsequently, the UEs may perform sensing operation(s) in accordance with the sensing configuration, where the server is configured to compile sensing reports from the various UEs. The server may then be configured to generate a composite sensing report using the aggregated reports, and may distribute the composite sensing reports to the UEs, the network entities, and the like.

[0006] A method is described. The method may include transmitting, to a network entity of a wireless network, a first control message indicating that a sensing operation including at least one of a monostatic sensing operation, a bistatic sensing operation, or a multi-static sensing operation, is to be performed by one or more UEs to identify one or more sensing targets located within a defined geographic zone of a set of multiple geographic zones of the wireless network, transmitting, to the one or more userequipment (UE)s based on transmitting the first control message, a second control message indicating a sensing configuration for performing the monostatic sensing operation, the bistatic sensing operation, the multi-static sensing operation, or any combination thereof, within the defined geographic zone, and receiving, from the one or more UEs, one or more sensing reports associated with the sensing configuration.

[0007] An apparatus is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory coupled with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to transmit, to a network entity of a wireless network, a first control message indicating that a sensing operation including at least one of a monostatic sensing operation, a bistatic sensing operation, or a multistatic sensing operation, is to be performed by one or more user equipments (UEs) to identify one or more sensing targets located within a defined geographic zone of a set of multiple geographic zones of the wireless network, transmit, to the one or more UEs based on transmitting the first control message, a second control message indicating a sensing configuration for performing the monostatic sensing operation, the bistatic sensing operation, the multi-static sensing operation, or any combination thereof, within the defined geographic zone, and receive, from the one or more UEs, one or more sensing reports associated with the sensing configuration.

[0008] Another apparatus is described. The apparatus may include means for transmitting, to a network entity of a wireless network, a first control message indicating that a sensing operation including at least one of a monostatic sensing operation, a bistatic sensing operation, or a multi-static sensing operation, is to be performed by one or more user equipments (UEs) to identify one or more sensing targets located within a defined geographic zone of a set of multiple geographic zones of the wireless network, means for transmitting, to the one or more UEs based on transmitting the first control message, a second control message indicating a sensing configuration for performing the monostatic sensing operation, the bistatic sensing operation, the multi-static sensing operation, or any combination thereof, within the defined geographic zone, and means for receiving, from the one or more UEs, one or more sensing reports associated with the sensing configuration.

[0009] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to transmit, to a network entityof a wireless network, a first control message indicating that a sensing operation including at least one of a monostatic sensing operation, a bistatic sensing operation, or a multi-static sensing operation, is to be performed by one or more user equipments (UEs) to identify one or more sensing targets located within a defined geographic zone of a set of multiple geographic zones of the wireless network, transmit, to the one or more UEs based on transmitting the first control message, a second control message indicating a sensing configuration for performing the monostatic sensing operation, the bistatic sensing operation, the multi-static sensing operation, or any combination thereof, within the defined geographic zone, and receive, from the one or more UEs, one or more sensing reports associated with the sensing configuration.

[0010] Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting, via the second control message, a set of parameters usable for performing the sensing operation, where the set of parameters include a set of time resources, a set of frequency resources, indications of transmitting or receiving devices for the sensing operation, a beamforming parameter, a transmit power level, a processing operation for generating the one or more sensing reports, trigger conditions for communicating the one or more sensing reports, or any combination thereof.

[0011] Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting, via the first control message, a request for resources usable for the sensing operation and receiving, from the network entity via a third control message, an indication of a set of resources usable for the sensing operation, where the second control message includes an indication of the set of resources associated with the sensing configuration.

[0012] Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for generating a composite sensing report associated with the sensing operation based on the one or more sensing reports and transmitting the composite sensing report to the network entity, the one or more UEs, or both.

[0013] Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving an indication of a subscription fee from the network entity, the one or more UEs, or both, where transmitting the composite sensing report to the network entity or the one or more UEs may be based on receiving the indication of the subscription fee from the network entity or the one or more UEs, respectively.

[0014] In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, the composite sensing report identifies the one or more sensing targets within the defined geographic zone, includes a digital map associated with at least a portion of the defined geographic zone, or both.

[0015] Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving, via the first sensing report, a set of parameters associated with the first UE, where the set of parameters include a geographical location of the first UE, a heading of the first UE, a velocity of the first UE, or any combination thereof, where generating the composite sensing report may be based on the set of parameters.

[0016] Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving, from the network entity, one or more additional sensing reports generated or collected by the network entity, where generating the composite sensing report may be based on the one or more additional sensing reports.

[0017] Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting, via the first control message, a request to utilize the one or more UEs for the sensing operation and receiving, in response to the request, a third control message indicating an approval to utilize the one or more UEs for the sensing operation, where transmitting the second control message may be based on receiving the approval.

[0018] Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting, to a set of multiple UEs, a subscription message includinga request for each of the set of multiple UEs to participate in the sensing operation and receiving, from the one or more UEs in response to the subscription message, a response message indicating that each of the one or more UEs may be able to participate in the sensing operation, where transmitting the second control message may be based on receiving the response message.

[0019] In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, the subscription message may be transmitted to the set of multiple UEs based on each of the set of multiple UEs satisfying one or more criteria for the sensing operation and the one or more criteria include a geographical location within the defined geographic zone, a capability to participate in the sensing operation, or both.

[0020] Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting, to the network entity, a third control message indicating the one or more UEs participating in the sensing operation.

[0021] Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving, from the network entity, a third control message including an indication that the one or more UEs may be available to perform the sensing operation, where transmitting the second control message may be based on receiving the third control message.

[0022] Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting, via the first control message, an indication that the sensing operation may be to be performed within one or more unlicensed bands and transmitting, via the second control message, an indication of a set of resources within the one or more unlicensed bands.

[0023] In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, the defined geographic zone includes an area of the wireless network that may be not supported for wireless communications by the network entity, additional network entities, or both.

[0024] In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, the one or more sensing targets include objects within the defined geographic zone, other wireless devices within the defined geographic zone, or both.

[0025] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of examples according to the disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages will be described hereinafter. The conception and specific examples disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the appended claims. Characteristics of the concepts disclosed herein, both their organization and method of operation, together with associated advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. Each of the figures is provided for the purposes of illustration and description, and not as a definition of the limits of the claims.

[0026] While aspects and embodiments are described in this application by illustration to some examples, those skilled in the art will understand that additional implementations and use cases may come about in many different arrangements and scenarios. Innovations described herein may be implemented across many differing platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes, packaging arrangements. For example, embodiments and / or uses may come about via integrated chip embodiments and other non-module-component based devices (e.g., end-user devices, vehicles, communication devices, computing devices, industrial equipment, retail / purchasing devices, medical devices, artificial intelligence (Al)-enabled devices, etc.). While some examples may or may not be specifically directed to use cases or applications, a wide assortment of applicability of described innovations may occur. Implementations may range in spectrum from chip-level or modular components to non-modular, non-chip-level implementations and further to aggregate, distributed, or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) devices or systems incorporating one or more aspects of the described innovations. In some practical settings, devices incorporating described aspects and features may also necessarily include additional components and features for implementation and practice of claimed and described embodiments. For example,transmission and reception of wireless signals necessarily includes a number of components for analog and digital purposes (e.g., hardware components including antenna, radio frequency (RF)-chains, power amplifiers, modulators, buffer, processor(s), interleaver, adders / summers, etc.). It is intended that innovations described herein may be practiced in a wide variety of devices, chip-level components, systems, distributed arrangements, end-user devices, etc. of varying sizes, shapes, and constitution.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 shows an example of a wireless communications system that supports techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows an example of a network architecture that supports techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 3 shows an example of a wireless communications system that supports techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows an example of a process flow that supports techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIGs. 5 and 6 show block diagrams of devices that support techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a communications manager that supports techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 8 shows a diagram of a system including a device that supports techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIGs. 9 through 11 show flowcharts illustrating methods that support techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] In some wireless communications systems, wireless devices (e.g., user equipments (UEs), base stations) may use radio frequency (RF) sensing operations to identify objects, determine object directi on / velocity, track objects, etc. During an RF sensing operation, a transmitting device transmits RF sensing signals, which may be reflected off objects and received by a receiving device (e.g., the transmitting wireless device, or one or more other wireless devices). The receiving device may determine time delays, phase shifts, and other parameters associated with the received sensing signals to identify a position, location, distance, or any combination, of the objects.

[0036] Sensing operations are most often controlled and orchestrated by network entities, such as base stations, within licensed frequency bands. However, there is a large amount of spectrum available within unlicensed frequency bands that may be used for sensing operations, and which is currently not utilized by network entities. Moreover, because sensing operations are controlled by network entities, sensing operations may only be implemented in geographic zones with network coverage, and may not be implemented in geographic zones that are out-of-coverage.

[0037] Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to signaling and configurations that enable a server (e.g., third party server or over-the-top (OTT) server) to manage sensing operations. In particular, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to configurations and signaling that enable third party servers to manage or facilitate sensing operations within unlicensed bands and / or in geographic zones that are out-of-coverage of a wireless network. For example, a server may transmit a first control message to a network entity of a wireless network indicating that a sensing operation is to be performed by UEs. The sensing operation may be a monostatic sensing operation, a bistatic sensing operation, or a multi-static sensing operation to identify sensing targets, such as objects, located within a geographic zone of the wireless network. The server may then transmit a second control message to the UEs indicating a sensing configuration for performing the sensing operation. Subsequently,the UEs may perform sensing operation(s) in accordance with the sensing configuration, where the server is configured to compile sensing reports from the various UEs. The server may then be configured to generate a composite sensing report using the aggregated reports, and may distribute the composite sensing reports to the UEs, the network entities, and the like.

[0038] In some examples, the server may transmit an indication of a set of sensing parameters to the UEs for the sensing operation. The sensing parameters may include a set of time resources, a set of frequency resources, indications of transmitting or receiving devices for the sensing operation, a beamforming parameter, a transmit power level, a processing operation for generating the sensing reports, and / or trigger conditions for communicating the sensing reports. In some cases, the server may request resources for the sending operation from the network entity, where the network entity allocates resources usable for the sensing operation. For example, the server may request and receive approval from the network entity to use the UEs for the sensing operation.

[0039] Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context of wireless communications systems. Additional aspects of the disclosure are described in the context of an example network architecture and an example process flow. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts that relate to techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations.

[0040] FIG. 1 shows an example of a wireless communications system 100 that supports techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communications system 100 may include one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wireless communications system 100 may be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an LTE- Advanced (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, a New Radio (NR) network, or a network operating in accordance with other systems and radio technologies, including future systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.

[0041] The network entities 105 may be dispersed throughout a geographic area to form the wireless communications system 100 and may include devices in different forms or having different capabilities. In various examples, a network entity 105 may be referred to as a network element, a mobility element, a radio access network (RAN) node, or network equipment, among other nomenclature. In some examples, network entities 105 and UEs 115 may wirelessly communicate via one or more communication links 125 (e.g., a radio frequency (RF) access link). For example, a network entity 105 may support a coverage area 110 (e.g., a geographic coverage area) over which the UEs 115 and the network entity 105 may establish one or more communication links 125. The coverage area 110 may be an example of a geographic area over which a network entity 105 and a UE 115 may support the communication of signals according to one or more radio access technologies (RATs).

[0042] The UEs 115 may be dispersed throughout a coverage area 110 of the wireless communications system 100, and each UE 115 may be stationary, or mobile, or both at different times. The UEs 115 may be devices in different forms or having different capabilities. Some example UEs 115 are illustrated in FIG. 1. The UEs 115 described herein may be capable of supporting communications with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115 or network entities 105, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0043] As described herein, a node of the wireless communications system 100, which may be referred to as a network node, or a wireless node, may be a network entity 105 (e.g., any network entity described herein), a UE 115 (e.g., any UE described herein), a network controller, an apparatus, a device, a computing system, one or more components, or another suitable processing entity configured to perform any of the techniques described herein. For example, a node may be a UE 115. As another example, a node may be a network entity 105. As another example, a first node may be configured to communicate with a second node or a third node. In one aspect of this example, the first node may be a UE 115, the second node may be a network entity 105, and the third node may be a UE 115. In another aspect of this example, the first node may be a UE 115, the second node may be a network entity 105, and the third node may be a network entity 105. In yet other aspects of this example, the first, second, and third nodes may be different relative to these examples. Similarly, reference to a UE 115, network entity 105, apparatus, device, computing system, or the like may includedisclosure of the UE 115, network entity 105, apparatus, device, computing system, or the like being a node. For example, disclosure that a UE 115 is configured to receive information from a network entity 105 also discloses that a first node is configured to receive information from a second node.

[0044] In some examples, network entities 105 may communicate with the core network 130, or with one another, or both. For example, network entities 105 may communicate with the core network 130 via one or more backhaul communication links 120 (e.g., in accordance with an SI, N2, N3, or other interface protocol). In some examples, network entities 105 may communicate with one another via a backhaul communication link 120 (e.g., in accordance with an X2, Xn, or other interface protocol) either directly (e.g., directly between network entities 105) or indirectly (e.g., via a core network 130). In some examples, network entities 105 may communicate with one another via a midhaul communication link 162 (e.g., in accordance with a midhaul interface protocol) or a fronthaul communication link 168 (e.g., in accordance with a fronthaul interface protocol), or any combination thereof. The backhaul communication links 120, midhaul communication links 162, or fronthaul communication links 168 may be or include one or more wired links (e.g., an electrical link, an optical fiber link), one or more wireless links (e.g., a radio link, a wireless optical link), among other examples or various combinations thereof. A UE 115 may communicate with the core network 130 via a communication link 155.

[0045] One or more of the network entities 105 described herein may include or may be referred to as a base station 140 (e.g., a base transceiver station, a radio base station, an NR base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a NodeB, an eNodeB (eNB), a next-generation NodeB or a giga-NodeB (either of which may be referred to as a gNB), a 5G NB, a next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), a Home NodeB, a Home eNodeB, or other suitable terminology). In some examples, a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) may be implemented in an aggregated (e.g., monolithic, standalone) base station architecture, which may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within a single network entity 105 (e.g., a single RAN node, such as a base station 140).

[0046] In some examples, a network entity 105 may be implemented in a disaggregated architecture (e.g., a disaggregated base station architecture, adisaggregated RAN architecture), which may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed among two or more network entities 105, such as an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network, an open RAN (O-RAN) (e.g., a network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance), or a virtualized RAN (vRAN) (e.g., a cloud RAN (C-RAN)). For example, a network entity 105 may include one or more of a central unit (CU) 160, a distributed unit (DU) 165, a radio unit (RU) 170, a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) 175 (e.g., a Near-Real Time RIC (Near-RT RIC), a Non-Real Time RIC (Non-RT RIC)), a Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) 180 system, or any combination thereof. An RU 170 may also be referred to as a radio head, a smart radio head, a remote radio head (RRH), a remote radio unit (RRU), or a transmission reception point (TRP). One or more components of the network entities 105 in a disaggregated RAN architecture may be co-located, or one or more components of the network entities 105 may be located in distributed locations (e.g., separate physical locations). In some examples, one or more network entities 105 of a disaggregated RAN architecture may be implemented as virtual units (e.g., a virtual CU (VCU), a virtual DU (VDU), a virtual RU (VRU)).

[0047] The split of functionality between a CU 160, a DU 165, and an RU 170 is flexible and may support different functionalities depending on which functions (e.g., network layer functions, protocol layer functions, baseband functions, RF functions, and any combinations thereof) are performed at a CU 160, a DU 165, or an RU 170. For example, a functional split of a protocol stack may be employed between a CU 160 and a DU 165 such that the CU 160 may support one or more layers of the protocol stack and the DU 165 may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. In some examples, the CU 160 may host upper protocol layer (e.g., layer 3 (L3), layer 2 (L2)) functionality and signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC), service data adaption protocol (SDAP), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP)). The CU 160 may be connected to one or more DUs 165 or RUs 170, and the one or more DUs 165 or RUs 170 may host lower protocol layers, such as layer 1 (LI) (e.g., physical (PHY) layer) or L2 (e.g., radio link control (RLC) layer, medium access control (MAC) layer) functionality and signaling, and may each be at least partially controlled by the CU 160. Additionally, or alternatively, a functional split of the protocol stack may be employed between a DU 165 and an RU 170 such that the DU 165 may support one or more layersof the protocol stack and the RU 170 may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. The DU 165 may support one or multiple different cells (e.g., via one or more RUs 170). In some cases, a functional split between a CU 160 and a DU 165, or between a DU 165 and an RU 170 may be within a protocol layer (e.g., some functions for a protocol layer may be performed by one of a CU 160, a DU 165, or an RU 170, while other functions of the protocol layer are performed by a different one of the CU 160, the DU 165, or the RU 170). A CU 160 may be functionally split further into CU control plane (CU-CP) and CU user plane (CU-UP) functions. A CU 160 may be connected to one or more DUs 165 via a midhaul communication link 162 (e.g., Fl, Fl-c, Fl-u), and a DU 165 may be connected to one or more RUs 170 via a fronthaul communication link 168 (e.g., open fronthaul (FH) interface). In some examples, a midhaul communication link 162 or a fronthaul communication link 168 may be implemented in accordance with an interface (e.g., a channel) between layers of a protocol stack supported by respective network entities 105 that are in communication via such communication links.

[0048] In wireless communications systems (e.g., wireless communications system 100), infrastructure and spectral resources for radio access may support wireless backhaul link capabilities to supplement wired backhaul connections, providing an IAB network architecture (e.g., to a core network 130). In some cases, in an IAB network, one or more network entities 105 (e.g., IAB nodes 104) may be partially controlled by each other. One or more IAB nodes 104 may be referred to as a donor entity or an IAB donor. One or more DUs 165 or one or more RUs 170 may be partially controlled by one or more CUs 160 associated with a donor network entity 105 (e.g., a donor base station 140). The one or more donor network entities 105 (e.g., IAB donors) may be in communication with one or more additional network entities 105 (e.g., IAB nodes 104) via supported access and backhaul links (e.g., backhaul communication links 120). IAB nodes 104 may include an IAB mobile termination (IAB-MT) controlled (e.g., scheduled) by DUs 165 of a coupled IAB donor. An IAB-MT may include an independent set of antennas for relay of communications with UEs 115, or may share the same antennas (e.g., of an RU 170) of an IAB node 104 used for access via the DU 165 of the IAB node 104 (e.g., referred to as virtual IAB-MT (vIAB-MT)). In some examples, the IAB nodes 104 may include DUs 165 that support communication linkswith additional entities (e.g., IAB nodes 104, UEs 115) within the relay chain or configuration of the access network (e.g., downstream). In such cases, one or more components of the disaggregated RAN architecture (e.g., one or more IAB nodes 104 or components of IAB nodes 104) may be configured to operate according to the techniques described herein.

[0049] For instance, an access network (AN) or RAN may include communications between access nodes (e.g., an IAB donor), IAB nodes 104, and one or more UEs 115. The IAB donor may facilitate connection between the core network 130 and the AN (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection to the core network 130). That is, an IAB donor may refer to a RAN node with a wired or wireless connection to core network 130. The IAB donor may include a CU 160 and at least one DU 165 (e.g., and RU 170), in which case the CU 160 may communicate with the core network 130 via an interface (e.g., a backhaul link). IAB donor and IAB nodes 104 may communicate via an Fl interface according to a protocol that defines signaling messages (e.g., an Fl AP protocol). Additionally, or alternatively, the CU 160 may communicate with the core network via an interface, which may be an example of a portion of backhaul link, and may communicate with other CUs 160 (e.g., a CU 160 associated with an alternative IAB donor) via an Xn-C interface, which may be an example of a portion of a backhaul link.

[0050] An IAB node 104 may refer to a RAN node that provides IAB functionality (e.g., access for UEs 115, wireless self-backhauling capabilities). A DU 165 may act as a distributed scheduling node towards child nodes associated with the IAB node 104, and the IAB-MT may act as a scheduled node towards parent nodes associated with the IAB node 104. That is, an IAB donor may be referred to as a parent node in communication with one or more child nodes (e.g., an IAB donor may relay transmissions for UEs through one or more other IAB nodes 104). Additionally, or alternatively, an IAB node 104 may also be referred to as a parent node or a child node to other IAB nodes 104, depending on the relay chain or configuration of the AN. Therefore, the IAB-MT entity of IAB nodes 104 may provide a Uu interface for a child IAB node 104 to receive signaling from a parent IAB node 104, and the DU interface (e.g., DUs 165) may provide a Uu interface for a parent IAB node 104 to signal to a child IAB node 104 or UE 115.

[0051] For example, IAB node 104 may be referred to as a parent node that supports communications for a child IAB node, or referred to as a child IAB node associated with an IAB donor, or both. The IAB donor may include a CU 160 with a wired or wireless connection (e.g., a backhaul communication link 120) to the core network 130 and may act as parent node to IAB nodes 104. For example, the DU 165 of IAB donor may relay transmissions to UEs 115 through IAB nodes 104, or may directly signal transmissions to a UE 115, or both. The CU 160 of IAB donor may signal communication link establishment via an Fl interface to IAB nodes 104, and the IAB nodes 104 may schedule transmissions (e.g., transmissions to the UEs 115 relayed from the IAB donor) through the DUs 165. That is, data may be relayed to and from IAB nodes 104 via signaling via an NR Uu interface to MT of the IAB node 104. Communications with IAB node 104 may be scheduled by a DU 165 of IAB donor and communications with IAB node 104 may be scheduled by DU 165 of IAB node 104.

[0052] In the case of the techniques described herein applied in the context of a disaggregated RAN architecture, one or more components of the disaggregated RAN architecture may be configured to support techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations as described herein. For example, some operations described as being performed by a UE 115 or a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) may additionally, or alternatively, be performed by one or more components of the disaggregated RAN architecture (e.g., IAB nodes 104, DUs 165, CUs 160, RUs 170, RIC 175, SMO 180).

[0053] A UE 115 may include or may be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitable terminology, where the “device” may also be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, among other examples. A UE 115 may also include or may be referred to as a personal electronic device such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal computer. In some examples, a UE 115 may include or be referred to as a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of Things (loT) device, an Internet of Everything (loE) device, or a machine type communications (MTC) device, among other examples, which may be implemented in various objects such as appliances, or vehicles, meters, among other examples.

[0054] The UEs 115 described herein may be able to communicate with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115 that may sometimes act as relays as well as the network entities 105 and the network equipment including macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, or relay base stations, among other examples, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0055] The UEs 115 and the network entities 105 may wirelessly communicate with one another via one or more communication links 125 (e.g., an access link) using resources associated with one or more carriers. The term “carrier” may refer to a set of RF spectrum resources having a defined physical layer structure for supporting the communication links 125. For example, a carrier used for a communication link 125 may include a portion of a RF spectrum band (e.g., a bandwidth part (BWP)) that is operated according to one or more physical layer channels for a given radio access technology (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR). Each physical layer channel may carry acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information), control signaling that coordinates operation for the carrier, user data, or other signaling. The wireless communications system 100 may support communication with a UE 115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. A UE 115 may be configured with multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers according to a carrier aggregation configuration. Carrier aggregation may be used with both frequency division duplexing (FDD) and time division duplexing (TDD) component carriers. Communication between a network entity 105 and other devices may refer to communication between the devices and any portion (e.g., entity, subentity) of a network entity 105. For example, the terms “transmitting,” “receiving,” or “communicating,” when referring to a network entity 105, may refer to any portion of a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, a CU 160, a DU 165, a RU 170) of a RAN communicating with another device (e.g., directly or via one or more other network entities 105).

[0056] In some examples, such as in a carrier aggregation configuration, a carrier may also have acquisition signaling or control signaling that coordinates operations for other carriers. A carrier may be associated with a frequency channel (e.g., an evolved universal mobile telecommunication system terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) absolute RF channel number (EARFCN)) and may be identified according to a channel raster for discovery by the UEs 115. A carrier may be operated in a standalone mode, in whichcase initial acquisition and connection may be conducted by the UEs 115 via the carrier, or the carrier may be operated in a non- standalone mode, in which case a connection is anchored using a different carrier (e.g., of the same or a different radio access technology).

[0057] The communication links 125 shown in the wireless communications system 100 may include downlink transmissions (e.g., forward link transmissions) from a network entity 105 to a UE 115, uplink transmissions (e.g., return link transmissions) from a UE 115 to a network entity 105, or both, among other configurations of transmissions. Carriers may carry downlink or uplink communications (e.g., in an FDD mode) or may be configured to carry downlink and uplink communications (e.g., in a TDD mode).

[0058] A carrier may be associated with a particular bandwidth of the RF spectrum and, in some examples, the carrier bandwidth may be referred to as a “system bandwidth” of the carrier or the wireless communications system 100. For example, the carrier bandwidth may be one of a set of bandwidths for carriers of a particular radio access technology (e.g., 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, or 80 megahertz (MHz)). Devices of the wireless communications system 100 (e.g., the network entities 105, the UEs 115, or both) may have hardware configurations that support communications using a particular carrier bandwidth or may be configurable to support communications using one of a set of carrier bandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communications system 100 may include network entities 105 or UEs 115 that support concurrent communications using carriers associated with multiple carrier bandwidths. In some examples, each served UE 115 may be configured for operating using portions (e.g., a sub-band, a BWP) or all of a carrier bandwidth.

[0059] Signal waveforms transmitted via a carrier may be made up of multiple subcarriers (e.g., using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM)). In a system employing MCM techniques, a resource element may refer to resources of one symbol period (e.g., a duration of one modulation symbol) and one subcarrier, in which case the symbol period and subcarrier spacing may be inversely related. The quantity of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the coding rate of themodulation scheme, or both), such that a relatively higher quantity of resource elements (e.g., in a transmission duration) and a relatively higher order of a modulation scheme may correspond to a relatively higher rate of communication. A wireless communications resource may refer to a combination of an RF spectrum resource, a time resource, and a spatial resource (e.g., a spatial layer, a beam), and the use of multiple spatial resources may increase the data rate or data integrity for communications with a UE 115.

[0060] One or more numerologies for a carrier may be supported, and a numerology may include a subcarrier spacing (A ) and a cyclic prefix. A carrier may be divided into one or more BWPs having the same or different numerologies. In some examples, a UE 115 may be configured with multiple BWPs. In some examples, a single BWP for a carrier may be active at a given time and communications for the UE 115 may be restricted to one or more active BWPs.

[0061] The time intervals for the network entities 105 or the UEs 115 may be expressed in multiples of a basic time unit which may, for example, refer to a sampling period of Ts= l / (A / mflx■ Ay) seconds, for which fmaxmay represent a supported subcarrier spacing, and Ay may represent a supported discrete Fourier transform (DFT) size. Time intervals of a communications resource may be organized according to radio frames each having a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)). Each radio frame may be identified by a system frame number (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023).

[0062] Each frame may include multiple consecutively-numbered subframes or slots, and each subframe or slot may have the same duration. In some examples, a frame may be divided (e.g., in the time domain) into subframes, and each subframe may be further divided into a quantity of slots. Alternatively, each frame may include a variable quantity of slots, and the quantity of slots may depend on subcarrier spacing. Each slot may include a quantity of symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix prepended to each symbol period). In some wireless communications systems 100, a slot may further be divided into multiple mini-slots associated with one or more symbols. Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may be associated with one or more (e.g., Ay) sampling periods. The duration of a symbol period may depend on the subcarrier spacing or frequency band of operation.

[0063] A subframe, a slot, a mini-slot, or a symbol may be the smallest scheduling unit (e.g., in the time domain) of the wireless communications system 100 and may be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In some examples, the TTI duration (e.g., a quantity of symbol periods in a TTI) may be variable. Additionally, or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communications system 100 may be dynamically selected (e.g., in bursts of shortened TTIs (sTTIs)).

[0064] Physical channels may be multiplexed for communication using a carrier according to various techniques. A physical control channel and a physical data channel may be multiplexed for signaling via a downlink carrier, for example, using one or more of time division multiplexing (TDM) techniques, frequency division multiplexing (FDM) techniques, or hybrid TDM-FDM techniques. A control region (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET)) for a physical control channel may be defined by a set of symbol periods and may extend across the system bandwidth or a subset of the system bandwidth of the carrier. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESETs) may be configured for a set of the UEs 115. For example, one or more of the UEs 115 may monitor or search control regions for control information according to one or more search space sets, and each search space set may include one or multiple control channel candidates in one or more aggregation levels arranged in a cascaded manner. An aggregation level for a control channel candidate may refer to an amount of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements (CCEs)) associated with encoded information for a control information format having a given payload size. Search space sets may include common search space sets configured for sending control information to multiple UEs 115 and UE-specific search space sets for sending control information to a specific UE 115.

[0065] A network entity 105 may provide communication coverage via one or more cells, for example a macro cell, a small cell, a hot spot, or other types of cells, or any combination thereof. The term “cell” may refer to a logical communication entity used for communication with a network entity 105 (e.g., using a carrier) and may be associated with an identifier for distinguishing neighboring cells (e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCID), a virtual cell identifier (VCID), or others). In some examples, a cell also may refer to a coverage area 110 (e.g., geographical area, or geographical zone) or a portion of a coverage area 110 (e.g., a sector) over which the logical communicationentity operates. Such cells may range from smaller areas (e.g., a structure, a subset of structure) to larger areas depending on various factors such as the capabilities of the network entity 105. For example, a cell may be or include a building, a subset of a building, or exterior spaces between or overlapping with coverage areas 110, among other examples.

[0066] A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g., several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access by the UEs 115 with service subscriptions with the network provider supporting the macro cell. A small cell may be associated with a lower-powered network entity 105 (e.g., a lower-powered base station 140), as compared with a macro cell, and a small cell may operate using the same or different (e.g., licensed, unlicensed) frequency bands as macro cells. Small cells may provide unrestricted access to the UEs 115 with service subscriptions with the network provider or may provide restricted access to the UEs 115 having an association with the small cell (e.g., the UEs 115 in a closed subscriber group (CSG), the UEs 115 associated with users in a home or office). A network entity 105 may support one or multiple cells and may also support communications via the one or more cells using one or multiple component carriers.

[0067] In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., MTC, narrowband loT (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB)) that may provide access for different types of devices.

[0068] In some examples, a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170) may be movable and therefore provide communication coverage for a moving coverage area 110. In some examples, different coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may overlap, but the different coverage areas 110 may be supported by the same network entity 105. In some other examples, the overlapping coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may be supported by different network entities 105. The wireless communications system 100 may include, for example, a heterogeneous network in which different types of the network entities 105 provide coverage for various coverage areas 110 using the same or different radio access technologies.

[0069] The wireless communications system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable communications or low-latency communications, or various combinations thereof. For example, the wireless communications system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC). The UEs 115 may be designed to support ultra-reliable, low-latency, or critical functions. Ultra-reliable communications may include private communication or group communication and may be supported by one or more services such as push-to-talk, video, or data. Support for ultra-reliable, low-latency functions may include prioritization of services, and such services may be used for public safety or general commercial applications. The terms ultra-reliable, low-latency, and ultra-reliable low-latency may be used interchangeably herein.

[0070] In some examples, a UE 115 may be configured to support communicating directly with other UEs 115 via a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 135 (e.g., in accordance with a peer-to-peer (P2P), D2D, or sidelink protocol). In some examples, one or more UEs 115 of a group that are performing D2D communications may be within the coverage area 110 of a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170), which may support aspects of such D2D communications being configured by (e.g., scheduled by) the network entity 105. In some examples, one or more UEs 115 of such a group may be outside the coverage area 110 of a network entity 105 or may be otherwise unable to or not configured to receive transmissions from a network entity 105. In some examples, groups of the UEs 115 communicating via D2D communications may support a one-to-many (1 :M) system in which each UE 115 transmits to each of the other UEs 115 in the group. In some examples, a network entity 105 may facilitate the scheduling of resources for D2D communications. In some other examples, D2D communications may be carried out between the UEs 115 without an involvement of a network entity 105.

[0071] In some systems, a D2D communication link 135 may be an example of a communication channel, such as a sidelink communication channel, between vehicles (e.g., UEs 115). In some examples, vehicles may communicate using vehicle-to- everything (V2X) communications, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications, or some combination of these. A vehicle may signal information related to traffic conditions, signal scheduling, weather, safety, emergencies, or any other information relevant to aV2X system. In some examples, vehicles in a V2X system may communicate with roadside infrastructure, such as roadside units, or with the network via one or more network nodes (e.g., network entities 105, base stations 140, RUs 170) using vehicle-to- network (V2N) communications, or with both.

[0072] The core network 130 may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) or 5G core (5GC), which may include at least one control plane entity that manages access and mobility (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), an access and mobility management function (AMF)) and at least one user plane entity that routes packets or interconnects to external networks (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW), a Packet Data Network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), or a user plane function (UPF)). The control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management for the UEs 115 served by the network entities 105 (e.g., base stations 140) associated with the core network 130. User IP packets may be transferred through the user plane entity, which may provide IP address allocation as well as other functions. The user plane entity may be connected to IP services 150 for one or more network operators. The IP services 150 may include access to the Internet, Intranet(s), an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or a Packet-Switched Streaming Service.

[0073] The wireless communications system 100 may operate using one or more frequency bands, which may be in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). Generally, the region from 300 MHz to 3 GHz is known as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band because the wavelengths range from approximately one decimeter to one meter in length. UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features, which may be referred to as clusters, but the waves may penetrate structures sufficiently for a macro cell to provide service to the UEs 115 located indoors. Communications using UHF waves may be associated with smaller antennas and shorter ranges (e.g., less than 100 kilometers) compared to communications using the smaller frequencies and longer waves of the high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portion of the spectrum below 300 MHz.

[0074] The wireless communications system 100 may utilize both licensed and unlicensed RF spectrum bands. For example, the wireless communications system 100 may employ License Assisted Access (LAA), LTE-Unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology using an unlicensed band such as the 5 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band. While operating using unlicensed RF spectrum bands, devices such as the network entities 105 and the UEs 115 may employ carrier sensing for collision detection and avoidance. In some examples, operations using unlicensed bands may be based on a carrier aggregation configuration in conjunction with component carriers operating using a licensed band (e.g., LAA). Operations using unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, P2P transmissions, or D2D transmissions, among other examples.

[0075] A network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170) or a UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas, which may be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications, or beamforming. The antennas of a network entity 105 or a UE 115 may be located within one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels, which may support MIMO operations or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located at an antenna assembly, such as an antenna tower. In some examples, antennas or antenna arrays associated with a network entity 105 may be located at diverse geographic locations. A network entity 105 may include an antenna array with a set of rows and columns of antenna ports that the network entity 105 may use to support beamforming of communications with a UE 115. Likewise, a UE 115 may include one or more antenna arrays that may support various MIMO or beamforming operations. Additionally, or alternatively, an antenna panel may support RF beamforming for a signal transmitted via an antenna port.

[0076] The network entities 105 or the UEs 115 may use MIMO communications to exploit multipath signal propagation and increase spectral efficiency by transmitting or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers. Such techniques may be referred to as spatial multiplexing. The multiple signals may, for example, be transmitted by the transmitting device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Likewise, the multiple signals may be received by the receiving device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Each of the multiple signals may bereferred to as a separate spatial stream and may carry information associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams (e.g., different codewords). Different spatial layers may be associated with different antenna ports used for channel measurement and reporting. MIMO techniques include single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO), for which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to the same receiving device, and multiple-user MIMO (MU-MIMO), for which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to multiple devices.

[0077] Beamforming, which may also be referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception, is a signal processing technique that may be used at a transmitting device or a receiving device (e.g., a network entity 105, a UE 115) to shape or steer an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam, a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. Beamforming may be achieved by combining the signals communicated via antenna elements of an antenna array such that some signals propagating along particular orientations with respect to an antenna array experience constructive interference while others experience destructive interference. The adjustment of signals communicated via the antenna elements may include a transmitting device or a receiving device applying amplitude offsets, phase offsets, or both to signals carried via the antenna elements associated with the device. The adjustments associated with each of the antenna elements may be defined by a beamforming weight set associated with a particular orientation (e.g., with respect to the antenna array of the transmitting device or receiving device, or with respect to some other orientation).

[0078] A network entity 105 or a UE 115 may use beam sweeping techniques as part of beamforming operations. For example, a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170) may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays (e.g., antenna panels) to conduct beamforming operations for directional communications with a UE 115. Some signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) may be transmitted by a network entity 105 multiple times along different directions. For example, the network entity 105 may transmit a signal according to different beamforming weight sets associated with different directions of transmission. Transmissions along different beam directions may be used to identify (e.g., by a transmitting device, such as a network entity 105, or by a receiving device,such as a UE 115) a beam direction for later transmission or reception by the network entity 105.

[0079] Some signals, such as data signals associated with a particular receiving device, may be transmitted by transmitting device (e.g., a transmitting network entity 105, a transmitting UE 115) along a single beam direction (e.g., a direction associated with the receiving device, such as a receiving network entity 105 or a receiving UE 115). In some examples, the beam direction associated with transmissions along a single beam direction may be determined based on a signal that was transmitted along one or more beam directions. For example, a UE 115 may receive one or more of the signals transmitted by the network entity 105 along different directions and may report to the network entity 105 an indication of the signal that the UE 115 received with a highest signal quality or an otherwise acceptable signal quality.

[0080] In some examples, transmissions by a device (e.g., by a network entity 105 or a UE 115) may be performed using multiple beam directions, and the device may use a combination of digital precoding or beamforming to generate a combined beam for transmission (e.g., from a network entity 105 to a UE 115). The UE 115 may report feedback that indicates precoding weights for one or more beam directions, and the feedback may correspond to a configured set of beams across a system bandwidth or one or more sub-bands. The network entity 105 may transmit a reference signal (e.g., a cell-specific reference signal (CRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI- RS)), which may be precoded or unprecoded. The UE 115 may provide feedback for beam selection, which may be a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) or codebook-based feedback (e.g., a multi-panel type codebook, a linear combination type codebook, a port selection type codebook). Although these techniques are described with reference to signals transmitted along one or more directions by a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170), a UE 115 may employ similar techniques for transmitting signals multiple times along different directions (e.g., for identifying a beam direction for subsequent transmission or reception by the UE 115) or for transmitting a signal along a single direction (e.g., for transmitting data to a receiving device).

[0081] A receiving device (e.g., a UE 115) may perform reception operations in accordance with multiple receive configurations (e.g., directional listening) when receiving various signals from a receiving device (e.g., a network entity 105), such assynchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals. For example, a receiving device may perform reception in accordance with multiple receive directions by receiving via different antenna subarrays, by processing received signals according to different antenna subarrays, by receiving according to different receive beamforming weight sets (e.g., different directional listening weight sets) applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, or by processing received signals according to different receive beamforming weight sets applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, any of which may be referred to as “listening” according to different receive configurations or receive directions. In some examples, a receiving device may use a single receive configuration to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when receiving a data signal). The single receive configuration may be aligned along a beam direction determined based on listening according to different receive configuration directions (e.g., a beam direction determined to have a highest signal strength, highest signal-to- noise ratio (SNR), or otherwise acceptable signal quality based on listening according to multiple beam directions).

[0082] The wireless communications system 100 may be a packet-based network that operates according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane, communications at the bearer or PDCP layer may be IP -based. An RLC layer may perform packet segmentation and reassembly to communicate via logical channels. A MAC layer may perform priority handling and multiplexing of logical channels into transport channels. The MAC layer also may implement error detection techniques, error correction techniques, or both to support retransmissions to improve link efficiency. In the control plane, an RRC layer may provide establishment, configuration, and maintenance of an RRC connection between a UE 115 and a network entity 105 or a core network 130 supporting radio bearers for user plane data. A PHY layer may map transport channels to physical channels.

[0083] The UEs 115 and the network entities 105 may support retransmissions of data to increase the likelihood that data is received successfully. Hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback is one technique for increasing the likelihood that data is received correctly via a communication link (e.g., a communication link 125, a D2D communication link 135). HARQ may include a combination of error detection (e.g.,using a cyclic redundancy check (CRC)), forward error correction (FEC), and retransmission (e.g., automatic repeat request (ARQ)). HARQ may improve throughput at the MAC layer in poor radio conditions (e.g., low signal-to-noise conditions). In some examples, a device may support same-slot HARQ feedback, in which case the device may provide HARQ feedback in a specific slot for data received via a previous symbol in the slot. In some other examples, the device may provide HARQ feedback in a subsequent slot, or according to some other time interval.

[0084] The wireless devices (e.g., UEs 115, network entity 105, servers, other wireless communication nodes) of the wireless communications system 100 may be configured to support signaling and configurations that enable a server (e.g., third party server or OTT server) to manage sensing operations within the wireless network. In particular, the wireless communications system 100 may support configurations and signaling that enable third party servers to manage or facilitate sensing operations within unlicensed bands and / or in geographic zones that are out-of-coverage with respect to the wireless network.

[0085] For example, a server of the wireless communications system 100 may transmit a first control message to a network entity 105 of the wireless network indicating that a sensing operation is to be performed by UEs 115 within the network. The sensing operation may include a monostatic sensing operation, a bistatic sensing operation, or a multi-static sensing operation to identify sensing targets, such as objects, located within a geographic zone of the wireless network. The server may then transmit a second control message to the UEs 115 indicating a sensing configuration for performing the sensing operation. Subsequently, the UEs 115 may perform sensing operation(s) in accordance with the sensing configuration, where the server is configured to compile sensing reports from the various UEs 115. The server may then be configured to generate a composite sensing report using the aggregated reports (e.g., compile the aggregated sensing reports), and may distribute the composite sensing reports to the UEs 115, the network entities 105, and the like.

[0086] In some examples, the server may transmit an indication of a set of sensing parameters to the UEs 115 for the sensing operation. The sensing parameters may include a set of time resources, a set of frequency resources, indications of transmitting or receiving devices for the sensing operation, beamforming parameters, transmit powerlevels, processing operations for generating the sensing reports, and / or trigger conditions for communicating the sensing reports. In some cases, the server may request resources for the sensing operation from the network entity 105, where the network entity 105 allocates resources usable for the sensing operation. For example, the server may request and receive approval from the network entity 105 to use the UEs 115 for the sensing operation.

[0087] Techniques described herein may enable third-party servers (e.g., OTT servers) to manage and coordinate sensing operations within a wireless communications system. In this regard, aspects of the present disclosure may increase a prevalence of sensing operations performed within unlicensed bands, and / or within areas (e.g., geographic zones) that are out-of-coverage with respect to communications with the wireless network. As such, techniques described herein may lead to more efficient and widespread sensing operations, which may enable wireless devices to have a more complete and accurate depiction of the surrounding environment, such as locations, headings, and velocities of surrounding vehicles and other objects.

[0088] FIG. 2 shows an example of a network architecture 200 (e.g., a disaggregated base station architecture, a disaggregated RAN architecture) that supports techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The network architecture 200 may illustrate an example for implementing one or more aspects of the wireless communications system 100. The network architecture 200 may include one or more CUs 160-a that may communicate directly with a core network 130-a via a backhaul communication link 120-a, or indirectly with the core network 130-a through one or more disaggregated network entities 105 (e.g., a Near-RT RIC 175-b via an E2 link, or a Non-RT RIC 175-a associated with an SMO 180-a (e.g., an SMO Framework), or both). A CU 160-a may communicate with one or more DUs 165-a via respective midhaul communication links 162-a (e.g., an Fl interface). The DUs 165-a may communicate with one or more RUs 170-a via respective fronthaul communication links 168-a. The RUs 170-a may be associated with respective coverage areas 110-a and may communicate with UEs 115-a via one or more communication links 125-a. In some implementations, a UE 115-a may be simultaneously served by multiple RUs 170-a.

[0089] Each of the network entities 105 of the network architecture 200 (e.g., CUs 160-a, DUs 165-a, RUs 170-a, Non-RT RICs 175-a, Near-RT RICs 175-b, SMOs 180-a, Open Clouds (O-Clouds) 205, Open eNBs (O-eNBs) 210) may include one or more interfaces or may be coupled with one or more interfaces configured to receive or transmit signals (e.g., data, information) via a wired or wireless transmission medium. Each network entity 105, or an associated processor (e.g., controller) providing instructions to an interface of the network entity 105, may be configured to communicate with one or more of the other network entities 105 via the transmission medium. For example, the network entities 105 may include a wired interface configured to receive or transmit signals over a wired transmission medium to one or more of the other network entities 105. Additionally, or alternatively, the network entities 105 may include a wireless interface, which may include a receiver, a transmitter, or transceiver (e.g., an RF transceiver) configured to receive or transmit signals, or both, over a wireless transmission medium to one or more of the other network entities 105.

[0090] In some examples, a CU 160-a may host one or more higher layer control functions. Such control functions may include RRC, PDCP, SDAP, or the like. Each control function may be implemented with an interface configured to communicate signals with other control functions hosted by the CU 160-a. A CU 160-a may be configured to handle user plane functionality (e.g., CU-UP), control plane functionality (e.g., CU-CP), or a combination thereof. In some examples, a CU 160-a may be logically split into one or more CU-UP units and one or more CU-CP units. A CU-UP unit may communicate bidirectionally with the CU-CP unit via an interface, such as an El interface when implemented in an O-RAN configuration. A CU 160-a may be implemented to communicate with a DU 165-a, as necessary, for network control and signaling.

[0091] A DU 165-a may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more functions (e.g., base station functions, RAN functions) to control the operation of one or more RUs 170-a. In some examples, a DU 165-a may host, at least partially, one or more of an RLC layer, a MAC layer, and one or more aspects of a PHY layer (e.g., a high PHY layer, such as modules for FEC encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, or the like) depending, at least in part, on a functionalsplit, such as those defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). In some examples, a DU 165-a may further host one or more low PHY layers. Each layer may be implemented with an interface configured to communicate signals with other layers hosted by the DU 165-a, or with control functions hosted by a CU 160-a.

[0092] In some examples, lower-layer functionality may be implemented by one or more RUs 170-a. For example, an RU 170-a, controlled by a DU 165-a, may correspond to a logical node that hosts RF processing functions, or low-PHY layer functions (e.g., performing fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse FFT (iFFT), digital beamforming, physical random access channel (PRACH) extraction and filtering, or the like), or both, based at least in part on the functional split, such as a lower-layer functional split. In such an architecture, an RU 170-a may be implemented to handle over the air (OTA) communication with one or more UEs 115-a. In some implementations, real-time and non-real-time aspects of control and user plane communication with the RU(s) 170-a may be controlled by the corresponding DU 165-a. In some examples, such a configuration may enable a DU 165-a and a CU 160-a to be implemented in a cloudbased RAN architecture, such as a vRAN architecture.

[0093] The SMO 180-a may be configured to support RAN deployment and provisioning of non-virtualized and virtualized network entities 105. For non-virtualized network entities 105, the SMO 180-a may be configured to support the deployment of dedicated physical resources for RAN coverage requirements which may be managed via an operations and maintenance interface (e.g., an 01 interface). For virtualized network entities 105, the SMO 180-a may be configured to interact with a cloud computing platform (e.g., an O-Cloud 205) to perform network entity life cycle management (e.g., to instantiate virtualized network entities 105) via a cloud computing platform interface (e.g., an 02 interface). Such virtualized network entities 105 can include, but are not limited to, CUs 160-a, DUs 165-a, RUs 170-a, and Near-RT RICs 175-b. In some implementations, the SMO 180-a may communicate with components configured in accordance with a 4G RAN (e.g., via an 01 interface). Additionally, or alternatively, in some implementations, the SMO 180-a may communicate directly with one or more RUs 170-a via an 01 interface. The SMO 180-a also may include a Non- RT RIC 175-a configured to support functionality of the SMO 180-a.

[0094] The Non-RT RIC 175-a may be configured to include a logical function that enables non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, Artificial Intelligence (Al) or Machine Learning (ML) workflows including model training and updates, or policy-based guidance of applications / features in the Near-RT RIC 175-b. The Non-RT RIC 175-a may be coupled to or communicate with (e.g., via an Al interface) the Near-RT RIC 175-b. The Near-RT RIC 175-b may be configured to include a logical function that enables near-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources via data collection and actions over an interface (e.g., via an E2 interface) connecting one or more CUs 160-a, one or more DUs 165-a, or both, as well as an O-eNB 210, with the Near-RT RIC 175-b.

[0095] In some examples, to generate AI / ML models to be deployed in the Near-RT RIC 175-b, the Non-RT RIC 175-a may receive parameters or external enrichment information from external servers. Such information may be utilized by the Near-RT RIC 175-b and may be received at the SMO 180-a or the Non-RT RIC 175-a from nonnetwork data sources or from network functions. In some examples, the Non-RT RIC 175-a or the Near-RT RIC 175-b may be configured to tune RAN behavior or performance. For example, the Non-RT RIC 175-a may monitor long-term trends and patterns for performance and employ Al or ML models to perform corrective actions through the SMO 180-a (e.g., reconfiguration via 01) or via generation of RAN management policies (e.g., Al policies).

[0096] FIG. 3 shows an example of a wireless communications system 300 that supports techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Aspects of the wireless communications system 300 may implement, or be implemented by, aspects of wireless communications system 100, the network architecture 200, or both. For example, the wireless communications system 300 may support signaling and configurations that enable third-party servers to coordinate and manage sensing operations, as described previously herein.

[0097] The wireless communications system 300 may include a sensing server 305 (e.g., third-party server, OTT server, etc.), a network entity 105-a, and one or more UEs 115 (e.g., a first UE 115-a, a second UE 115-b, and a third UE 115-c), which may be examples of UEs 115, network entities 105, and other wireless devices as describedwith reference to FIG. 1. In some examples, the first UE 115-a may include or be associated with a vehicle, the second UE 115-b may include a mobile wireless communication device, and the third UE 115-c may include a roadside unit associated with roadside infrastructure. In some examples, the wireless communications system 300 may implement Integrated Communication and Sensing (ICS) where an over the top (OTT) server, UE, or other device, may serve as a proximity for sensing operation control on behalf of the network (e.g., gNB). In some cases, actual sensing operation related radio management may be delegated to the OTT server or UE, while the network may still maintain subscription-based management (e.g., authentication / authorization and charging).

[0098] In some aspects, the sensing server 305 may communicate with the network entity 105-a via a communication link 335-a. In some cases, the communication link 335-a may include an example of an access link (e.g., a Uu link) and / or a link of an Xn interface. The communication link 335-a may include a bi-directional link that can include both uplink and downlink communication. For example, the sensing server 305 may transmit uplink transmissions, such as uplink control signals or uplink data signals, to the network entity 105-a using the communication link 335-a, and the network entity 105-a may transmit downlink transmissions, such as downlink control signals or downlink data signals, to the sensing server 305 using the communication link 335-a.

[0099] Similarly, the first UEs 115-a may communicate with the sensing server 305 via communication link 335-b, the second UE 115-b may communicate with the sensing server 305 via communication link 335-c, and the third UE 115-c may communicate with the sensing server 305 via communication link 335-d. In some cases, the communication links 335-b, 335-c, and 335-d may include examples of access links (e.g., Uu links), sidelinks (e.g., PC5 links), or both, between the respective devices. Additionally, in some cases, the first UE 115-a, the second UE 115-b, and the third UE 115-c may be configured to communicate directly with the network entity 105-a via one or more additional communication links (not shown).

[0100] In some examples, the wireless communications system 300 may support RF sensing procedures. RF sensing procedures may utilize sensing signals (e.g., mmW) to identify objects, determine object directi on / velocity, track objects, and the like. In some examples, RF sensing procedures may be used in the context of contextual informationacquisition (e.g., location detection, location tracking, direction finding, range estimation, digital mapping), automotive sensing (e.g., smart cruise control, collision avoidance), and the like.

[0101] During an RF sensing procedure, a transmitting device transmits RF sensing signals (e.g., mmW signals), which may be reflected off objects (e.g., sensing targets 320) and received by a receiving device (e.g., the transmitting wireless device, or one or more other wireless devices). The receiving device may determine time delays, phase shifts, and other parameters associated with the received sensing signals to identify a position, location, distance, or any combination, of the objects.

[0102] In some examples, the wireless communications system 300 may support multiple types of RF sensing procedures, including monostatic RF sensing procedures, bistatic RF sensing procedures, and multi-static RF sensing procedures. RF sensing procedures performed between two or more wireless devices (e.g., bistatic RF sensing procedures, multi-static RF sensing procedures) may be referred to as “cooperative RF sensing procedures” or “cooperative sensing procedures.”

[0103] In the context of monostatic RF sensing procedures, a single wireless device may be configured to both transmit the sensing signals, and receive the sensing signals reflected / refracted off objects. For example, the first UE 115-a may transmit sensing signals 325-a toward a target 320, and the first UE 115-a may receive sensing signals 325-d reflected / refracted off of the target 320. As such, monostatic RF sensing may include a single co-located device which acts as both a Tx and Rx device. Devices configured to perform monostatic RF sensing procedures may be capable of performing full-duplex communications. Additionally, devices configured to perform monostatic RF sensing procedures may exhibit good isolation capabilities between transmitting and receiving antenna arrays, which may increase the complexity of monostatic RF sensing procedures.

[0104] Comparatively, in bistatic RF sensing procedures, sensing signals may be transmitted and received by two different wireless devices (e.g., non-co-located Tx and Rx devices). For example, the first UE 115-a may transmit the sensing signals 325-a toward the target 320, and the second UE 115-b may receive sensing signals 325-b reflected / refracted off of the target 320. As compared to monostatic RF sensingprocedures, bistatic RF sensing procedures do not require wireless devices (e.g., Tx devices, Rx devices) to be capable of performing full-duplex communications. However, Tx and Rx devices may perform time synchronization procedures (e.g., time offset estimation) in order to perform bistatic RF sensing procedures.

[0105] Moreover, in multi-static RF sensing procedures, a single wireless device (e.g., single Tx device) may transmit sensing signals which are received by multiple receiving devices (e.g., multiple Rx devices). For example, the first UE 115-a may transmit the sensing signals 325-a toward the target 320, and the second UE 115-b may receive the sensing signals 325-b reflected / refracted off of the target 320, and the third UE 115-c may receive sensing signals 325-c reflected / refracted off of the target 320. By way of another example, in a UE-based multi-static RF sensing procedure, the second UE 115-b may transmit sensing signals (e.g., Tx device), where the receiving devices for the sensing signals may include the first UE 115-a and the third UE 115-c. In UE- based multi-static RF sensing procedures, the first UE 115-a, the second UE 115-b, and the third UE 115-c may utilize sidelink communications for positioning and data communication.

[0106] In some examples, the RF sensing procedures may be implemented by a wireless device (e.g., the first UE 115-a, the second UE 115-b, and the third UE 115-c) including a cooperative joint communication and radar (JCR) system. For the cooperative JCR system, the wireless device may include a radar transmitter and a radar receiver for performing radar functionalities and a separate communication transmitter and communication receiver for performing communication functionalities. For the cooperative JCR, the radar system and the communication system may share some information to improve the communication performance and radar performance without altering the core operation of the radar system and the communication system. Some benefits of the cooperative JCR system may include spectrum reuse and ease of implementation.

[0107] In some examples, the RF sensing procedures may be implemented by a wireless device (e.g., the first UE 115-a, the second UE 115-b, and the third UE 115-c) including a co-design JCR system. For the co-design JCR system, the wireless device may include a common transmitter and receiver that may be used to perform both communication functionalities and radar functionalities. The co-design JCR system maymodify a transmit waveform generation or a receiver processing of the communication and radar systems. Some benefits of the co-design JCR system may include spectrum reuse, hardware reuse, and improved coordination of the radar and communication systems.

[0108] In some examples, the RF sensing procedure may include a single-stage sensing procedure or a two-stage sensing procedure. In the context of a single-stage sensing procedure, a Tx device (e.g., first UE 115-a) may repeatedly transmit sensing signals 325 using multiple beams of a same resolution to identify and track the target 320.

[0109] Comparatively, a two-stage sensing procedure may include a scanning phase and a tracking phase. For the scanning phase, a Tx device may transmit sensing signals 325 using multiple low resolution beams in order to identify the target 320. Once the target 320 is identified, sensing signals 325 may be transmitted at periodic intervals using a small set high resolution beams directed toward the identified location of the target 320 to track the target 320. In other words, in the context of a two-stage sensing procedure, the scanning phase may utilize relatively wide beams to identify an approximate location or position of the target 320 with relatively low resolution, where the tracking phase may utilize more finely-tuned (e.g., narrower) beams to more accurately identify the position / location of the target 320 with higher resolution.

[0110] Single-stage and two-stage sensing procedures may be associated with respective advantages and disadvantages compared to one another. The single-stage sensing procedure may have a larger communication overhead as compared to the communication overhead of the two-stage sensing procedure. The two-stage sensing procedure may support multi-radar sensing over share communication resources with lower overhead.[OHl] RF sensing procedures and operations are most often controlled and orchestrated by network entities, such as the network entity 105-a, within licensed bands. However, a large amount of spectrum may be available within unlicensed bands, such as mm wave (mmW) bands, that may be used for sensing operations, and which is currently not utilized by network entities 105. Moreover, because sensing operations are controlled by network entities 105, sensing operations may only be implemented ingeographic zones 315 with network coverage, and may not be implemented in geographic zones 315 that are out-of-coverage.

[0112] In some examples, the wireless communications system 300 may include the sensing server 305 (e.g., third-party server, OTT server, etc.) to manage sensing operations. For example, the sensing server 305 may manage or facilitate sensing operations within unlicensed bands. In another example, the sensing server may manage or facilitate sensing operations in geographic zones that are out-of-coverage of a wireless network of the network entity 105-b.

[0113] The sensing server 305 may manage sensing operations to identify the target 320 located within a defined geographic zone 315 (e.g., region of interest) using a set of UEs 115, such as the first UE 115-a, the second UE 115-b, and the third UE 115-c. The sensing server 305 may communicate with the network entity 105-a to request transmission resources. For example, the sensing server 305 may transmit, to the network entity 105-a, a control message 310-a indicating a request for resources usable for the sensing operation. In particular, the sensing server 405 may transmit the control message 310-a indicating a request to utilize the first UE 115-a, the second UE 115-b, and the third UE 115-c for the sensing operation. The network entity 105-a may transmit, to the sensing server 305, a control message 310-b indicating a set of resources usable for the sensing operation. In particular, the control message 310-b may indicate an approval to utilize the first UE 115-a, the second UE 115-b, and the third UE 115-c for the sensing operation. In some examples, the sensing server 305 may receive via the control message 310-b for charging fees corresponding to the resources usable for the sensing operation.

[0114] In some examples, the sensing server 305 may transmit a subscription message 340-a to the first UE 115-a, a subscription message 340-b to the second UE 115-b, and a subscription message 340-c to the third UE 115-c. Each subscription message 340 may include a request for the respective UE 115 to participate in the sensing operation. In some examples, the subscription message 340 may be transmitted to the UEs 115 based on UEs 115 satisfying one or more criteria for the sensing operation, such as a geographical location within the defined geographic zone 315 and / or a capability to participate in the sensing operation, such as having a cooperative or co-design JCR system. Each of the UEs 115 (e.g., first UE 115-a, the second UE115-b and the third UE 115-c) may respond to the subscription message 340 with a response message indicating that or whether the UE is able to participate (e.g., participation status) in the sensing operation as a “helping” UE 115. In some examples, the sensing server 305 may transmit, to the network entity 105-b, a control message indicating the first UE 115-a, the second UE 115-b, and the third UE 115-c are participating (or have indicated an ability or willingness to participate) in the sensing operation.

[0115] In some examples, the network entity 105-a may transmit, to a set of UEs 115, such as the first UE 115-a, the second UE 115-b and the third UE 115-c, control signaling requesting sensing assistance from the set of UEs 115 for the sensing operation of the sensing server 305. In one case, the UEs 115, such as the first UE 115-a, the second UE 115-b, and the third UE 115-c, may transmit, to the network entity 105-a, response messages indicating the respective UE 115 will participate in the sensing operation of the sensing server 305. In another case, the UEs 115, such as the first UE 115-a, the second UE 115-b, and the third UE 115-c, may transmit, to the sensing server 305, response messages indicating the respective UE 115 will participate in the sensing operation of the sensing server 305.

[0116] In some examples, the sensing server 305 may transmit, to the UEs 115 participating in the sensing operation, a control message indicating a sensing configuration for performing the sensing operation, such as monostatic sensing operation, bistatic sensing operation, multi-static sensing operation, a single stage sensing procedure or a two-stage sensing procedure, within the defined geographic zone 315. For example, the sensing server 305 may transmit a sensing configuration control message 310-c to the first UE 115-a, a sensing configuration control message 310-d to the second UE 115-b, and a sensing configuration control message 310-e to the third UE 115-c. The sensing configuration control message 310 may indicate a parameters usable for performing the sensing operation. The set of parameters may include sets of time, frequency, and / or spatial resources for performing the sensing operation, indications of transmitting or receiving devices for the sensing operation, beamforming parameters for performing the sensing operations, transmit power levels for transmitting sensing signals 325 as part of the sensing operation, processing operations for generating sensing reports of the sensing operation, trigger conditions for communicating sensingreports, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the sensing server 305 may request a set of transmit time-frequency resources from the network entity 105-a and may distribute set of transmit time-frequency resources among the helping UEs.

[0117] In some examples, the first UE 115-a, the second UE 115-b, and the third UE 115-c may perform sensing operations, such as monostatic sensing operations, bistatic sensing operations, multi-static sensing operations, a single stage sensing procedure or a two-stage sensing procedure, within the defined geographic zone 315. For example, the first UE 115-a may transmit sensing signals 325-a toward the target 320 and the second UE 115-b may receive sensing signals 325-b reflected / refracted off of the target 320, and the third UE 115-c may receive sensing signals 325-c reflected / refracted off the target 320. The first UE 115-a, the second UE 115-b, and third UE 115-c may perform the sensing operations based on the set of parameters usable for performing the sensing operation, as indicated by the sensing server 305, the network entity 105-a, or both.

[0118] The sensing server 305 may receive, from the UEs 115, sensing reports 330 associated with the sensing operation. For example, the first UE 115-a may transmit a sensing report 330-a, the second UE 115-b may transmit a sensing report 330-b, and the third UE 115-c may transmit a sensing report 330-c to the sensing server 305. The sensing reports 330 may include a set of parameters (e.g., location and mobility parameters) associated with the respective UEs 115, such as a geographical location of the respective UE 115, a heading of the respective UE 115, a velocity of the respective UE 115, and the like. In other cases, the UEs 115 may report whether the respective sensing report 330 is transmitted according to a periodicity or whether the sensing report was event-triggered. For instance, aperiodic reporting may be triggered when a threshold quantity of new targets 320 have been detected. In such cases, periodic reporting may be triggered for periodic coarse-level scanning, and / or for periodic tracking outputs (e.g., estimated location / velocity and corresponding confidence level of measurement) of a few target 320 of interest.

[0119] In some cases, the sensing server 305 may receive, from the network entity 105-b, additional sensing reports generated or collected by the network entity 105-b. In other words, the network entity 105-a may aggregate additional sensing reports 330 generated by other UEs 115, sensing reports 330 generated for other frequency bandsand / or other geographical zones 315, and the like, and may communicate the aggregated sensing reports 330 to the sensing server 305.

[0120] In some examples, the sensing server 305 may generate a composite sensing report or a sensing measurement report associated with the sensing operation based on the sensing reports 330 received from the first UE 115-a, the second UE 115-b, and the third UE 115-c. In some examples, the composite sensing report may be generated using the additional sensing reports 330 generated or collected by the network entity 105-a. In some aspects, network entity 105-a may charge a fee for the sensing reports 330 generated or collected by the network entity 105-a, such that the sensing server 305 is expected to pay a fee to the network entity 105-a to receive (e.g., before receiving) the additional sensing reports 330.

[0121] In some examples, the composite sensing report may identify the target 320 within the defined geographic zone 315 and may include a digital map of a portion of the defined geographic zone 315. In some examples, the sensing server 305 may transmit or distribute the composite sensing report to the network entity 105-a, the first UE 115-a, the second UE 115-b, the third UE 115-c, or any combination thereof. Once again, in some cases, the sensing server 305 may charge a subscription fee for the composite sensing reports, such that the respective devices are expected to pay the applicable subscription fee to receive composite sensing reports generated by the sensing server 305.

[0122] In some examples, the sensing operation of the sensing server 305 server may have a sensing objective, such as to collect / create a digital map of a portion of the defined geographic zone 315. Another sensing server 305 sensing objective may be to provide additional sensing in the geographic zone 315. For example, some UEs 115 in the geographic zone 315 may not have sensing capability and may like to receive the composite sensing report. In such cases, UEs 115 without sensing capability may pay a fee for the composite sensing report. In another example, the sensing performance of a UE 115 may not be sufficient using a licensed band or the UE 115 may not perform sensing due to lack of resources. The low performing or non-function sensing UE 115 may obtain the composite sensing report from the sensing server 305. In some examples, the UE 115 may be out-of-coverage of the network entity 105-a and mayrequest the composite sensing report from the sensing server 305 or request the sensing server 305 to manage a sensing operation in the geographic zone 315.

[0123] In some examples, the sensing server 205 may charge a subscription fee for the composite sensing report to the network entity 105-a or to UEs 115. That is, the sensing server 305 may sell aggregated sensing reports 330 and / or generated composite sensing reports to other devices, such as a 3GPP controller (e.g., network entity 105-a), UEs 115, and the like. In some examples, a subscription fee amount may be based on whether the other devices (e.g., other 3GPP controllers) or the respective UE 115 participates in the sensing operation (e.g., UEs 115 that participate in the sensing operation may receive composite sensing reports at no or reduced cost, whereas UEs 115 that do not participate in the sensing operation are expected to pay higher fees for access to the sensing reports). In some case, a 3 GPP controller may provide a sensing measurement report to the S-OVT. For example, network provides a coarse sensing data base to S-OVT for some fee.

[0124] In some examples, the sensing server 305 may configure the sensing transmission and collection parameters of the first UE 115-a, the second UE 115-b, and the third UE 115-c to achieve a set of sensing objectives. The sensing server 305 may transmit control message 310 to the UEs 115, such as the control message 310-c, the control message 310-d and the control message 310-e, with a set of transmission and collection configuration parameters usable for performing the sensing operation. For example, the set of transmission and collection configuration parameters may include a set of time resources, a set of frequency resources, indications of which UEs 115 will act as transmitters or receivers or both for the sensing operation, beamforming parameters, waveform parameters, transmit power levels, a level and type of receiver processing for generating the sensing reports, a format of the sensing reports 330, trigger conditions for communicating the sensing reports 330, or any combination thereof.

[0125] Additionally, the set of transmission and collection configuration parameters may include a sensing transmission schedule for the UEs 115, and a wake up parameter for the UEs 115. In some examples, the sensing server 305 may request the UEs 115 to provide the sensing reports 330 periodically, such a periodic coarse-level scanning report or a periodic sensing report 330 with tracking information of the target 320, suchas estimated target location and velocity and corresponding confidence level of measurement of the helping UE, the target, or both. Additionally, the sensing server 305 may request the UEs 115 to provide sensing reports based on event triggers, such as when one or more new targets 320 have been detected.

[0126] FIG. 4 shows an example of a process flow 400 that supports techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Aspects of the process flow 400 may implement, or be implemented by, aspects of wireless communications system 100, the network architecture 200, the wireless communications system 300, or any combination thereof. For example, the process flow 400 illustrates signaling and configurations that enable third-party servers to coordinate and manage sensing operations, as described previously herein.

[0127] The process flow 400 includes a sensing server 405, a network entity 105-b, a first UE 115-d, and a second UE 115-e, which may be examples of UEs 115, network entities 105, and other wireless devices as described herein. For example, the sensing server 305 and the network entity 105-b illustrated in FIG. 4 may be examples of the sensing server 305 and the network entity 105-a, respectively, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Similarly, the first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e illustrated in FIG. 4 may include examples of the first UE 115-a and the second UE 115-b, respectively, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0128] In some examples, the operations illustrated in process flow 400 may be performed by hardware (e.g., including circuitry, processing blocks, logic components, and other components), code (e.g., software executed by a processor), or any combination thereof. Alternative examples of the following may be implemented, where some steps are performed in a different order than described or are not performed at all. In some cases, steps may include additional features not mentioned below, or further steps may be added.

[0129] At 410, the sensing server 405 may transmit, to the network entity 105-b of a wireless network, a first control message indicating that a sensing operation is to be performed by one or more UEs 115 (e.g., the first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e) to identify one or more sensing targets located within a defined geographic zone of aplurality of geographic zones of the wireless network. The sensing operation may include at least one of a monostatic sensing operation, a bistatic sensing operation, or a multi-static sensing operation. In some examples, the defined geographic zone may comprises an area of the wireless network that is not supported for wireless communications by the network entity 105-b, additional network entities 105, or both. In some examples, the one or more sensing targets comprise objects within the defined geographic zone, other wireless devices within the defined geographic zone, or both. In some examples, the sensing server 405 may transmit, via the first control message, an indication that the sensing operation is to be performed within one or more unlicensed bands.

[0130] In some examples, the sensing server 405 may transmit, via the first control message, a request for resources usable for the sensing operation. For example, the sensing server 405 may transmit, via the first control message, a request to utilize the one or more UEs 115 (e.g., the first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e) for the sensing operation. In some examples, the sensing server 405 may transmit, via the first control message, an indication of a set of resources within the one or more unlicensed bands.

[0131] At 415, the sensing server 405 may receive, from the network entity 105-b via a third control message, an indication of a set of resources usable for the sensing operation. In some examples, the third control message may indicate an approval to utilize the one or more UEs 115 (e.g., the first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e) for the sensing operation. In some examples, the sensing server 405 may receive, from the network entity 105-b, a third control message including an indication that the one or more UEs 115 (e.g., the first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e) are available to perform the sensing operation. In some examples, the third control message may include an indication of the set of resources associated with a sensing configuration.

[0132] At 420, the sensing server 405 may transmit, to a set of UEs 115 (e.g., the first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e), a subscription message including a request for each of the UEs 115 (e.g., the first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e) to participate in the sensing operation. In some examples, the subscription message may be transmitted to the UEs 115 (e.g., the first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e) based at least in part on each of the UEs 115 satisfying one or more criteria for the sensing operation. Theone or more criteria may include a geographical location within the defined geographic zone, a capability to participate in the sensing operation, or both.

[0133] At 425, the sensing server 405 may receive, from the one or more UEs 115 (e.g., the first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e) in response to the subscription message, a response message indicating that each of the one or more UEs 115 (e.g., the first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e) is able to participate in the sensing operation.

[0134] At 430, the sensing server 405 may transmit, to the network entity 105-b, a control message indicating the one or more UEs 115 (e.g., the first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e) participating in the sensing operation. That is, the sensing server 405 may report which UEs 115 are able to (or are going to) participate in the sensing operation.

[0135] At 435, the sensing server 405 may transmit, to the one or more UEs 115 (e.g., the first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e) based at least in part on transmitting the first control message, a second control message indicating a sensing configuration for performing the monostatic sensing operation, the bistatic sensing operation, the multi-static sensing operation, or any combination thereof, within the defined geographic zone. In some examples, the second control message may include an indication of the set of resources associated with the sensing operation.

[0136] In some examples, transmitting the second control message may be based on receiving the approval to utilize the one or more UEs 115 (e.g., the first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e) for the sensing operation. In some examples, transmitting the second control message may be based on the subscription message response message indicating that each of the one or more UEs 115 (e.g., the first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e) is able to participate in the sensing operation. In some examples, transmitting the second control message is based at least in part on receiving from the network entity 105-a the indication that the one or more UEs 115 (e.g., the first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e) are available to perform the sensing operation. In some examples, the sensing server 405 may transmit, via the second control message, an indication of a set of resources within the one or more unlicensed bands.

[0137] In some examples, the sensing server 405 may transmits, via the second control message, a set of parameters usable for performing the sensing operation. Theset of parameters may include a set of time resources, a set of frequency resources, indications of transmitting or receiving devices for the sensing operation, a beamforming parameter, a transmit power level, a processing operation for generating the one or more sensing reports, trigger conditions for communicating the one or more sensing reports, or any combination thereof.

[0138] At 440, the first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e may perform sensing operations, such as monostatic sensing operation, bistatic sensing operation, multi-static sensing operation, a single stage sensing procedure or a two-stage sensing procedure, within the defined geographic zone. For example, the first UE 115-d may transmit sensing signals toward a target and the second UE 115-e may receive sensing signals reflected / refracted off of the target. The first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e may perform the sensing operations based on the set of parameters usable for performing the sensing operation.

[0139] At 445, the sensing server 405 may receive, from the one or more UEs 115 (e.g., the first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e), one or more sensing reports associated with the sensing configuration and based on the sensing operations performed by the one or more UEs 115. The one or more sensing reports may include a first sensing report received from the first UE 115-d. In some examples, the sensing server 405 may receive, via the first sensing report, a set of parameters associated with the first UE 115-d. The set of parameters include a geographical location of the first UE 115-d, a heading of the first UE 115-d, a velocity of the first UE 115-d, or any combination thereof.

[0140] At 450, the sensing server 405 may receive, from the network entity 105-b, one or more additional sensing reports generated or collected by the network entity 105-b. The additional sensing reports may be aggregated from other UEs 115 or the same UEs 115, and may be associated with the same or different geographical zone and / or frequency range as the sensing operation organized by the sensing server 405.

[0141] At 455, the sensing server 405 may generate a composite sensing report associated with the sensing operation based at least in part on the one or more sensing reports. In some examples, the composite sensing report may be generated based at least in part on the one or more additional sensing reports generated or collected by thenetwork entity 105-b. In some examples, the composite sensing report may be based on the set of parameters associated with the first UE 115-d from the first sensing report. In some examples, the composite sensing report may identify the one or more sensing targets within the defined geographic zone, may include a digital map associated with at least a portion of the defined geographic zone, or both.

[0142] At 460, the sensing server 405 may transmit the composite sensing report to the network entity 105-b, to the one or more UEs 115 (e.g., the first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e), or to both the network entity 105-b and the one or more UEs 115 (e.g., the first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e). In some examples, the sensing server 405 may receive an indication of a subscription fee from the network entity 105-b, the one or more UEs 115 (e.g., the first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e), or both the network entity 105-b and the one or more UEs 115 (e.g., the first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e). Transmitting the composite sensing report to the network entity 105-b or the one or more UEs 115 (e.g., the first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e) may be based on receiving an indication of a subscription fee from the network entity 105-b or the one or more UEs 115 (e.g., the first UE 115-d and the second UE 115-e), respectively.

[0143] FIG. 5 shows a block diagram 500 of a device 505 that supports techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 505 may be an example of aspects of a network entity 105 as described herein. The device 505 may include a receiver 510, a transmitter 515, and a communications manager 520. The device 505 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0144] The receiver 510 may provide a means for obtaining (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack). Information may be passed on to other components of the device 505. In some examples, the receiver 510 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally, or alternatively, the receiver 510 may support obtaining information byreceiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.

[0145] The transmitter 515 may provide a means for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, sending) information generated by other components of the device 505. For example, the transmitter 515 may output information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack). In some examples, the transmitter 515 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more antennas. Additionally, or alternatively, the transmitter 515 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 515 and the receiver 510 may be co-located in a transceiver, which may include or be coupled with a modem.

[0146] The communications manager 520, the receiver 510, the transmitter 515, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations as described herein. For example, the communications manager 520, the receiver 510, the transmitter 515, or various combinations or components thereof may support a method for performing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0147] In some examples, the communications manager 520, the receiver 510, the transmitter 515, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuitry). The hardware may include a processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, a microcontroller, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some examples, a processor and memory coupled with the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by executing, by the processor, instructions stored in the memory).

[0148] Additionally, or alternatively, in some examples, the communications manager 520, the receiver 510, the transmitter 515, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code (e.g., as communications management software or firmware) executed by a processor. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communications manager 520, the receiver 510, the transmitter 515, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, a microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure).

[0149] In some examples, the communications manager 520 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 510, the transmitter 515, or both. For example, the communications manager 520 may receive information from the receiver 510, send information to the transmitter 515, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 510, the transmitter 515, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0150] For example, the communications manager 520 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to a network entity of a wireless network, a first control message indicating that a sensing operation including at least one of a monostatic sensing operation, a bistatic sensing operation, or a multi-static sensing operation, is to be performed by one or more user equipments (UEs) to identify one or more sensing targets located within a defined geographic zone of a set of multiple geographic zones of the wireless network. The communications manager 520 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to the one or more UEs based on transmitting the first control message, a second control message indicating a sensing configuration for performing the monostatic sensing operation, the bistatic sensing operation, the multi-static sensing operation, or any combination thereof, within the defined geographic zone. The communications manager 520 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, from the one or more UEs, one or more sensing reports associated with the sensing configuration.

[0151] By including or configuring the communications manager 520 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 505 (e.g., a processor controlling or otherwise coupled with the receiver 510, the transmitter 515, the communications manager 520, or a combination thereof) may support techniques that enable third-party servers (e.g., OTT servers) to manage and coordinate sensing operations within a wireless communications system. In this regard, aspects of the present disclosure may increase a prevalence of sensing operations performed within unlicensed bands, and / or within areas (e.g., geographic zones) that are out-of-coverage with respect to communications with the wireless network. As such, techniques described herein may lead to more efficient and widespread sensing operations, which may enable wireless devices to have a more complete and accurate depiction of the surrounding environment, such as locations, headings, and velocities of surrounding vehicles and other objects.

[0152] FIG. 6 shows a block diagram 600 of a device 605 that supports techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 605 may be an example of aspects of a device 505 or a network entity 105 as described herein. The device 605 may include a receiver 610, a transmitter 615, and a communications manager 620. The device 605 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0153] The receiver 610 may provide a means for obtaining (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack). Information may be passed on to other components of the device 605. In some examples, the receiver 610 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally, or alternatively, the receiver 610 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.

[0154] The transmitter 615 may provide a means for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, sending) information generated by other components of thedevice 605. For example, the transmitter 615 may output information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack). In some examples, the transmitter 615 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more antennas. Additionally, or alternatively, the transmitter 615 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 615 and the receiver 610 may be co-located in a transceiver, which may include or be coupled with a modem.

[0155] The device 605, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations as described herein. For example, the communications manager 620 may include a network entity communicating manager 625, a UE communicating manager 630, a sensing report manager 635, or any combination thereof. The communications manager 620 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager 520 as described herein. In some examples, the communications manager 620, or various components thereof, may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or both. For example, the communications manager 620 may receive information from the receiver 610, send information to the transmitter 615, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0156] The network entity communicating manager 625 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to a network entity of a wireless network, a first control message indicating that a sensing operation including at least one of a monostatic sensing operation, a bistatic sensing operation, or a multi-static sensing operation, is to be performed by one or more user equipments (UEs) to identify one or more sensing targets located within a defined geographic zone of a set of multiple geographic zones of the wireless network. The UE communicating manager 630 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to theone or more UEs based on transmitting the first control message, a second control message indicating a sensing configuration for performing the monostatic sensing operation, the bistatic sensing operation, the multi-static sensing operation, or any combination thereof, within the defined geographic zone. The sensing report manager 635 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, from the one or more UEs, one or more sensing reports associated with the sensing configuration.

[0157] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram 700 of a communications manager 720 that supports techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The communications manager 720 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager 520, a communications manager 620, or both, as described herein. The communications manager 720, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations as described herein. For example, the communications manager 720 may include a network entity communicating manager 725, a UE communicating manager 730, a sensing report manager 735, a sensing operation manager 740, a subscription fee manager 745, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses) which may include communications within a protocol layer of a protocol stack, communications associated with a logical channel of a protocol stack (e.g., between protocol layers of a protocol stack, within a device, component, or virtualized component associated with a network entity 105, between devices, components, or virtualized components associated with a network entity 105), or any combination thereof.

[0158] The network entity communicating manager 725 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to a network entity of a wireless network, a first control message indicating that a sensing operation including at least one of a monostatic sensing operation, a bistatic sensing operation, or a multi-static sensing operation, is to be performed by one or more user equipments (UEs) to identify one or more sensing targets located within a defined geographic zone of a set of multiple geographic zones of the wireless network. The UE communicating manager 730 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to theone or more UEs based on transmitting the first control message, a second control message indicating a sensing configuration for performing the monostatic sensing operation, the bistatic sensing operation, the multi-static sensing operation, or any combination thereof, within the defined geographic zone. The sensing report manager 735 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, from the one or more UEs, one or more sensing reports associated with the sensing configuration.

[0159] In some examples, the sensing operation manager 740 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, via the second control message, a set of parameters usable for performing the sensing operation, where the set of parameters include a set of time resources, a set of frequency resources, indications of transmitting or receiving devices for the sensing operation, a beamforming parameter, a transmit power level, a processing operation for generating the one or more sensing reports, trigger conditions for communicating the one or more sensing reports, or any combination thereof.

[0160] In some examples, the network entity communicating manager 725 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, via the first control message, a request for resources usable for the sensing operation. In some examples, the network entity communicating manager 725 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, from the network entity via a third control message, an indication of a set of resources usable for the sensing operation, where the second control message includes an indication of the set of resources associated with the sensing configuration.

[0161] In some examples, the sensing report manager 735 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for generating a composite sensing report associated with the sensing operation based on the one or more sensing reports. In some examples, the sensing report manager 735 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting the composite sensing report to the network entity, the one or more UEs, or both.

[0162] In some examples, the subscription fee manager 745 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving an indication of a subscription fee from the network entity, the one or more UEs, or both, wheretransmitting the composite sensing report to the network entity or the one or more UEs is based on receiving the indication of the subscription fee from the network entity or the one or more UEs, respectively.

[0163] In some examples, the composite sensing report identifies the one or more sensing targets within the defined geographic zone, includes a digital map associated with at least a portion of the defined geographic zone, or both.

[0164] In some examples, the sensing report manager 735 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, via the first sensing report, a set of parameters associated with the first UE, where the set of parameters include a geographical location of the first UE, a heading of the first UE, a velocity of the first UE, or any combination thereof, where generating the composite sensing report is based on the set of parameters.

[0165] In some examples, the sensing report manager 735 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, from the network entity, one or more additional sensing reports generated or collected by the network entity, where generating the composite sensing report is based on the one or more additional sensing reports.

[0166] In some examples, the network entity communicating manager 725 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, via the first control message, a request to utilize the one or more UEs for the sensing operation. In some examples, the network entity communicating manager 725 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, in response to the request, a third control message indicating an approval to utilize the one or more UEs for the sensing operation, where transmitting the second control message is based on receiving the approval.

[0167] In some examples, the UE communicating manager 730 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to a set of multiple UEs, a subscription message including a request for each of the set of multiple UEs to participate in the sensing operation. In some examples, the UE communicating manager 730 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, from the one or more UEs in response to the subscription message, a response message indicatingthat each of the one or more UEs is able to participate in the sensing operation, where transmitting the second control message is based on receiving the response message.

[0168] In some examples, the subscription message is transmitted to the set of multiple UEs based on each of the set of multiple UEs satisfying one or more criteria for the sensing operation. In some examples, the one or more criteria include a geographical location within the defined geographic zone, a capability to participate in the sensing operation, or both.

[0169] In some examples, the network entity communicating manager 725 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to the network entity, a third control message indicating the one or more UEs participating in the sensing operation.

[0170] In some examples, the network entity communicating manager 725 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, from the network entity, a third control message including an indication that the one or more UEs are available to perform the sensing operation, where transmitting the second control message is based on receiving the third control message.

[0171] In some examples, the network entity communicating manager 725 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, via the first control message, an indication that the sensing operation is to be performed within one or more unlicensed bands. In some examples, the UE communicating manager 730 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, via the second control message, an indication of a set of resources within the one or more unlicensed bands.

[0172] In some examples, the defined geographic zone includes an area of the wireless network that is not supported for wireless communications by the network entity, additional network entities, or both.

[0173] In some examples, the one or more sensing targets include objects within the defined geographic zone, other wireless devices within the defined geographic zone, or both.

[0174] FIG. 8 shows a diagram of a system 800 including a device 805 that supports techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 805 may be an example of or include the components of a device 505, a device 605, or a network entity 105 as described herein. The device 805 may communicate with one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115, or any combination thereof, which may include communications over one or more wired interfaces, over one or more wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. The device 805 may include components that support outputting and obtaining communications, such as a communications manager 820, a transceiver 810, an antenna 815, a memory 825, code 830, and a processor 835. These components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., a bus 840).

[0175] The transceiver 810 may support bi-directional communications via wired links, wireless links, or both as described herein. In some examples, the transceiver 810 may include a wired transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wired transceiver. Additionally, or alternatively, in some examples, the transceiver 810 may include a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. In some examples, the device 805 may include one or more antennas 815, which may be capable of transmitting or receiving wireless transmissions (e.g., concurrently). The transceiver 810 may also include a modem to modulate signals, to provide the modulated signals for transmission (e.g., by one or more antennas 815, by a wired transmitter), to receive modulated signals (e.g., from one or more antennas 815, from a wired receiver), and to demodulate signals. In some implementations, the transceiver 810 may include one or more interfaces, such as one or more interfaces coupled with the one or more antennas 815 that are configured to support various receiving or obtaining operations, or one or more interfaces coupled with the one or more antennas 815 that are configured to support various transmitting or outputting operations, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the transceiver 810 may include or be configured for coupling with one or more processors or memory components that are operable to perform or support operations based on received or obtained information or signals, or to generate information or other signals fortransmission or other outputting, or any combination thereof. In some implementations, the transceiver 810, or the transceiver 810 and the one or more antennas 815, or the transceiver 810 and the one or more antennas 815 and one or more processors or memory components (for example, the processor 835, or the memory 825, or both), may be included in a chip or chip assembly that is installed in the device 805. In some examples, the transceiver may be operable to support communications via one or more communications links (e.g., a communication link 125, a backhaul communication link 120, a midhaul communication link 162, a fronthaul communication link 168).

[0176] The memory 825 may include RAM and ROM. The memory 825 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 830 including instructions that, when executed by the processor 835, cause the device 805 to perform various functions described herein. The code 830 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code 830 may not be directly executable by the processor 835 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 825 may contain, among other things, a BIOS which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0177] The processor 835 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, an FPGA, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 835 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, a memory controller may be integrated into the processor 835. The processor 835 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 825) to cause the device 805 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations). For example, the device 805 or a component of the device 805 may include a processor 835 and memory 825 coupled with the processor 835, the processor 835 and memory 825 configured to perform various functions described herein. The processor 835 may be an example of a cloud-computing platform (e.g., one or more physical nodes and supporting software such as operating systems, virtual machines, or containerinstances) that may host the functions (e.g., by executing code 830) to perform the functions of the device 805. The processor 835 may be any one or more suitable processors capable of executing scripts or instructions of one or more software programs stored in the device 805 (such as within the memory 825). In some implementations, the processor 835 may be a component of a processing system. A processing system may generally refer to a system or series of machines or components that receives inputs and processes the inputs to produce a set of outputs (which may be passed to other systems or components of, for example, the device 805). For example, a processing system of the device 805 may refer to a system including the various other components or subcomponents of the device 805, such as the processor 835, or the transceiver 810, or the communications manager 820, or other components or combinations of components of the device 805. The processing system of the device 805 may interface with other components of the device 805, and may process information received from other components (such as inputs or signals) or output information to other components. For example, a chip or modem of the device 805 may include a processing system and one or more interfaces to output information, or to obtain information, or both. The one or more interfaces may be implemented as or otherwise include a first interface configured to output information and a second interface configured to obtain information, or a same interface configured to output information and to obtain information, among other implementations. In some implementations, the one or more interfaces may refer to an interface between the processing system of the chip or modem and a transmitter, such that the device 805 may transmit information output from the chip or modem. Additionally, or alternatively, in some implementations, the one or more interfaces may refer to an interface between the processing system of the chip or modem and a receiver, such that the device 805 may obtain information or signal inputs, and the information may be passed to the processing system. A person having ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that a first interface also may obtain information or signal inputs, and a second interface also may output information or signal outputs.

[0178] In some examples, a bus 840 may support communications of (e.g., within) a protocol layer of a protocol stack. In some examples, a bus 840 may support communications associated with a logical channel of a protocol stack (e.g., betweenprotocol layers of a protocol stack), which may include communications performed within a component of the device 805, or between different components of the device 805 that may be co-located or located in different locations (e.g., where the device 805 may refer to a system in which one or more of the communications manager 820, the transceiver 810, the memory 825, the code 830, and the processor 835 may be located in one of the different components or divided between different components).

[0179] In some examples, the communications manager 820 may manage aspects of communications with a core network 130 (e.g., via one or more wired or wireless backhaul links). For example, the communications manager 820 may manage the transfer of data communications for client devices, such as one or more UEs 115. In some examples, the communications manager 820 may manage communications with other network entities 105, and may include a controller or scheduler for controlling communications with UEs 115 in cooperation with other network entities 105. In some examples, the communications manager 820 may support an X2 interface within an LTE / LTE-A wireless communications network technology to provide communication between network entities 105.

[0180] For example, the communications manager 820 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to a network entity of a wireless network, a first control message indicating that a sensing operation including at least one of a monostatic sensing operation, a bistatic sensing operation, or a multi-static sensing operation, is to be performed by one or more user equipments (UEs) to identify one or more sensing targets located within a defined geographic zone of a set of multiple geographic zones of the wireless network. The communications manager 820 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to the one or more UEs based on transmitting the first control message, a second control message indicating a sensing configuration for performing the monostatic sensing operation, the bistatic sensing operation, the multi-static sensing operation, or any combination thereof, within the defined geographic zone. The communications manager 820 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, from the one or more UEs, one or more sensing reports associated with the sensing configuration.

[0181] By including or configuring the communications manager 820 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 805 may support techniques that enablethird-party servers (e.g., OTT servers) to manage and coordinate sensing operations within a wireless communications system. In this regard, aspects of the present disclosure may increase a prevalence of sensing operations performed within unlicensed bands, and / or within areas (e.g., geographic zones) that are out-of-coverage with respect to communications with the wireless network. As such, techniques described herein may lead to more efficient and widespread sensing operations, which may enable wireless devices to have a more complete and accurate depiction of the surrounding environment, such as locations, headings, and velocities of surrounding vehicles and other objects.

[0182] In some examples, the communications manager 820 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the transceiver 810, the one or more antennas 815 (e.g., where applicable), or any combination thereof. Although the communications manager 820 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communications manager 820 may be supported by or performed by the transceiver 810, the processor 835, the memory 825, the code 830, or any combination thereof. For example, the code 830 may include instructions executable by the processor 835 to cause the device 805 to perform various aspects of techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations as described herein, or the processor 835 and the memory 825 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations.

[0183] FIG. 9 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 900 that supports techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 900 may be implemented by a network entity or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 900 may be performed by a network entity as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 8. In some examples, a network entity may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the wireless network entity to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the wireless network entity may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

[0184] At 905, the method may include transmitting, to a network entity of a wireless network, a first control message indicating that a sensing operation including atleast one of a monostatic sensing operation, a bistatic sensing operation, or a multi-static sensing operation, is to be performed by one or more user equipments (UEs) to identify one or more sensing targets located within a defined geographic zone of a set of multiple geographic zones of the wireless network. The operations of 905 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 905 may be performed by a network entity communicating manager 725 as described with reference to FIG. 7.

[0185] At 910, the method may include transmitting, to the one or more UEs based on transmitting the first control message, a second control message indicating a sensing configuration for performing the monostatic sensing operation, the bistatic sensing operation, the multi-static sensing operation, or any combination thereof, within the defined geographic zone. The operations of 910 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 910 may be performed by a UE communicating manager 730 as described with reference to FIG. 7.

[0186] At 915, the method may include receiving, from the one or more UEs, one or more sensing reports associated with the sensing configuration. The operations of 915 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 915 may be performed by a sensing report manager 735 as described with reference to FIG. 7.

[0187] FIG. 10 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1000 that supports techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1000 may be implemented by a network entity or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1000 may be performed by a network entity as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 8. In some examples, a network entity may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the wireless network entity to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the wireless network entity may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

[0188] At 1005, the method may include transmitting, to a network entity of a wireless network, a first control message indicating that a sensing operation including at least one of a monostatic sensing operation, a bistatic sensing operation, or a multi-static sensing operation, is to be performed by one or more user equipments (UEs) to identify one or more sensing targets located within a defined geographic zone of a set of multiple geographic zones of the wireless network. The operations of 1005 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1005 may be performed by a network entity communicating manager 725 as described with reference to FIG. 7.

[0189] At 1010, the method may include transmitting, to the one or more UEs based on transmitting the first control message, a second control message indicating a sensing configuration for performing the monostatic sensing operation, the bistatic sensing operation, the multi-static sensing operation, or any combination thereof, within the defined geographic zone. The operations of 1010 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1010 may be performed by a UE communicating manager 730 as described with reference to FIG. 7.

[0190] At 1015, the method may include transmitting, via the second control message, a set of parameters usable for performing the sensing operation, where the set of parameters include a set of time resources, a set of frequency resources, indications of transmitting or receiving devices for the sensing operation, a beamforming parameter, a transmit power level, a processing operation for generating the one or more sensing reports, trigger conditions for communicating the one or more sensing reports, or any combination thereof. The operations of 1015 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1015 may be performed by a sensing operation manager 740 as described with reference to FIG. 7.

[0191] At 1020, the method may include receiving, from the one or more UEs, one or more sensing reports associated with the sensing configuration. The operations of 1020 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1020 may be performed by a sensing report manager 735 as described with reference to FIG. 7.

[0192] FIG. 11 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1100 that supports techniques for using a third party server for performing sensing operations in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1100 may be implemented by a network entity or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1100 may be performed by a network entity as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 8. In some examples, a network entity may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the wireless network entity to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the wireless network entity may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

[0193] At 1105, the method may include transmitting, to a network entity of a wireless network, a first control message indicating a request for resources usable for a sensing operation, the sensing operation including at least one of a monostatic sensing operation, a bistatic sensing operation, or a multi-static sensing operation, is to be performed by one or more user equipments (UEs) to identify one or more sensing targets located within a defined geographic zone of a set of multiple geographic zones of the wireless network. The operations of 1105 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1105 may be performed by a network entity communicating manager 725 as described with reference to FIG. 7.

[0194] At 1110, the method may include receiving, from the network entity via a second control message, an indication of a set of resources usable for the sensing operation. The operations of 1110 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1110 may be performed by a network entity communicating manager 725 as described with reference to FIG. 7.

[0195] At 1115, the method may include transmitting, to the one or more UEs based on transmitting the first control message, a third control message indicating a sensing configuration for performing the monostatic sensing operation, the bistatic sensing operation, the multi-static sensing operation, or any combination thereof, within the defined geographic zone, where the third control message includes an indication of the set of resources associated with the sensing configuration. The operations of 1115 maybe performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1115 may be performed by a UE communicating manager 730 as described with reference to FIG. 7.

[0196] At 1120, the method may include receiving, from the one or more UEs, one or more sensing reports associated with the sensing configuration. The operations of 1120 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1120 may be performed by a sensing report manager 735 as described with reference to FIG. 7.

[0197] The following provides an overview of aspects of the present disclosure:

[0198] Aspect 1 : A method for wireless communications at a server, comprising: transmitting, to a network entity of a wireless network, a first control message indicating that a sensing operation including at least one of a monostatic sensing operation, a bistatic sensing operation, or a multi-static sensing operation, is to be performed by one or more UEs to identify one or more sensing targets located within a defined geographic zone of a plurality of geographic zones of the wireless network; transmitting, to the one or more UEs based at least in part on transmitting the first control message, a second control message indicating a sensing configuration for performing the monostatic sensing operation, the bistatic sensing operation, the multistatic sensing operation, or any combination thereof, within the defined geographic zone; and receiving, from the one or more UEs, one or more sensing reports associated with the sensing configuration.

[0199] Aspect 2: The method of aspect 1, further comprising: transmitting, via the second control message, a set of parameters usable for performing the sensing operation, wherein the set of parameters comprise a set of time resources, a set of frequency resources, indications of transmitting or receiving devices for the sensing operation, a beamforming parameter, a transmit power level, a processing operation for generating the one or more sensing reports, trigger conditions for communicating the one or more sensing reports, or any combination thereof.

[0200] Aspect 3: The method of any of aspects 1 through 2, further comprising: transmitting, via the first control message, a request for resources usable for the sensing operation; and receiving, from the network entity via a third control message, anindication of a set of resources usable for the sensing operation, wherein the second control message comprises an indication of the set of resources associated with the sensing configuration.

[0201] Aspect 4: The method of any of aspects 1 through 3, further comprising: generating a composite sensing report associated with the sensing operation based at least in part on the one or more sensing reports; and transmitting the composite sensing report to the network entity, the one or more UEs, or both.

[0202] Aspect 5: The method of aspect 4, further comprising: receiving an indication of a subscription fee from the network entity, the one or more UEs, or both, wherein transmitting the composite sensing report to the network entity or the one or more UEs is based at least in part on receiving the indication of the subscription fee from the network entity or the one or more UEs, respectively.

[0203] Aspect 6: The method of any of aspects 4 through 5, wherein the composite sensing report identifies the one or more sensing targets within the defined geographic zone, comprises a digital map associated with at least a portion of the defined geographic zone, or both.

[0204] Aspect 7 : The method of any of aspects 4 through 6, wherein the one or more sensing reports comprise a first sensing report received from a first UE of the one or more UEs, the method further comprising: receiving, via the first sensing report, a set of parameters associated with the first UE, wherein the set of parameters comprise a geographical location of the first UE, a heading of the first UE, a velocity of the first UE, or any combination thereof, wherein generating the composite sensing report is based at least in part on the set of parameters.

[0205] Aspect 8: The method of any of aspects 4 through 7, further comprising: receiving, from the network entity, one or more additional sensing reports generated or collected by the network entity, wherein generating the composite sensing report is based at least in part on the one or more additional sensing reports.

[0206] Aspect 9: The method of any of aspects 1 through 8, further comprising: transmitting, via the first control message, a request to utilize the one or more UEs for the sensing operation; and receiving, in response to the request, a third control messageindicating an approval to utilize the one or more UEs for the sensing operation, wherein transmitting the second control message is based at least in part on receiving the approval.

[0207] Aspect 10: The method of any of aspects 1 through 9, further comprising: transmitting, to a plurality of UEs, a subscription message comprising a request for each of the plurality of UEs to participate in the sensing operation; and receiving, from the one or more UEs in response to the subscription message, a response message indicating that each of the one or more UEs is able to participate in the sensing operation, wherein transmitting the second control message is based at least in part on receiving the response message.

[0208] Aspect 11 : The method of aspect 10, wherein the subscription message is transmitted to the plurality of UEs based at least in part on each of the plurality of UEs satisfying one or more criteria for the sensing operation, the one or more criteria comprise a geographical location within the defined geographic zone, a capability to participate in the sensing operation, or both.

[0209] Aspect 12: The method of any of aspects 1 through 11, further comprising: transmitting, to the network entity, a third control message indicating the one or more UEs participating in the sensing operation.

[0210] Aspect 13: The method of any of aspects 1 through 12, further comprising: receiving, from the network entity, a third control message comprising an indication that the one or more UEs are available to perform the sensing operation, wherein transmitting the second control message is based at least in part on receiving the third control message.

[0211] Aspect 14: The method of any of aspects 1 through 13, further comprising: transmitting, via the first control message, an indication that the sensing operation is to be performed within one or more unlicensed bands; and transmitting, via the second control message, an indication of a set of resources within the one or more unlicensed bands.

[0212] Aspect 15: The method of any of aspects 1 through 14, wherein the defined geographic zone comprises an area of the wireless network that is not supported for wireless communications by the network entity, additional network entities, or both.

[0213] Aspect 16: The method of any of aspects 1 through 15, wherein the one or more sensing targets comprise objects within the defined geographic zone, other wireless devices within the defined geographic zone, or both.

[0214] Aspect 17: An apparatus comprising a processor; memory coupled with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform a method of any of aspects 1 through 16.

[0215] Aspect 18: An apparatus comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of aspects 1 through 16.

[0216] Aspect 19: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform a method of any of aspects 1 through 16.

[0217] It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possible implementations, and that the operations and the steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified and that other implementations are possible. Further, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined.

[0218] Although aspects of an LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR system may be described for purposes of example, and LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR terminology may be used in much of the description, the techniques described herein are applicable beyond LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR networks. For example, the described techniques may be applicable to various other wireless communications systems such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, as well as other systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.

[0219] Information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagneticwaves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0220] The various illustrative blocks and components described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed using a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor but, in the alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0221] The functions described herein may be implemented using hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented using software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored as or transmitted using one or more instructions or code of a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations.

[0222] Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one location to another. A non-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that may be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer,or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of computer-readable medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc. Disks may reproduce data magnetically, and discs may reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0223] As used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of’ or “one or more of’) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step that is described as “based on condition A” may be based on both a condition A and a condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase “based at least in part on.”

[0224] The term “determine” or “determining” encompasses a variety of actions and, therefore, “determining” can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (such as via looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like. Also, “determining” can include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data stored in memory) and the like. Also, “determining” can include resolving, obtaining, selecting, choosing, establishing, and other such similar actions.

[0225] In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same firstreference label irrespective of the second reference label, or other subsequent reference label.

[0226] The description set forth herein, in connection with the appended drawings, describes example configurations and does not represent all the examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims. The term “example” used herein means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and not “preferred” or “advantageous over other examples.” The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques. These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

[0227] The description herein is provided to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for wireless communication at a server, comprising: a processor; memory coupled with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: transmit, to a network entity of a wireless network, a first control message indicating that a sensing operation including at least one of a monostatic sensing operation, a bistatic sensing operation, or a multi-static sensing operation, is to be performed by one or more user equipments (UEs) to identify one or more sensing targets located within a defined geographic zone of a plurality of geographic zones of the wireless network; transmit, to the one or more UEs based at least in part on transmitting the first control message, a second control message indicating a sensing configuration for performing the monostatic sensing operation, the bistatic sensing operation, the multi-static sensing operation, or any combination thereof, within the defined geographic zone; and receive, from the one or more UEs, one or more sensing reports associated with the sensing configuration.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: transmit, via the second control message, a set of parameters usable for performing the sensing operation, wherein the set of parameters comprise a set of time resources, a set of frequency resources, indications of transmitting or receiving devices for the sensing operation, a beamforming parameter, a transmit power level, a processing operation for generating the one or more sensing reports, trigger conditions for communicating the one or more sensing reports, or any combination thereof.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:transmit, via the first control message, a request for resources usable for the sensing operation; and receive, from the network entity via a third control message, an indication of a set of resources usable for the sensing operation, wherein the second control message comprises an indication of the set of resources associated with the sensing configuration.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: generate a composite sensing report associated with the sensing operation based at least in part on the one or more sensing reports; and transmit the composite sensing report to the network entity, the one or more UEs, or both.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receive an indication of a subscription fee from the network entity, the one or more UEs, or both, wherein transmitting the composite sensing report to the network entity or the one or more UEs is based at least in part on receiving the indication of the subscription fee from the network entity or the one or more UEs, respectively.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the composite sensing report identifies the one or more sensing targets within the defined geographic zone, comprises a digital map associated with at least a portion of the defined geographic zone, or both.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the one or more sensing reports comprise a first sensing report received from a first UE of the one or more UEs, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receive, via the first sensing report, a set of parameters associated with the first UE, wherein the set of parameters comprise a geographical location of the first UE, a heading of the first UE, a velocity of the first UE, or any combination thereof,wherein generating the composite sensing report is based at least in part on the set of parameters.

8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receive, from the network entity, one or more additional sensing reports generated or collected by the network entity, wherein generating the composite sensing report is based at least in part on the one or more additional sensing reports.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: transmit, via the first control message, a request to utilize the one or more UEs for the sensing operation; and receive, in response to the request, a third control message indicating an approval to utilize the one or more UEs for the sensing operation, wherein transmitting the second control message is based at least in part on receiving the approval.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: transmit, to a plurality of UEs, a subscription message comprising a request for each of the plurality of UEs to participate in the sensing operation; and receive, from the one or more UEs in response to the subscription message, a response message indicating that each of the one or more UEs is able to participate in the sensing operation, wherein transmitting the second control message is based at least in part on receiving the response message.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the subscription message is transmitted to the plurality of UEs based at least in part on each of the plurality of UEs satisfying one or more criteria for the sensing operation, wherein the one or more criteria comprise a geographical location within the defined geographic zone, a capability to participate in the sensing operation, or both.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:transmit, to the network entity, a third control message indicating the one or more UEs participating in the sensing operation.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receive, from the network entity, a third control message comprising an indication that the one or more UEs are available to perform the sensing operation, wherein transmitting the second control message is based at least in part on receiving the third control message.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: transmit, via the first control message, an indication that the sensing operation is to be performed within one or more unlicensed bands; and transmit, via the second control message, an indication of a set of resources within the one or more unlicensed bands.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the defined geographic zone comprises an area of the wireless network that is not supported for wireless communications by the network entity, additional network entities, or both.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensing targets comprise objects within the defined geographic zone, other wireless devices within the defined geographic zone, or both.

17. A method for wireless communications at a server, comprising: transmitting, to a network entity of a wireless network, a first control message indicating that a sensing operation including at least one of a monostatic sensing operation, a bistatic sensing operation, or a multi-static sensing operation, is to be performed by one or more user equipments (UEs) to identify one or more sensing targets located within a defined geographic zone of a plurality of geographic zones of the wireless network; transmitting, to the one or more UEs based at least in part on transmitting the first control message, a second control message indicating a sensing configuration for performing the monostatic sensing operation, the bistatic sensing operation, themulti-static sensing operation, or any combination thereof, within the defined geographic zone; and receiving, from the one or more UEs, one or more sensing reports associated with the sensing configuration.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: transmitting, via the second control message, a set of parameters usable for performing the sensing operation, wherein the set of parameters comprise a set of time resources, a set of frequency resources, indications of transmitting or receiving devices for the sensing operation, a beamforming parameter, a transmit power level, a processing operation for generating the one or more sensing reports, trigger conditions for communicating the one or more sensing reports, or any combination thereof.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: transmitting, via the first control message, a request for resources usable for the sensing operation; and receiving, from the network entity via a third control message, an indication of a set of resources usable for the sensing operation, wherein the second control message comprises an indication of the set of resources associated with the sensing configuration.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising: generating a composite sensing report associated with the sensing operation based at least in part on the one or more sensing reports; and transmitting the composite sensing report to the network entity, the one or more UEs, or both.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising: receiving an indication of a subscription fee from the network entity, the one or more UEs, or both, wherein transmitting the composite sensing report to the network entity or the one or more UEs is based at least in part on receiving the indication of the subscription fee from the network entity or the one or more UEs, respectively.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the composite sensing report identifies the one or more sensing targets within the defined geographic zone, comprises a digital map associated with at least a portion of the defined geographic zone, or both.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the one or more sensing reports comprise a first sensing report received from a first UE of the one or more UEs, the method further comprising: receiving, via the first sensing report, a set of parameters associated with the first UE, wherein the set of parameters comprise a geographical location of the first UE, a heading of the first UE, a velocity of the first UE, or any combination thereof, wherein generating the composite sensing report is based at least in part on the set of parameters.

24. The method of claim 20, further comprising: receiving, from the network entity, one or more additional sensing reports generated or collected by the network entity, wherein generating the composite sensing report is based at least in part on the one or more additional sensing reports.

25. The method of claim 17, further comprising: transmitting, via the first control message, a request to utilize the one or more UEs for the sensing operation; and receiving, in response to the request, a third control message indicating an approval to utilize the one or more UEs for the sensing operation, wherein transmitting the second control message is based at least in part on receiving the approval.

26. The method of claim 17, further comprising: transmitting, to a plurality of UEs, a subscription message comprising a request for each of the plurality of UEs to participate in the sensing operation; and receiving, from the one or more UEs in response to the subscription message, a response message indicating that each of the one or more UEs is able to participate in the sensing operation, wherein transmitting the second control message is based at least in part on receiving the response message.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the subscription message is transmitted to the plurality of UEs based at least in part on each of the plurality of UEs satisfying one or more criteria for the sensing operation, wherein the one or more criteria comprise a geographical location within the defined geographic zone, a capability to participate in the sensing operation, or both.

28. The method of claim 17, further comprising: transmitting, to the network entity, a third control message indicating the one or more UEs participating in the sensing operation.

29. An apparatus, comprising: means for transmitting, to a network entity of a wireless network, a first control message indicating that a sensing operation including at least one of a monostatic sensing operation, a bistatic sensing operation, or a multi-static sensing operation, is to be performed by one or more user equipments (UEs) to identify one or more sensing targets located within a defined geographic zone of a plurality of geographic zones of the wireless network; means for transmitting, to the one or more UEs based at least in part on transmitting the first control message, a second control message indicating a sensing configuration for performing the monostatic sensing operation, the bistatic sensing operation, the multi-static sensing operation, or any combination thereof, within the defined geographic zone; and means for receiving, from the one or more UEs, one or more sensing reports associated with the sensing configuration.

30. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to: transmit, to a network entity of a wireless network, a first control message indicating that a sensing operation including at least one of a monostatic sensing operation, a bistatic sensing operation, or a multi-static sensing operation, is to be performed by one or more user equipments (UEs) to identify one or more sensing targets located within a defined geographic zone of a plurality of geographic zones of the wireless network;transmit, to the one or more UEs based at least in part on transmitting the first control message, a second control message indicating a sensing configuration for performing the monostatic sensing operation, the bistatic sensing operation, the multistatic sensing operation, or any combination thereof, within the defined geographic zone; and receive, from the one or more UEs, one or more sensing reports associated with the sensing configuration.

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