Apparatus, method, and computer program

Abstract

A wireless communication network may deploy sensing services for intrusion detecting, supporting autonomous driving and environment, weather or health monitoring, for example. In order to enable this

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various examples described in this subject disclosure generally relate to apparatus, methods, and computer programs, and more particularly (but not exclusively) to apparatus, methods and computer programs for apparatuses. Background

[0002] A communication system can be seen as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities such as communication devices, base stations and / or other nodes by providing carriers between the various entities involved in the communications path.

[0003] The communication system may be a wireless communication system. Examples of wireless systems comprise public land mobile networks (PLMN) operating based on radio standards such as those provided by 3GPP, satellite based communication systems and different wireless local networks, for example wireless local area networks (WLAN). The wireless systems can typically be divided into cells, and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems.

[0004] The communication system and associated devices operate in accordance with a given set of standards or specifications that set out what the various entities associated with the system are permitted to do and how that is to be achieved. Communication protocols and / or parameters that are to be used for the connection are also typically defined. Examples of standards are the so-called 5G standards. Summary

[0005] Several aspects of the various examples described in the subject disclosure are detailed as follows:

[0006] According to a first aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing: receiving a first request to provide a sensing service to a sensing client, the first request comprising an indication of at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service; signalling, to a network node, a second request to receive an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil the at least one requirement; receiving the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability; and selecting at least one of the at least one access nodes for providing the sensing service using the received indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability.

[0007] The apparatus may further comprise means for performing: signalling, to a network repository function, a third request for an identification of the network node, the third request comprising an indication of a geographical or administrative area in which the sensing service is to be performed; and receiving, from the network repository function, an identification of the network node prior to signalling the second request.

[0008] The third request may further comprise the at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service.

[0009] The apparatus may further comprise means for performing: receiving an indication of a change in at least one of the respective sensing capabilities associated with a selected access node; and determining whether to deselect the selected access node for providing the sensing service using the received indication of the change.

[0010] The apparatus may further comprise means for performing: determining a sensing configuration to be deployed by a selected access node using the received indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability; providing the sensing configuration to the selected access node; receiving, from the selected access node, measurement data in accordance with the sensing configuration; processing the measurement data to perform to produce an output that complies with the at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service; and providing the output to the sensing client.

[0011] The apparatus may further comprise means for performing: receiving an indication of a change in at least one of the respective sensing capabilities associated with a selected access node; determining whether to reconfigure the sensing configuration provided to the selected access node for providing the sensing service using the received indication of the change; and providing a reconfigured version of the sensing configuration to the selected access node when it is determined to reconfigure the sensing configuration.

[0012] According to a second aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing: receiving, from another apparatus, a second request to provide a sensing management function with an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil at least one requirement of a sensing service to be provided by the sensing management function; and causing the sensing management function to be provided with the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability.

[0013] The means for causing may further comprise means for performing: signalling the second request to at least one of an access node or a radio access network repository function; receiving the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability from the signalled access node and / or radio access network repository function after signalling the second request to the at least one of an access node or a radio access network repository function; and signalling the indication to the another apparatus.

[0014] The means for causing may further comprise means for performing: determining the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability using sensing capability information received from at least one access node and / or radio access network repository function; and signalling the indication to the another apparatus.

[0015] The apparatus may further comprise means for performing: receiving the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability from an access node and / or a network function prior to receiving the second request.

[0016] The apparatus may further comprise means for performing: registering, at a network repository function, an indication indicating whether the apparatus can support at least one sensing service to a sensing client, and an indication of at least one type of support of the sensing service that the apparatus can provide to a sensing client.

[0017] The apparatus may further comprise means for performing: determining that there has been a change in at least one of the respective sensing capabilities associated with at least one of said access nodes identified in the indication; and providing the another apparatus with another indication that identifies the change.

[0018] The apparatus may comprise at least one of: an access and mobility function, a radio access network repository function, or an access node.

[0019] According to a third aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing: providing, to a network node, an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil at least one requirement of a sensing service to be provided by a sensing management function.

[0020] The indication may be provided to the network node during a registration process and / or during an update process.

[0021] The network node may comprise at least one of a network repository function, a radio access network repository function, an access network node, or an access and mobility function.

[0022] The apparatus may be comprised in an access network node.

[0023] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising code that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform: receiving a first request to provide a sensing service to a sensing client, the first request comprising an indication of at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service; signalling, to a network node, a second request to receive an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil the at least one requirement; receiving the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability; and selecting at least one of the at least one access nodes for providing the sensing service using the received indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability.

[0024] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: signalling, to a network repository function, a third request for an identification of the network node, the third request comprising an indication of a geographical or administrative area in which the sensing service is to be performed; and receiving, from the network repository function, an identification of the network node prior to signalling the second request.

[0025] The third request may further comprise the at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service.

[0026] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: receiving an indication of a change in at least one of the respective sensing capabilities associated with a selected access node; and determining whether to deselect the selected access node for providing the sensing service using the received indication of the change.

[0027] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: determining a sensing configuration to be deployed by a selected access node using the received indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability; providing the sensing configuration to the selected access node; receiving, from the selected access node, measurement data in accordance with the sensing configuration; processing the measurement data to perform to produce an output that complies with the at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service; and providing the output to the sensing client.

[0028] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: receiving an indication of a change in at least one of the respective sensing capabilities associated with a selected access node; determining whether to reconfigure the sensing configuration provided to the selected access node for providing the sensing service using the received indication of the change; and providing a reconfigured version of the sensing configuration to the selected access node when it is determined to reconfigure the sensing configuration.

[0029] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising code that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform: receiving, from another apparatus, a second request to provide a sensing management function with an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil at least one requirement of a sensing service to be provided by the sensing management function; and causing the sensing management function to be provided with the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability.

[0030] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: signalling the second request to at least one of an access node or a radio access network repository function; receiving the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability from the signalled access node and / or radio access network repository function after signalling the second request to the at least one of an access node or a radio access network repository function; and signalling the indication to the another apparatus.

[0031] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: determining the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability using sensing capability information received from at least one access node and / or radio access network repository function; and signalling the indication to the another apparatus.

[0032] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: receiving the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability from an access node and / or a network node prior to receiving the second request.

[0033] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: registering, at a network repository function, an indication indicating whether the apparatus can support at least one sensing service to a sensing client, and an indication of at least one type of support of the sensing service that the apparatus can provide to a sensing client.

[0034] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: determining that there has been a change in at least one of the respective sensing capabilities associated with at least one of said access nodes identified in the indication; and providing the another apparatus with another indication that identifies the change.

[0035] The apparatus may comprise at least one of: an access and mobility function, a radio access network repository function, or an access node.

[0036] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising code that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform: providing, to a network node, an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil at least one requirement of a sensing service to be provided by a sensing management function.

[0037] The indication may be provided to the network node during a registration process and / or during an update process.

[0038] The network node may comprise at least one of a network repository function, a radio access network repository function, an access network node, or an access and mobility function.

[0039] The apparatus may be comprised in an access network node.

[0040] According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a method for an apparatus, the method comprising: receiving a first request to provide a sensing service to a sensing client, the first request comprising an indication of at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service; signalling, to a network node, a second request to receive an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil the at least one requirement; receiving the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability; and selecting at least one of the at least one access nodes for providing the sensing service using the received indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability.

[0041] The method may further comprise: signalling, to a network repository function, a third request for an identification of the network node, the third request comprising an indication of a geographical or administrative area in which the sensing service is to be performed; and receiving, from the network repository function, an identification of the network node prior to signalling the second request.

[0042] The third request may further comprise the at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service.

[0043] The method may further comprise: receiving an indication of a change in at least one of the respective sensing capabilities associated with a selected access node; and determining whether to deselect the selected access node for providing the sensing service using the received indication of the change.

[0044] The method may further comprise: determining a sensing configuration to be deployed by a selected access node using the received indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability; providing the sensing configuration to the selected access node; receiving, from the selected access node, measurement data in accordance with the sensing configuration; processing the measurement data to perform to produce an output that complies with the at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service; and providing the output to the sensing client.

[0045] The method may further comprise: receiving an indication of a change in at least one of the respective sensing capabilities associated with a selected access node; determining whether to reconfigure the sensing configuration provided to the selected access node for providing the sensing service using the received indication of the change; and providing a reconfigured version of the sensing configuration to the selected access node when it is determined to reconfigure the sensing configuration.

[0046] According to an eighth aspect, there is provided a method for an apparatus, the method comprising: receiving, from another apparatus, a second request to provide a sensing management function with an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil at least one requirement of a sensing service to be provided by the sensing management function; and causing the sensing management function to be provided with the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability.

[0047] The causing may further comprise: signalling the second request to at least one of an access node or a radio access network repository function; receiving the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability from the signalled access node and / or radio access network repository function after signalling the second request to the at least one of an access node or a radio access network repository function; and signalling the indication to the another apparatus.

[0048] The causing may further comprise: determining the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability using sensing capability information received from at least one access node and / or radio access network repository function; and signalling the indication to the another apparatus.

[0049] The method may further comprise: receiving the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability from an access node and / or a network function prior to receiving the second request.

[0050] The method may further comprise: registering, at a network repository function, an indication indicating whether the apparatus can support at least one sensing service to a sensing client, and an indication of at least one type of support of the sensing service that the apparatus can provide to a sensing client.

[0051] The method may further comprise: determining that there has been a change in at least one of the respective sensing capabilities associated with at least one of said access nodes identified in the indication; and providing the another apparatus with another indication that identifies the change.

[0052] The apparatus may comprise at least one of: an access and mobility function, a radio access network repository function, or an access node.

[0053] According to a ninth aspect, there is provided a method for an apparatus, the method comprising: providing, to a network node, an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil at least one requirement of a sensing service to be provided by a sensing management function.

[0054] The indication may be provided to the network node during a registration process and / or during an update process.

[0055] The network node may comprise at least one of a network repository function, a radio access network repository function, an access network node, or an access and mobility function.

[0056] The apparatus may be comprised in an access network node.

[0057] According to a tenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: receiving circuitry for receiving a first request to provide a sensing service to a sensing client, the first request comprising an indication of at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service; signalling, to a network node, a second request to receive an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil the at least one requirement; receiving circuitry for receiving the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability; and selecting circuitry for selecting at least one of the at least one access nodes for providing the sensing service using the received indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability.

[0058] The apparatus may further comprise: signalling circuitry for signalling, to a network repository function, a third request for an identification of the network node, the third request comprising an indication of a geographical or administrative area in which the sensing service is to be performed; and receiving circuitry for receiving, from the network repository function, an identification of the network node prior to signalling the second request.

[0059] The third request may further comprise the at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service.

[0060] The apparatus may further comprise: receiving circuitry for receiving an indication of a change in at least one of the respective sensing capabilities associated with a selected access node; and determining circuitry for determining whether to deselect the selected access node for providing the sensing service using the received indication of the change.

[0061] The apparatus may further comprise: determining circuitry for determining a sensing configuration to be deployed by a selected access node using the received indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability; providing circuitry for providing the sensing configuration to the selected access node; receiving, from the selected access node, measurement data in accordance with the sensing configuration; processing circuitry for processing the measurement data to perform to produce an output that complies with the at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service; and providing circuitry for providing the output to the sensing client.

[0062] The apparatus may further comprise: receiving circuitry for receiving an indication of a change in at least one of the respective sensing capabilities associated with a selected access node; determining circuitry for determining whether to reconfigure the sensing configuration provided to the selected access node for providing the sensing service using the received indication of the change; and providing circuitry for providing a reconfigured version of the sensing configuration to the selected access node when it is determined to reconfigure the sensing configuration.

[0063] According to an eleventh aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: receiving circuitry for receiving, from another apparatus, a second request to provide a sensing management function with an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil at least one requirement of a sensing service to be provided by the sensing management function; and causing circuitry for causing the sensing management function to be provided with the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability.

[0064] The causing circuitry for causing may further comprise: signalling circuitry for signalling the second request to at least one of an access node or a radio access network repository function; receiving circuitry for receiving the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability from the signalled access node or radio access network repository function after signalling the second request to the at least one of an access node and / or a radio access network repository function; and signaling circuitry for signalling the indication to the another apparatus.

[0065] The causing circuitry for causing may further comprise: determining circuitry for determining the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability using sensing capability information received from at least one access node and / or radio access network repository function; and signalling circuitry for signalling the indication to the another apparatus.

[0066] The apparatus may further comprise: receiving circuitry for receiving the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability from an access node and / or a network node prior to receiving the second request.

[0067] The apparatus may further comprise: registering circuitry for registering, at a network repository function, an indication indicating whether the apparatus can support at least one sensing service to a sensing client, and an indication of at least one type of support of the sensing service that the apparatus can provide to a sensing client.

[0068] The apparatus may further comprise: determining circuitry for determining that there has been a change in at least one of the respective sensing capabilities associated with at least one of said access nodes identified in the indication; and providing circuitry for providing the another apparatus with another indication that identifies the change.

[0069] The apparatus may comprise at least one of: an access and mobility function, a radio access network repository function, or an access node.

[0070] According to a twelfth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: providing circuitry for providing, to a network node, a an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil at least one requirement of a sensing service to be provided by a sensing management function.

[0071] The indication may be provided to the network node during a registration process and / or during an update process.

[0072] The network node may comprise at least one of a network repository function, a radio access network repository function, an access network node, or an access and mobility function.

[0073] The apparatus may be comprised in an access network node.

[0074] According to a thirteenth aspect, there is provided non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform: receiving a first request to provide a sensing service to a sensing client, the first request comprising an indication of at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service; signalling, to a network node, a second request to receive an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil the at least one requirement; receiving the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability; and selecting at least one of the at least one access nodes for providing the sensing service using the received indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability.

[0075] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: signalling, to a network repository function, a third request for an identification of the network node, the third request comprising an indication of a geographical or administrative area in which the sensing service is to be performed; and receiving, from the network repository function, an identification of the network node prior to signalling the second request.

[0076] The third request may further comprise the at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service.

[0077] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: receiving an indication of a change in at least one of the respective sensing capabilities associated with a selected access node; and determining whether to deselect the selected access node for providing the sensing service using the received indication of the change.

[0078] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: determining a sensing configuration to be deployed by a selected access node using the received indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability; providing the sensing configuration to the selected access node; receiving, from the selected access node, measurement data in accordance with the sensing configuration; processing the measurement data to perform to produce an output that complies with the at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service; and providing the output to the sensing client.

[0079] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: receiving an indication of a change in at least one of the respective sensing capabilities associated with a selected access node; determining whether to reconfigure the sensing configuration provided to the selected access node for providing the sensing service using the received indication of the change; and providing a reconfigured version of the sensing configuration to the selected access node when it is determined to reconfigure the sensing configuration.

[0080] According to a fourteenth aspect, there is provided non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform: receiving, from another apparatus, a second request to provide a sensing management function with an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil at least one requirement of a sensing service to be provided by the sensing management function; and causing the sensing management function to be provided with the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability.

[0081] The causing may comprise: signalling the second request to at least one of an access node or a radio access network repository function; receiving the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability from the signalled access node and / or radio access network repository function after signalling the second request to the at least one of an access node or a radio access network repository function; and signalling the indication to the another apparatus.

[0082] The causing may comprise: determining the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability using sensing capability information received from at least one access node and / or radio access network repository function; and signalling the indication to the another apparatus.

[0083] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: receiving the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability from an access node and / or a network function prior to receiving the second request.

[0084] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: registering, at a network repository function, an indication indicating whether the apparatus can support at least one sensing service to a sensing client, and an indication of at least one type of support of the sensing service that the apparatus can provide to a sensing client.

[0085] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: determining that there has been a change in at least one of the respective sensing capabilities associated with at least one of said access nodes identified in the indication; and providing the another apparatus with another indication that identifies the change.

[0086] The apparatus may comprise at least one of: an access and mobility function, a radio access network repository function, or an access node.

[0087] According to a fifteenth aspect, there is provided non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform: providing, to a network node, an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil at least one requirement of a sensing service to be provided by a sensing management function.

[0088] The indication may be provided to the network node during a registration process and / or during an update process.

[0089] The network node may comprise at least one of a network repository function, a radio access network repository function, an access network node, or an access and mobility function.

[0090] The apparatus may be comprised in an access network node.

[0091] In relation to any of the first aspects, and / or second aspects, and / or fourth aspects, and / or fifth aspects, and / or seventh aspects, and / or eighth aspects, and / or tenth aspects, and / or eleventh aspects, and / or thirteenth aspects, and / or fourteenth aspects, the at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service may comprise at least one of: an area in which the sensing service is to be performed; a quality of service to be fulfilled by the sensing service; and / or a collection mechanism to be used for collecting measurements for the sensing service.

[0092] In relation to any of the first aspects, and / or second aspects, and / or fourth aspects, and / or fifth aspects, and / or seventh aspects, and / or eighth aspects, and / or tenth aspects, and / or eleventh aspects, and / or thirteenth aspects, and / or fourteenth aspects, the second request may comprise at least one of: an indication of an area in which sensing services are to be performed: an indication of a type of sensing service to be provided; an indication of a sensing requirement; or an indication of at least one quality of service associated with the type of sensing service.

[0093] In relation to any of the first to fifteenth aspects, the respective sensing capability may comprise at least one of: a binary indication of whether sensing functionality is available at the access node; an indication of a type of sensing functionality available at the access node; an indication of a type of resources that are available to be used for sensing; an indication of at least one parameter, feature, and / or type of sensing data that can be collected by the access node; an indication of a local processing capability of the access node for processing sensing measurements; an indication of a local obfuscation capability sensing measurements / data of the access node on for anonymizing the sensing data; an indication of whether data plane and / or user plane reporting of sensing measurements between the access node and a sensing management function for the sensing service is available; or an indication of a sensing cell size available at the access node.

[0094] According to a sixteenth aspect, there is provided a computer program product stored on a medium that may cause an apparatus to perform any method as described herein.

[0095] According to a seventeenth aspect, there is provided an electronic device that may comprise apparatus as described herein.

[0096] According to an eighteenth aspect, there is provided a chipset that may comprise an apparatus as described herein. Brief Description of FIGs.

[0097] Some examples, will now be described, merely by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0098] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a 5G system;

[0099] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a network apparatus;

[0100] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a user equipment;

[0101] FIGs. 4 to 7B illustrate example signalling;

[0102] FIG. 8 illustrates a dynamic cell coverage area; and

[0103] FIGs. 9 to 11 illustrate example operations that may be performed by apparatus. Detailed Description

[0104] The following describes operations that may be performed in relation to sensing procedures, which are procedures that use sensors (e.g., access nodes (such as base stations) with sensing capabilities, Wi-Fi access points with sensing capabilities, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)-based devices, radar-based sensors, etc.) for determining at least a location of objects that are at least in part within a vicinity of a transmitter and / or receiver. The vicinity of a transmitter and / or receiver may, for example, comprise an environment surrounding the transmitter and / or receiver.

[0105] In particular, the following aims to enable (or otherwise facilitate) a network node to select which sensor(s) to use for fulfilling a particular sensing service request received by the network node from a sensing service client. The described architecture illustrates examples In which apparatus and / or functions located at a radio access network part of a network or a core network part of a network (e.g., an access and mobility function, a radio access network repository function, and / or an access node) provide a sensing management function with an indication of capabilities of at least one access node for performing a sensing operation based on at least one requirement of a sensing request to be fulfilled by the sensing management function. In some examples, a sensing operation based on at least one requirement of the sensing request may be implemented as a sensing operation that complies with the at least one requirement of the sensing request.

[0106] By providing this information from the radio access network-part of the network, the network architecture may help maintain privacy of various components within the network. Further, as the radio access network part of the network comprises apparatus that will be performing measurements for performing the sensing service, the radio access network may comprise more up-to-date information regarding the sensing capabilities of the at least one access node. This means that the architecture may quickly respond to changes in the sensing capabilities of the access nodes, which reduces latency and maintains quality of service.

[0107] Further illustration of how this may be achieved is provided below.

[0108] In the following examples, certain aspects are explained with reference to devices that are often configured to communicate via a wireless cellular system and mobile communication systems serving such mobile communication devices. For brevity and clarity, the following describes such aspects with reference to a 5G wireless communication system. However, it is understood that such aspects are not limited to 5G wireless communication systems, and may, for example, be applied to other wireless communication systems (for example, current 6G proposals, IEEE 802.11, etc.).

[0109] Before describing in detail the examples, certain facets of a 5G wireless communication system are briefly explained with reference to FIG. 1.

[0110] 3GPP standards defined a service-based architecture in 5G, which is expected to be utilized in 6G and beyond. In a service-based architecture, a modular framework is used in which common applications can be deployed using components from different sources and / or suppliers.

[0111] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a 5G system (5GS) 100. The 5GS may comprise a user equipment (UE) 102 (which may also be referred to as a communication device or a terminal), a 5G access network (AN) (which may be a 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) or any other type of 5G AN such as a Non-3GPP Interworking Function (N3IWF) / a Trusted Non-3GPP Gateway Function (TNGF) for Untrusted / Trusted Non-3GPP access or Wireline Access Gateway Function (W-AGF) for Wireline access) 104, a 5G core (5GC) 106, one or more application functions (AF) 108 and one or more data networks (DN) 110.

[0112] The 5G RAN may comprise one or more gNodeB (gNB) distributed unit functions connected to one or more gNodeB (gNB) unit functions. The RAN may comprise one or more access nodes.

[0113] The 5GC 106 may comprise one or more Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMF) 112, one or more Session Management Functions (SMF) 114, one or more authentication server functions (AUSF) 116, one or more Unified Data Management (UDM) functions 118, one or more User Plane Functions (UPF) 120, one or more Unified Data Repository (UDR) functions 122, one or more Network Repository Functions (NRF) 128, and / or one or more Network Exposure Functions (NEF) 124. The role of an NEF is to provide secure exposure of network services (e.g. voice, data connectivity, charging, subscriber data, and so forth) towards a 3rd party. Aithough NRF 128 is not depicted with its interfaces, it is understood that this is for clarity reasons and that NRF 128 may have a plurality of interfaces with other network functions. Likewise, other network functions of the 5GC 106 may include one or more further interfaces with each other that are not depicted in FIG. 1.

[0114] The 5GC 106 also comprises a network data analytics function (NWDAF) 126. The NWDAF is responsible for providing network analytics information upon request from one or more network functions or apparatus within the network. Network functions can also subscribe to the NWDAF 126 to receive information therefrom. Accordingly, the NWDAF 126 is also configured to receive and store network information from one or more network functions or apparatus within the network. The data collection by the NWDAF 126 may be performed based on at least one subscription to the events provided by the at least one network function.

[0115] Reference in the below is made to sensing functionality, which may be used by functions that deploy positioning-based mechanisms (e.g., mechanisms that are used for determining a location of an object), such as an LMF. Therefore, the following provides some additional context in relation to operations relating to positioning-based operations.

[0116] LMF operations in data collection for positioning operations are described in at least 3GPP TS 37.355, TS 38.305, and TS 23.273.

[0117] According to these sections, an LMF can request (and provide to another network function) capabilities of a UE in relation to positioning operations, request (and provide) assistance data (e.g., reference nodes and configuration of positioning signal), and request (and provide) location information. The location information may comprise, for example, location measurement data and / or a location estimate received from the target. The LMF may use the Location Positioning Protocol (LPP) to communicate with a target device (UE), and a New Radio Positioning Protocol a (NRPPa) to communicate with an access node, such as a gNB.

[0118] The LMF decides on the positioning method to be used by an apparatus for determining a location of either that apparatus or of another apparatus. The positioning method may be selected based on, for example, quality of service (QoS) requirements, and / or UE and / or access node capabilities. Measurements for performing the positioning method may be triggered to be made at the UE and / or access node gNB, either via: UE-based positioning (in which a UE calculates the location estimate); and / or UE-assisted / network-based positioning (in which a UE and / or an access node provides measurements data to the LMF and the IMF calculates the location estimate using those measurement data). The LMF may combine results (e.g., all results) and determine a single location estimate. The LMF may also determine an accuracy of the estimate and a velocity of the apparatus whose location is being determined.

[0119] FIG. 2 shows an example of a control apparatus for a communication system, for example to be coupled to and / or for controlling a station of an access system, such as a RAN node, e.g. a base station, gNB, a central unit of a cloud architecture or a node of a core network such as an Mobility Management Entity (MME) or Serving Gateway (S-GW), a scheduling entity such as a spectrum management entity, or a server or host, for example an apparatus hosting a Network Repository Function (NRF), Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Unified Data Management / Unified Data Repository (UDM / UDR), and so forth. The control apparatus may be integrated with or external to a node or module of a core network or Radio Access Network (RAN). In some examples, base stations comprise a separate control apparatus unit or module. In other examples, the control apparatus can be another network element, such as a radio network controller or a spectrum controller. The control apparatus 200 can be configured to provide control on communications in the service area of the system. The apparatus 200 comprises at least one memory 201, at least one data processing unit 202, 203 and an input / output interface 204. Via the interface, the control apparatus 200 can be coupled to a receiver and a transmitter of the apparatus. The receiver and / or the transmitter may be implemented as a radio front end or a remote radio head. For example, the control apparatus 200 or processor 201 can be configured to execute an appropriate software code to provide the control functions. References to “code” herein are understood to refer to software code, and vice versa.

[0120] The station of the access system may be categorised into two different types: distributed units (DUs), and centralised units (CUs).

[0121] An example wireless communication device will now be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3 showing a schematic, partially sectioned view of a communication device 300. Such a communication device may, in some examples, be referred to as a user equipment (UE) or terminal. An appropriate mobile communication device may, however, be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Nonlimiting and illustrative examples comprise a mobile station (MS) or mobile device such as a mobile phone or what is referred to as a ’smart phone’, a vehicle, a robot, an unmanned aerial vehicle (e.g., a drone), a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., USB dongle), personal data assistant (PDA) or a tablet provided with wireless communication capabilities, or any combinations of these or the like. A mobile communication device may provide, for example, communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia and so on. Users may thus be offered and provided numerous services via their communication devices. Non-limiting and illustrative examples of these services comprise two-way or multi-way calls, data communication or multimedia services or simply an access to a data communications network system, such as the Internet. Users may also be provided broadcast or multicast data. Non-limiting and illustrative examples of the content comprise downloads, television and radio programs, videos, advertisements, various alerts and / or other information.

[0122] A wireless communication device may, for example, be implemented as a mobile device or a stationary device, or a combination thereof. A mobile device is a device not fixed to a particular location, whereas a stationary device may be configured to be fixed to a particular location (or removably attached thereto). The wireless device may utilize human interaction for communication, or may not utilize human interaction for communication. As described herein, the terms UE or “user” are used to refer to any type of wireless communication device.

[0123] The wireless device 300 may receive signals over an air or radio interface 307 via appropriate apparatus for receiving and may transmit signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In FIG. 3, a transceiver apparatus is designated schematically by block 306. The transceiver apparatus 306 may be provided, for example, by means of a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the wireless device.

[0124] A wireless device is typically provided with at least one data processing entity 301, at least one memory 302 and other possible components 303 for use in software code and hardware aided execution of tasks it is configured to perform, including control of access to and communications with access systems and other communication devices. The data processing, storage and other relevant control apparatus can be provided on an appropriate circuit board and / or in chipsets. This feature is denoted by reference 304. The user may control the operation of the wireless device by means of a suitable user interface such as keypad 305, voice commands, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or the like. A display 308, a speaker and a microphone can be also provided. Furthermore, a wireless communication device may comprise appropriate connectors (either wired or' wireless) to other devices and / or for connecting external accessories, for example hands-free equipment, thereto.

[0125] 3GPP has issued a number of releases (Rei) for defining operating communication protocols related to a communications network. Currently, objectives and work are being set in relation to Releases 18 (Rei. 18) and 19 (Rei. 19).

[0126] 3GPP has recently been considering so-called sensing services. Sensing services relate to operations performed by apparatus as they observe (e.g., “sense”) their local environments. This may be performed using, for example, camera-based technology, audio-based technology, positioning-based services, etc.

[0127] A goal of a sensing service is to obtain awareness of a vicinity of a sensing device (e.g., an environment surrounding a sensing device). A sensing service may comprise at least one of: detecting an object, localizing an object (e.g., determining a current location of the object), tracking an object as the object moves, forming images of an object at least in part comprised in a vicinity of a sensing device (e.g., forming images of an object comprised in an environment surrounding a sensing device), or extracting features from an observed environment for recognition and / or classification purposes, etc.

[0128] Sensing services may be used for any of a plurality of different use cases. For example, sensing services may be used for any of: • Intrusion Detection (e.g., Intruder detection in smart home, pedestrian / animal intrusion detection on a highway); * Supporting Autonomous Driving (e.g., Sensing Assisted Automotive Maneuvering and Navigation, Sensing for Parking Space Determination, etc.); * Supporting Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Flight (e.g., UAV flight trajectory tracing, Network assisted sensing to avoid UAV collision); • Supporting Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) / Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) in Factories (e.g., AGV detection and tracking in factories, AMR collision avoidance in smart factories, etc.); • Environment / Weather monitoring (e.g., rain, pollution, flooding); and / or * Health Monitoring (e.g., fall detection, contactless sleep monitoring service, health monitoring at home).

[0129] An integration of sensing and communication (ISAC) has been recently proposed. ISAC is directed towards using the same hardware and / or spectrum resources for both communication and for sensing / obstacle detection. Such an integration may be useful for increasing sensing capabilities, improving sensing accuracy for scenarios or situations that traditional sensing techniques may not perform well (e.g., non-line of sight (NLOS) conditions, high velocity situations, etc), enhancing spectrum efficiency by sharing communication and sensing spectrum band, and / or in reducing hardware cost by combining sensing and communication equipment / hardware.

[0130] In order to enable 5G / beyond-5G wireless sensing, a new function is introduced in the 5GC. This new functionality is labelled as the Sensing Management Function (SeMF) herein. This functionality may be responsible for receiving different types of sensing requests from Sensing Client(s) (e.g., UE or Application Function (AF) or Network Function (NF)), and to collect and distribute data obtained based on the sensing request. The sensing request may comprise information about the type of the Sensing Service (e.g., track an object, intrusion detection etc), the Sensing Area, the Sensing Quality of Service (QoS), and / or, optionally, UE(s) to be sensed.

[0131] Based on the information comprised in the sensing request, the SeMF may coordinate sensing functions provided by a range of different apparatus (e.g., any radio access network-based apparatus, such as a base station), to collect sensing measurement (sensing data) information from the apparatus being coordinated, and providing sensing data and / or sensing outputs to the sensing Client. The output may be provided to the Sensing Client either directly or indirectly (e.g., via a network exposure function (NEF) when the requesting client is a third party external Application or application function (AF)). The SeMF receives requests that include varied information.

[0132] The apparatus that may be coordinated may be a UE, and / or an access node (e.g., a base station and / or gNB). These apparatus may perform monostatic sensing (in which an apparatus acts as both a transmitter and receiver of signals that are used for sensing, such as for echo-location), and / or bistatic sensing (in which one apparatus acts as a transmitter of signals and another apparatus acts as a receiver of those signals) and / or multi-static sensing (in which one apparatus acts as a transmitter of signals and one or more other apparatus acts as a receiver of those signals). Bi-static sensing is a sub-case of multi-static sensing.

[0133] For example, in monostatic RAN-based sensing, an access node transmits a sensing signal and receives that same sensing signal (possibly modified by transmission through the channel and / or deflected, reflected, or refracted by objects in a vicinity of the access node). The transmit and receive antenna arrays of the access node may be located proximate to one another.

[0134] In multi-static RAN-based sensing, a first access node acts as a transmitter of sensing signals, and one or more other access nodes act as a receiver of at least one of those sensing signals (e.g., possibly modified by transmission through the channel and / or deflected, reflected, or refracted by objects in a vicinity of the other access node).

[0135] In multi-static and / or bi-static RAN- and UE-based sensing, an access node acts as a transmitter of sensing signals, and one or more UEs act as a receiver of at least one of those sensing signals (possibly modified by transmission through the channel).

[0136] The sensing data (also referred to herein as sensing measurement or sensing measurement information) may comprise data derived from radio signals (e.g., 3GPP, non-3GPP, WiFi, radar, Lidars, etc.) impacted (e.g. reflected, refracted, diffracted) by an object or environment of interest for sensing purposes. The data may have been processed (e.g., within a 5G / 6G system, external server, application server, edge server, etc.). The sensing data provided as an output to a sensing client may comprise processed sensing data.

[0137] Existing 5G systems (Release 18) do not provide any sensing functionality and there is no indication related to how a sensing service may be supported therein.

[0138] To address at least one of the above-mentioned issues, the following proposes a mechanism for enabling a sensing function (e.g., an SeMF) to efficiently select apparatus for providing a sensing service to a client.

[0139] Various examples of the subject disclosure relate to enabling and configuring the registration of sensing capabilities of at least one RAN node as well as the procedures for the discovery and identification of sensing capabilities for supporting the selection of the RAN nodes that are to participate in a sensing procedure requested by a sensing client.

[0140] In more detail, an SeMF is described in the following. An SeMF, in response to receiving a sensing request from a sensing client, retrieves information for identifying an apparatus for providing sensing measurement data related to that sensing request based on capabilities of that apparatus and the requirements of the sensing request.

[0141] This may be performed in various ways.

[0142] For example, the SeMF may send details about the sensing request to an access and mobility function, which may, in turn, pass that information to a RAN-based entity (such as, a RAN repository function and / or an access node). The RAN-based entity may use the information to determine at least one RAN-based entity that is able to assist with providing sensing information related to the sensing request, and provide an identification of such a RAN-based entity to the SeMF via the AMF. The identification information may be accompanied with and / or without an indication of the sensing capabilities of the identified RAN-based entity. These examples may, for example, relate to pass-through situations in which the AMF does not understand the sensing information request received from the SeMF, and may simply relay communications between the SeMF and the RAN-based entity. These examples are illustrated in relation to at least FIGs. 4 and 5.

[0143] As another example, the AMF may be configured to understand the sensing information comprised in the request received from the SeMF. In such a case, the AMF may be configured to identify at least one RAN-based entity for assisting with the sensing request using information comprised in a network repository function and / or RAN repository function. This example is described in relation to at least FIG. 6.

[0144] FIGs 4 to 11 illustrate ways in which the described techniques may be implemented in an example architecture and / or by example apparatus.

[0145] In these examples, there are provided mechanisms via which a sensing management function (SeMF) may obtain information about sensing capabilities of at least one access node (e.g., base station, gNB, etc.) for performing sensing of the vicinity of said at least one access node (e.g., the environment surrounding said at least one access node). The SeMF may use this information about the sensing capabilities to select at least one of the at least one access nodes for providing measurement information for providing a sensing service to a sensing service client.

[0146] The SeMF may further perform this determination, based on the requirements and / or limitations of the sensing service, to be provided to the sensing service client. The SeMF may provide an indication of the requirements and / or limitations of the sensing service to another entity when obtaining the information about the sensing capabilities of the at least one access node. The another entity may comprise any of an access and mobility function, a radio access network (RAN) repository function (RF), and / or an access node.

[0147] The information about the sensing capabilities may be received from one entity, or from more than one entity. At least one of the sensing capabilities of the at least one access node may vary while the sensing service is being performed. The SeMF may be provided with updated sensing capability information when a change in this sensing capability information has occurred. For example, static sensing capability information may be received by an SeMF via an AMF, while non-static sensing capability (e.g., semistatic or dynamic) may be updated upon request or event to a SeMF from a repository function and / or an access node.

[0148] Although the SeMF is illustrated in the following examples as a standalone entity, it is understood that the functionality of the SeMF may be integrated into at least one other network function, such as a location management function.

[0149] The following presents various examples for how the techniques described herein may be deployed in 3GPP systems with reference to FIGs. 4 to 8. Of these, FIGs. 4 to 6 illustrate examples for how an SeMF may retrieve sensing capability information of an access node according to different architecture, while FIGs. 7 A to 8 relate to mechanisms that supplement and / or illustrate features of FIGs. 4 to 6.

[0150] In more detail, in the examples of FIGs. 4 and 5, an SeMF requests the retrieval of sensing capability information of an access node from an access node and / or a RAN-repository function via an AMF that cannot understand the request. It is understood that, in some architectures, such as those described in 6G, this request for sensing capability information may be provided to the access node and / or RAN repository function directly, instead of indirectly via the AMF as shown in these examples.

[0151] In contrast to the examples of FIGs. 4 and 5, in which an AMF is used as merely a relay for retrieving and requesting sensing capability information, the example of FIG. 6 relates to a situation in which an AMF interacts with a request for sensing capability information of at least one access node received from a SeMF, and determines at least some of the sensing capability information to provide in response to the received request.

[0152] These examples are discussed further below.

[0153] In the examples of FIGs. 4 and 5, the sensing protocol for the interaction between the SeMF and the RAN entities (e.g., access node) is transparent to the AMF. In such cases, the AMF may route the sensing protocol protocol data units (PDUs) between an access node and the SeMF transparently, based on a Routing identifier comprised therein. The AMF may, therefore, not need to have any knowledge of the involved Sensing transaction. Instead, the AMF carries the Sensing protocol PDUs over an interface (e.g., over an NG-C interface) using a non-UE associated mode. In case of a split access node architecture, the sensing protocol may be terminated at the control-unit portion of the access node. The Next Generation Application Protocol (NGAP) protocol, terminated between the AMF and the NG-RAN Node, may be used as a transport protocol for transporting sensing protocol messages over the NG-C interface.

[0154] FIG. 4 illustrates first example signalling in which an access node provides an indication of its sensing capabilities to an SeMF in response to a request for this information.

[0155] FIG. 4 illustrates signalling that may be performed between an access node 401, an AMF 402, an SeMF 403, a network repository function (NRF) 404, a Network Exposure Function (NEF) 405, and an application function 406.

[0156] During 4001, the application function 406 signals the NEF 405. This signalling may comprise a sensing service request, which renders the application function 460 a sensing client. The request may comprise information for fulfilling the sensing request. For example, the sensing service request may comprise at least one of: an indication of a sensing area, an indication of at least one sensing quality of service to be fulfilled by the sensing service request, an indication of at least one time period over which the sensing service is to be performed, and / or an indication of at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service request.

[0157] The at least one requirement may comprise, for example, a sensing service type (e.g., at least one object to be detected / sensed, tracking of object(s), motion monitoring, intruder detection at home, intruder detection on a road, etc.).

[0158] The at least one requirement may comprise one or more attributes indicating an object type associated with the requested service. The at least one requirement may comprise one or more attributes indicating a size of an object associated with the requested service. The at least one requirement may comprise one or more attributes indicating a material of an object associated with the requested service. The at least one requirement may comprise one or more attributes indicating a shape of an object associated with the requested service. The at least one requirement may comprise one or more attributes relating to mobility requirements of an object associated with the requested service.

[0159] During 4002, the NEF 405 signals the NRF 404. This signalling may comprise a request for discovering an SeMF that can fulfil the sensing service request of 4001. For example, this signalling may comprise any of: an indication that the network function to be discovered is an SeMF, an indication of a sensing capability of the SeMF that is to be discovered, an indication of a sensing target, an indication of a sensing area, an indication of a quality of service to be fulfilled by the sending request, etc. The information comprised in the signalling of 4002 for discovering the SeMF may be obtained and / or derived from the information comprised in the sending service request of 4001. The signaling of 4002 may comprise an Nnrf_NFDiscovery_request message.

[0160] During 4003, the NRF 404 responds to the signalling of 4002. This signalling may comprise an indication of at least one (e.g., one, or more than one) SeMF that can fulfil the requirements comprised in the request signalled in 4002. This signalling may comprise an indication of an SeMF set and / or an SeMF instance. This signalling may comprise an Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Response message.

[0161] During 4004, the NEF 405 selects SeMF 403 from the at least one SeMF indicated in 4003.

[0162] During 4005, the NEF 405 signals the SeMF 403. This signalling may comprise the sensing service request information comprised in the signalling of 4001. For example, this signalling may comprise an indication of the sensing area, the sensing requirements, and / or the sensing quality of service.

[0163] During 4006, the SeMF determines a geographic region covered by at least one access node that corresponds to the sensing area. For example, the SeMF 403 may determine at least one Tracking Area that corresponds to the sensing area.

[0164] In the present signalling and in later signalling, the sensing area may be provided from the SeMF 403 to the AMF 402 over interfaces using any of a plurality of different forms. As a first example, the sensing area may be indicated as a target sensing geographical area information that can be sent to an access node that knows which cell / beam provided by the access node covers which geographical area. As a second example, the sensing area may be indicated as a target sensing 3GPP area information (e.g., as a collection of 3GPP defined areas (e.g., (tracking areas) + Cell ld(s)), where the target sensing 3GPP area serve the smallest superset of the target sensing geographical area. The target sensing 3GPP area information may be used by a 3GPP NF (e.g. AMF 402) to select which access node to invoke. This enables (or otherwise facilitates) an AMF 402 to select an access node for forwarding sensing request information to without the AMF having precise knowledge of the geographical area served by each access node.

[0165] Although the SeMF 403 is shown as a standalone entity in FIG. 4, it is understood that at least one of the functionality of the SeMF 403 may be integrated as part of another function. For example, the functionality of determining the geographic region may be performed at the NEF (e.g., as part of 4004), with the determined geographic region being transferred during 4005 instead of the sensing area.

[0166] During 4007, the SeMF 403 signals the NRF 404. This signalling may comprise a request to discover at least one AMF that both supports sensing services covers the sensing area. For example, this signalling may comprise a request to identify at least one AMF that serves at least one tracking area in the target 3GPP area, and that supports sensing services. The signalling of 4007 may be comprised in an Nnrf_NFDiscovery__Request. This signalling may comprise an indication that the NF type to be discovered is an AMF, an indication of a geographic area to be covered by access nodes served by the AMF (e.g., a tracking area), and an indication that the AMF is to support sensing services.

[0167] During 4008, the NRF 404 responds to the signalling of SeMF 403. This signalling may comprise an indication of at least one AMF (including AMF 402) that fulfils the properties indicated in the discovery request of 4007. This signalling may comprise an Nnrf_Discovery_Response. This signalling may comprise an indication of an AMF set and / or a plurality of AMF instances.

[0168] During 4009, the SeMF 403 selects, from the AMF indicated in the response of 4008, at least one AMF that are to be involved in providing the sensing service to the sensing client. For example, where the signalling of 4008 indicates multiple AMF that support a same tracking area, the SeMF 403 may determine to use less than all of these multiple AMF to avoid requesting same information from different AMF. in the present example, at least AMF 402 is selected.

[0169] During 4010, the SeMF 403 signals AMF 402. This signalling may comprise a request to discover sensing capabilities of access nodes served by the AMF 402 that may participate in fulfilling the sensing request.

[0170] This signalling may comprise a plurality of different information for assisting in determining which access nodes may participate in fulfilling the sensing request.

[0171] For example, the signalling of 4010 may comprise an indication of at least one tracking area in which the respective sensing service is to be performed. The signalling of 4010 may comprise an indication of a target sensing geographical area (e.g., described with global positioning service (GPS) coordinates, or some other location, etc.). The signalling of 4010 may comprise an indication of the quality of service to be fulfilled by the sensing service. The signalling of 4010 may comprise an indication of the sensing requirements from the sensing request. The signalling of 4010 may comprise, when available (e.g., from previous sensing requests), an identifier of at least one access node that previous assisted in fulfilling a sensing request.

[0172] It is understood that the AMF 402 need not be able to understand all of the information comprised in the signalling of 4010. For example, the AMF 402 may not understand at least the sensing requirements and / or the sensing quality of service.

[0173] The Sensing QoS comprised in the request of 4010 may comprise one or more of the following: Sensing Resolution (e.g., a size of objects that may be distinguished (e.g., as large as 0.5m), a maximum sensing serving latency, an update rate of sensing data, a sensing accuracy (e.g., of positioning estimate, of velocity estimate etc.)).

[0174] The sensing requirements comprised in the request of 4010 may comprise a requested sensing capabilities to be fulfilled by the access node(s) for providing the sensing service. For example, the sensing requirements may comprise one or more of the following: a sensing method to be used for the sensing service, resources (e.g., using uplink and / or downlink pilot or reference signals for channel parameter estimation, using data or user plane signals for channel parameter estimation), a supported frequency band to be used for the sensing service, a Radio Access Technology to be used for the sensing service, features and / or parameters to be collected in sensing data for the sensing service, a sensing technology of the transmit-receive antenna array to be used for the sensing service, and / or an indication of a type of sensing to be used for the sensing service.

[0175] During 4011, the AMF 402 signals the access node 401. The access node 401 may be selected to be signalled by the AMF 402 using at least one indicated area provided in the signalling of 4010. For example, the AMF may select access node 401 using at least one tracking area comprised in the signalling of 4010. The signalling of 4011 may comprise a request for the access node 401 to provide the AMF 402 with an indication of the sensing capabilities that are available at the access node 401.

[0176] The signalling of 4011 may comprise an indication of a target Sensing geographical area (e.g., described with GPS coordinates, etc.), an indication of the sensing quaiity of service, and / or an indication of the sensing requirement(s) to be fulfilled by the sensing requires of 4005.

[0177] During 4012, the access node determines whether the access node 401 can support the sensing requirements comprised in the request message.

[0178] The sensing capabilities determined during 4012 may comprise at least one of a plurality of different parameters. The sensing capabilities may be static, semi-static or dynamic (e.g., changing over time). Sensing capabilities that are not static (e.g., semistatic or dynamic) may be updated upon request, or in response to an event being detected.

[0179] For example, the sensing capabilities may comprise a binary indication of whether sensing functionality is available at the access node (e.g., data representative of yes or no).

[0180] The sensing capabilities may indicate what type of sensing functionality is available at the access node (e.g., Monostatic, Bi-static, Multi-static, transmitter and / or receiver Sensing role, etc.).

[0181] The sensing capabilities may comprise an indication of a sensing technology that is available at the access node. For example, the sensing capabilities may comprise an indication that the transmitter-receiver antenna array of the access node comprises at least one of a phased array radar, a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO)TxZRx antenna array, a phased MIMO array, etc.

[0182] The sensing capabilities may comprise an indication of whether the access node uses uplink and / or downlink pilot or reference signals for channel parameter estimation.

[0183] The sensing capabilities may comprise an indication of whether the access node uses data or user plane signals for channel parameter estimation.

[0184] The sensing capabilities may comprise an indication of a maximum number of sensing resources (e.g., downlink and / or uplink sensing reference signals, data or user plane signals) supported by the access node, per sensing frequency layer.

[0185] The sensing capabilities may comprise an indication of available sensing resources for use at the access node for providing the sensing service.

[0186] The sensing capabilities may comprise an indication of a number of sensing frequency layers (e.g., data representative of the Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number) on a certain frequency band that may be used for providing the sensing service.

[0187] The sensing capabilities may comprise an indication of a supported frequency band (e.g., central frequency, bandwidth or 3GPP NR FR1 (n1, n3, n77, etc.), 3GPP NR FR2 (n257, n258, etc.)), or some other supported frequency range for use in providing the sensing service (e.g., 600 MHz to 6 GHz, 24 GHz to 71 GHz).

[0188] The sensing capabilities may comprise an indication of a supported radio access technology provided at the access node.

[0189] The sensing capabilities may comprise an indication of a maximum transmission power of the access node.

[0190] The sensing capabilities may comprise an indication of a number of antenna ports or elements (e.g., antenna rows, antenna columns) available at the access node.

[0191] The sensing capabilities may comprise an indication of the processing (e.g., computational) capabilities of the access node. For example, the sensing capabilities may comprise an indication of a local processing capability of sensing measurements. The sensing capabilities may comprise an indication about the type or format of the output of the local processing of sensing measurements.

[0192] The sensing capabilities may comprise an indication of a local obfuscation capability on sensing measurements / data for anonymizing the sensing data obtained.

[0193] The sensing capabilities may comprise an indication of a data or user plane reporting of sensing measurements between the access node and the SeMF (or any other sensing data processing unit) for the sensing service.

[0194] The sensing capabilities may comprise an indication of sensing services supported at the access node. The sensing services supported may comprise at least one of the use cases mentioned above. For example, the sensing service(s) may comprise at least one of: Intrusion Detection, Autonomous Driving, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Flight, Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) / Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) in Factories, Environment / Weather monitoring, or Health Monitoring.

[0195] The sensing capabilities may comprise an indication of supported sensing QoS for sensing measurements. For example, the sensing QoS measurements may comprise a maximum sensing range, a minimum sensing resolution, a speed resolution, a sensing accuracy, etc.

[0196] The sensing capabilities may comprise an indication of whether the access node supports discovery of UEs in a sensing service (e.g., for the case of Bi-static or multistatic sensing that RAN nodes and UEs can be involved) and provision of assistance information about candidate UEs that may assist with providing the sensing service.

[0197] The sensing capabilities may comprise an indication of parameters, features, and / or types of sensing data that can be collected by the access node for the sensing service, including, if available information about the granularity of collected sensing data.

[0198] The sensing capabilities may comprise an indication of user plane or data plane support to report Sensing measurements / data between the access node and the SeMF for the sensing service and indication of the supported type of the path to report of sensing measurements / data.

[0199] The sensing capabilities may comprise an indication of a location of the access node. The sensing capabilities may comprise an indication of a cell size (and / or a coverage area that may be provided by the access cell) that may be used for sensing. The coverage area / cell area that may be used for sensing may vary with time (e.g., the coverage area / cell area that may be used for sensing may be a dynamic parameter).

[0200] During 4013, the access node 401 signals the AMF 402. This signalling may comprise an indication of the sensing capabilities of the access node 401 that were determined during 4012. This signalling may comprise an identifier of the access node 401 (e.g., a new radio cell global identity (NCGI), a gNB identifier, and / or a global gNB identifier). This signalling may comprise an identifier of a cell provided by the access node 401.

[0201] During 4014, the AMF 402 signals the SeMF 403. This signalling may comprise a response to the signalling of 4010. This signalling may comprise an indication of the identifier of the access node and the sensing capabilities of the access node received during 4013. This signalling may comprise an Namf_NWCapabilities_Response message.

[0202] The SeMF 403 may store the received information about the sensing capabilities for one or more of the access nodes.

[0203] During 4015, the SeMF 403 selects at least one access node (and the AMF that serves it) for providing at least part of the sensing service. This selection may be performed using the sensing capabilities and access node identifier(s) received during 4014.

[0204] Although not shown in FIG. 4, the SeMF 403 may cause the selected access node(s) of 4015 to perform sensing measurements that are compliant with the sensing capabilities indicated during 4014. The selected access node(s) may provide measurement data resulting from the performed sensing measurements to the SeMF 403, which may use that measurement data to determine an output that fulfils the sensing service requirements. The SeMF may subsequently provide the output to the application function 406 via the NEF 405 in response to the signalling of 4005 and 4001.

[0205] Any appropriate communication protocol and / or message may be used for the signalling between the SeMF and the AMF. For example, a non-UE associated procedure can be used for the transmission of the Namf_NW Sensing Capabilities Request message from the SeMF to the AMF as well as of the NGAP_RAN Sensing Capabilities Request message from the AMF to the BSs, and the respective response messages.

[0206] FIG. 5 illustrates first example signalling in which an access node provides an indication of its sensing capabilities to an SeMF in response to a request for this information.

[0207] FIG. 5 illustrates signalling that may be performed between a radio access network repository function (RAN RF) 501, an AMF 502, an SeMF 503, a network repository function (NRF) 504, a Network Exposure Function (NEF) 505, and an application function 506.

[0208] During 5001, the application function 506 signals the NEF 505. This signalling may comprise a sensing service request, which renders the application function 560 a sensing client. The request may comprise information for fulfilling the sensing request. For example, the sensing service request may comprise at least one of: an indication of a sensing area, an indication of at least one sensing quality of service to be fulfilled by the sensing service request, an indication of at least one time period over which the sensing service is to be performed, or an indication of at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service request.

[0209] The at least one requirement may comprise, for example, a sensing service type (e.g., at least one object to be detected / sensed, tracking of object(s), motion monitoring, intruder detection at home, intruder detection on a road, etc.).

[0210] The at least one requirement may comprise one or more attributes indicating an object type associated with the requested service. The at least one requirement may comprise one or more attributes indicating a size of an object associated with the requested service. The at least one requirement may comprise one or more attributes indicating a material of an object associated with the requested service. The at least one requirement may comprise one or more attributes indicating a shape of an object associated with the requested service. The at least one requirement may comprise one or more attributes relating to mobility requirements of an object associated with the requested service.

[0211] During 5002, the NEF 505 signals the NRF 504. This signalling may comprise a request for discovering an SeMF that can fulfil the sensing service request of 5001. For example, this signalling may comprise any of: an indication that the network function to be discovered is an SeMF, an indication of a sensing capability of the SeMF that is to be discovered, an indication of a sensing target, an indication of a sensing area, an indication of a quality of service to be fulfilled by the sending request, etc. The information comprised in the signalling of 5002 for discovering the SeMF may be obtained and / or derived from the information comprised in the sending service request of 5001. The signaling of 5002 may comprise an Nnrf_NFDiscovery_request message.

[0212] During 5003, the NRF 504 responds to the signalling of 5002. This signalling may comprise an indication of at least one (e.g., one, or more than one) SeMF that can fulfil the requirements comprised in the request signalled in 5002. This signalling may comprise an indication of an SeMF set and / or an SeMF instance. This signalling may comprise an Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Response message.

[0213] During 5004, the NEF 505 selects SeMF 503 from the at least one SeMF indicated in 5003.

[0214] During 5005, the NEF 505 signals the SeMF 503. This signalling may comprise the sensing service request information comprised in the signalling of 5001. For example, this signalling may comprise an indication of the sensing area, the sensing requirements, and / or the sensing quality of service.

[0215] During 5006, the SeMF determines a geographic region covered by at least one access node that corresponds to the sensing area. For example, the SeMF 503 may determine at least one Tracking Area that corresponds to the sensing area.

[0216] in the present signalling and in later signalling, the sensing area may be provided from the SeMF 503 to the AMF 502 over interfaces using any of a plurality of different forms. As a first example, the sensing area may be indicated as a target sensing geographical area information that can be sent to an access node that knows which cell / beam provided by the access node covers which geographical area. As a second example, the sensing area may be indicated as a target sensing 3GPP area information (e.g., as a collection of 3GPP defined areas (e.g., (tracking areas) + Cell ld(s)), where the target sensing 3GPP area serve the smallest superset of the target sensing geographical area. The target sensing 3GPP area information may be used by a 3GPP NF (e.g. AMF 502) to select which access node to invoke. This enables (or otherwise facilitates) an AMF 502 to select an access node for forwarding sensing request information to without the AMF having a precise knowledge of the geographical area served by each access node.

[0217] Although the SeMF 503 is shown as a standalone entity in FIG. 5, it is understood that at least one of the functionality of the SeMF 503 may be integrated as part of another function. For example, the functionality of determining the geographic region may be performed at the NEF (e.g., as part of 5004), with the determined geographic region being transferred during 5005 instead of the sensing area.

[0218] During 5007, the SeMF 503 signals the NRF 504. This signalling may comprise a request to discover at least one AMF that both supports sensing services covers the sensing area. For example, this signalling may comprise a request to identify at least one AMF that serves at least one tracking area in the target 3GPP area, and that supports sensing services. The signalling of 5007 may be comprised in an Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request. This signalling may comprise an indication that the NF type to be discovered is an AMF, an indication of a geographic area to be covered by access nodes served by the AMF (e.g., a tracking area), and an indication that the AMF is to support sensing services.

[0219] During 5008, the NRF 504 responds to the signalling of SeMF 503. This signalling may comprise an indication of at least one AMF (including AMF 502) that fulfils the properties indicated in the discovery request of 5007. This signalling may comprise an Nnrf_Discovery_Response. This signalling may comprise an indication of an AMF set and / or a plurality of AMF instances.

[0220] During 5009, the SeMF 503 selects, from the AMF indicated in the response of 5008, at least one AMF that are to be involved in providing the sensing service to the sensing client. For example, where the signalling of 5008 indicates multiple AMF that support a same tracking area, the SeMF 503 may determine to use less than all of these multiple AMF to avoid requesting same information from different AMF. In the present example, at least AMF 502 is selected.

[0221] During 5010, the SeMF 503 signals AMF 502. This signalling may comprise a request to discover sensing capabilities of access nodes served by the AMF 502 that may participate in fulfilling the sensing request.

[0222] This signalling may comprise a plurality of different information for assisting in determining which access nodes may participate in fulfilling the sensing request.

[0223] For example, the signalling of 5010 may comprise an indication of at least one tracking area in which the respective sensing service is to be performed. This may be as described above in relation to FIG. 4.

[0224] It is understood that the AMF 502 need not be able to understand all of the information comprised in the signalling of 5010. For example, the AMF 502 may not understand at least the sensing requirements and / or the sensing quality of service.

[0225] The Sensing QoS comprised in the request of 5010 may be as described above in relation to FIG. 4.

[0226] The sensing requirements comprised in the request of 5010 may be as described above in relation to FIG. 4.

[0227] During 5011, the AMF 502 signals the RAN RF 501. The RAN RF 501 may be selected to be signalled by the AMF 502 using at least one indicated area provided in the signalling of 5010. For example, the AMF may select RAN RF 501 using at least one tracking area comprised in the signalling of 5010. The signalling of 5011 may comprise a request for the RAN RF 501 to provide the AMF 502 with an indication of the sensing capabilities that are available at one or more access node(s) 501 registered at the RAN RF 501.

[0228] The signalling of 5011 may comprise an indication of a target Sensing geographical area (e.g., described with GPS coordinates, etc.), an indication of the sensing quality of service, and / or an indication of the sensing requirement(s) to be fulfilled by the sensing requires of 5005.

[0229] During 5012, the RAN RF 501 determines which access nodes registered at the RAN RF 501 can support the sensing requirements comprised in the request message.

[0230] The sensing capabilities determined during 5012 may be as described above in relation to FIG. 4.

[0231] During 5013, the RAN RF 501 signals the AMF 502. This signalling may comprise an indication of the sensing capabilities of the access node(s) that were determined during 5012. This signalling may comprise an identifier of the access node(s) that were identified (e.g., a new radio cell global identity (NCGI), a gNB identifier, and / or a global gNB identifier). This signalling may comprise an identifier of a cell of the access node(s).

[0232] During 5014, the AMF 502 signals the SeMF 503. This signalling may comprise a response to the signalling of 5010. This signalling may comprise an indication of the identifier of the access node and the sensing capabilities of the access node received during 5013. This signalling may comprise an Namf_NWCapabilities_Response message.

[0233] The SeMF 503 may store the received information about the sensing capabilities for one or more of the access nodes.

[0234] During 5015, the SeMF 503 selects at least one access node (and the AMF that serves it) for providing at least part of the sensing service. This selection may be performed using the sensing capabilities and access node identifier(s) received during 5014.

[0235] Although not shown in FIG. 5, the SeMF 503 may cause the selected access node(s) of 5015 to perform sensing measurements that are compliant with the sensing capabilities indicated during 5014. The selected access node(s) may provide measurement data resulting from the performed sensing measurements to the SeMF 503, which may use that measurement data to determine an output that fulfils the sensing service requirements. The SeMF may subsequently provide the output to the application function 506 via the NEF 505 in response to the signalling of 5005 and 5001.

[0236] As a variation to the example of FIG. 5, the AMF may, instead of providing the sensing capabilities directly to the SeMF, instead register these sensing capabilities at the NRF 504. The SeMF may subsequently retrieve this information from the NRF instead of signalling the AMF for them.

[0237] Further to this, it is understood that the AMF described in connection with any of FIGs. 4 to 7) may obtain at least one indication of sensing capabilities using any mechanism described herein, and / or using signalling procedures described for signalling from the AMF to other network functions. For example, the AMF may receive sensing capabilities upon Next-Generation-setup signalling procedures and store those sensing capabilities for later use. The AMF may update the stored sensing capabilities when an indication is received that at least one of the stored sensing capabilities has dynamically changed.

[0238] The NRF described herein may receive an indication of an access node’s sensing capabilities using any (e.g., at least one) of a plurality of different mechanisms. For example, an NRF may receive an indication of an access node’s sensing capabilities directly from the access node (and / or from another access node). An NRF may receive an indication of an access node’s sensing capabilities from a network function located in a radio access network (e.g., a radio access network repository function). An NRF may receive an indication of an access node’s sensing capabilities from a network function located in the core network. An NRF may receive an indication of an access node’s sensing capabilities from an access and mobility function.

[0239] As another variation, the SeMF may interact directly with the RAN RF 501 instead of routing communications through the AMF. In such a case, the communications of 5010 and 5011 may be replaced by a single transmission from the SeMF 503 to the RAN RF, and similarly for the communications of 5013 and 5014 being replaced by a single transmission from the RAN RF 501 to the SeMF 503.

[0240] As mentioned above, upon request (e.g., from AMF or SeMF) or upon an event / change (e.g., at the BS side) a RAN RF may transmit updated sensing information on access node capabilities to the SeMF when these capabilities change. Examples of changeable capabilities may include, for example, cell size (e.g., coverage area) of sensing provided by an access node, resources allocated for sensing at the access node, resources available for sensing at the access node, etc.

[0241] FIG. 6 illustrates another example signalling. In this example signalling, the AMF is able to understand the requirements comprised in the sensing request. The AMF may use this understanding to select at least one access node that is able to provide at least part of the sensing service being requested.

[0242] FIG. 6 illustrates signalling that may be performed between an access node 601, an AMF 602, an SeMF 603, a network repository function (NRF) 604, a Network Exposure Function (NEF) 605, and an application function 606.

[0243] During 6001, the application function 606 signals the NEF 605. This signalling may comprise a sensing service request, which renders the application function 660 a sensing client. The request may comprise information for fulfilling the sensing request. For example, the sensing service request may comprise at least one of: an indication of a sensing area, an indication of at least one sensing quality of service to be fulfilled by the sensing service request, an indication of at least one time period over which the sensing service is to be performed, or an indication of at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service request.

[0244] The at least one requirement may comprise, for example, a sensing service type (e.g., at least one object to be detected / sensed, tracking of object(s), motion monitoring, intruder detection at home, intruder detection on a road, etc.).

[0245] The at least one requirement may comprise one or more attributes indicating an object type associated with the requested service. The at least one requirement may comprise one or more attributes indicating a size of an object associated with the requested service. The at least one requirement may comprise one or more attributes indicating a material of an object associated with the requested service. The at least one requirement may comprise one or more attributes indicating a shape of an object associated with the requested service. The at least one requirement may comprise one or more attributes relating to mobility requirements of an object associated with the requested service.

[0246] During 6002, the NEF 605 signals the NRF 604. This signalling may comprise a request for discovering an SeMF that can fulfil the sensing service request of 6001. For example, this signalling may comprise any of: an indication that the network function to be discovered is an SeMF, an indication of a sensing capability of the SeMF that is to be discovered, an indication of a sensing target, an indication of a sensing area, an indication of a quality of service to be fulfilled by the sending request, etc. The information comprised in the signalling of 6002 for discovering the SeMF may be obtained and / or derived from the information comprised in the sending service request of 6001. The signaling of 6002 may comprise an Nnrf_NFDiscovery_request message.

[0247] During 6003, the NRF 604 responds to the signalling of 6002. This signalling may comprise an indication of at least one (e.g., one, or more than one) SeMF that can fulfil the requirements comprised in the request signalled in 6002. This signalling may comprise an indication of an SeMF set and / or an SeMF instance. This signalling may comprise an Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Response message.

[0248] During 6004, the NEF 605 selects SeMF 603 from the at least one SeMF indicated in 6003.

[0249] During 6005, the NEF 605 signals the SeMF 603. This signalling may comprise the sensing service request information comprised in the signalling of 6001. For example, this signalling may comprise an indication of the sensing area, the sensing requirements, and / or the sensing quality of service.

[0250] During 6006, the SeMF determines a geographic region covered by at least one access node that corresponds to the sensing area. For example, the SeMF 603 may determine at least one Tracking Area that corresponds to the sensing area.

[0251] In the present signalling and in later signalling, the sensing area may be provided from the SeMF 603 to the AMF 602 over interfaces using any of a plurality of different forms. As a first example, the sensing area may be indicated as a target sensing geographical area information that can be sent to an access node that knows which cell / beam provided by the access node covers which geographical area. As a second example, the sensing area may be indicated as a target sensing 3GPP area information (e.g., as a collection of 3GPP defined areas (e.g., (tracking areas) + Cell ld(s)), where the target sensing 3GPP area serve the smallest superset of the target sensing geographical area. The target sensing 3GPP area information may be used by a 3GPP NF (e.g. AMF 602) to select which access node to invoke. This enables (or otherwise facilitates) an AMF 602 to select an access node for forwarding sensing request information to without the AMF having a precise knowledge of the geographical area served by each access node.

[0252] Although the SeMF 603 is shown as a standalone entity in FIG. 6, it is understood that at least one of the functionality of the SeMF 603 may be integrated as part of another function. For example, the functionality of determining the geographic region may be performed at the NEF (e.g., as part of 6004), with the determined geographic region being transferred during 6005 instead of the sensing area.

[0253] During 6007, the SeMF 603 signals the NRF 604. This signalling may comprise a request to discover at least one AMF that both supports sensing services covers the sensing area. For example, this signalling may comprise a request to identify at least one AMF that serves at least one tracking area in the target 3GPP area, and that supports sensing services. The signalling of 6007 may be comprised in an Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request. This signalling may comprise an indication that the NF type to be discovered is an AMF, an indication of a geographic area to be covered by access nodes served by the AMF (e.g., a tracking area), and an indication that the AMF is to support sensing services.

[0254] During 6008, the NRF 604 responds to the signalling of SeMF 603. This signalling may comprise an indication of at least one AMF (including AMF 602) that fulfils the properties indicated in the discovery request of 6007. This signalling may comprise an Nnrf_Discovery_Response. This signalling may comprise an indication of an AMF set and / or a plurality of AMF instances.

[0255] During 6009, the SeMF 603 selects, from the AMF indicated in the response of 6008, at least one AMF that are to be involved in providing the sensing service to the sensing client. For example, where the signalling of 6008 indicates multiple AMF that support a same tracking area, the SeMF 603 may determine to use less than all of these multiple AMF to avoid requesting same information from different AMF. In the present example, at least AMF 602 is selected.

[0256] During 6010, the SeMF 603 signals AMF 602. This signalling may comprise a request to discover sensing capabilities of access nodes served by the AMF 602 that may participate in fulfilling the sensing request.

[0257] This signalling may comprise a plurality of different information for assisting in determining which access nodes may participate in fulfilling the sensing request. This signalling may be as described above in relation to FIG. 4.

[0258] During 6011, the AMF 602 determines sensing capabilities of at least one access node 601 served by the AMF 602. For example, the AMF 602 may determine which of the access node(s) supported by the AMF 602 is able to the sensing requirements comprised in the signalling of 6010, and may determine the associated sensing capabilities of those supporting access nodes. The AMF 602 may determine this information by requesting this information from, for example, a RAN repository function and / or an access node. The sensing capabilities may be as described above in relation to FIG. 4.

[0259] During 6012, the AMF 602 signals the SeMF 603. This signalling may comprise a response to the signalling of 6010. This signalling may comprise an indication of the identifier of the access node and the sensing capabilities of the access node determined by the AMF 602 during 6011. This signalling may comprise an Namf_NWCapabilities_Response message.

[0260] The SeMF 603 may store the received information about the sensing capabilities for one or more of the access nodes.

[0261] During 6013, the SeMF 603 selects at least one access node (and the AMF that serves it) for providing at least part of the sensing service. This selection may be performed using the sensing capabilities and access node identifier(s) received during 6011.

[0262] Although not shown in FIG. 6, the SeMF 603 may cause the selected access node(s) of 6013 to perform sensing measurements that are compliant with the sensing capabilities indicated during 6012. The selected access node(s) may provide measurement data resulting from the performed sensing measurements to the SeMF 603, which may use that measurement data to determine an output that fulfils the sensing service requirements. The SeMF may subsequently provide the output to the application function 606 via the NEF 605 in response to the signalling of 6005 and 6001.

[0263] Any appropriate communication protocol and / or message may be used for the signalling between the SeMF and the AMF. For example, a non-UE associated procedure can be used for the transmission of the Namf_NW Sensing Capabilities Request message from the SeMF to the AMF as well as of the NGAP_RAN Sensing Capabilities Request message from the AMF to the BSs, and the respective response messages.

[0264] As an extension to the above examples of FIGs. 4 to 6, the SeMF can transmit the Sensing Capabilities Request message or a similar request message to a target RAN node (e.g., access node), either directly in case of a service-based architecture (SBA) interface or via the AMF. On receiving this Sensing Capabilities Request message, the target RAN node may decide to discover and select the other RAN nodes that may be involved in a sensing procedure especially forthose sensing measurements that requires involvement of more than one RAN nodes. After determining the other RAN nodes, the target RAN node may provide this list of the RAN nodes or BSs together with their respective capabilities to the SeMF.

[0265] To help effect this, the target RAN node may request and receive the sensing capabilities of the neighboring nodes either directly (e.g., via an Xn interface) or indirectly (e.g., via the AMF). The SeMF may identify a target RAN node based on locally available information or provided by another NF (e.g., by a network repository function located in the core network and / or in the radio access network).

[0266] The SeMF of any of FIGs. 4 to 6 may store the identifier(s) of the access nodes and / or their associated sensing capabilities that were received in responses to the transmitted Discovery Requests. Further, the SeMF of any of FIGs. 4 to 6 may keep information about the mapping of the identifier(s) of the access nodes to access node location (e.g., tracking area(s) and / or RAN nodes’ location information).

[0267] The above examples of FIGs. 4 to 6 refer to sensing service-related information (e.g., sensing capabilities) being stored at various repository functions. The following examples of FIGs. 7A to 7D illustrate how such storing may be performed.

[0268] FIG. 7A illustrates signalling for an SeMF 701 to register its capabilities at an NRF 702. This signalling may be performed in advance of the signalling of any of 4002, 5002, and / or 6002 in order for an indication of the SeMF to be returned to the NEF in these examples.

[0269] During 7001, the SeMF 701 signals the NRF 702. This signalling may comprise a request for registering the SeMF (and / or for updating an existing registration of the SeMF 702). This request may comprise an indication of the NF type (e.g., that the entity requesting the registration / update is an SeMF). This request may comprise an identification of the SeMF 701. This request may comprise an indication of sensing information related to the SeMF 701. For example, the sensing information may comprise an indication of at least one sensing service that is able to be provided by the SeMF 701, such as maximum quality of service requirements, algorithm(s) used for performing sensing service(s), etc. The information comprised in the request of 7001 may be referred to as an SeMF profile for the SeMF 701. The signalling of 7001 may be comprised in an Nnrf_NFManagemnet_NFRegister message.

[0270] During 7002, the NRF 702 stores the SeMF profile at the NRF 702.

[0271] During 7003, the NRF 702 signals the SeMF 701. This signalling may comprise a response to the registration request of 7001. For example, this signalling may comprise an indication that the registration has been successfully recorded by the NRF 702.

[0272] As detailed above, FIG. 7A illustrates an SeMF 701 that registers in an NRF by providing an SeMF profile to the NRF 702. The NRF 702 marks the registration of the SeMF 701 to indicate that the SeMF 701 is available for providing at least one sensing service. The SeMF profile may comprise any of a plurality of different information. For example, the SeMF profile may comprise at least one or more of the following information: • An indication that the NF Type is an SeMF * An indication of at least one sensing capability of the SeMF, for example: o An indication of at least one type of Sensing Service supported by the SeMF (e.g., intruder detection, environment monitoring, object tracking, health monitoring, collision detection) o An indication of at least one supported Sensing method supported by the SeMF (e.g., monostatic, bistatic, both) • An indication on Sensing Target description supported by the SeMF (e.g., whether the SeMF is able to providing sensing services in relation to objects having predetermined mobility qualities (e.g., static and / or moving), in relation to an object type, an object size, and / or an object material, and / or in relation to certain environments) • An indication on at least one sensing area supported by the SeMF. This sensing area may be indicated using at least one of a tracking area identifier, a cell identifier, a geographic area (e.g., latitude, longitude, and / or altitude), an area code, and / or an identifier of an area used by a network operator; • An indication of at least one radio access technology type and / or frequency bands supported by the SeMF for sensing services (3GPP NR FR1 (n1, n3, n77, etc.), 3GPP NR FR2 (n257, n258, etc.), LTE, 3GPP NR NTN, N3GPP, 6G radio or any other later G radio) • An indication of a sensing quality of service (QoS) supported by the SeMF (e.g., a sensing resolution, a sensing latency, an accuracy of position and / or speed, etc.) • An indication of the SeMF’s support (or not) of User Plane or Data plane collection of sensing data received from the UEs and / or access nodes; or • An indication on provided types of sensing outputs to the service consumer (e.g., raw data, processed data, etc.)

[0273] FIG. 7B illustrates signalling for an AMF 701’ to register its capabilities at an NRF 702’. This may be performed in advance of the signalling of any of 4007, 5007, and / or 6007 in order that the NRF mentioned therein is able to return information on the registered AMF.

[0274] During 700T, the AMF 701’ signals the NRF 702’. This signalling may comprise a request for registering the AMF (and / or for updating an existing registration of the AMF 702’). This request may comprise an indication of the NF type (e.g., that the entity requesting the registration / update is an AMF). This request may comprise an identification of the AMF 70T. This request may comprise an indication of sensing information related to the AMF 70T.

[0275] For example, the AMF may provide at least one of the following sensing related information with the registration message of 700T: • An indication of whether sensing functionality support provided by the AMF (e.g., a binary “yes” or “no” indication); * An indication of whether the AMF is capable of discovering at least one access nodes involved in providing a sensing service in accordance with the AMF of FIG. 4 and / or FIG. 5; • An indication of whether the AMF is capable of discovering at least one access nodes involved in providing a sensing service in accordance with the AMF of FIG. 6; • An indication of whether the AMF can locally store information on RAN entities (e.g., access nodes), including their identity and their sensing capabilities; or • An indication of an associated RAN repository function that may be used by the AMF for retrieval and / or discovery of sensing information associated with at least one of the access nodes supported by the AMF.

[0276] During 7002’, the NRF 702’ stores the AMF profile at the NRF 702’.

[0277] During 7003’, the NRF 702’ signals the AMF 70T. This signalling may comprise a response to the registration request of 7001’. For example, this signalling may comprise an indication that the registration has been successfully recorded by the NRF 702’.

[0278] Another example of an operation that may be performed during at least one of FIGs. 4 to 6 is illustrated in FIG. 7C. FIG. 7C relates to an access node registering a profile comprising its sensing capabilities at a RAN RF, which is later queried for finding an access node fulfilling a sensing service request (as explicitly illustrated with respect to the example of FIG. 5).

[0279] FIG. 7C illustrates signalling that may be performed between an access node 701”, a RAN RF 702”, and a network function 703” (such as, for example, an AMF and / or an SeMF, and / or another RAN access node).

[0280] During 7001”, the access node 701” signals the RAN RF 702”. This signaling may comprise a request for registering the access node 701” at the RAN RF 702”. This signalling may comprise an identifier of the access node 701” and at least one sensing capability of the access node 701” for providing at least one sensing service. The at least one sensing capability may correspond to the sensing capabilities of an access node discussed above in relation to any of FIGs. 4 to 6.

[0281] During 7002”, the RAN RF 702” stores a correspondence between the indicated identifier of the access node 701” and the at least one sensing capability of the access node 701”.

[0282] During 7003”, the RAN RF 702” signals the access node 701 This signalling may indicate that the RAN RF 702” has successfully registered the access node 701”.

[0283] During 7004” the network function 703” signals the RAN RF 702”. This signalling may comprise a request that the RAN RF 702” provide the network function 703” with an indication of sensing capabilities of at least one access node. The information comprised in this signalling may correspond to the signaling of 5011 (regardless of the network function that performs the transmission).

[0284] During 7005”, the RAN RF 702” determines sensing capabilities of the access node(s) registered thereat. This determination may be performed in accordance with 5012.

[0285] During 7006”, the RAN RF 702” signals the network function 703”. This signalling may comprise a response to the signalling of 7004”. The content of the signalling of 7006” may correspond to the content of 5013.

[0286] FIG. 7D illustrates example signalling that may be performed between an access node 701”’and an AMF 702"’ for registering sensing capabilities information of the access node at the AMF. This may be useful for the operations associated with FIG. 6. These operations may be performed before the signalling of 6010 in FIG. 6.

[0287] During 700T”, the access node 70T” signals the AMF 702’”. This signalling may comprise a request to set up a next generation connection therebetween, and / or to update information associated with the access node 70T”. For example, this signalling may comprise a request for the AMF 702”’ to support communications between the access node 70T” and a core network. As another example, this signalling may comprise a request to update stored sensing capabilities for the access node 70T” at the AMF 702’”. The signalling of 700T” may comprise an indication of the sensing capabilities of the access node 70T”. These sensing capabilities of the access node may be as described above in relation to any of FIGS. 4 to 5. The signalling of 7001 may be comprised in an NG SETUP request when the signalling of 700T” relates to a setup request, and / or be comprised in a “RAN CONFIGURATION UPDATE” request when the signalling of 700T” relates to an update operation.

[0288] During 7002'”, the AMF 702’” stores and / or updates information associated with the access node 701” at the AMF 702” to additionally comprise the sensing capabilities information signalled during 700T”.

[0289] During 7003”’, the AMF 702”’ signals the access node 70T”. This signalling may indicate that the AMF 702”’ has stored the sensing capabilities signalled during 700T”.

[0290] In this example of FIG. 7D, an access node can provide at least part of its sensing capabilities in an NG Setup Request message in the context of the NG interface establishment between the access node and the AMF.

[0291] In more detail, the access node may initiate the procedure by sending an NG SETUP REQUEST or RAN CONFIGURATION UPDATE message to the AMF, including the Sensing Capabilities of the access node. The content of the Sensing Capabilities information element may be as described above in relation to 4013. The AMF responds to this signalling with an NG SETUP RESPONSE or RAN CONFIGURATION UPDATE RESPONSE message that indicates whether the AMF has complied with the request. When the AMF cannot accept the setup signalled, the AMF may respond to the signalling of the access node with an NG SETUP FAILURE message and appropriate cause value.

[0292] As part of the NG SETUP Response message of 7003”’, the AMF may also provide the address of a respective RAN RF (if available and / or not pre-configured to the respective access node). As another option, the AMF may provide the sensing capabilities of at least one access node supported at the AMF to a RAN RF (when a RAN RF is available).

[0293] The AMF may provide an access node’s Sensing Capabilities to a SeMF as described above in relation to FIGs. 4 to 6. The AMF may provide the access node’s sensing capabilities to the SeMF upon NG Setup.

[0294] In this latter case the NG SETUP REQUEST currently defined in 3GPP TS 38.413 (NG Application Protocol (NGAP)) may be expanded to transfer application layer information for an NG-C interface instance.

[0295] In addition, after the establishment of the NG interface between the RAN node and the AMF, the Sensing Capabilities from an NG-RAN node to the AMF can be also provided via the RAN Configuration Update procedure, which is used is to update application level configuration data used for the NG-RAN node and the AMF to interoperate correctly on the NG-C interface. This may be as described above in relation to FIG. 7D, where the “RAN CONFIGURATION UPDATE” signalling operation is used. The procedure may use non-UE associated signaling.

[0296] Further, in the above examples of FIGs. 4 to 6, the SeMF may extend or update the received “Sensing area” comprised in the received sensing services request according to the SeMF’s local determination action(s) and / or based on received inputs about the capabilities of RAN entities (e.g., access nodes). The updated / extended sensing area may then be used to discover RAN entities with transmission and / or reception sensing capabilities that cover the extended “Sensing Area”.

[0297] Further, during a sensing procedure, the one or more access nodes that are involved in performing sensing measurements can provide to the SeMF updated information on their Sensing Capabilities, using any of the options described in previous examples. The updated information can trigger the SeMF to update the Sensing Configuration of one or more Sensing Sessions. The update information can include at least one of the Sensing Capabilities described In relation to FIG. 4.

[0298] In addition, there may be provided a (maximum) cell size for sensing. This maximum cell size for sensing may be understood by the AMF. There may be provided a list of cell sizes for sensing using a specific sensing technique (which is known and / or understood by the SeMF). The maximum cell size may be a maximum value of the list of ceil sizes for sensing using the specific sensing technique. The list of cell sizes for sensing areas may comprise an SeMF-based sensing coverage area, which can be part of the SeMF profile that is registered to NRF (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 7A).

[0299] In the above, reference is made to changes in the sensing capabilities, and provides several examples of types of sensing capabilities that may have a time-varying value over the course of a sensing operation. To illustrate this in more detail, the following considers the example of a change in coverage area for sensing services that may be provided by an access node.

[0300] The cell size for sensing (also referred to herein as sensing coverage area and / or sensing service area) is one of the sensing capabilities that a RAN entity (e.g., an access node) can provide to another entity (e.g., to a RAN RF, SeMF, AMF, another BS, etc.). The cell size for sensing of a RAN entity can be static, or can be also updated according to various internal factors (e.g., BS configuration, resources configuration) or external factors (e.g., channel conditions, geographical information).

[0301] This is illustrated with respect to FIG. 8.

[0302] FIG. 8 illustrates an access node 801 that provides a first cell size 802 for sensing using a first frequency range (FR1) using a first quality of service, a second cell size 803 for sensing using FR1 using a second quality of service, and a third cell size 804 for sensing using a second frequency range (FR2). As shown in FIG. 8, the second cell size is smaller than the first cell size. This smaller cell size may correspond to a higher quality of service of the sensing measurements. Stated differently, the second quality of service may be higher than the first quality of service. For example, the first quality of service may correspond to a maximum sensing range of 100m and a range accuracy of 5 m, while the second quality of service may correspond to a maximum sensing range of 50m and a range accuracy of 1m.

[0303] Also as shown in FIG. 8, the cell shape provided at any time instant may be directional such that it sensing area is not uniform about the access node.

[0304] FIG. 8 illustrates that an access node may have one or more cell size(s) for sensing. The one or more cell size(s) may be determined by, for example, a sensing transmitter's transmission power, a target object to be sensed (e.g., a minimum signal strength to detect sensing signal may vary in dependence on the size, location, velocity and / or material of the target object being sensed), etc.

[0305] The cell size available to be used as a sensing area may be described per RAN entity (e.g., per access node identifier, per Cell identiifer, etc) using one or more of the following information: * A Cell size for sensing description, using one or more of the following options: o very small, small, medium, large o using GPS coordinates o geographically-scoped (e.g., circular area, rectangular area, ellipsoidal area) and size of each shape. • parameters / features that may be associated with the respective described Cell size for sensing: o A maximum transmission power and / or maximum effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) (e.g., max Tx power (Pt) + antenna gain (Gt)) o A sensing frequency o sensing Service ID o A sensing QoS (e.g., A max sensing range, sensing resolution, sensing accuracy) o A sensing technique or sensing method used. o A Radar Cross Section (RCS) of a target object (a) o A minimum required signal to noise ratio SNR (SNRmin) o Receiver antenna gain (Gr) o Total system losses (L) o Average noise power (N)

[0306] For example, when a sensing cell size is determined using the maximum distance between a monostatic radar and a target object, the maximum distance (R) may be determined by the following radar equation. SNRmin = Pt*Gt*Gr*o*A2 / ((4Ti)3*R4*L*N) where; A: wavelength (determined by carrier frequency)

[0307] In addition to changes being made to a cell sensing area, another dynamic change may relate to the addition and / or removal of a sensor deployed by a base station for use in sensing services. Information about this addition and / or removal may be provided to the SeMF, which may use this information to determine whether the selected access nodes for providing the sensing service are to change, and / or whether the sensing configuration is to change.

[0308] In addition to changes being made to sensing capabilities of access nodes that are currently performing sensing-related measurements for fulfilling a sensing service, there may also be changes in the access nodes that are used to perform measurements for the sensing service. For example, there may be an activation of a new access node during the sensing service, where the new access node registers its sensing capabilities with a network function during the sensing service. In such a case, information about the sensing capabilities of the newiy activated access node may be propagated to the SeMF, which may use this information to determine whether to use the newly activated access node for fulfilling at least part of the sensing service.

[0309] Any NF (e.g., a RAN RF, a RAN node, or an AMF or any other NF) can trigger an event to notify the SeMF about a change in the sensing capabilities of a RAN node.

[0310] It is understood in the above that although the sensing request received at the SeMF is shown as originating from an AF via an NEF, that this is not limiting. For example, a sensing request message may be received at the SeMF from an AMF and / or from a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC).

[0311] Further, the role and / or the functionalities of the SeMF described herein may be performed by another entity. The another entity may be another network function, such as, for example, a location management function, LMF.

[0312] The following FIGs illustrate features of the above examples. It is therefore understood that the features described in the following may find correspondence with the features mentioned above, and that the above examples may illustrates ways in which the presently described operations may be implemented.

[0313] FIG. 9 illustrates operations that may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may, for example, comprise, or be comprised in, a sensing management function, SeMF. In some examples, the apparatus may be configured to operate as an SeMF. For instance, the apparatus may be configured to perform one or more functions of an SeMF. The SeMF may be a standalone function. The SeMF may be comprised in some other network node.

[0314] During 901, the apparatus receives a first request to provide a sensing service to a sensing client, the first request comprising an indication of at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service.

[0315] During 902, the apparatus signals, to a network node, a second request to receive an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil the at least one requirement. Stated differently, the respective sensing capability may be a capability of the access node. The respective sensing capability may be a capability of the access node that the access node is able to deploy (e.g., use in response to being instructed to deploy that capability, and / or in response to receiving a trigger to perform that capability, and / or in response to otherwise determining that the capability is to be used).

[0316] The network node may comprise a core network function (e.g., an access and management mobility function, AMF). In some examples, the network node may be configured to operate as an AMF. For instance, the network node may be configured to perform one or more functions of an AMF. The network node may comprise a radio access network network node (e.g., a network access node, and / or a radio access network repository function). For instance, the network node may comprise an access network node (e.g., a base station, gNB, etc.).

[0317] When the network architecture comprises centralized units and distributed units, the at least one access node may comprise a centralized unit and / or a distributed unit. For example, the apparatus may send the second request to receive capabilities to at least one of a centralized unit or distributed unit. Where the apparatus interacts directly with a centralized unit, the centralized unit may forward information to the distributed unit.

[0318] During 903, the apparatus receives the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability.

[0319] During 904, the apparatus selects at least one of the at least one access nodes for providing the sensing service using the received indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability. The apparatus may cause at least one of the selected access nodes to provide at least part of the sensing service. For example, the apparatus may cause a selected access node to perform at least one sensing operation (e.g., bi-static, multi-static, mono-static, etc.) and provide measurements (and / or processed values corresponding to measurements) from that sensing operation to the apparatus. The apparatus may use the provided measurements (and / or values) to provide the sensing service. For example, the apparatus may use the provided measurements (and / or values) to detect at least one object within an area defined by the sensing request.

[0320] The apparatus may signal, to a network repository function, a third request for an identification of the network node, the third request comprising an indication of a geographical or administrative area in which the sensing service is to be performed. The administrative area may comprise a domain of a network operator. The administrative area may comprise a public land mobile network of a network operator. The geographical or administrative area may comprise a tracking area. The geographical or administrative area may comprise at least one indication of a physical location (e.g., global positioning system (GPS) coordinates, a combination of latitude, longitude, and altitude, etc.). The apparatus may receive, from the network repository function, an identification of the network node prior to signalling the second request.

[0321] The third request may further comprise the at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service. Example requirements may comprise, for example, a sensing area (e.g., an area within which the sensing service is to be deployed), at least one sensing requirement, at least one sensing QoS, etc.

[0322] The apparatus may be able to react to dynamic changes in a sensing capability of the at least one access node. For example, the apparatus may receive an indication of a change in at least one of the respective sensing capabilities associated with a selected access node, and determine whether to deselect the selected access node for providing the sensing service using the received indication of the change, and / or to change a configuration of the selected access node for performing the sensing service.

[0323] The apparatus may determine a sensing configuration to be deployed by a selected access node using the received indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability, provide the sensing configuration to the selected access node, receive, from the selected access node, measurement data in accordance with the sensing configuration, process the measurement data to perform to produce an output that complies with the at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service, and provide the output to the sensing client.

[0324] The apparatus may receive an indication of a change in at least one of the respective sensing capabilities associated with a selected access node, determine whether to reconfigure the sensing configuration provided to the selected access node for providing the sensing service using the received indication of the change, and provide a reconfigured version of the sensing configuration to the selected access node when it is determined to reconfigure the sensing configuration.

[0325] FIG. 10 illustrates operations that may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may comprise (or be comprised in) a network node. The network node may be as described above in relation to FIG. 9. For example, the network node may comprise an access and mobility management function, an access node (e.g., a base station), and / or a radio access network radio repository function.

[0326] During 1001, the apparatus receives, from another apparatus (e.g., from the apparatus of FIG. 9), a second request to provide a sensing management function with an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil at least one requirement of a sensing service to be provided by the sensing management function. Stated differently, the respective sensing capability may be a capability of the access node. The respective sensing capability may be a capability of the access node that the access node is able to deploy (e.g., use in response to being instructed to deploy that capability, and / or in response to receiving a trigger to perform that capability, and / or in response to otherwise determining that the capability is to be used).

[0327] During 1002, the apparatus causes the sensing management function to be provided with the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability.

[0328] The causing may comprise determining the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability using sensing capability information received from at least one access node and / or radio access network repository function, and signalling the indication to the another apparatus.

[0329] The apparatus may receive the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability from an access node (e.g., the signalled access node or another access node) and / or a network function (e.g., a radio access network repository function, and / or a network repository function) prior to receiving the second request.

[0330] The causing may comprise signalling the second request to at least one of an access node or a radio access network repository function, receiving the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability from the signalled access node or radio access network repository function after signalling the second request to the at least one of an access node or a radio access network repository function, and signal the indication (e.g., of the identifier of the access node and / or of the respective sensing capabilities of the access node) to the another apparatus.

[0331] The apparatus may register, at a network repository function, an indication indicating whether the apparatus can support at least one sensing service to a sensing client, and an indication of at least one type of support of the sensing service that the apparatus can provide to a sensing client. For example, when the apparatus is configured to operate as an AMF, the indication of the at least one type of support may comprise an indication of whether the AMF supports transparent operation (e.g., where the AMF simply relays sensing requirement requests to another entity, such as an access node, and / or a RAN RF), and / or non-transparent operation (e.g., where the AMF inspects the sensing requirements comprised in the sensing requirements request(s) and solicits information from at least one access node and / or RAN RF utilizing the inspected sensing requirements).

[0332] The apparatus may react to dynamic changes in sensing requirements of an access node (e.g., as described above). The apparatus may determine that there has been a change in at least one of the respective sensing capabilities associated with at least one of said access nodes identified in the indication, and provide the another apparatus with another indication that identifies the change.

[0333] In all of the above examples of FIGs. 9 and 10, the at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service may comprise at least one of: an area in which the sensing service is to be performed; a quality of service to be fulfilled by the sensing service; and / or a collection mechanism to be used for collecting measurements for the sensing service.

[0334] In all of the above examples of FIGs. 9 and 10, the second request may comprise at least one of: an indication of an area in which sensing services are to be performed: an indication of a type of sensing service to be provided; an indication of a sensing requirement; or an indication of at least one quality of service associated with the type of sensing service.

[0335] The sensing QoS and / or sensing requirement may be as described above.

[0336] For example, the Sensing QoS may comprise one or more of the following: Sensing Resolution (e.g., a size of objects that may be distinguished (e.g., as large as 0.5m), a maximum sensing serving latency, an update rate of sensing data, a sensing accuracy (e.g., of positioning estimate, of velocity estimate etc.)).

[0337] The sensing requirements may comprise a requested sensing capabilities to be fulfilled by the access node(s) for providing the sensing service. For example, the sensing requirements may comprise one or more of the following: a sensing method to be used for the sensing service, resources (e.g., using uplink and / or downlink pilot or reference signals for channel parameter estimation, using data or user plane signals for channel parameter estimation), a supported frequency band to be used for the sensing service, a Radio Access Technology to be used for the sensing service, features and / or parameters to be collected in sensing data for the sensing service, a sensing technology of the transmit-receive antenna array to be used for the sensing service, and / or an indication of a type of sensing to be used for the sensing service.

[0338] FIG. 11 illustrates operations that may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may comprise an access node (e.g., a gNB, a base station, etc.). The apparatus may comprise a RAN repository function. The apparatus may comprise an access and mobility management function, AMF. In some examples, the apparatus may be configured to operate as an AMF. For instance, the apparatus may be configured to perform one or more functions of an AMF.

[0339] During 1101, the apparatus provides, to a network node, an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil at least one requirement of a sensing service to be provided by a sensing management function.

[0340] The network node may comprise at least one of an AMF, a network repository function, a radio access repository function, an access network node, or an SeMF. In some examples, the apparatus may be configured to operate as an AMF. For instance, the apparatus may be configured to perform one or more functions of an AMF. In some examples, the apparatus may be configured to operate as an SeMF. For instance, the apparatus may be configured to perform one or more functions of an SeMF.

[0341] The apparatus and the network node may each be comprised in (or otherwise configured to operate as part of) respective network nodes of the same type (e.g., first and second network access nodes). The apparatus and the network node may each be comprised in (or otherwise configured to operate as part of) respective network nodes of different types (e.g., a core network function and a radio access network function, a standalone SeMF and an access network node, etc.).

[0342] The indication may be provided to the network node during a registration process and / or during an update process. For example, the indication may be provided during a registration process as part of an “NG Setup” message. For example, the indication may be provided during an update process as part of a “RAN Configuration update” message.

[0343] In all of the above examples of FIGs. 9 to 11, the respective sensing capability may comprise at least one of: a binary indication of whether sensing functionality is available at the access node; an indication of a type of sensing functionality available at the access node; an indication of a type of resources that are available to be used for sensing; an indication of at least one parameter, feature, and / or type of sensing data that can be collected by the access node; an indication of a local processing capability of the access node for processing sensing measurements; an indication of a local obfuscation capability sensing measurements / data of the access node on for anonymizing the sensing data; an indication of whether data plane and / or user plane reporting of sensing measurements between the access node and a sensing management function for the sensing service is available; or an indication of a sensing cell size available at the access node.

[0344] The subject disclosure has provided by way of non-limiting and illustrative examples a full and informative description of some of the various examples described herein. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings will still fall within the scope of the various examples of the subject disclosure.

[0345] In the above, different examples are described using, as an example of an access architecture to which the described techniques may be applied, a radio access architecture based on long term evolution advanced (LTE Advanced, LTE-A) or new radio (NR, 5G, 6G, etc.), without restricting the examples to such an architecture, however. The examples may also be applied to other kinds of communications networks having suitable means by adjusting parameters and procedures where appropriate. Some examples of other options for suitable systems are the universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) radio access network (UTRAN), wireless local area network (WLAN or Wi-Fi), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), Bluetooth®, personal communications services (PCS), ZigBee®, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), systems using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, sensor networks, mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) and Internet Protocol multimedia subsystems (IMS) or any combination thereof.

[0346] As provided herein, several aspects are described in the various examples of the subject disclosure as well as in the claims. In general, some examples may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software code, logic or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software code which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although examples are not limited thereto. While various examples may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting and illustrative examples, hardware, software code, firmware code, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0347] The examples may be implemented by computer software code stored in a memory and executable by at least one data processor of the involved entities or by hardware, or by a combination of software code and hardware.

[0348] The memory referred to herein may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory.

[0349] The (data) processors referred to herein may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may comprise one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), FPGA, gate level circuits and processors based on multi core processor architecture, as non-limiting and illustrative examples.

[0350] Further in this regard it should be noted that any procedures, e.g., as in FIG. 9, and / or FIG. 10, and / or FIG. 11, and / or otherwise described herein, may represent operations of a program (e.g., computer program) being deployed by at least one processor comprised in an apparatus (where a program (e.g., computer program) comprises instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least one action, the instructions being represented as software code stored on at least one memory), or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of operations of a computer program being deployed by at least one processor comprised in an apparatus and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software code may be stored on memory, such as physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media (such as, hard disk or floppy disks), and optical media (such as, for example, DVD and the data variants thereof, CD, and so forth).

[0351] The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductorbased memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The data processors may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), gate level circuits and processors based on multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting and illustrative examples.

[0352] Additionally or alternatively, some examples may be implemented using circuitry. The circuitry may be configured to perform one or more of the functions and / or method steps previously described. That circuitry may be provided in the network node and / or the base station and / or in the communications device and / or in a core network entity.

[0353] As used herein, the term “circuitry” or “means” may refer to one or more or all of the following examples: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as, implementations in only analogue and / or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software code, such as: (i) a combination of analogue and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware code and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software code (including digital signal processor(s)), software code, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as the communications device or base station to perform the various functions previously described; and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that utilizes software code (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software code may not be present when not utilized for operation.

[0354] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware code. The term circuitry also covers, for example, integrated device(s).

[0355] Implementations of the disclosure may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

[0356] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

[0357] The term “non-transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (e.g., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0358] The scope of protection sought for the various examples of the subject disclosure is set out by the independent claims. The various examples and aspects / features thereof, described in this specification that do not, if any, fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding this subject disclosure.

[0359] This subject disclosure has provided, by way of non-limiting and illustrative examples, a full and informative description of some example implementations. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the 5 accompanying drawings and the claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of this subject disclosure will still fall within the scope of this various examples described herein. Indeed, there is a further example implementation comprising a combination of one or more example implementations with any of the other example implementations described herein. io

Claims

1) An apparatus comprising means for performing:receiving a first request to provide a sensing service to a sensing client, the first request comprising an indication of at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service;signalling, to a network node, a second request to receive an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil the at least one requirement;receiving the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability; andselecting at least one of the at least one access nodes for providing the sensing service using the received indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability.2) An apparatus a claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for performing: signalling, to a network repository function, a third request for an identification of the network node, the third request comprising an indication of a geographical or administrative area in which the sensing service is to be performed; andreceiving, from the network repository function, an identification of the network node prior to signalling the second request.3) An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the third request further comprises the at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service.4) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising means for: receiving an indication of a change in at least one of the respective sensing capabilities associated with a selected access node; anddetermining whether to deselect the selected access node for providing the sensing service using the received indication of the change.5) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising means for performing:determining a sensing configuration to be deployed by a selected access node using the received indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability;providing the sensing configuration to the selected access node;receiving, from the selected access node, measurement data in accordance with the sensing configuration;processing the measurement data to perform to produce an output that complies with the at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service; andproviding the output to the sensing client.6) An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, further comprising means for:receiving an indication of a change in at least one of the respective sensing capabilities associated with a selected access node;determining whether to reconfigure the sensing configuration provided to the selected access node for providing the sensing service using the received indication of the change; andproviding a reconfigured version of the sensing configuration to the selected access node when it is determined to reconfigure the sensing configuration.7) An apparatus comprising means for performing:receiving, from another apparatus, a second request to provide a sensing management function with an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil at least one requirement of a sensing service to be provided by the sensing management function; andcausing the sensing management function to be provided with the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability.8) An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the means for causing comprises means for performing:signalling the second request to at least one of an access node or a radio access network repository function;receiving the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability from the signalled access node and / or radio access network repository function after signalling the second request to the at least one of an access node or a radio access network repository function; andsignalling the indication to the another apparatus.9) An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the means for causing comprises means for performing:determining the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability using sensing capability information received from at least one access node and / or radio access network repository function; and signalling the indication to the another apparatus.10)An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 7 and / or 9, further comprising means for performing:receiving the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability from an access node and / or a network function prior to receiving the second request.11)An apparatus a claimed in any of claims 7 to 9, the apparatus further comprising means for performing: registering, at a network repository function, an indication indicating whether the apparatus can support at least one sensing service to a sensing client, and an indication of at least one type of support of the sensing service that the apparatus can provide to a sensing client.12)An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 7 to 11, the apparatus further comprising means for performing:determining that there has been a change in at least one of the respective sensing capabilities associated with at least one of said access nodes identified in the indication; andproviding the another apparatus with another indication that identifies the change.13)An apparatus a claimed in any of claims 7 to 12, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one of: an access and mobility function, a radio access network repository function, or an access node.14)An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service comprises at least one of: an area in which the sensing service is to be performed; a quality of service to be fulfilled by the sensing service; or a collection mechanism to be used for collecting measurements for the sensing service.15)An apparatus comprising means for performing:providing, to a network node, an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil at least one requirement of a sensing service to be provided by a sensing management function.16)An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the indication is provided to the network node during a registration process and / or during an update process.17)An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 15 to 16, wherein the network node comprises at least one of a network repository function, a radio access network repository function, an access network node, or an access and mobility function.18)An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the apparatus is comprised in an access network node.19)An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the respective sensing capability comprises: at least one of: a binary indication of whether sensing functionality is available at the access node; an indication of a type of sensing functionality available at the access node; an indication of a type of resources that are available to be used for sensing; an indication of at least one parameter, feature, and / or type of sensing data that can be collected by the access node; an indication of a local processing capability of the access node for processing sensing measurements; an indication of a local obfuscation capability sensing measurements / data of the access node on for anonymizing the sensing data; an indication of whether data plane and / or user plane reporting of sensing measurements between the access node and a sensing management function for the sensing service is available; or an indication of a sensing cell size available at the access node.20)A method for an apparatus, the method comprising:receiving a first request to provide a sensing service to a sensing client, the first request comprising an indication of at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service;signalling, to a network node, a second request to receive an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil the at least one requirement;receiving the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability; andselecting at least one of the at least one access nodes for providing the sensing service using the received indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability.21 )A method for an apparatus, the method comprising:receiving, from another apparatus, a second request to provide a sensing management function with an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil at least one requirement of a sensing service to be provided by the sensing management function; andcausing the sensing management function to be provided with the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability.22)A method for an apparatus, the method comprising:providing, to a network node, an indication of an access node and an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil at least one requirement of a sensing service to be provided by a sensing management function.23)A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, causes the apparatus to perform:receiving a first request to provide a sensing service to a sensing client, the first request comprising an indication of at least one requirement to be fulfilled by the sensing service;signalling, to a network node, a second request to receive an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil the at least one requirement;receiving the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability; andselecting at least one of the at least one access nodes for providing the sensing service using the received indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability.24)A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, causes the apparatus to perform:receiving, from another apparatus, a second request to provide a sensing management function with an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil at least one requirement of a sensing service to be provided by the sensing5 management function; andcausing the sensing management function to be provided with the indication of the at least one access node and the respective sensing capability.25)A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by an10 apparatus, causes the apparatus to perform:providing, to a network node, an indication of an access node and an indication of at least one access node and a respective sensing capability available at that access node that may be deployed to fulfil at least one requirement of a sensing service to be provided by a sensing management function.15

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