Indication of quality of sensing service capabilities

Abstract

A method, network node and wireless device (WD 22) configured for indication of quality of sensing service capabilities are disclosed. According to one aspect, a WD 22 is configured to at least one of receive from and transmit to the network node, a sensing service capability request. The WD 22 is also configured to, in response to the at least one of the transmitting and receiving of the sensing service capability request, at least one of receive from and transmit to the network node 16, an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability.

Description

[0001] INDICATION OF QUALITY OF SENSING SERVICE CAPABILITIES TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to wireless communications, and in particular, to indication of quality of sensing service capabilities. Methods, a wireless device, a radio access network node, a core network node, computer program products, and computer programs are disclosed.

[0003] BACKGROUND

[0004] The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has developed and is developing standards for Fourth Generation (4G) (also referred to as Long Term Evolution (LTE)) and Fifth Generation (5G) (also referred to as New Radio (NR)) wireless communication systems. Such systems provide, among other features, broadband communication between network nodes, such as base stations, and mobile wireless devices (WD), as well as communication between network nodes and between WDs. The 3GPP is also developing standards for Sixth Generation (6G) wireless communication networks.

[0005] Sensing Key Performance Indicators

[0006] Future wireless communication networks will provide sensing services in diverse application areas, such as detection and ranging of vulnerable road users, automated guided vehicles, or uncrewed aerial vehicles. Several use cases have been identified by the SAI group of the 3 GPP, which are related to sensing performed by 3 GPP networks using the New Radio (NR) signals and protocols. See, for example, “Enabling Joint Communications and Radar Sensing in Mobile Networks - a Survey,” IEEE Communications Surveys and Tutorials, Vol. 24, No. 1, First Quarter, 2022.

[0007] The sensing service is characterized by a few key performance indicators (KPI), such as range resolution, unambiguous range, velocity resolution, unambiguous velocity, false detection probability or missed detection probability. Based on the required sensing KPIs, state of the art mechanisms may determine the power, duration, bandwidth, periodicity, and other characteristics of the sensing signals and - depending on the sensing architecture - the required time, frequency and spatial resources that are necessary to fulfill the desired KPIs.

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates different radar sensing scenarios that may be deployed using cellular base stations and user equipment (WD) devices. Typically, the goal is to detect and localize a passive (non-connected) object of interest:

[0009] In FIG. 1, image (a), “monostatic sensing” refers to the setting, for which the transmit sensing antenna array, denoted by TX-s, is co-located at the same physical node (here, the same base station) as the receiver sensing antenna array, denoted by RX- s. Note that monostatic sensing is possible using the Tx / Rx antennas at a WD as well.

[0010] In FIG. 1, image (b), bi-static setting corresponds to the case where the transmit sensing array antennas TX-s are located at a different node as compared to the receiver sensing antennas RX-s. (Network node (NN) and WD).

[0011] FIG. 1, image (c) shows the multi-static case, for which several TX-s and several RX-s are present and they are all located at different nodes (NN / UE).

[0012] Communication Quality of Service Class Identifiers, Radio Resource Control and Radio Bearers

[0013] In LTE and NR systems, the communication services are categorized in quality of service (QoS) classes, which are identified by QoS class identifiers (QCI). For example, conversational voice, live streaming, and real-time gaming require guaranteed rates, while buffered streaming and transmission control protocol (TCP)-based services (e.g., email) are characterized as non-guaranteed bit rate (non-GBR) services. GBR services have QCIs 1-4, while non-GBR services have QCIs 5-9. Other parameters associated with the standardized QCI values 1-9 include priority, packet delay budget, tolerated maximum packet loss rate, maximum data burst volume, data rate averaging window, etc. The QoS and corresponding QCI handling and management for LTE and NR communication services are covered in 3GPP Technical Standard (TS) 23.302 vl7.2.0.

[0014] In LTE and NR, bearer establishment procedures have the task of allocating proper resources for GBR and non-GBR services (with QCI values 1-9) over various parts of and end-to-end services, including core network resources between the packet gateway and serving gateways (S5 / S8 bearers) and in the radio access network (RAN) in the form of the radio access bearer (RAB). The RAB is a logical association of a user data flow with the radio resources that need to be allocated in the RAN to maintain the associated QCI of a service in terms of bitrate, packet delay budget, packet error loss rate and scheduling priority. For the allocation of the radio resources for the RAN, the RAN and the user equipment device (WD) use radio resource control (RRC) signaling procedures. These RAB establishment procedures include messages such as “Bearer Setup Request” (indicating the desired QCI), “Bearer Configuration” and several other RRC messages and associated information elements. SUMMARY

[0015] An object of the invention is to facilitate sensing in a communication network.

[0016] Some embodiments advantageously provide methods, network nodes and wireless devices for indication of quality of sensing service capabilities.

[0017] In some embodiments, an object of the disclosure is to facilitate quality of service capability utilization. Some embodiments provide for associating quality of sensing capabilities with quality of sensing service (QoSS) classes. This has a technical effect of reducing signaling overhead and achieving more efficient use of processing resources by identifying and grouping QoSS classes, associating the QoSS classes with KPI parameters and ranges, and communicating these capabilities between nodes.

[0018] Some embodiments build on defining a few quality-of-sensing-service (QoSS) parameters and grouping them into QoSS classes. The QoSS classes are labeled with class indicators (QSCI). In some embodiments, each class is associated with a few sensing KPI parameters and ranges. For example, QSCI 1 identifies a sensing service that provides a range resolution of 0.2 [m], unambiguous range up to 500 m, velocity resolution 0.2 [m / s] and unambiguous velocity range 0-50 [m / s].

[0019] In some embodiments, both the core network node (e.g., Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF)) and the WD may use RRC messages to indicate the desired sensing service to a network node (e.g., a NN serving the WD) the RAN, where the RRC message includes one or more QSCI(s). The RAN may then use the signaled QSCI(s) to determine (1) if the sensing service may be accommodated and (2) the necessary radio resources that need to be allocated for the service. The RAN may indicate, using RRC signaling to the core network and / or to the WD whether the requested QSCI may be provided or if the sensing service may be provided with some lower QSCI or the sensing service is rejected.

[0020] In some embodiments, the network node determines a mapping or relation between a set of QSCI associated with sensing QoS requirements and a set of QCIs associated with communication QoS requirements. The mapping may be used for adapting the QCI and / or the QSCI in a scenario where the same WD is allocated or expected to be allocated radio resources by the network node for simultaneous sensing and communication operations (e.g., at least over partially overlapping time period), which require very high quality of service. Due to the limitation of radio resources, the NN may not be able to furnish all necessary radio resources for operation during the overlapping time even if the radio resources for the two operations are orthogonal in time and / or in frequency domain. In some embodiments, the mapping table may be signaled to one or more entities (e.g., network nodes such as AMF) in the core network (CN) and / or to the WD by the network node in the RAN.

[0021] In one example, one or more entities in the CN and / or the WD may adapt their QSCI and / or QCI or relinquish one of the two service requests based on the mapping table. In another example, a network node in the RAN, upon receiving requests for allocating the radio resources for both operations, may negotiate with the one or more entities in the CN and / or with requesting them to adapt their QSCI and / or QCI or relinquish one of the two service requests based on the mapping table.

[0022] In some embodiments, a definition of sensing classes with associated parameters and identities is provided. The proposed RRC signaling uses these predefined QSCI values for signaling to the RAN the type of sensing service that is requested by the core network or by the WD. The predefined QSCI values make the RRC signaling efficient, since the sensing parameters of the required resources are not signaled, only the QSCI in the RRC message is signaled.

[0023] For the sensing service provider, an advantage of the solution is that the RAN may allocate the right amount of resources for the desired sensing service, and it may also determine whether or not the sensing service may be provided with the available resources.

[0024] For the sensing service consumer, an advantage is that it may indicate the type of sensing service that is desired without specifying detailed sensing service parameters. Another advantage is that if the service request is accepted, the sensing service consumer may trust that the desired service is delivered, since the service provider uses the QSCI parameters as agreed in that sensing class.

[0025] According to one aspect, a method in WD includes at least one of: receiving from and transmit to the network node, a sensing service capability request. The process also includes in response to the at least one of the transmitting and receiving of the sensing service capability request, at least one of receive from and transmit to the network node, an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability.

[0026] According to this aspect, in some embodiments, the indicator indicates to which of a plurality of quality of sensing service, QoSS, classes, the first set of at least one sensing service capability belongs. In some embodiments, a QoSS class depends on a sensing service to be provided by the WD, a sensing service including at least one of object locality, object tracking, collision avoidance, object classification, object shape, object physical dimensions and object mobility state. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving from the network node a first indication of at least one of a sensing signal transmission pattern, SSTP, and a sensing signal reception pattern, SSRP, in response to the indicator transmitted by the WD. In some embodiments, the method also includes receiving from the network node a second indication of a sensing signal repetition pattern. In some embodiments, receiving from the network node a sensing resource allocation. In some embodiments, the method also includes receiving from the network node a request to configure the WD with a second set of at least one sensing service capability, the second set being one of a same set as the first set and a set that is different from the first set. In some embodiments, the method also includes receiving from the network node a configuration to use a communication signal for passive sensing. In some embodiments, the network node is one of a radio access network, RAN, node and a core network (CN) node.

[0027] According to another aspect, a WD includes a radio interface configured to at least one of receive from and transmit to the network node, a sensing service capability request. The radio interface is further configured to, in response to the at least one of the transmitting and receiving of the sensing service capability request, at least one of receive from and transmit to the network node, an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability.

[0028] According to this aspect, in some embodiments, the indicator indicates to which of a plurality of quality of sensing service, QoSS, classes, the first set of at least one sensing service capability belongs. In some embodiments, a QoSS class depends on a sensing service to be provided by the WD, a sensing service being one of object locality, object tracking, collision avoidance, object classification. In some embodiments, the radio interface is configured to receive from the network node a first indication of at least one of a sensing signal transmission pattern, SSTP, and a sensing signal reception pattern, SSRP, in response to the indicator transmitted by the WD. In some embodiments, the radio interface is configured to receive from the network node a second indication of a sensing signal repetition pattern. In some embodiments, the radio interface is configured to receive from the network node a sensing resource allocation. In some embodiments, the radio interface is configured to receive from the network node a request to configure the WD with a second set of at least one sensing service capability, the second set being one of a same set as the first set and a set that is different from the first set. In some embodiments, the radio interface is configured to receive from the network node a configuration to use a communication signal for passive sensing. In some embodiments, the network node is one of a radio access network, RAN, node and a core network (CN) node.

[0029] According to another aspect, a method in a network node includes: to at least one of receive from the CN node and transmit to the WD, a sensing service capability request. The process also includes, in response to the at least one of the transmitting and receiving of the sensing service capability request, at least one of receiving from the CN node and transmitting to the WD, an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability.

[0030] According to this aspect, in some embodiments, the indicator indicates to which of a plurality of quality of sensing service, QoSS, classes, the first set of at least one sensing service capability belongs. In some embodiments, a QoSS class depends on a sensing service to be provided by the WD, a sensing service including at least one of object locality, object tracking, collision avoidance, object classification. In some embodiments, the sensing service priority is a priority to be applied by the WD between providing the sensing service and providing communications with at least one of the RAN node and another WD. In some embodiments, the method includes at least one of receiving from the CN node and transmitting to the WD an allocation of priority between different QoSS classes. In some embodiments, the method includes at least one of receiving from the CN node and transmitting to the WD, a first indication of at least one of a sensing signal transmission pattern, SSTP, and a sensing signal reception pattern, SSRP. In some embodiments, the method includes at least one of receiving from the CN node and transmitting to the WD a second indication of a sensing signal repetition pattern. In some embodiments, the method includes at least one of receiving from the CN node and transmitting to the WD a sensing resource allocation. In some embodiments, the method includes at least one of receiving from the CN node and transmitting to the WD, a second indication of an association between indicators and quality of service class identifiers, QCIs. In some embodiments, the indicator is based at least in part on at least one of a resource availability, a cell load and a number of WDs in a cell capable of both sensing and communications. In some embodiments, the method includes at least one of receiving from the CN node and transmitting to the WD the sensing resource allocation based on the association between indicators and quality of service class identifiers, QCIs.

[0031] According to another aspect, a radio access network, RAN, node configured to communicate with a WD and a core network, CN, node is provided. The RAN node includes a radio interface configured to at least one of receive from the CN node and transmit to the WD, a sensing service capability request, the radio interface is further configured to, in response to the at least one of the transmitting and receiving of the sensing service capability request, at least one of receive from the CN node and transmit to the WD, an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability.

[0032] According to this aspect, in some embodiments, the indicator indicates to which of a plurality of quality of sensing service, QoSS, classes, the first set of at least one sensing service capability belongs. In some embodiments, a QoSS class depends on a sensing service to be provided by the WD, a sensing service including at least one of object locality, object tracking, collision avoidance, object classification. In some embodiments, the sensing service priority is a priority to be applied by the WD between providing the sensing service and providing communications with at least one of the RAN node and another WD. In some embodiments, the radio interface is configured to at least one of receive from the CN node and transmit to the WD an allocation of priority between different QoSS classes. In some embodiments, the radio interface is configured to at least one of receive from the CN node and transmit to the WD, a first indication of at least one of a sensing signal transmission pattern, SSTP, and a sensing signal reception pattern, SSRP. In some embodiments, the radio interface is configured to at least one of receive from the CN node and transmit to the WD a second indication of a sensing signal repetition pattern. In some embodiments, the radio interface is configured to at least one of receive from the CN node and transmit to the WD a sensing resource allocation. In some embodiments, the radio interface is further configured to at least one of receive from the CN node and transmit to the WD, a second indication of an association between indicators and quality of service class identifiers, QCIs. In some embodiments, the indicator is based at least in part on at least one of a resource availability, a cell load and a number of WDs in a cell capable of both sensing and communications. In some embodiments, the method includes at least one of receiving from the CN node and transmitting to the WD the sensing resource allocation based at least in part on the association between indicators and quality of service class identifiers, QCIs.

[0033] According to yet another aspect, a method in a CN node includes transmitting to a RAN node an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability.

[0034] According to this aspect, in some embodiments, the indicator indicates to which of a plurality of quality of sensing service, QoSS, classes, the first set of at least one sensing service capability belongs. In some embodiments, a QoSS class depends on a sensing service to be provided by the WD, a sensing service being one of object locality, object tracking, collision avoidance, object classification. In some embodiments, the sensing service priority is a priority to be applied by the WD between providing the sensing service and providing communications with at least one of the RAN node and another WD. In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting to the RAN node an allocation of priority between different QoSS classes. In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting to the RAN node a first indication of at least one of a sensing signal transmission pattern, SSTP, and a sensing signal reception pattern, SSRP. In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting to the RAN node a second indication of a sensing signal repetition pattern. In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting to the RAN node a sensing resource allocation. In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting to the RAN node, a second indication of an association between indicators and quality of service class identifiers, QCIs. In some embodiments, the indicator is based at least in part on at least one of a resource availability, a cell load and a number of WDs in a cell capable of both sensing and communications. In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting to the RAN node the sensing resource allocation based at least in part on the association between indicators and quality of service class identifiers, QCIs.

[0035] According to yet another aspect, a core network, CN, node, configured to communicate with a radio access network, RAN, node is provided. The CN node a radio interface configured to transmit to the RAN node an indicator quality-of-sensing class indicator, QSCI, indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, an unambiguous range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a an unambiguous velocity range capability.

[0036] According to this aspect, in some embodiments, the QSCI indicator indicates to which of a plurality of quality of sensing service, QoSS, classes, the first set of at least one sensing service capability belongs. In some embodiments, a QoSS class depends on a sensing service to be provided by the WD, a sensing service being one of object locality, object tracking, collision avoidance, living being detection, object classification. In some embodiments, the sensing service priority is a priority to be applied by the WD between providing the sensing service and providing communications with at least one of the RAN node and another WD. In some embodiments, the radio interface is configured to transmit to the RAN node an allocation of priority between different QoSS classes. In some embodiments, the radio interface is configured to transmit to the RAN node a first indication of at least one of a sensing signal transmission pattern, SSTP, and a sensing signal reception pattern, SSRP. In some embodiments, the radio interface is configured to transmit to the RAN node a second indication of a sensing signal repetition pattern. In some embodiments, the radio interface is configured to transmit to the RAN node a sensing resource allocation. In some embodiments, the radio interface is configured to transmit to the RAN node, a second indication of an association between indicators and quality of service class identifiers, QCIs. In some embodiments, the indicator is based at least in part on at least one of a resource availability, a cell load and a number of WDs in a cell capable of both sensing and communications. In some embodiments, the radio interface is further configured to transmit to the RAN node the sensing resource allocation based at least in part on the association between indicators and quality of service class identifiers, QCIs.

[0037] According to another aspect, a computer program comprises instructions which, when executed on a processor of a wireless communication device, causes the wireless communication device to: at least one of receive from and transmit to the network node, a sensing service capability request; and in response to the at least one of the transmitting and receiving of the sensing service capability request, at least one of receive and transmit to the network node, an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability. According to another aspect, a computer program comprises instructions which, when executed on a processor of a radio access network, RAN, node, causes the RAN node to: at least one of receive from the CN node and transmit to the WD, a sensing service capability request; and in response to the at least one of the transmitting and receiving of the sensing service capability request, at least one of receive from the CN node and transmit to the WD , an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability.

[0038] According to yet another aspect, a computer program comprises instructions which, when executed on a processor of a core network, CN, node, causes the CN node to: transmit to the RAN node an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability.

[0039] According to still another aspect, a computer program product is provided and which comprises a computer program according to the aspects above and a computer readable storage medium on which the computer program is stored.

[0040] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] A more complete understanding of the present embodiments, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0042] FIG. 1 illustrates three sensing scenarios;

[0043] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example network architecture illustrating a communication system connected via an intermediate network to a host computer according to the principles in the present disclosure;

[0044] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a host computer communicating via a network node with a wireless device over an at least partially wireless connection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0045] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating example methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a network node and a wireless device for executing a client application at a wireless device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0046] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating example methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a network node and a wireless device for receiving user data at a wireless device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0047] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating example methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a network node and a wireless device for receiving user data from the wireless device at a host computer according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0048] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating example methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a network node and a wireless device for receiving user data at a host computer according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0049] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example process in a wireless device for quality of sensing service management;

[0050] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an example process in a network node for quality of sensing service management;

[0051] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an example process in a core network (CN) node for quality of sensing service management;

[0052] FIG. 11 illustrates two example sensing scenarios according to principles set forth herein;

[0053] FIG. 12 is a table of key performance indicator (KPI) values and ranges for different classes of sensing services according to principles disclosed herein;

[0054] FIG. 13 is a timing diagram illustrating an example communications exchange between a wireless device (WD), a RAN node or other network node and a core network node according to principles disclosed herein;

[0055] FIG. 14 is a table of bandwidths of sensing signals, gap between successive sensing signals and sensing frame duration according to principles disclosed herein;

[0056] FIG. 15 is an example of a computer program product and a computer program; and

[0057] FIG. 16 is an example of a processing system configured to store a computer program product and execute a computer program of the computer program product.

[0058] DETAILED DESCRIPTION Before describing in detail example embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus components and processing steps related to quality of sensing service management. Accordingly, components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description.

[0059] As used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second,” “top” and “bottom,” and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the concepts described herein. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and / or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0060] In embodiments described herein, the joining term, “in communication with” and the like, may be used to indicate electrical or data communication, which may be accomplished by physical contact, induction, electromagnetic radiation, radio signaling, infrared signaling or optical signaling, for example. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that multiple components may interoperate and modifications and variations are possible of achieving the electrical and data communication.

[0061] In some embodiments described herein, the term “coupled,” “connected,” and the like, may be used herein to indicate a connection, although not necessarily directly, and may include wired and / or wireless connections.

[0062] The term “network node” used herein may be any kind of network node comprised in a radio network which may further comprise any of base station (NN), radio base station, base transceiver station (BTS), base station controller (NNC), radio network controller (RNC), g Node B (gNB), evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB), Node B, multistandard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR NN, multi-cell / multicast coordination entity (MCE), integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, relay node, donor node controlling relay, radio access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, Remote Radio Unit (RRU) Remote Radio Head (RRH), a core network node (e.g., mobile management entity (MME), self-organizing network (SON) node, a coordinating node, positioning node, MDT node, etc.), an external node (e.g., 3rd party node, a node external to the current network), nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), a spectrum access system (SAS) node, an element management system (EMS), etc. The network node may also comprise test equipment. The term “radio node” used herein may be used to also denote a wireless device (WD) such as a wireless device (WD) or a radio network node.

[0063] In some embodiments, the non-limiting terms wireless device (WD) or a user equipment (WD) are used interchangeably. The WD herein may be any type of wireless device capable of communicating with a network node or another WD over radio signals, such as wireless device (WD). The WD may also be a radio communication device, target device, device to device (D2D) WD, machine type WD or WD capable of machine to machine communication (M2M), low-cost and / or low-complexity WD, a sensor equipped with WD, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (loT) device, or a Narrowband loT (NB-IOT) device, etc.

[0064] Also, in some embodiments the generic term “radio network node” is used. It may be any kind of a radio network node which may comprise any of base station, radio base station, base transceiver station, base station controller, network controller, RNC, evolved Node B (eNB), Node B, gNB, Multi-cell / multicast Coordination Entity (MCE), IAB node, relay node, access point, radio access point, Remote Radio Unit (RRU) Remote Radio Head (RRH).

[0065] Note that although terminology from one particular wireless system, such as, for example, 3GPP LTE and / or New Radio (NR), may be used in this disclosure, this should not be seen as limiting the scope of the disclosure to only the aforementioned system. Other wireless systems, including without limitation Wide Band Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), may also benefit from exploiting the ideas covered within this disclosure.

[0066] Note further, that functions described herein as being performed by a wireless device or a network node may be distributed over a plurality of wireless devices and / or network nodes. In other words, it is contemplated that the functions of the network node and wireless device described herein are not limited to performance by a single physical device and, in fact, may be distributed among several physical devices.

[0067] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0068] Some embodiments provide quality of sensing service management. Referring again to the drawing figures, in which like elements are referred to by like reference numerals, there is shown in FIG. 2 a schematic diagram of a communication system 10, according to an embodiment, such as a 3 GPP -type cellular network that may support standards such as LTE and / or NR (5G), which comprises an access network 12, such as a radio access network, and a core network 14 that includes a radio base station, herein referred to as network node 15 or CN node 15. The access network 12 comprises a plurality of network nodes, 16a, 16b, 16c (referred to collectively as network nodes 16 or as RAN nodes 16), such as NNs, eNgNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area 18a, 18b, 18c (referred to collectively as coverage areas 18). Each network node 16a, 16b, 16c is connectable to the core network 14 over a wired or wireless connection 20 via the network node 15. A first wireless device (WD) 22a located in coverage area 18a is configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding network node 16a. A second WD 22b in coverage area 18b is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding network node 16b. While a plurality of WDs 22a, 22b (collectively referred to as wireless devices 22) are illustrated in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to a situation where a sole WD is in the coverage area or where a sole WD is connecting to the corresponding network node 16. Note that although only two WDs 22 and three network nodes 16 are shown for convenience, the communication system may include many more WDs 22 and network nodes 16.

[0069] Also, it is contemplated that a WD 22 may be in simultaneous communication and / or configured to separately communicate with more than one network node 16 and more than one type of network node 16. For example, a WD 22 may have dual connectivity with a network node 16 that supports LTE and the same or a different network node 16 that supports NR. As an example, WD 22 may be in communication with an eNB for LTE / E-UTRAN and a gNB for NR / NG-RAN.

[0070] The communication system 10 may itself be connected to a host computer 24, which may be embodied in the hardware and / or software of a standalone server, a cloud- implemented server, a distributed server or as processing resources in a server farm. The host computer 24 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The connections 26, 28 between the communication system 10 and the host computer 24 may extend directly from the core network 14 to the host computer 24 or may extend via an optional intermediate network 30. The intermediate network 30 may be one of, or a combination of more than one of, a public, private or hosted network. The intermediate network 30, if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet. In some embodiments, the intermediate network 30 may comprise two or more sub-networks (not shown).

[0071] The communication system of FIG. 2 as a whole enables connectivity between one of the connected WDs 22a, 22b and the host computer 24. The connectivity may be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection. The host computer 24 and the connected WDs 22a, 22b are configured to communicate data and / or signaling via the OTT connection, using the access network 12, the core network 14, any intermediate network 30 and possible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. The OTT connection may be transparent in the sense that at least some of the participating communication devices through which the OTT connection passes are unaware of routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, a network node 16 may not or need not be informed about the past routing of an incoming downlink communication with data originating from a host computer 24 to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to a connected WD 22a. Similarly, the network node 16 need not be aware of the future routing of an outgoing uplink communication originating from the WD 22a towards the host computer 24.

[0072] A network node 16 is configured to include a RAN QoSS unit 32 which is configured to, in response to the at least one of the transmitting and receiving of the sensing service capability request, at least one of receive from the CN node and transmit to the WD, an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability.

[0073] A wireless device 22 is configured to include a WD QoSS unit 34 which is configured to, in response to the at least one of the transmitting and receiving of the sensing service capability request, at least one of receive from and transmit to the network node, an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability.

[0074] A CN node 15 is configured to include a CN QoSS unit 36 which is configured to transmit to the RAN node an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability.

[0075] Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the WD 22, network nodes 15 and 16 and host computer 24 discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to FIG. 3. In a communication system 10, a host computer 24 comprises hardware (HW) 38 including a communication interface 40 configured to set up and maintain a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of the communication system 10. The host computer 24 further comprises processing circuitry 42, which may have storage and / or processing capabilities. The processing circuitry 42 may include a processor 44 and memory 46. In particular, in addition to or instead of a processor, such as a central processing unit, and memory, the processing circuitry 42 may comprise integrated circuitry for processing and / or control, e.g., one or more processors and / or processor cores and / or FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuitry) adapted to execute instructions. The processor 44 may be configured to access (e.g., write to and / or read from) memory 46, which may comprise any kind of volatile and / or nonvolatile memory, e.g., cache and / or buffer memory and / or RAM (Random Access Memory) and / or ROM (Read-Only Memory) and / or optical memory and / or EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).

[0076] Processing circuitry 42 may be configured to control any of the methods and / or processes described herein and / or to cause such methods, and / or processes to be performed, e.g., by host computer 24. Processor 44 corresponds to one or more processors 44 for performing host computer 24 functions described herein. The host computer 24 includes memory 46 that is configured to store data, programmatic software code and / or other information described herein. In some embodiments, the software 48 and / or the host application 50 may include instructions that, when executed by the processor 44 and / or processing circuitry 42, causes the processor 44 and / or processing circuitry 42 to perform the processes described herein with respect to host computer 24. The instructions may be software associated with the host computer 24.

[0077] The software 48 may be executable by the processing circuitry 42. The software 48 includes a host application 50. The host application 50 may be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as a WD 22 connecting via an OTT connection 52 terminating at the WD 22 and the host computer 24. In providing the service to the remote user, the host application 50 may provide user data which is transmitted using the OTT connection 52. The “user data” may be data and information described herein as implementing the described functionality. In one embodiment, the host computer 24 may be configured for providing control and functionality to a service provider and may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The processing circuitry 42 of the host computer 24 may enable the host computer 24 to observe, monitor, control, transmit to and / or receive from the network node 16 and or the wireless device 22.

[0078] The communication system 10 further includes a network node 16 provided in a communication system 10 and including hardware 58 enabling it to communicate with the host computer 24 and with the WD 22. The hardware 58 may include a communication interface 60 for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of the communication system 10, as well as a radio interface 62 for setting up and maintaining at least a wireless connection 64 with a WD 22 located in a coverage area 18 served by the network node 16. The radio interface 62 may be formed as or may include, for example, one or more RF transmitters, one or more RF receivers, and / or one or more RF transceivers. The communication interface 60 may be configured to facilitate a connection 66 to the host computer 24. The connection 66 may be direct or it may pass through a core network 14 of the communication system 10 and / or through one or more intermediate networks 30 outside the communication system 10.

[0079] In the embodiment shown, the hardware 58 of the network node 16 further includes processing circuitry 68. The processing circuitry 68 may include a processor 70 and a memory 72. In particular, in addition to or instead of a processor, such as a central processing unit, and memory, the processing circuitry 68 may comprise integrated circuitry for processing and / or control, e.g., one or more processors and / or processor cores and / or FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuitry) adapted to execute instructions. The processor 70 may be configured to access (e.g., write to and / or read from) the memory 72, which may comprise any kind of volatile and / or nonvolatile memory, e.g., cache and / or buffer memory and / or RAM (Random Access Memory) and / or ROM (Read-Only Memory) and / or optical memory and / or EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).

[0080] Thus, the network node 16 further has software 74 stored internally in, for example, memory 72, or stored in external memory (e.g., database, storage array, network storage device, etc.) accessible by the network node 16 via an external connection. The software 74 may be executable by the processing circuitry 68. The processing circuitry 68 may be configured to control any of the methods and / or processes described herein and / or to cause such methods, and / or processes to be performed, e.g., by network node 16. Processor 70 corresponds to one or more processors 70 for performing network node 16 functions described herein. The memory 72 is configured to store data, programmatic software code and / or other information described herein. In some embodiments, the software 74 may include instructions that, when executed by the processor 70 and / or processing circuitry 68, causes the processor 70 and / or processing circuitry 68 to perform the processes described herein with respect to network node 16. For example, processing circuitry 68 of the network node 16 may include a RAN QoSS unit 32 which is configured to, in response to the at least one of the transmitting and receiving of the sensing service capability request, at least one of receive from the CN node and transmit to the WD, an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability.

[0081] The communication system 10 further includes the CN node 15. The CN node 15 includes processing circuitry (not shown) and a radio interface 94 that are configured and implemented in a manner as described above with respect to the hardware of a network node 16, but with different or additional functionality as described below. The CN node 15 is configured to include a CN QoSS unit 36 which is configured to transmit to the RAN node an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability.

[0082] The communication system 10 further includes the WD 22 already referred to. The WD 22 may have hardware 80 that may include a radio interface 82 configured to set up and maintain a wireless connection 64 with a network node 16 serving a coverage area 18 in which the WD 22 is currently located. The radio interface 82 may be formed as or may include, for example, one or more RF transmitters, one or more RF receivers, and / or one or more RF transceivers.

[0083] The hardware 80 of the WD 22 further includes processing circuitry 84. The processing circuitry 84 may include a processor 86 and memory 88. In particular, in addition to or instead of a processor, such as a central processing unit, and memory, the processing circuitry 84 may comprise integrated circuitry for processing and / or control, e.g., one or more processors and / or processor cores and / or FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuitry) adapted to execute instructions. The processor 86 may be configured to access (e.g., write to and / or read from) memory 88, which may comprise any kind of volatile and / or nonvolatile memory, e.g., cache and / or buffer memory and / or RAM (Random Access Memory) and / or ROM (Read-Only Memory) and / or optical memory and / or EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).

[0084] Thus, the WD 22 may further comprise software 90, which is stored in, for example, memory 88 at the WD 22, or stored in external memory (e.g., database, storage array, network storage device, etc.) accessible by the WD 22. The software 90 may be executable by the processing circuitry 84. The software 90 may include a client application 92. The client application 92 may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via the WD 22, with the support of the host computer 24. In the host computer 24, an executing host application 50 may communicate with the executing client application 92 via the OTT connection 52 terminating at the WD 22 and the host computer 24. In providing the service to the user, the client application 92 may receive request data from the host application 50 and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection 52 may transfer both the request data and the user data. The client application 92 may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides.

[0085] The processing circuitry 84 may be configured to control any of the methods and / or processes described herein and / or to cause such methods, and / or processes to be performed, e.g., by WD 22. The processor 86 corresponds to one or more processors 86 for performing WD 22 functions described herein. The WD 22 includes memory 88 that is configured to store data, programmatic software code and / or other information described herein. In some embodiments, the software 90 and / or the client application 92 may include instructions that, when executed by the processor 86 and / or processing circuitry 84, causes the processor 86 and / or processing circuitry 84 to perform the processes described herein with respect to WD 22. For example, the processing circuitry 84 of the wireless device 22 may include a WD QoSS unit 34 which is configured to, in response to the at least one of the transmitting and receiving of the sensing service capability request, at least one of receive from and transmit to the network node, an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability.

[0086] In some embodiments, the inner workings of the network node 16, WD 22, and host computer 24 may be as shown in FIG. 3 and independently, the surrounding network topology may be that of FIG. 2.

[0087] In FIG. 2, the OTT connection 52 has been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between the host computer 24 and the wireless device 22 via the network node 16, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices. Network infrastructure may determine the routing, which it may be configured to hide from the WD 22 or from the service provider operating the host computer 24, or both. While the OTT connection 52 is active, the network infrastructure may further take decisions by which it dynamically changes the routing (e.g., on the basis of load balancing consideration or reconfiguration of the network).

[0088] The wireless connection 64 between the WD 22 and the network node 16 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to the WD 22 using the OTT connection 52, in which the wireless connection 64 may form the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of some of these embodiments may improve the data rate, latency, and / or power consumption and thereby provide benefits such as reduced user waiting time, relaxed restriction on file size, better responsiveness, extended battery lifetime, etc.

[0089] In some embodiments, a measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency and other factors on which the one or more embodiments improve. There may further be an optional network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 52 between the host computer 24 and WD 22, in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and / or the network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 52 may be implemented in the software 48 of the host computer 24 or in the software 90 of the WD 22, or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association with communication devices through which the OTT connection 52 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above, or supplying values of other physical quantities from which software 48, 90 may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of the OTT connection 52 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not affect the network node 16, and it may be unknown or imperceptible to the network node 16. Some such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary WD signaling facilitating the host computer’s 24 measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like. In some embodiments, the measurements may be implemented in that the software 48, 90 causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or ‘dummy’ messages, using the OTT connection 52 while it monitors propagation times, errors, etc.

[0090] Thus, in some embodiments, the host computer 24 includes processing circuitry 42 configured to provide user data and a communication interface 40 that is configured to forward the user data to a cellular network for transmission to the WD 22. In some embodiments, the cellular network also includes the network node 16 with a radio interface 62. In some embodiments, the network node 16 is configured to, and / or the network node’s 16 processing circuitry 68 is configured to perform the functions and / or methods described herein for preparing / initiating / maintaining / supporting / ending a transmission to the WD 22, and / or preparing / terminating / maintaining / supporting / ending in receipt of a transmission from the WD 22.

[0091] In some embodiments, the host computer 24 includes processing circuitry 42 and a communication interface 40 that is configured to a communication interface 40 configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a WD 22 to a network node 16. In some embodiments, the WD 22 is configured to, and / or comprises a radio interface 82 and / or processing circuitry 84 configured to perform the functions and / or methods described herein for preparing / initiating / maintaining / supporting / ending a transmission to the network node 16, and / or preparing / terminating / maintaining / supporting / ending in receipt of a transmission from the network node 16.

[0092] Although FIGS. 2 and 3 show various “units” such as RAN QoSS unit 32, WD QoSS unit 34 and CN QoSS unit 36 as being within a respective processor, it is contemplated that these units may be implemented such that a portion of the unit is stored in a corresponding memory within the processing circuitry. In other words, the units may be implemented in hardware or in a combination of hardware and software within the processing circuitry.

[0093] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example method implemented in a communication system, such as, for example, the communication system of FIGS. 2 and 3, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system may include a host computer 24, a network node 16 and a WD 22, which may be those described with reference to FIG. 3. In a first step of the method, the host computer 24 provides user data (Block SI 00). In an optional substep of the first step, the host computer 24 provides the user data by executing a host application, such as, for example, the host application 50 (Block SI 02). In a second step, the host computer 24 initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the WD 22 (Block SI 04). In an optional third step, the network node 16 transmits to the WD 22 the user data which was carried in the transmission that the host computer 24 initiated, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure (Block SI 06). In an optional fourth step, the WD 22 executes a client application, such as, for example, the client application 92, associated with the host application 50 executed by the host computer 24 (Block SI 08).

[0094] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example method implemented in a communication system, such as, for example, the communication system of FIG. 2, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system may include a host computer 24, a network node 16 and a WD 22, which may be those described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. In a first step of the method, the host computer 24 provides user data (Block SI 10). In an optional substep (not shown) the host computer 24 provides the user data by executing a host application, such as, for example, the host application 50. In a second step, the host computer 24 initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the WD 22 (Block SI 12). The transmission may pass via the network node 16, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In an optional third step, the WD 22 receives the user data carried in the transmission (Block SI 14).

[0095] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example method implemented in a communication system, such as, for example, the communication system of FIG. 2, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system may include a host computer 24, a network node 16 and a WD 22, which may be those described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. In an optional first step of the method, the WD 22 receives input data provided by the host computer 24 (Block SI 16). In an optional substep of the first step, the WD 22 executes the client application 92, which provides the user data in reaction to the received input data provided by the host computer 24 (Block SI 18). Additionally or alternatively, in an optional second step, the WD 22 provides user data (Block S120). In an optional substep of the second step, the WD provides the user data by executing a client application, such as, for example, client application 92 (Block S122). In providing the user data, the executed client application 92 may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided, the WD 22 may initiate, in an optional third substep, transmission of the user data to the host computer 24 (Block S124). In a fourth step of the method, the host computer 24 receives the user data transmitted from the WD 22, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure (Block S126).

[0096] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example method implemented in a communication system, such as, for example, the communication system of FIG. 2, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system may include a host computer 24, a network node 16 and a WD 22, which may be those described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. In an optional first step of the method, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the network node 16 receives user data from the WD 22 (Block S128). In an optional second step, the network node 16 initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer 24 (Block S130). In a third step, the host computer 24 receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the network node 16 (Block SI 32).

[0097] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example process in a wireless device 22 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. One or more blocks described herein may be performed by one or more elements of wireless device 22 such as by one or more of processing circuitry 84 (including the WD QoSS unit 34), processor 86, radio interface 82 and / or communication interface 60. Wireless device 22 such as via processing circuitry 84 and / or processor 86 and / or radio interface 82 is configured to at least one of receive from and transmit to the network node, a sensing service capability request (Block SI 34). The process also includes in response to the at least one of the transmitting and receiving of the sensing service capability request, at least one of receive from and transmit to the network node, an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability (Block S136).

[0098] In some embodiments, the indicator indicates to which of a plurality of quality of sensing service, QoSS, classes, the first set of at least one sensing service capability belongs. In some embodiments, a QoSS class depends on a sensing service to be provided by the WD 22, a sensing service including at least one of object locality, object tracking, collision avoidance, object classification, object shape, object physical dimensions and object mobility state. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving from the network node a first indication of at least one of a sensing signal transmission pattern, SSTP, and a sensing signal reception pattern, SSRP, in response to the indicator transmitted by the WD 22. In some embodiments, the method also includes receiving from the network node a second indication of a sensing signal repetition pattern. In some embodiments, receiving from the network node a sensing resource allocation. In some embodiments, the method also includes receiving from the network node a request to configure the WD 22 with a second set of at least one sensing service capability, the second set being one of a same set as the first set and a set that is different from the first set. In some embodiments, the method also includes receiving from the network node a configuration to use a communication signal for passive sensing. In some embodiments, the network node is one of a radio access network, RAN, node and a core network (CN) node 15.

[0099] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an example process in a network node 16 for quality of sensing service management. One or more blocks described herein may be performed by one or more elements of network node 16 such as by one or more of processing circuitry 68 (including the RAN QoSS unit 32), processor 70, radio interface 62 and / or communication interface 60. Network node 16 such as via processing circuitry 68 and / or processor 70 and / or radio interface 62 and / or communication interface 60 is configured to at least one of receive from the CN node 15 and transmit to the WD 22, a sensing service capability request (Block S138). The process also includes, in response to the at least one of the transmitting and receiving of the sensing service capability request, at least one of receiving from the CN node 15 and transmitting to the WD 22, an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability (Block S140).

[0100] In some embodiments, the indicator indicates to which of a plurality of quality of sensing service, QoSS, classes, the first set of at least one sensing service capability belongs. In some embodiments, a QoSS class depends on a sensing service to be provided by the WD 22, a sensing service including at least one of object locality, object tracking, collision avoidance, object classification. In some embodiments, the sensing service priority is a priority to be applied by the WD 22 between providing the sensing service and providing communications with at least one of the RAN node and another WD 22. In some embodiments, the method includes at least one of receiving from the CN node 15 and transmitting to the WD 22 an allocation of priority between different QoSS classes. In some embodiments, the method includes at least one of receiving from the CN node 15 and transmitting to the WD 22, a first indication of at least one of a sensing signal transmission pattern, SSTP, and a sensing signal reception pattern, SSRP. In some embodiments, the method includes at least one of receiving from the CN node 15 and transmitting to the WD 22 a second indication of a sensing signal repetition pattern. In some embodiments, the method includes at least one of receiving from the CN node 15 and transmitting to the WD 22 a sensing resource allocation. In some embodiments, the method includes at least one of receiving from the CN node 15 and transmitting to the WD 22, a second indication of an association between indicators and quality of service class identifiers, QCIs. In some embodiments, the indicator is based at least in part on at least one of a resource availability, a cell load and a number of WDs in a cell capable of both sensing and communications. In some embodiments, the method includes at least one of receiving from the CN node 15 and transmitting to the WD 22 the sensing resource allocation based at least in part on the association between indicators and quality of service class identifiers, QCIs.

[0101] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an example process in a CN node 15 for quality of sensing service management. One or more blocks described herein may be performed by one or more elements of the CN node 15 such as by one or more of radio interface 94 (including the CN QoSS unit 36). The process includes transmitting to the RAN node an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability (Block S142).

[0102] In some embodiments, the indicator indicates to which of a plurality of quality of sensing service, QoSS, classes, the first set of at least one sensing service capability belongs. In some embodiments, a QoSS class depends on a sensing service to be provided by the WD 22, a sensing service being one of object locality, object tracking, collision avoidance, object classification. In some embodiments, the sensing service priority is a priority to be applied by the WD 22 between providing the sensing service and providing communications with at least one of the RAN node and another WD 22. In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting to the RAN node an allocation of priority between different QoSS classes. In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting to the RAN node a first indication of at least one of a sensing signal transmission pattern, SSTP, and a sensing signal reception pattern, SSRP. In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting to the RAN node a second indication of a sensing signal repetition pattern. In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting to the RAN node a sensing resource allocation. In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting to the RAN node, a second indication of an association between indicators and quality of service class identifiers, QCIs. In some embodiments, the indicator is based at least in part on at least one of a resource availability, a cell load and a number of WDs in a cell capable of both sensing and communications. In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting to the RAN node the sensing resource allocation based at least in part on the association between indicators and quality of service class identifiers, QCIs.

[0103] Having described the general process flow of arrangements of the disclosure and having provided examples of hardware and software arrangements for implementing the processes and functions of the disclosure, the sections below provide details and examples of arrangements for indicating quality of sensing service capabilities.

[0104] Embodiment # 1 : Method of allocating sensing radio resources based on QSCI In some embodiments, a network node 16 (e.g., serving network node 16 of the WD 22) in the RAN assigns radio resources to the WD 22 for performing the sensing operation in order to meet the quality of service requirement for the sensing based on the associated Quality of Sensing Class Identifier (QSCI).

[0105] As shown in FIG. 11, sensing in JCAS methods may use monostatic, bistatic or multistatic architectures, and each of these sensing mechanisms must be characterized by some quality parameters, such as range resolution, unambiguous range, velocity resolution and unambiguous velocity, as shown in the table of FIG. 12. Other examples of sensing quality parameters are the probability of false detection or missed detection active or passive objects. Such parameters may be added to table such as shown in FIG. 12.

[0106] In a bi-static case, either a WD 22 or a network node 16 such as the cellular network node 16 may act as the transmitter of the sensing signal. Similarly, both a network node 16 or a WD 22 may serve as the receiver of the sensing signal. As an example, when a WD 22 is the sensing transmitter (Tx) and the serving network node 16 is sensing receiver (Rx), the WD 22 may use UL resources (e.g., one or more UL resource elements and / or resource blocks within one or more time-resources such as symbols, slots, subframes, frames, etc.) for sensing signal transmission. Such UL sensing signal may be multiplexed with UL communications signals (e.g., either physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmissions) in the time, frequency, or spatial domain. In the mono-static case, the cellular network node 16 may act as both the Tx and Rx entity of the sensing signal.

[0107] More generally, the term communication signal may comprise any type of signal or radio signal used for operation (e.g., transmission and / or reception) between a WD 22 and a network node 16 in any wireless communication operation e.g., cellular system such as 5G-NR, etc.

[0108] More generally, the term sensing signal may comprise any type of signal or radio signal used for operation (e.g., transmission and / or reception) between a radio node and a sensing device or between a radio node and an object for the purpose of sensing etc. The sensing signal may also be called as radar signal. The radio node may be a WD 22 or a network node 16 such as a network node 16, access point etc.

[0109] An example sequence diagram for the management of the quality of the sensing service is shown in FIG. 13, according to some embodiments. The procedure starts with either a WD 22 application or an entity (e.g. AMF) in a core network (CN) requesting a certain sensing service. In the former case, the WD 22 sends the request to an entity in the CN. In the latter case, the entity in the CN sends the request to the WD 22 to start the sensing service. For example, a vehicle or a human user may start some application on a device e.g., a WD 22. Such a WD 22 may be either currently served by a first network node 16 (NW1 16) (e.g., a base station) within the RAN or it may be remotely connected to a second network node 16 (NW2 15) (e.g., AMF, MME, etc.) in the CN (3rd party). In one example such a sensing service request sent by the WD 22 or by the may use the same non-access stratum (NAS) signaling, for communication between the WD 22 and NW2 16, as used for requesting communication or connectivity services. In another example, for communication between the WD 22 and NW2 16, the sensing service request may use a different signaling mechanism or protocol that may be dedicated for requesting the sensing services.

[0110] Next, NW2 15 in the CN requests NW 1 16 in the RAN a sensing radio access bearer either separately or using an extended existing signaling procedure specified for e.g., requesting radio access bearers (RAB) from a network node 16 (e.g., base station (network node)) in the RAN shown in FIG. 11. At this point, NW1 16 in the RAN extracts the signaled QSCI and consults the tables in FIGS. 12 and 14

[0111] As indicated in the table of FIG. 12, the QSCI values may at least indicate priority, range resolution, unambiguous range, velocity resolution and unambiguous velocity. The priority value may be used by the RAN similarly to the priority value associated with the standardized QCI values for radio access bearers for communication purposes in cellular systems e.g., LTE, NR, etc.

[0112] For example, the priority value may be used by the scheduler of NW1 16 in the RAN (e.g., NN, gNB, etc.) when scheduling the WD 22 with radio resources (e.g., number of resource blocks, time resources, transmit power, bandwidth, etc.) in the uplink and / or in the downlink for sensing purpose. The table of FIG. 12 may also be used by NW1 16 in the RAN (e.g., NN, gNB, etc.) for semi-statically allocating the WD 22 with radio resources for a periodic or semi-persistent sensing signal transmission pattern (SSTP) and / or for sensing signal reception pattern (SSRP).

[0113] In some embodiments, the radio resources in the SSTP and in SSRP are allocated for sensing signal transmission and reception respectively with certain periodicity, e.g., once every 40 ms, etc. The SSTP and SSRP may be configured to start at certain reference time (Tr) e.g., current time of the WD 22, certain UTC time, cell timing such as SFN # XI, slot number #X2, subframe number # X3 etc. The SSTP and SSRP may also end after certain number of periodic occasions and / or after a certain time period (Te) with respect to the Tr. The WD 22 may transmit the sensing signal (e.g., reference signal such as SSB, etc., a channel containing higher layer data or control, etc.) using the radio resources scheduled or allocated within the SSTP. The WD 22 may also receive the sensing signal using the radio resources scheduled or allocated within the SSRP.

[0114] The range and velocity parameters associated with the requested sensing service (e.g., certain QSCI) may be used by NW1 16 in the RAN (e.g., NN, gNB, etc.) to determine the required radio resources (e.g., resources within the configured SSRP, SSTP, etc.) for sensing according to the table in FIG. 14

[0115] Embodiment # 2 Method of adapting radio resources based on QCI and QSCI

[0116] In some embodiments, it is assumed that the NW 1 16 in the RAN has been requested (e.g., by NW2 15 in the CN) to assign: a first set of the radio resources (RR1) to the WD 22 for communication services based on the legacy or traditional QCI and a second set of the radio resources (RR2) to the WD 22 for sensing services based on the QSCI (as described above for Embodiment # 1.) The QCI herein is referred to as the QoS class identifier the communication service:

[0117] • In a first scenario, the requests for allocating RR1 and RR2 may be received by NW 1 16 at different times: o In one example, the request is received by NW 1 16 to assign RR2 while the WD 22 is already allocated RR1 for performing the communication operation (e.g., reception and / or transmission of the communication signal such as physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), etc. The WD 22 may have started or is going to start the communication service based on the allocated RR1; o In another example, the request is received by NW 1 16 to assign RR1 while the WD 22 is already allocated RR2 for performing the sensing operation (e.g., reception and / or transmission of the sensing signal). The WD 22 may have started or is going to start the sensing service based on the allocated RR2;

[0118] • In a second scenario the requests for allocating RR1 and RR2 may be received by NW1 16 at the same time or during partly overlapping time periods, e.g., from the same or different entities or nodes in the CN.

[0119] In the above scenarios the WD 22 may perform the communication and the sensing operations during at least partially overlapping times. For simplicity, this is referred to as the simultaneous sensing and communication operation. The allocated radio resources for the two services may still be orthogonal in time and / or in frequency domains.

[0120] In the above scenarios, the QCI and / or QSCI of the requested communication and sensing services respectively may be associated with very high quality of service. In this case, the NW1 16 (e.g., base station serving the WD 22) may not always be able to allocate the necessary radio resources for enabling both communication and sensing services to meet their respective high quality of service requirements. For example, the allocation of the radio resources to the WD 22 may depend on one or more of the following with respect to the NW1 16: the available radio resources (e.g., cell capacity), the currently available radio resources or the expected available radio resources over the next certain time period, number of users served by NW1 16, etc. In some embodiments, the NW 1 16 may adapt the radio resources allocated for the communication service and / or for the sensing service based on one or more rules. The rules may be pre-defined, or semi-statically configured by a network node 16 (e.g., by the NW2 15). The rules may define a relation or association between QCI and QSCI when both communication and sensing services are performed during at least partially overlapping time periods. This may further require negotiation (e.g., exchange of signaling messages) between the NW 1 16 and one or more entities, such as NW2 15 in the CN or between the WD 22 and one or more entities, such as NW2 15 in the CN etc.

[0121] In some embodiments, one or more entities in the CN (e.g., NW2 15) and / or the WD 22 requesting the communication and sensing services may adapt the QCI and / or QSCI of the ongoing services or of the service(s) to be requested based on one or more rules. As stated above, the rules may define a relation or association between QCI and QSCI when both communication and sensing services are performed during at least partially overlapping time periods. This may further require negotiation (e.g., exchange of signaling messages) between multiples entities (e.g., nodes managing QCI and QSCI) in the CN or between the WD 22 and one or more entities, such as the, NW2 15, in the CN.

[0122] An example of a rule associating a set of QSCI and a set of QCI is illustrated in Table 1, below.

[0123] TABLE 1

[0124] Table 1 associates QSCI values for sensing service (based on their requirements on maximum range, range resolution, maximum velocity, velocity resolution, etc.) and QCI values for communication service (based on their requirements on packet delay budget, tolerated maximum packet loss rate, maximum data burst volume, data rate averaging window, etc.). The mapping may be used for QCI and / or QSCI adaptations during the simultaneous sensing and communication operational scenario.

[0125] It is assumed that the smallest QSCI value corresponds to the most stringent QoS requirement associated with the sensing service and the largest QSCI value corresponds to the least stringent (or most relaxed) QoS requirement associated with the sensing service. This is also shown in the tables of FIGS. 12 and 14. It may be assumed that the smallest QCI value corresponds to the most stringent QoS requirement associated with the communication service (e.g., GBR for high resolution video) and the largest QCI value corresponds to the least stringent (or most relaxed) QoS requirement associated with the communication service (e.g., non-GBR for best effort packet transmission). Table 1 shows that NW 1 16 may allocate radio resources to the WD 22 for the sensing operation for enabling the WD 22 to meet the sensing service requirement associated with QSCI=1, but may allocate limited radio resources to the same WD 22 for communication operation for enabling the WD 22 to meet at most the communication service requirement associated with QCI=1.

[0126] In one example, the rules (e.g., the mapping table) may be pre-defined (e.g., it may be static based on the base station radio resource capacity). In another example, the rules (e.g., mapping table) may be updated semi-statically or even dynamically based on the available radio resources, cell load such as number of WDs 22 served by the cell, number of WDs 22 using radio resourced for both sensing and communication services in the cell, etc. The mapping table may for example be created by NW1 16 and the information related to the mapping table may be signaled to one or more entities in the CN and / or to the WD 22. In another example, the one or more entities in the CN may transmit the information related to the mapping table to the WD 22.

[0127] In one example, the WD 22 and / or the one or more entities in the CN may determine or adapt (if already in use) QSCI and / or QCI based on the mapping table considering the limitation of the radio resources in the cell. Therefore, in this case the NW1 16 may typically receive a request from the one or more entities in the CN to assign the radio resources to the WD 22 that may be provided by the NW 1 16. The NW 1 16, upon receiving the request, further allocates the radio resources to the WD 22 for both sensing operation and the communication operation according to the requested QoS requirements for both type of services.

[0128] In another example, the WD 22 and / or the one or more entities in the CN may request the NW 1 16 to allocate the radio resources without taking into account any relation / mapping between QSCI and QCI. In this case, depending on the amount of radio resources required, the NW 1 16 may not directly allocate the radio resources to the WD 22 for sensing operation and the communication operation. For example, the NW1 16 may recommend that it may allocate the radio resources for sensing operation and the communication operation to the WD 22 according to the mapping between the set of QSCI and the set of QCI. In one example, the one or more entities in the CN may adapt the values of QSCI and / or QCI and based on the adapted values send an updated request for allocating radio resources to the NW 1 16. In another example, the one or more entities in the CN may decide to relinquish one of the two services (sensing or communication) and inform the NW 1 16 to allocate the radio resources only for the service which has been retained. In the latter example, the service which may not be managed with lower QCI or QSCI may be retained while the other one may be relinquished. In both scenarios, the one or more entities in the CN may adapt the values of QSCI and / or QCI or relinquish one of the two services autonomously or after communicating with the WD 22 (e.g., via non- access stratum (NAS) signaling).

[0129] As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the concepts described herein may be embodied as a method, data processing system, computer program product and / or computer storage media storing an executable computer program. FIG. 15 shows one example of a computer program product 96 comprising computer readable means. On this computer readable means, a computer program 98 can be stored in a non-transitory memory. The computer program can cause processing circuitry to execute a method according to embodiments described herein. In this example, the computer program product 96 is in the form of a removable solid-state memory, e.g. a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive. As explained above, the computer program product could also be embodied in a memory of a device. While the computer program 98 is here schematically shown as a section of the removable solid-state memory, the computer program can be stored in any way which is suitable for the computer program product, such as another type of removable solid-state memory, or an optical disc, such as a CD (compact disc), a DVD (digital versatile disc) or a Blu-Ray disc.

[0130] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating components of a processing system 100 configurable to read the computer program 98 and execute instructions of the computer program 98, according to one embodiment. Processing system 100 may include all or a part of the corresponding elements of network node 16 and / or wireless device 22 shown in FIG. 3 or may be implemented in other system elements. Processing circuitry 102 is provided using any combination of one or more of a suitable central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), multiprocessor, neural processing unit (NPU), microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), etc. capable of executing software instructions 104 stored in a memory 106, which can thus be a computer program product 96. The processing circuitry 102 could alternatively be implemented using an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc. The processing circuitry 102 can be configured to execute embodiments of the methods described herein. The processing circuitry may also be configured to access remote, local or other memory 108 which may include operating system instructions. The memory 106 and / or memory 108 can be any combination of random-access memory (RAM) and / or read-only memory (ROM). The memory 106 may also comprise non-transitory persistent storage, which, for example, can be any single one or combination of magnetic memory, optical memory, solid-state memory or even remotely mounted memory. The processing circuitry 102 may also be in communication with an input / output (I / O) interface 110 to enable user interaction with the processing system 100. Thus, some embodiments include a computer program product 96 and a computer program 98 and a computer readable means comprising non-transitory memory in which the computer program (98) is stored. The computer program 98 includes computer instructions that when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform any of the methods disclosed herein.

[0131] Accordingly, the concepts described herein may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects all generally referred to herein as a “circuit” or “module.” Any process, step, action and / or functionality described herein may be performed by, and / or associated to, a corresponding module, which may be implemented in software and / or firmware and / or hardware. Furthermore, the disclosure may take the form of a computer program product on a tangible computer usable storage medium having computer program code embodied in the medium that may be executed by a computer. Any suitable tangible computer readable medium may be utilized including hard disks, CD-ROMs, electronic storage devices, optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices.

[0132] Some embodiments are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, systems and computer program products. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, may be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer (to thereby create a special purpose computer), special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0133] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable memory or storage medium that may direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function / act specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0134] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0135] It is to be understood that the functions / acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the operational illustrations. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality / acts involved. Although some of the diagrams include arrows on communication paths to show a primary direction of communication, it is to be understood that communication may occur in the opposite direction to the depicted arrows.

[0136] Computer program code for carrying out operations of the concepts described herein may be written in an object oriented programming language such as Python, Java® or C++. However, the computer program code for carrying out operations of the disclosure may also be written in conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments may be combined in any way and / or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.

[0137] Abbreviations that may be used in the preceding description include:

[0138] AMF Access and Mobility Management Function

[0139] JCAS Joint communication and sensing

[0140] NAS Non-Access Stratum

[0141] PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel

[0142] QoSS Quality of Sensing Service

[0143] QSCI Quality of Sensing Class Identifier

[0144] RSRP Reference Signal Received Power

[0145] SFN System Frame Number

[0146] SL Sidelink

[0147] SNR Signal to Noise Ratio

[0148] UE User Equipment

[0149] UL Uplink

[0150] WD Wireless Device

[0151] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein are not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method performed by a wireless device, WD (22), configured to communicate with a network node (16), the method comprising: at least one of receiving from and transmitting to (SI 34) the network node (16), a sensing service capability request; and in response to the at least one of the transmitting and receiving (SI 36) of the sensing service capability request, at least one of receiving from and transmitting to the network node (16), an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability.

2. The method of Claim 1, wherein the indicator indicates to which of a plurality of quality of sensing service, QoSS, classes, the first set of at least one sensing service capability belongs.

3. The method of Claim 2, wherein a QoSS class depends on a sensing service to be provided by the WD (22), a sensing service including at least one of object locality, object tracking, collision avoidance, object classification, object shape, object physical dimensions and object mobility state.

4. The method of any of Claims 1-3, comprising receiving from the network node (16) a first indication of at least one of a sensing signal transmission pattern, SSTP, and a sensing signal reception pattern, SSRP, in response to the indicator transmitted by the WD (22).

5. The method of any of Claims 1-4, comprising receiving from the network node (16) a second indication of a sensing signal repetition pattern.

6. The method of any of Claims 1-5, comprising receiving from the network node (16) a sensing resource allocation.

7. The method of any of Claims 1-6, comprising receiving from the network node (16) a request to configure the WD (22) with a second set of at least one sensingservice capability, the second set being one of a same set as the first set and a set that is different from the first set.

8. The method of any of Claims 1-7, comprising receiving from the network node (16) a configuration to use a communication signal for passive sensing.

9. The method of any of Claims 1-8, wherein the network node (16) is one of a radio access network, RAN, node and a core network, CN, node (15).

10. A wireless device, WD (22), configured to communicate with a radio access network node (16), the WD (22) comprising a radio interface (82) configured to: at least one of receive from and transmit to the network node, a sensing service capability request; and in response to the at least one of the transmitting and receiving of the sensing service capability request, at least one of receive from and transmit to the network node (16), an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability.

11. The WD (22) of Claim 10, wherein the indicator indicates to which of a plurality of quality of sensing service, QoSS, classes, the first set of at least one sensing service capability belongs.

12. The WD (22) of Claim 11, wherein a QoSS class depends on a sensing service to be provided by the WD (22), a sensing service being one of object locality, object tracking, collision avoidance, object classification.

13. The WD (22) of any of Claims 10-12, wherein the radio interface (82) is configured to receive from the network node (16) a first indication of at least one of a sensing signal transmission pattern, SSTP, and a sensing signal reception pattern, SSRP, in response to the indicator transmitted by the WD (22).

14. The WD (22) of any of Claims 10-13, wherein the radio interface (82) isconfigured to receive from the network node (16) a second indication of a sensing signal repetition pattern.

15. The WD (22) of any of Claims 10-14, wherein the radio interface (82) is configured to receive from the network node (16) a sensing resource allocation.

16. The WD (22) of any of Claims 10-15, wherein the radio interface (82) is configured to receive from the network node (16) a request to configure the WD (22) with a second set of at least one sensing service capability, the second set being one of a same set as the first set and a set that is different from the first set.

17. The WD (22) of any of Claims 10-16, wherein the radio interface (82) is configured to receive from the network node (16) a configuration to use a communication signal for passive sensing.

18. The WD (22) of any of Claims 10-17, wherein the network node (16) is one of a radio access network, RAN, node (16) and a core network, CN, node (15).

19. A method in a radio access network, RAN, node (16) configured to communicate with a WD (22) and a core network, CN, node (15), the method comprising: at least one of receiving (SI 38) from the CN node (15) and transmitting to the WD (22), a sensing service capability request; and in response to the at least one of the transmitting and receiving of the sensing service capability request, at least one of receiving (S140) from the CN node (15) and transmitting to the WD (22), an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability.

20. The method of Claim 19, wherein the indicator indicates to which of a plurality of quality of sensing service, QoSS, classes, the first set of at least one sensing service capability belongs.

21. The method of Claim 20, wherein a QoSS class depends on a sensingservice to be provided by the WD (22), a sensing service including at least one of object locality, object tracking, collision avoidance, object classification.

22. The method of Claim 21, wherein the sensing service priority is a priority to be applied by the WD (22) between providing the sensing service and providing communications with at least one of the RAN node (16) and another WD (22).

23. The method of any of Claims 20-22, comprising at least one of receiving from the CN node (15) and transmitting to the WD (22) an allocation of priority between different QoSS classes.

24. The method of any of Claims 19-23, comprising at least one of receiving from the CN node (15) and transmitting to the WD (22), a first indication of at least one of a sensing signal transmission pattern, SSTP, and a sensing signal reception pattern, SSRP.

25. The method of any of Claims 19-24, comprising at least one of receiving from the CN node (15) and transmitting to the WD (22) a second indication of a sensing signal repetition pattern.

26. The method of any of Claims 19-25, comprising at least one of receiving from the CN node (15) and transmitting to the WD (22) a sensing resource allocation.

27. The method of any of Claims 19-26, comprising at least one of receiving from the CN node (15) and transmitting to the WD (22), a second indication of an association between indicators and quality of service class identifiers, QCIs.

28. The method of any of Claims 19-27, wherein the indicator is based at least in part on at least one of a resource availability, a cell load and a number of WDs (22) in a cell capable of both sensing and communications.

29. The method of any of Claims 19-28, comprising at least one of receiving from the CN node (15) and transmitting to the WD (22) the sensing resource allocation based at least in part on the association between indicators and quality of service class identifiers, QCIs.

30. A radio access network, RAN, node (16) configured to communicate with a WD (22) and a core network, CN, node, the RAN node (16) comprising a radio interface (62) configured to: at least one of receive from the CN node (15) and transmit to the WD (22), a sensing service capability request; and in response to the at least one of the transmitting and receiving of the sensing service capability request, at least one of receive from the CN node (15) and transmit to the WD (22), an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability.

31. The RAN node (16) of Claim 30, wherein the indicator indicates to which of a plurality of quality of sensing service, QoSS, classes, the first set of at least one sensing service capability belongs.

32. The RAN node (16) of Claim 31, wherein a QoSS class depends on a sensing service to be provided by the WD (22), a sensing service including at least one of object locality, object tracking, collision avoidance, object classification.

33. The RAN node (16) of Claim 32, wherein the sensing service priority is a priority to be applied by the WD (22) between providing the sensing service and providing communications with at least one of the RAN node (16) and another WD (22).

34. The RAN node (16) of any of Claims 31-33, wherein the radio interface (62) is configured to at least one of receive from the CN node (15) and transmit to the WD (22) an allocation of priority between different QoSS classes.

35. The RAN node (16) of any of Claims 30-34, wherein the radio interface (62) is configured to at least one of receive from the CN node (15) and transmit to the WD (22), a first indication of at least one of a sensing signal transmission pattern, SSTP, and a sensing signal reception pattern, SSRP.

36. The RAN node (16) of any of Claims 30-35, wherein the radio interface(62) is configured to at least one of receive from the CN node (15) and transmit to the WD (22) a second indication of a sensing signal repetition pattern.

37. The RAN node (16) of any of Claims 30-36, wherein the radio interface (62) is configured to at least one of receive from the CN node (15) and transmit to the WD (22) a sensing resource allocation.

38. The RAN node (16) of any of Claims 30-37, wherein the radio interface (62) is configured to at least one of receive from the CN node (15) and transmit to the WD (22), a second indication of an association between indicators and quality of service class identifiers, QCIs.

39. The RAN node (16) of any of Claims 30-38, wherein the indicator is based at least in part on at least one of a resource availability, a cell load and a number of WDs (22) in a cell capable of both sensing and communications.

40. The RAN node (16) of any of Claims 30-39, comprising at least one of receiving from the CN node (15) and transmitting to the WD (22) the sensing resource allocation based at least in part on the association between indicators and quality of service class identifiers, QCIs.

41. A method in a core network, CN, node (15), configured to communicate with a radio access network, RAN, node (16), the method comprising: transmitting (SI 42) to the RAN node (16) an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability.

42. The method of Claim 40, wherein the indicator indicates to which of a plurality of quality of sensing service, QoSS, classes, the first set of at least one sensing service capability belongs.

43. The method of Claim 41, wherein a QoSS class depends on a sensing service to be provided by the WD (22), a sensing service being one of object locality, object tracking, collision avoidance, object classification.

44. The method of Claim 42, wherein the sensing service priority is a priority to be applied by the WD (22) between providing the sensing service and providing communications with at least one of the RAN node (16) and another WD (22).

45. The method of any of Claims 41-43, comprising transmitting to the RAN node (16) an allocation of priority between different QoSS classes.

46. The method of any of Claims 40-44, comprising transmitting to the RAN node (16) a first indication of at least one of a sensing signal transmission pattern, SSTP, and a sensing signal reception pattern, SSRP.

47. The method of any of Claims 40-45, comprising transmitting to the RAN node (16) a second indication of a sensing signal repetition pattern.

48. The method of any of Claims 40-46, comprising transmitting to the RAN node (16) a sensing resource allocation.

49. The method of any of Claims 40-47, comprising transmitting to the RAN node (16), a second indication of an association between indicators and quality of service class identifiers, QCIs.

50. The method of any of Claims 47-48, wherein the indicator is based at least in part on at least one of a resource availability, a cell load and a number of WD (22) in a cell capable of both sensing and communications.

51. The method of any of Claims 47-48, comprising transmitting to the RAN node (16) the sensing resource allocation based at least in part on the association between indicators and quality of service class identifiers, QCIs.

52. A core network, CN, node (15), configured to communicate with a radioaccess network, RAN, node (16), the CN node (15) comprising a radio interface (94) configured to: transmit to the RAN node (16) an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability.

53. The CN node (15) of Claim 51, wherein the indicator indicates to which of a plurality of quality of sensing service, QoSS, classes, the first set of at least one sensing service capability belongs.

54. The CN node (15) of Claim 52, wherein a QoSS class depends on a sensing service to be provided by the WD (22), a sensing service being one of object locality, object tracking, collision avoidance, object classification.

55. The CN node (15) of Claim 53, wherein the sensing service priority is a priority to be applied by the WD (22) between providing the sensing service and providing communications with at least one of the RAN node (16) and another WD (22).

56. The CN node (15) of any of Claims 52-54, wherein the radio interface (94) is configured to transmit to the RAN node (16) an allocation of priority between different QoSS classes.

57. The CN node (15) of any of Claims 51-55, wherein the radio interface (94) is configured to transmit to the RAN node (16) a first indication of at least one of a sensing signal transmission pattern, SSTP, and a sensing signal reception pattern, SSRP.

58. The CN node (15) of any of Claims 51-56, wherein the radio interface (94) is configured to transmit to the RAN node (16) a second indication of a sensing signal repetition pattern.

59. The CN node (15) of any of Claims 51-57, wherein the radio interface (94) is configured to transmit to the RAN node (16) a sensing resource allocation.

60. The CN node (15) of any of Claims 51-58, wherein the radio interface (94) is configured to transmit to the RAN node (16), a second indication of an association between indicators and quality of service class identifiers, QCIs.

61. The CN node (15) of any of Claims 51-59, wherein the indicator is based at least in part on at least one of a resource availability, a cell load and a number of WD (22) in a cell capable of both sensing and communications.

62. The CN node (15) of any of Claims 51-60, comprising transmitting to the RAN node (16) the sensing resource allocation based at least in part on the association between indicators and quality of service class identifiers, QCIs.

63. A computer program (98) comprising instructions which, when executed on a processor of a wireless communication device, causes the wireless communication device to: at least one of receive from and transmit to (S134) a network node (16), a sensing service capability request; and in response to the at least one of the transmitting and receiving (SI 36) of the sensing service capability request, at least one of receive and transmit to the network node (16), an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability.

64. A computer program (98) comprising instructions which, when executed on a processor of a radio access network, RAN, node (16), causes the RAN node (16) to: at least one of receive (SI 38) from a core network, CN, node (15) and transmit to a wireless device, WD, (22), a sensing service capability request; and in response to the at least one of the transmitting and receiving of the sensing service capability request, at least one of receive (SI 40) from the CN node (15) and transmit to the WD (22), an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability.

65. A computer program (98) comprising instructions which, when executed on a processor of a core network, CN, node (15), causes the CN node (15) to: transmit (S142) to a radio access network, RAN, node (16) an indicator indicating a first set of at least one sensing service capability, a sensing service capability being one of a sensing service priority, a sensing resource availability, a range resolution capability, a range capability, a velocity resolution capability and a velocity range capability.

66. A computer program product (96) comprising a computer program (98) according to any of Claims 63-65 and a computer readable storage medium on which the computer program (98) is stored.

Images