Apparatus for integrated sensing and communication

Abstract

An apparatus (gNB) transmits to a user device (UE) an indication for a hybrid Modulation and Coding Scheme, MCS, being one used to encode data using two modulation schemes, a first scheme 20 and a sec

Description

Field of the Invention Various example embodiments relate to apparatus for Integrated Sensing and Communication, ISAC, and to corresponding methods, computer programs and computer readable media for the same. Background to the Invention ISAC refers to combining sensing and communication systems such that, for example, a network can detect reflections of communications signals from objects in the environment in order to estimate parameters of objects (e.g., range, velocity, angle). In order words, the network operates as a radar. In ISAC, a channel state information, CSI, matrix is typically required for sensing and obtained via element-wise division of the transmitted symbols by the received symbols. In the case of mono-static sensing with a co-located transmitter, TX, and sensing receiver, SRX, complete knowledge of the transmitted symbols can be assumed at the SRX. However, in the case of bi-static sensing where the TX and SRX are not co-located as illustrated in figure 1, usually only dedicated reference / pilot symbols are used for sensing. However, one would ideally like to use the full transmitted frame, i.e., including the (typically unknown) payload, to increase the available processing gain and thus boost sensing performance. Summary of the Invention According to some aspects, there is provided the subject matter of the independent claims. Some further aspects are defined in the dependent claims. Brief Description of Drawings Figure 1 illustrates an example of bistatic ISAC; Figure 2 illustrates an example hybrid Modulation and Coding Scheme, MCS; Figures 3 to 5 are message sequence diagrams illustrating example signaling; Figure 6 illustrates an example resource allocation procedure; Figure 7 graphs variable node degrees and error numbers against codeword bit indexes; Figure 8 illustrates an example of signal processing for bi-static sensing; Figure 9 illustrates an example of signal processing for communications; and Figure 10 graphs image signal-to-noise ratio, SNR, against SNR for bistatic ISAC according to the present disclosure; Figure 11 graphs probabilities of missed image against SNR for bistatic ISAC according to the present disclosure; Figure 12 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a device that is suitable for implementing example methods illustrated in figures 1 to 11. Detailed Description The principle of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It is to be understood that these example embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustration and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below. The terminology used herein to describe embodiments is not intended to limit the scope. The articles ‘a,’ ‘an,’ and ‘the’ are singular in that they have a single referent, however the use of the singular form in the present document should not preclude the presence of more than one referent. In other words, elements referred to in the singular can number one or more, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms ‘comprises,’ ‘comprising,’ ‘includes,’ and / or ‘including,’ when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, items, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, items, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Bi-Static ISAC As mentioned above, in the case of bi-static sensing where the TXand SRX are not collocated as illustrated in figure 1, usually only dedicated reference / pilot symbols are used for sensing. To improve bi-static sensing capabilities, one could increase the pilot density / overhead. However, this is clearly not desirable for the communications link, as it leads to a reduction in spectral efficiency. One could use the full transmitted frame, i.e., including the (typically unknown) payload, to increase the available processing gain and thus boost sensing performance. However, this would typically require the SRX to have knowledge of the transmitted orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing, OFDM, symbols to equalize their influence and perform sensing on the resulting CSI matrix. Such knowledge is not available in bistatic setups in convention cellular standards, and would require a proprietary, high speed and low latency link between TXand SRX. Alternatively, the use of Xn interfaces between gNBs for the case of infrastructure-based sensing has been proposed, however, there is a substantial conflicting requirement for frequent, high-data-volume transmissions between gNB through the network for other services. The SRX therefore needs to either use (known) pilots and / or decode the (unknown) communications signals to obtain the CSI matrix. Hybrid MCS Accordingly, in a first embodiment, apparatus for a network is provided comprising: at least processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: transmit, from the networkto User Equipment, UE, an indication fora hybrid Modulation and Coding Scheme, MCS, being one used to encode data using two modulation schemes including a first scheme and a second scheme; and transmit, from the network, data encoded with the hybrid MCS. In particular, at least one of the following may apply: a) At least the second scheme is selected to satisfy sensing link performance requirements b) Both first and second schemes are used to encode symbols in the same code block. c) Symbols are encoded with second scheme as exceptions to the first scheme whereby symbols encoded with the second scheme are regularly spaced in the time and / or frequency domain. d) The ratio of symbols encoded by first scheme is at least 8x, 15x or 24x that of second scheme. The apparatus may be further caused to: receive sensing link performance requirements from a core network, CN, function, and select the second scheme to satisfy the sensing link performance requirements. The apparatus may be further caused to: determine at least the first scheme based on Channel State Information, CSI. In a second embodiment, apparatus for a UE or a sensing receiver is provided comprising: at least processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive, from a network, an indication for a hybrid MCS, being one used to encode data using two modulation schemes including a first scheme and a second scheme; receive data encoded with the hybrid MCS; and perform decoding of the received signal encoded with the hybrid MCS. At least one of a) to d) above may apply. For UE or the like, the indication maybe received as part of a Downlink Control Information, DCI, or in a Medium Access Control, MAC, Control Element, CE. For a sensing receiver, the apparatus is further caused to: determine from the received signal the presence of an object based on the received signal. The second scheme may be at least one of a lower modulation order and a lower coding rate, CR, than the first scheme. Applicable to both first and second embodiments, the indication may include look up table parameters for the first and second schemes of the hybrid MCS. Alternatively, the indication may include: a look up table parameter for the first scheme of the hybrid MCS, and at least one of a symbol and a subcarrier related parameter which define particular symbols to be encoded using the second scheme as exceptions to the first scheme. Further applicable to both first and second embodiments, the at least one of a symbol and a subcarrier related parameter provide for a uniform distribution of symbols encoding using the second scheme in at least one of the time and frequency domain. Yet further applicable to both first and second embodiments, the at least one of a symbol and a subcarrier related parameter include at least one of: at least one of a modulation order and a coding rate; parameters defining a starting reference symbol and the spacing to the successive symbols from the reference symbol; ■ parameters defining a starting reference subcarrier and the spacing to the successive carriers from the reference subcarrier; ■ a parameter defining a total number of at least one of symbols and subcarriers; and ■ a look up parameter defining an interleaving scheme. The first and second embodiments will now be illustrated with the example hybrid MCS illustrated in figure 2. The first and second schemes are used to encode symbols over 40+ subcarriers (though more or less could be used). Majority region 20 represents the first scheme, being conventional communications symbol modulation and coding. This could be 16-QAM (Modulation Order, MO, Qm=4, corresponding to MCS Index lMcs = 13 in table 1 below) or similar, and optionally chosen to reflect channel conditions. Minority regions 21 (only one indicated) represent the second scheme, being a scheme with a lower modulation order and a lower coding rate than the first schemes. These could be QPSK ‘pseudo-pilots’ for sensing with sensing grid spacing time Kt=4 and sensing grid spacing frequency KF=4. Other spacing would be possible and there may be asymmetry between symbol and carrier spacing. Figures 3 to 5 are message sequence diagrams illustrating User Equipment, UE, a network node, gNB, core network elements providing a Location Management Function, LMF, and a Sensing Management Function, SeMF, and a Sensing Receiver, SRX. Although only individual UE and SRX is shown, the signaling of the gNB and LMF / SeMF may be provided to multiple UE and SRXs. Referring to figure 3, the illustrated signaling is as follows: Step 300: Sensing Request. A core network LMF or SeMF requests sensing measurements with information regarding link budget requirements and desired key performance indicators, KPIs. Step 301: Downlink, DL, Channel Estimation. gNB and UE perform conventional DL channel estimation, for example, according to TS 38.214 or another standard document, to estimate communications KPIs (like SINR, rank, precoding etc.) Step 302: Select hybrid MCS for Physical Downlink Shared Channel, PDSCH. KPI’s include KPIs from step 301 used to adapt MAC layer procedures based on DL channel estimation and sensing link budget KPIs. A hybrid MCS scheme is selected to satisfy both communications and sensing link budget KPIs. Step 303: Selected hybrid MCS (with Downlink Control Information, DCI). The selected hybrid MCS (i.e. as implemented in the first and second apparatus embodiments discussed above) is signaled to UE, e.g., by extending the current signaling described in TS 38.214 (or related standard documents). For example, this could be done as part of DCI or in a Medium Access Control, MAC, Control Element, CE. Step 304: Selected hybrid MCS (with DCI). The determined hybrid MCS is also signaled to SRX. Again, this could be done as part of DCI or a MAC CE, or, alternatively, using other means. Step 305: Decode PDSCH. UE can decode PDSCH with the hybrid MCS and perform communications functions based thereon. Step 306: Sensing. SRX performs ISAC with the hybrid MCS increasing the probability of detecting targets with bi-static payload sensing. Step 307: Sensing Results. The sensing results are reported back to the LMF / SeMF of the CN. Optionally (not shown), Step 300: Sensing Request can be updated taking sensing results into account and the hybrid MOS allocation scheme can be updated based on the updated sensing request in Step 303: Selected hybrid MOS. This will be discussed further before. The hybrid MOS allows CN entities providing LMF and / or SeMF to request sensing operations with link budget requirements and desired KPIs, facilitates bi-static sensing. Moreover, it provides the gNB with the information to determine / provide joint sensing and communications operations in the data channel. Concerning the sensing link budget and KPIs required to perform a desired sensing task, e.g., for detecting a drone, this may be part of a Positioning Reference Signal, PRS, configuration procedure and could include, for example, the following: ■ Required unambiguous values in range / Doppler shift / angle, ■ Required resolution in range / Doppler sift / angle, ■ Required accuracy in range / Doppler shift / angle, ■ Expected range / direction of the target, ■ Expected radar cross section (RCS) of the target, ■ Required EIRP, Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power) at the transmitter for the sensing signal, ■ Required EIRP at the transmitter including processing gain from number of symbols, subcarriers, and / or number of resource elements, REs, for the sensing signal. This information can be provided using existing protocols. Concerning hybrid MCS-related signaling to the UE, e.g., in DCI according to TS38.212, or with similar (semi-jpersistent resource allocations, such signaling could be modified to convey that a specific grid of resources will have a different associated MCS. This can be done by signaling the following: ■ Starting position in time (OFDM symbol index) ■ Starting position in frequency (OFDM subcarrier index) ■ Separation in time (in number of OFDM symbols) ■ Separation in frequency (in number of OFDM subcarriers) ■ Optionally, end OFDM symbol index (or total number of symbols) ■ Optionally, end OFDM subcarrier index (or total number of subcarriers) This would enable the hybrid MCS to be signaled using legacy MCS signaling define the modulation order, MO, on the part of the resources that is not part of the sensing grid (20 in figure 2), and a new field can be used to define the sensing grid. Interleaving PDSCH encoding is defined in conventional telecom standards with low-density parity-check, LDPC, codes being used. For example, polar codes are currently used to protect control channels. A new base graph to enable asymmetric bit protection can be defined for a hybrid MCS and dedicated interleaving rules applied, to allow the strongly protected channel bits to appear on the symbols in the sensing grid, thus easing their decoding at the sensing receiver. This asymmetric error protection effect (i.e., because of the interleaving rule) depends on the decoding algorithm and the decoding complexity. This decoding capability (i.e. based on the specifications of an SRX) are signaled because it affects the choice of interleaving rule (i.e., an interleaving rule is selected to be used from a set of pre-defined interleaving rules based on the SRX). For example, in the case of LDPC codes, assuming Belief Propagation, BP, decoding with 20 iterations, a specific interleaving rule can be provided with a compact description of strongly / weakly protected codeword bits. However, such an interleaving rule might be different if SRX supports less / more BP iterations. Also, from polar coding theory, knowledge of SRX decoding capability (algorithms and complexity) is essential for polar codes because the behavior per codeword bit will change accordingly. In other words, the error-rate performance, BER / BLER, the code design / construction and which bits are strongly / weakly protected depends on the used decoding specification and, thus, an interleaving rule should be tailored accordingly. Accordingly, there is provided, in a third embodiment, apparatus for a network function comprising: at least processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive at a core network function from a sensing receiver an indication of a signal decoding capability; select an interleaving rule based on the signal decoding capability; and transmit to a network element an indication of the interleaving rule. The apparatus may be further caused to: transmit to the sensing receiver a request to provide an indication of a signal decoding capability. Also, the core network function may be at least one of a location management function, LMF, or a Sensing Management Function, SeMF. The interleaving rule may be selected for a hybrid MCS, being one used to encode data using at least two modulation schemes including a first scheme and a second scheme with at least one of a lower modulation order and a lower coding rate than the first scheme, whereby symbols encoded with the second scheme have greater error resistance that those of the first scheme. The interleaving rule may prescribe, for compatibility with the signal decoding capability, at least one of: a specific channel code, a specific code type, a specific code length and specific code rate. In a fourth embodiment, apparatus for a sensing request is provided comprising: at least processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: transmit to a network an indication of a signal decoding capability; receive from a network an indication of a selected interleaving rule; receive a signal encoded with a MCS using the selected interleaving rule; decode the received signal using the received indication of the selected interleaving rule; and determine from the received signal the presence of an object based on the received signal having been reflected by the object. The apparatus may be further caused to: receive from a network a request to provide signal decoding capability, wherein the transmission to the network of the indication of a signal decoding capability is done pursuant to the request. In a fifth embodiment, apparatus for user equipment may be provided comprising: at least processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive from a network an indication of a interleaving rule selected based on the signal decoding capability of an external sensing receiver; receive a signal encoded with a MCS using an interleaving rule; and decode the received signal using the received indication of the selected interleaving rule. In a sixth embodiment, apparatus for a network may be provided comprising: at least processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive from a core network function an indication of a interleaving rule selected based on the signal decoding capability of an external sensing receiver; transmit an indication of the selected interleaving rule to at least one external UE and at least one sensing receiver; and transmit data encoded with a MCS using the interleaving rule. In respect of the apparatus of the fourth to sixth embodiments, the MCS may be a hybrid MCS, being one used to encode data using at least two modulation schemes including a first scheme and a second scheme with at least one of a lower modulation order and a lower coding rate than the first scheme, and wherein the interleaving rule provides symbols encoded with the second scheme with greater error resistance that those of the first scheme. Referring to figure 4, signaling consistent with the third to the sixth embodiments is illustrated: Step 400: Request Decoding Capability. The LMF / SeMF requests the decoding specifications from the SRX. Step 401: Provide Decoding Capability. The SRX reports back its decoding capabilities to SeMF. Step 402: Select Interleaving Rule. Based on this, the LMF / SeMF chooses the interleaving rule. This is described in greater detail below. In a first option: Step 403: Provide Interleaving Rule. The LMF / SeMF signals the interleaving rule to the gNB which in turn signals the interleaving rule to the UE Step 404: Provide Interleaving Rule The LMF / SeMF signals the interleaving rule to the SRX. In a second option: Step 403’: Provide Interleaving Rule. The LMF / SeMF signals the interleaving rule to the gNB. Step 404’: Provide Interleaving Rule. In turn, the gNB signals the interleaving rule to the UE and the SRX. Signaling of the SRX capability to enable the tailoring of the interleaving rule can be done by coding related signaling such as: the specific channel code capable of being used; code type (i.e. polar, LDPC etc.); for 5G LDPC codes (and possibly future communications standards), which base graph is used; code length, N; code rate R=k / N (see MCS table 1 below). For decoding, this can be done by decoder type (e.g., BP, SCL, etc.) and decoder performance (e.g. complexity, latency, number of allowed BP iterations, list size, etc.). Referring to figure 5, the signaling of figures 3 and 4 can be combined as shown in figure 5. Variations on this will suggest themselves to a person skilled in the art. For example, S300 Sensing Request could be provided in the same message as S403 &S403’ Provide Interleaving Rule. Moreover, the interleaving related signaling could be further refined, reflecting the selected hybrid MCS. For example, S300 Sensing Request could be refined to take sensing results into account, e.g., by tightening the requirements in case of insufficient results or, vice versa, relaxing them if the results indicate that also lower requirements (e.g., in terms of SNR, unambiguous values, resolution) are sufficient. This could be achieved through signaling from the SeMF (or similar) to the gNB / TRP (e.g., using 5G NR Positioning Protocol A). The gNB 8 would then be able to adapt how the hybrid MCS allocation scheme is selected based on the updated sensing request and the DL channel estimation information. Implementation Considerations The resource allocation conflict in bistatic ISAC setups is that, for communications, it is desirable to scale to a high rate MCS with few pilots. For sensing, a low MCS is desired (ideally constant amplitude modulation), ideally with pilots. Figure 6 illustrates a resource allocation schemethat considers the tradeoff above and takes aspects of channel coding into account. Briefly: Step 600a: Input: Sensing link budget and KPIs (e.g. from SeMF) Step 600b: Input: Communications KPIs (CQI etc.). Step 601: Determine sensing burst allocation requirements. The required allocation density in time / frequency between lower MO symbols on the sensing grid as well as the required sensing burst duration and bandwidth used for sensing are determined based on the sensing link budget and KPIs It should be noted that step 601 is a non-real-time operation, as the sensing grid requirements are determined only once at the beginning. The remaining steps are real-time, e.g., slot-based, operations as they are executed periodically to account for scheduled transmissions. Step 602: Communication signals allocated in resources provisioned for sensing burst? During scheduling operations (typically performed for each slot), a check should be performed whether the resources previously provisioned for the sensing burst overlap with any scheduled transmission. Those resources could be, e.g., Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), or Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) Step 603a: MCS selection based on CSI &sensing burst. If yes at Step 602 whereby there is overlap with scheduled transmissions, a hybrid MCS allocation scheme can be used, where, e.g., a lower MO can be used on the REs that were occupied in the previously determined sensing grid. The MCS for resources on the non-sensing grid can be chosen higher and is selected based on the communications KPIs. In addition, further measures can be adopted to satisfy both sensing and communications requirements as described below. Step 603b: Map known pilots to sensing grid. If no at Step 602 whereby no communication signals are scheduled, known pilots can be mapped on the sensing grid (instead of reducing the MCS of the communication signals on those symbols). Step 604: Output. MCS Allocation and LA Scheme + any additional information. The lower MO symbols act as ‘pseudo-pilots', which are more likely to be correctly decoded in bi-static sensing operations compared to higher MO symbols. However, they do not come at the cost of allocating known pilots, therefore the present hybrid scheme leads to a lower reduction in spectral efficiency for communications operations. Additional protection can be achieved for the pseudo-pilots by leveraging the inherent properties of LDPC codes as described below. Through this dynamic allocation of low MO symbols on a suitable grid based on sensing KPI requirements, bi-static sensing operations are facilitated. This is achieved while keeping the impact on ongoing communications operations minimal, by not using explicit pilots but only reducing the MCS on the sensing grid. Note, in principle, the present disclosure can be applied to any wireless communication standards operating ISAC, including WiFi. Figure 6 in more detail. In respect of Step 600b, communications KPIs and procedures must be considered as in legacy resource allocation schemes to optimize communications performance. This could include: ■ channel quality indicator (CQI) ■ rank indicator ■ information about outer-loop link adaptation, ■ information regarding power allocation. This information can be provided using existing protocols. In respect of Step 601, the procedure determines the requirements for the allocation of the sensing burst to meet the desired sensing KPIs and link budget requirements for the sensing task. The parameters needed to determine the allocation include (but are not limited to): 1. The allowed maximum spacing in time / frequency KT / KF between lower MO symbols on the sensing grid. It is determined based on the required unambiguous apertures in Doppler shift / range, i.e., the maximum values the use case must support. From those, the allowed maximum spacing between resource elements (REs) can be derived with known formulas. Fig. 2 shows an example with KT = KF = 4. Alternatively, a sensing grid RE occupancy ratio can also be considered if non-uniform spacing in time / frequency is assumed and periodogram calculation is performed based on alternative methods, e.g., compressed sensing. 2. Secondly, the required sensing burst duration Tsens and bandwidth Bsens used for sensing are determined based on the required resolutions in Doppler shift and range. In addition, the required beam width with which the burst is transmitted in the direction(s) of interest can be determined based on the required angular resolution. Again, those values can be readily computed using existing formulas . 3. Finally, sensing link budget requirements must be considered. For instance, the processing gain resulting from the allocation determined in 1. and 2. may not be enough to detect a target with a given RCS and at a given range. This would require doing one or more of the following: a. increase RE allocation density in time and / or frequency, by lowering KT / KF or increasing the sensing grid RE occupancy ratio, b. further increase the sensing burst duration and / or bandwidth, c. raise the TX power, d. pre-empting mMIMO muting or uDTX (micro discontinuous transmission) features to save energy. Step 602 then checks, e.g., on a per-slot basis, whether any communication signals are scheduled in the REs provisioned for the sensing burst with low MO symbols. If no communication signals are scheduled, Step 603b is proceeded with. Otherwise, Step 603a follows. In respect of Step 603a, as mentioned above, the hybrid MCS selection is based on both the communications requirements as well as the sensing burst features determined in Step 601 (i.e., RE spacing in time / frequency, bandwidth / burst duration, TX power, etc.). One possible embodiment involves selecting the MOS index based on a lookup table, similar to table 1 below. In addition to the existing values in those tables, the resource allocation density in time and frequency (KT and KF) for the sensing grid with QPSK symbols (corresponding to MO Qs = 2) must now be taken into account. This allows us to compute the resulting spectral efficiency as: n^_ql_r + n^_qI!L_r ysens , where N^ns and are the number of sensing and ‘regular1 communications symbols used, respectively, which can be derived from the sensing grid spacings in time / frequency KT!KF and the overall number of available REs. Moreover, R denotes the target code rate, which in this embodiment is assumed to be the same for both sensing grid symbols and regular communications symbols. Depending on sensing and communications requirements, it is possible for first and second schemes of a hybrid MCS to have the same MO and / or coding rate. Table 1 below shows a possible MCS table of the type found in 3GPP ‘NR; Physical layer procedures for data’ Technical Specification (TS) 38.214, 2023, version 18.6.0, but for hybrid resource allocation for a uniformly spaced sensing grid. Note that this is just an example, and in practice other values for KT,KF, Qm, and R as well as multiple tables for different scenarios could be considered. MCS Index / mcs Sensing grid spacing time KT Sensing grid spacing frequency KF Modulation order Qm Target code rate Rx

[1024] Spectral efficiency 0 2 2 2 120 0.2344 1 2 4 2 157 0.3066 2 2 8 2 193 0.3770 3 4 2 2 251 0.4902 4 4 4 2 308 0.6016 5 4 8 2 379 0.7402 6 8 2 2 449 0.8770 7 8 4 2 526 1.0273 8 8 8 2 602 1.1758 9 2 2 4 340 1.1621 10 2 4 4 378 1.3843 11 2 8 4 434 1.6423 12 4 2 4 490 1.7944 13 4 4 4 553 2.0927 14 4 8 4 616 2.3687 15 8 2 4 658 2.49 16 8 4 4 719 2.7647 17 8 8 4 772 2.9921 18 2 2 6 517 2.5244 19 2 4 6 567 3.0454 20 2 8 6 616 3.4590 21 4 2 6 666 3.5771 22 4 4 6 719 4.0374 23 4 8 6 772 4.4292 24 8 2 6 822 4.6157 25 8 4 6 873 5.0087 26 8 8 6 910 5.2765 27 2 2 8 754 4.7861 28 2 4 8 797 5.6428 29 4 2 8 841 5.9543 30 4 4 8 885 6.59 31 Reserved Table 1: Example of MCS table for hybrid resource allocation Using different code rates can make sense in practice, e.g., by choosing a lower code rate for sensing grid symbols to further protect them (thus further enhancing bi-static sensing performance), while using a higher R for regular communications symbols to increase the spectral efficiency for communications. This would require a straightforward extension of Table 1 but is not shown here for reasons of clarity. The MCS index to be used can then be chosen based on existing selection algorithms once the BLER curve / behavior for the specific hybrid MCS scheme is known, selecting the MCS with the highest communication rate, subject to sensing requirements, satisfying the BLER target for communications. This is done by taking information about the communication KPIs and procedures into account. An example resource allocation for MCS Index / MCS = 13 is shown in figure 2. Furthermore, channel coding can be leveraged to achieve additional gains. LDPC codes have the inherent property that some codeword bits are more strongly protected than others in belief propagation (BP) decoding. This can be seen in figure 7, which plots the variable node (VN) degree (above), i.e., how many check nodes are connected to every codeword bit or VN, vs. the number of errors for each codeword bit with 2112 bits and 4224 codeword bits. The SNR in the Monte Carlo trials was 1.2 dB and the block error rate 0.12246. Clearly, it can be observed that bits with higher VN degrees exhibit fewer errors, making symbols containing those bits more likely to be correctly decoded. This property can then be used to create an interleaving rule such that the low MO symbols on the sensing grid (black symbols in figure 2) are composed of strongly protected bits, making them decodable even earlier. However, it is observed that the SNR sweet spot region (around the 1.2 dB used in experiments) where this behavior occurs is very narrow, and as can be seen in figure 7, some errors still occur even for bits with stronger protection (i.e., with higher VN degree). As a result, the gains that can be achieved with current 5G LDPC codes may not be large. To make these gains more impactful, new channel codes could be designed in which the distinction between strongly and weakly protected bits is more pronounced. In the context of LDPC codes, this would mean creating new base graphs leading to LDPC codes with even higher VN degrees. More information about base graphs can be found in TS 38.212. Finally, it should be noted that this can also be done with polar codes in similar fashion. In respect of Step 603b, this is the case where no communications signals are scheduled in the sensing grid resources. In that case, known pilots are directly scheduled instead of low MO symbols, as those still require decoding at the bi-static SRX. These pilots can be standardized and depend, e.g., on the TRP ID, time index, and frequency index (like Positioning Reference Signal, PRS). As no communications signals are scheduled, one could also consider allocating additional resources or even using the full resource grid to improve the sensing performance. However, in view of efficiency (e.g., in terms of transmitted power), using an allocation closer to the predetermined sensing grid is preferrable. It should be noted that a single sensing burst can also comprise both pseudo-pilots (Step 603a) and real pilots (Step 603b). This is due to the fact that scheduling decisions, i.e., also Step 602 of figure 6, are typically done on a per-slot basis. The required sensing burst duration may, however, extend over multiple slots. After finalizingthe procedure, the hybrid resource allocation scheme is signaled to the UE and, optionally, to the bistatic SRX. The remaining steps to obtain the transport block (e.g., determining code block size, rate matching) are out of the scope of this invention and will not be discussed here. Finally, it should be noted that the hybrid allocation scheme could be refined iteratively, e.g., by taking information about the decoding / sensing performance at the bi-static SRX into account. Bi-Static Sensing Procedure Figure 8 illustrates an example bi-static sensing procedure, focusing on the impact of the aforementioned hybrid resource allocation scheme. Bitstream Splitting. The incoming bitstream vector b is processed based on the previously determined MCS index / MCS, e.g., from Table 1 above. The corresponding parameters KT, Ks, Qm, and R as well as the number of available REs (based on the available bandwidth Bsens) end OFDM symbols (based on the required sensing burst duration Tsens) for the transmission are used to split the bitstream into sensing bits bsens (with low MO Qs) and ‘regular1 bits breg (with MO Qm). Note however, that bitstream splitting and the resulting separate handling of regular and sensing bits and symbols is not strictly necessary. Encoding. The bitstreams bsens and breg are encoded into codeword vectors csens and creg using a 5G-compliant LDPC code with code rate R. However, the usage of other channel coding options in future communication standards is not ruled out. Modulation and RE Mapping. The codeword vectors csens and creg are modulated to constellation symbols usingthe modulation alphabets accordingto Qs and Qm, and then mapped to the REs on the resource grid to obtain the TX frame X. Note that these two operations are interchangeable, i.e., the codewords can be mapped to the resource grid first and then modulated to constellation symbols. Channel. The TX frame X is transmitted over the channel. The received frame is modelled as: Y = XH + N , where: T T H = Hs + Hw = as a(rs)b(fDs) + cw ■ a(rw)b(fDw) (superposition of strong path s and W weak paths) a: complex coefficient (including path loss) N: complex AWGN with noise power a(r) / b( / D): phase progressions over subcarriers / symbols due to bi-static range r / Doppler shift fD of path. They write as: a(r) = [1,6-27^..... b( / D) = [l.e^o / D.....e27r(M-l)To / D ] , where A / is the subcarrier spacing, c the speed of light, To the OFDM symbol duration, and N and M the number of subcarriers and OFDM symbols, respectively. Communications EQ. Before decoding the communications signals, the SRX frame Y must be equalized. Channel estimation techniques based on dedicated pilot transmissions were not implemented. Instead, it was assumed that the strong path Hs is perfectly known at the SRX so that the SRX frame after EQ with matrix G writes as Y = YG , where Zero-Forcing, ZF, with the strong path is applied, i.e.: 1 [G]n, m rrjsi ' Ln Jn, m with n and m denoting subcarrier and OFDM symbol index, respectively. Demodulation and RE Demapping. The SRX frame after EQ is first serialized by demapping it from the RE grid. After that, the resulting symbols are demodulated by computing the log-likelihood ratio (LLR)-values Zsens and Zreg. As in Step, 3 these operations are interchangeable, i.e., the LLR-values could be computed first before serializing the SRX frame by demapping it from the RE grid. Decoding. Hard estimates of the SRX codeword bits on the sensing grid csens and the remaining resource elements creg are obtained by decoding the LLR-values Zsens and Zreg. For this, LDPC decoding was used, with BP decoding and a maximum of 20 iterations with an early stopping condition (i.e., stop the iterations when all parity-checks are satisfied). Note that a receiver might support the usage of more (or less) BP iterations. Furthermore, in the case of using different channel coding techniques, other decoding architectures are used (i.e., non-BP-based decoders). Modulation and RE Mapping. Before performing ‘Sensing EQ‘, the estimated codeword vectors csens and creg are modulated to constellation symbols and then mapped to the RE grid to obtain the matrix containing the estimated symbols X. This corresponds to the Modulation and RE Mapping operation described above. Sensing EQ. To obtain an estimate of the channel for sensing, the transmitted symbols must be equalized. This is achieved via ZF using the estimated symbols as: rfjn _ [Y] n, m LnJn,m ry-i ' L AJ n, m Sensing Processing. Finally, the CSI matrix H is processed to extract sensing information. Conventional periodogram processing (2D Fast Fourier Transforms (FFTs)) was employed as well as a cell-averaging constant false alarm rate (CA-CFAR) detector to extract the target peaks. In simulations, the sensinggrid spacings and MO were used accordingto / MCS = 13 that is depicted in table 1 above, albeit with a slightly different code rate R = 0.5, resulting in r] = 1.9375. The carrier frequency is fc = 27.4 GHz and a sensing burst comprises N = 792 subcarriers spaced by 120 kHz (resulting in ca. 100 MHz bandwidth and a range resolution of ca. 1.58 m) and M = 560 OFDM symbols (resulting in a 5 ms sensing burst duration and Doppler resolution of ca. 200 Hz). In each experiment, one strong path for EQ was placed at a random range between 10 and 20 m. Moreover, W = 5 weak paths are randomly placed at random ranges between 50 and 100 m, which are to be detected with bi-static sensing operations. All paths have a random Doppler shift with a max. Doppler shift of 1.8 kHz. For comparison, this is the Doppler shift that would result from a velocity of 10 m / s if monostatic sensing were performed . As a strong path for EQ was used, it is excluded from the evaluation of the sensing performance. The comparison of the hybrid modulation scheme and the bi-static sensing procedure as described above (102 in figure 10and112in figure 11): was to the following baselines: ‘Genie-aided’ (101 in figure 10 and 111 in figure 11): This baseline uses the same hybrid allocation scheme but assumes knowledge of the TX symbols at the bi-static SRX for sensing EQ to obtain the CSI matrix H. ‘Sensing grid pilots’ (103 in figure 10 and 113 in figure 11): Here, bi-static sensing is performed solely based on QPSK pilots (i.e., no decoding required) that are allocated on the sensing grid. ‘Comms.’ (104 in figure 10 and 114 in figure 11): In this approach, the frame is fully intended for communications and allocated with 16-QAM symbols, i.e., without lower MO symbols or dedicated pilots for sensing. This is the closest baseline, as it corresponds to the legacy case where no adjustments to resource allocation are made to enhance bi-static sensing performance. First, the SNR at the bi-static SRX (x-axis) was swept to evaluate the resulting the SNR in the radar image, defined as the aggregated power of all weak paths divided by the residual noise power. Fig. 10 shows that the hybrid modulation scheme and the bi-static sensing procedure as described above (102 in figure 10and112in figure 11) indeed achieves a gain over the comms, baseline using only 16-QAM. This gain of up to 1.5 dB opens at an SNR of around 0 dB, i.e., where the QPSK symbols allocated on the sensing grid become decodable. This distinct SNR gain persists over roughly a 6 dB range, after which also the 16-QAM symbols become decodable and the curves converge again. As expected, ‘Hybrid’ converges to ‘Genie-aided’ for high SNRs; this is because the fewer decoding errors happen, the closer the CSI matrix of‘Hybrid’converges to the CSI matrix of ‘Genie-aided’, which assumes perfect knowledge of the TX symbols at the SRX. As an aside,‘Sensing grid pilots’performs worse than all baselines overthe whole SNR range. Even at low SNRs, where only a small part of the frame is correctly decoded, the approaches using the full communications signals (‘Hybrid’ and ‘Comms.’) outperform the baseline with dedicated pilots allocated on the sensing grid. This leads to the assumption that random decoding errors (i.e., unless they exhibit specific patterns) only reduce the available processing gain, but have no further negative impact on sensing. Figure 11 shows the probability of missed detection forthe hybrid modulation scheme and the bi-static sensing procedure as described above and different baselines swept over the SNR at the bi-static SRX as specified above. It shows that the increased image SNR also leads to an improved detection performance. Specifically, looking at the same SNR range, the hybrid modulation scheme and the bi-static sensing procedure as described above (102 in figure 10and112in figure 11) outperforms ‘Comms’ 113 and ‘Sensing grid pilots’ 114 with a lower probability of false alarm. ‘Genie-aided’ 111 is the upper bound for reference, which can only be achieved for high SNRs. These preliminary results show that the hybrid modulation scheme and the bi-static sensing procedure as described above indeed achieves the technical effect of enhancing bi-static sensing performance using the communications signals, while only minimally reducing the spectral efficiency of ongoing communications. Furthermore, it should be noted that the gains compared to ‘Comms.’would be even more pronounced for a higher MO Qm or if a smaller code rate would be used for the QPSK symbols on the sensing grid. Both measures would lead to the sensing grid symbols becoming decodable even earlier compared to the regular higher MO symbols on the remaining grid, albeit at a larger decrease in spectral efficiency. UE implications Finally, to successfully demodulate and decode the communications symbols, the hybrid resource allocation scheme must be signaled to the UE and the UE must have an implementation that is able to correctly demodulate and decode it. Demodulation and decoding themselves can then largely be performed as described above for the bi-static SRX. However, contrary to the bi-static SRX, the UE is obviously interested in the information bit vector. Therefore, the decoder outputs estimates of the information bit vectors bsens and breg, which are then combined to get an estimate of the transmitted bitstream b. This is depicted in the flowchart of this procedure in figure 9. Also here, bitstream splitting and the resulting separate handling of regular and sensing bits and symbols is not strictly necessary. Methods, Computer Programs / Media and Circuitry The apparatus embodiments described above can be alternatively characterized by methods. Accordingly, a first example network method comprises: transmitting, from a network, an indication for a hybrid Modulation and Coding Scheme, MCS, being one used to encode data using two modulation schemes including a first scheme and a second scheme, and transmitting, from the network, data encoded with the hybrid MCS. In particular, at least one of the following may apply: a) At least the second scheme is selected to satisfy sensing link performance requirements. b) Both first and second schemes are used to encode symbols in the same code block. c) Symbols are encoded with second scheme as exceptions to the first scheme whereby symbols encoded with the second scheme are regularly spaced in the time and / or frequency domain. d) The ratio of symbols encoded by first scheme is at least 8x, 15x or 24x that of second scheme. The method may further comprise: receiving sensing link performance requirements from a core network function, and select the second scheme to satisfy the sensing link performance requirements. The method may further comprise: determining at least the first scheme based on Channel State Information, CSI. A second example UE or sensing receiver method comprises receiving, from a network, an indication for a hybrid MCS, being one used to encode data using two modulation schemes including a first scheme and a second scheme; receive data encoded with the hybrid MCS; and performing decoding of the received signal encoded with the hybrid MCS. At least one of a) to d) above may apply. For a method for a UE or the like, the indication may be received as part of a Downlink Control Information, DCI, or in a Medium Access Control, MAC, Control Element, CE. For a sensing receiver, the method may further comprise: determining from the received signal the presence of an object based on the received signal. The second scheme may be at least one of a lower modulation order and a lower coding rate than the first scheme. Applicable to both first and second methods, the indication may include look up table parameters for the first and second schemes of the hybrid MCS. Alternatively, the indication may include: a look up table parameter for the first scheme of the hybrid MCS, and at least one of a symbol and a subcarrier related parameter which define particular symbols to be encoding using the second scheme as exceptions to the first scheme. Further applicable to both first and second methods, the at least one of a symbol and a subcarrier related parameter provide for a uniform distribution of symbols encoding using the second scheme in at least one of the time and frequency domain. Yet further applicable to both first and second methods, the at least one of a symbol and a subcarrier related parameter include at least one of: ■ at least one of a modulation order and a coding rate; ■ parameters defining a starting reference symbol and the spacing to the successive symbols from the reference symbol; ■ parameters defining a starting reference subcarrier and the spacing to the successive carriers from the reference subcarrier; ■ a parameter defining a total number of at least one of symbols and subcarriers; and ■ a look up parameter defining an interleaving scheme. A third example method for a network function comprises: receiving at a core network function from a sensing receiver an indication of a signal decoding capability; selecting an interleaving rule based on the signal decoding capability; and transmitting to a network element an indication of the interleaving rule. The method may further comprise: transmitting to the sensing receiver a request to provide an indication of a signal decoding capability. Also, the core network function may be at least one of a location management function, LMF, or a Sensing Management Function, SeMF. The interleaving rule may be selected for a hybrid MCS, being one used to encode data using at least two modulation schemes including a first scheme and a second scheme with at least one of a lower modulation order and a lower coding rate than the first scheme, whereby symbols encoded with the second scheme have greater error resistance that those of the first scheme. The interleaving rule may prescribe, for compatibility with the signal decoding capability, at least one of: a specific channel code, a specific code type, a specific code length and specific code rate. A fourth example method for a sensing receiver comprises: transmitting to a network an indication of a signal decoding capability; receive from a network an indication of a selected interleaving rule; receiving a signal encoded with a MCS using the selected interleaving rule; decoding the received signal using the received 17 indication of the selected interleaving rule; and determining from the received signal the presence of an object based on the received signal having been reflected by the object. The method may further comprise: receiving from a network a request to provide signal decoding capability, wherein the transmission to the network of the indication of a signal decoding capability is done pursuant to the request. A fifth example method for UE comprises: receiving from a network an indication of an interleaving rule selected based on the signal decoding capability of an external sensing receiver; receiving a signal encoded with a MCS using an interleaving rule; and decoding the received signal using the received indication of the selected interleaving rule. A sixth example method for a network comprises: receiving from a core network function an indication of an interleaving rule selected based on the signal decoding capability of an external sensing receiver; transmitting an indication of the selected interleaving rule to at least one external UE and at least one sensing receiver; and transmitting data encoded with a MCS using the interleaving rule. In respect of the fourth to sixth example methods, the MCS may be a hybrid MCS, being one used to encode data using at least two modulation schemes including a first scheme and a second scheme with at least one of a lower modulation order and a lower coding rate than the first scheme, and wherein the interleaving rule provides symbols encoded with the second scheme with greater error resistance that those of the first scheme. Further provided is a corresponding non-transitory computer readable medium comprises program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least a method of the first to the sixth example methods. Yet further provided is a corresponding computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least a method of the first to the sixth example methods. The apparatus embodiments described above can be alternatively characterized in terms of circuitry. Accordingly, in a seventh embodiment, apparatus for a network is provided comprising: circuitry configured to transmit, from a network to User Equipment, UE, an indication for a hybrid Modulation and Coding Scheme, MCS, being one used to encode data using two modulation schemes including a first scheme and a second scheme; and circuitry configured to transmit, from the network, data encoded with the hybrid MCS. In particular, at least one of the following may apply: a) At least the second scheme is selected to satisfy sensing link performance requirements b) Both first and second schemes are used to encode symbols in the same code block. c) Symbols are encoded with second scheme as exceptions to the first scheme whereby symbols encoded with the second scheme are regularly spaced in the time and / or frequency domain. d) The ratio of symbols encoded by first scheme is at least 8x, 15x or 24x that of second scheme. The apparatus further comprise: circuitry configured to receive sensing link performance requirements from a core network function, and circuitry configured to select the second scheme to satisfy the sensing link performance requirements. The apparatus may further comprise: circuitry configured to determine at least the first scheme based on Channel State Information, CSI. In an eighth embodiment, apparatus for UE or a sensing receiver is provided comprising: circuitry configured to receive, from a network, an indication for a hybrid MCS, being one used to encode data using two modulation schemes including a first scheme and a second scheme; receive data encoded with the hybrid MCS; and circuitry configured to perform decoding of the received signal encoded with the hybrid MCS. At least one of a) to d) above may apply. For UE or the like, the indication maybe received as part of a Downlink Control Information, DCI, or in a Medium Access Control, MAC, Control Element, CE. For a sensing receiver, the apparatus may further comprise: circuitry configured to determine from the received signal the presence of an object based on the received signal. The second scheme may be at least one of a lower modulation order and a lower coding rate than the first scheme. Applicable to both seventh and eighth embodiments, the indication may include look up table parameters for the first and second schemes of the hybrid MCS. Alternatively, the indication may include: a look up table parameter for the first scheme of the hybrid MCS, and at least one of a symbol and a subcarrier related parameter which define particular symbols to be encoding using the second scheme as exceptions to the first scheme. Further applicable to both seventh and eighth embodiments, the at least one of a symbol and a subcarrier related parameter provide for a uniform distribution of symbols encoding using the second scheme in at least one of the time and frequency domain. Yet further applicable to both seventh and eighth embodiments, the at least one of a symbol and a subcarrier related parameter include at least one of: ■ at least one of a modulation order and a coding rate; ■ parameters defining a starting reference symbol and the spacing to the successive symbols from the reference symbol; ■ parameters defining a starting reference subcarrier and the spacing to the successive carriers from the reference subcarrier; ■ a parameter defining a total number of at least one of symbols and subcarriers; and ■ a look up parameter defining an interleaving scheme. In a ninth embodiment, apparatus for a network function is provided comprising: circuitry configured to receive at a core network function from a sensing receiver an indication of a signal decoding capability; and circuitry configured to select an interleaving rule based on the signal decoding capability; and transmit to a network element an indication of the interleaving rule. The apparatus may further comprise: circuitry configured to transmit to the sensing receiver a request to provide an indication of a signal decoding capability. Also, the core network function may be at least one of a location management function, LMF, or a Sensing Management Function, SeMF. The interleaving rule may be selected for a hybrid MCS, being one used to encode data using at least two modulation schemes including a first scheme and a second scheme with at least one of a lower modulation 19 order and a lower coding rate than the first scheme, whereby symbols encoded with the second scheme have greater error resistance that those of the first scheme, especially to burst errors. The interleaving rule may prescribe, for compatibility with the signal decoding capability, at least one of: a specific channel code, a specific code type, a specific code length and specific code rate. In a tenth embodiment, apparatus for a sensing receiver may be provided comprising: circuitry configured to transmit to a network an indication of a signal decoding capability; circuitry configured to receive from a network an indication of a selected interleaving rule; circuitry configured to receive a signal encoded with a MCS using the selected interleaving rule; circuitry configured to decode the received signal using the received indication of the selected interleaving rule; and circuitry configured to determine from the received signal the presence of an object based on the received signal having been reflected by the object. The apparatus may further comprise: circuitry configured to receive from a network a request to provide signal decoding capability, wherein the transmission to the network of the indication of a signal decoding capability is done pursuant to the request. In a eleventh embodiment, apparatus for a UE may be provided comprising: circuitry configured to receive from a network an indication of a interleaving rule selected based on the signal decoding capability of an external sensing receiver; receive a signal encoded with a MCS using an interleaving rule; and circuitry configured to decode the received signal using the received indication of the selected interleaving rule. In a twelfth embodiment, apparatus for a network may be provided comprising: circuitry configured to receive from a core network function an indication of a interleaving rule selected based on the signal decoding capability of an external sensing receiver; circuitry configured to transmit an indication of the selected interleaving rule to at least one external UE and at least one sensing receiver; and circuitry configured to transmit data encoded with a MCS using the interleaving rule. In respect of the apparatus of the tenth to twelfth embodiments, the MCS may be a hybrid MCS, being one used to encode data using at least two modulation schemes including a first scheme and a second scheme with at least one of a lower modulation order and a lower coding rate than the first scheme, and wherein the interleaving rule provides symbols encoded with the second scheme with greater error resistance that those of the first scheme. Figure 12 is a simplified block diagram of a device 1200 that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the device 1200 includes a processor 1210, a memory 1220 coupled to the processor 1210, a communication module 1230 coupled to the processor 1210, and a communication interface (not shown) coupled to the communication module 1230. The memory 1220 stores at least a program 1240. The communication module 1230 is for bidirectional communications, for example, via multiple antennas. The communication interface may represent any interface that is necessary for communication. The program 1240 is assumed to include program instructions that, when executed by the associated processor 1210, enable the device 1200 to operate in accordance with the example embodiments of the present disclosure, as discussed herein with reference to figures 1-11. The example embodiments herein may be implemented by computer software executable by the processor 1210 of the device 1200, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. The processor 1210 may be configured to implement various example embodiments of the present disclosure. The memory 1220 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory, as non-limiting examples. While only one memory 1220 is shown in the device 1200, there may be several physically distinct memory modules in the device 1200. The processor 1210 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The device 1200 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slaved in time to a clock which synchronizes the main processor. As used in this application, the term ‘circuitry’ may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry) and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation. This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, 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. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device. Generally, various example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. While various aspects of example embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representations, it is to be understood that the block, apparatus, system, technique or method described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof. The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor, to carry out the methods of figures 5 and 6. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various example embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media. Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or controller of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the program codes, when executed by the processor or controller, cause the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on a machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server. In the context of the present disclosure, the computer program codes or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable the device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of the carrier include a signal, computer readable media. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable medium may include but not limited to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Various example embodiments of the techniques have been described. In addition to or as an alternative to the above, the following examples are described. The features described in any of the following examples may be utilized with any of the other examples described herein. List of abbreviations BP Belief Propagation CA-CFAR Cell-Averaging Constant False Alarm Rate CN Core Network CQI Channel Quality Indicator CSI Channel State Information CU Centralized Unit DCI Downlink Control Information DL Downlink DM RS DeModulation Reference Signal DU Distributed Unit EQ Equalization FFT Fast Fourier Transform gNB 5G Node-B ISAC Integrated Sensing and Communication KPI Key Performance Indicator LA Link Adaptation LDPC Low-Density Parity-Check LMF Location Management Function MAC Medium Access Control MCS Modulation and Coding Scheme MIB Master Information Block MO Modulation Order NR New Radio OFDM Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing PBCH Physical Broadcast Channel PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel QPSK Quadrature Phase-Shift Keying RAT Radio Access Technology ROS Radar Cross Section RE Resource Element RF Radio Frequency RS Reference Signal RU Radio Unit RX Receiver SC Successive Cancellation SCL Successive Cancellation List scs Sub-Carrier Spacing SeMF Sensing Management Function SIB System Information Block SMTC SS / PBCH Block Measurement Timing Configuration SNR Signal-To-Noise Ratio SRX Sensing Receiver ss Synchronization Signal SSB SS / PBCH Block SSS Secondary Synchronization Signal TX Transmitter 23 UE User Equipment VN Variable Node ZF Zero-Forcing

Claims

1. Apparatus for a network comprising:at least processor; andat least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least:transmit, from the network to User Equipment, UE, an indication for a hybrid Modulation and Coding Scheme, MCS, being one used to encode data using two modulation schemes including a first scheme and a second scheme, wherein both first and second schemes are used to encode symbols in the same code block; andtransmit, from the network, data encoded with the hybrid MCS.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further caused to:receive sensing link performance requirements from a core network function, andselect the second scheme to satisfy the sensing link performance requirements.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further caused to:determine at least the first scheme based on Channel State Information, CSI.

4. Apparatus for User Equipment, UE, or a sensing receiver, SRX, comprising:at least processor; andat least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least:receive, from a network, an indication for a hybrid MCS, being one used to encode data using two modulation schemes including a first scheme and a second scheme, wherein both first and second schemes are used to encode symbols in the same code block;receive data encoded with the hybrid MCS; andperform decoding of the received signal encoded with the hybrid MCS.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, for UE, wherein the indication is received as part of a Downlink Control Information, DCI, or in a Medium Access Control, MAC, Control Element, CE.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4, for a SRX, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:determine from the received signal the presence of a least one object based on the received signal.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the second scheme has at least one of a lowermodulation order and a lower coding rate than the first scheme.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the indication includes look up table parameters for the first and second schemes of the hybrid MCS.

9. Apparatus according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the indication includes:a look up table parameter for the first scheme of the hybrid MCS, andat least one of a symbol and a subcarrier related parameter which define particular symbols to be encoded using the second scheme as exceptions to the first scheme.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the at least one of a symbol and a subcarrier related parameter provide for a uniform distribution of symbols encoding using the second scheme in the time and / or frequency domain.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the at least one of a symbol and a subcarrier related parameter include at least one of:at least one of a modulation order and a coding rate;parameters defining a starting reference symbol and the spacing to the successive symbols from the reference symbol;parameters defining a starting reference subcarrier and the spacing to the successive carriers from the reference subcarrier;a parameter defining a total number of at least one of symbols and subcarriers; anda look up parameter defining an interleaving scheme.

12. A method for a network comprising:transmitting, from the network to User Equipment, UE, an indication for a hybrid Modulation and Coding Scheme, MCS, being one used to encode data using two modulation schemes including a first scheme and a second scheme, wherein both first and second schemes are used to encode symbols in the same code block; andtransmitting, from the network, data encoded with the hybrid MCS.

13. A method according to claim 12, further comprising:receiving sensing link performance requirements from a core network function, andselecting the second scheme to satisfy the sensing link performance requirements.

14. A method according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising:determining at least the first scheme based on Channel State Information, CSI.

15. A method for User Equipment, UE, or a sensing receiver, SRX, comprising:receiving, from a network, an indication for a hybrid MCS, being one used to encode data using two modulation schemes including a first scheme and a second scheme, both first and second schemes are used to encode symbols in the same code block; andreceiving data encoded with the hybrid MCS; and performing decoding of the received signal encoded with the hybrid MCS.

16. A method according to claim 15 for UE, wherein the indication may be received as part of a Downlink Control Information, DCI, or in a Medium Access Control, MAC, Control Element, CE.

17. A method according to claim 15 for a SRX, further comprising:determining from the received signal the presence of an object based on the received signal.

18. A method according to any of claims 12-17, wherein the second scheme has at least one of a lower modulation order and a lower coding rate than the first scheme.

19. A method according to any of claims 12-18, wherein the indication includes look up table parameters for the first and second schemes of the hybrid MCS.

20. A method according to any of claims 12-18, wherein the indication includes:a look up table parameter for the first scheme of the hybrid MCS, andat least one of a symbol and a subcarrier related parameter which define particular symbols to be encoded using the second scheme as exceptions to the first scheme.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the at least one of a symbol and a subcarrier related parameter provide for a uniform distribution of symbols encoding using the second scheme in at least one of the time and frequency domain.

22. A method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the at least one of a symbol and a subcarrier related parameter include at least one of:at least one of a modulation order and a coding rate;parameters defining a starting reference symbol and the spacing to the successive symbols from the reference symbol;parameters defining a starting reference subcarrier and the spacing to the successive carriers from the reference subcarrier;a parameter defining a total number of at least one of symbols and subcarriers; anda look up parameter defining an interleaving scheme.

23. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least a method according to any of claims 12-22.28A

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