Methods, devices, and computer program products for wireless communications

Abstract

A method, device and computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The method includes receiving, by an access and mobility management node, a first message and one or more identifiers of one or more target access network nodes from a sensing network node, transmitting, by the access and mobility management node, the first message to a target access network node according to the one or more identifiers of the target access network node to request the target access network node to generate sensing data, where the sensing data is transmitted to the sensing network node, transmitting the first message, and receiving, by the access and mobility management node, from the sensing network node, a calculation result according to the sensing data.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This specification relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to fifth generation (5G) communications. Wireless sensing refers to the extraction of information from received wireless signals that are affected by the surrounding environment during propagation. Ubiquitous wireless sensing services are exemplified as follows:

[0002] -Autonomous Vehicles / UAVs: Autonomous vehicles / UAVs need to be able to avoid obstacles, choose routes, detect hazards and comply with traffic regulations. In addition to sensors on the autonomous vehicle / UAV, wireless signals can be utilized to support or enhance these sensing capabilities.

[0003] -Environmental Mapping: Using wireless signals for simultaneous sensing and mapping helps to recognize surrounding objects (landmarks). After the environment is recognized, a 2D / 3D map of the environment can be constructed to further improve positioning accuracy and enable environmental related uses.

[0004] -Weather or air pollution monitoring: The quality of the received electromagnetic signal reflects different attenuation characteristics due to changes in air humidity and carrier frequency. It can be used to replace traditional hygrometers or other sensors for weather detection.

[0005] - Real-time surveillance: The wireless signals can be utilized to facilitate a range of real-time surveillance related uses, including intrusion detection. [Background technology]

[0006] Introducing sensing capabilities into cellular wireless communication systems has the advantage of using the same spectrum and infrastructure, especially for industries that have both communication and sensing requirements, such as:

[0007] Intelligent transportation is developing faster by including novel cellular communication and sensing / sensor technologies. Autonomous driving, real-time dynamic 3D map generation and distribution, and safety supervision have more requirements on wireless communication, e.g., high data rates to support dynamic 3D map downloads, and sensing / sensor capabilities to generate dynamic 3D maps.

[0008] In the future, it is expected that over 90% of all vehicles will have 4G (fourth generation) / 5G communication modules, and 70% of vehicles will have V2X (vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-road) communication modules. Meanwhile, vehicle-road collaboration is a future trend, accelerating the deployment of roadside Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) facilities, such as sensors and cameras. However, wireless communication and sensing are currently separated without collaboration. Considering that wireless communication base stations are deployed along the roadside as infrastructure, a cellular network supporting sensing capability can reduce costs by sharing base station sites and increase practicality and flexibility for intelligent transportation.

[0009] Moreover, the UAV industry has similar requirements for harmonizing wireless communication and sensing. Large-scale UAV commercial operations require realizing management and supervision of low-altitude air traffic. Real-time sensing capabilities also play a key role in complying with regulations. 5GS (5G systems) are enhanced to enable UAV identification and tracking, and support UAV command and control functions. Both communication capabilities and sensing are required by UAV usage, remote control, UAV traffic management, etc. Therefore, 5GS providing sensing capabilities can benefit UAV operations.

[0010] Railroad ingress detection is another area where wireless communications and detection need to be coordinated to improve operational efficiency and public safety. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] To enable sensing capabilities in (5G) communication networks, the (5G) network architecture may need to be modified. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The present disclosure relates to methods, devices, and computer program products for wireless communications that enable a sensing network node to obtain sensing data from a base station.

[0013] An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication method. In one embodiment, the wireless communication method includes: receiving, by an access and mobility management node, a first message and one or more identifiers of one or more target access network nodes from a sensing network node; transmitting, by the access and mobility management node, the first message to a target access network node according to the one or more identifiers of the target access network node to request the target access network node to generate sensing data, where the sensing data is transmitted to the sensing network node; transmitting the first message, by the access and mobility management node, from the sensing network node, a calculation result according to the sensing data.

[0014] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication method, in one embodiment, the wireless communication method includes: transmitting, by a sensing network node, to an access and mobility management node a first message and one or more identifiers of one or more target access network nodes, requesting the access and mobility management node to forward the first message to the target access network node according to the one or more identifiers to request the target access network node to generate sensing data; receiving, by the sensing network node, the sensing data; and transmitting, by the sensing network node, a calculation result according to the sensing data to the access and mobility management node.

[0015] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication method, in one embodiment, the wireless communication method includes receiving, by an access network node, a first message from an access and mobility management node, performing, by the access network node, measurements to generate sensed data according to the first message, and transmitting, by the access network node, the sensed data to the sensing network node to enable the sensing network node to generate a calculation result according to the sensed data.

[0016] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication method, in one embodiment, the wireless communication method includes: sending, by a network exposure node, a first sensing request to an access and mobility management node to enable the access and mobility management node to trigger the sensing network node to obtain sensing data from one or more target access network nodes; and receiving, by the network exposure node, a calculation result according to the sensing data from the access and mobility management node.

[0017] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication node. In one embodiment, the wireless communication node includes a communication unit and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a first message and one or more identifiers of one or more target access network nodes from a sensing network node, transmit the first message to a target access network node according to the one or more identifiers of the target access network node to request the target access network node to generate sensing data, the sensing data being transmitted to the sensing network node, and receive a calculation result according to the sensing data from the sensing network node.

[0018] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication node. In one embodiment, the wireless communication node includes a communication unit and a processor. The processor is configured to: send a first message and one or more identifiers of one or more target access network nodes to an access and mobility management node, requesting the access and mobility management node to forward the first message to the target access network node according to the one or more identifiers to request the target access network node to generate sensing data; receive the sensing data; and send a calculation result according to the sensing data to the access and mobility management node.

[0019] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication node. In one embodiment, the wireless communication node includes a communication unit and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a first message from an access and mobility management node, perform measurements to generate sensing data according to the first message, and transmit the sensing data to the sensing network node to enable the sensing network node to generate a calculation result according to the sensing data.

[0020] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication node. In one embodiment, the wireless communication node includes a communication unit and a processor. The processor is configured to send a first sensing request to the access and mobility management node to enable the access and mobility management node to trigger the sensing network node to obtain sensing data from one or more target access network nodes, and to receive a calculation result according to the sensing data from the access and mobility management node.

[0021] Various embodiments may advantageously implement the following features. Preferably, the sensing data is transmitted to the sensing network node via one or more tunnels between the sensing network node and each of the target access network nodes.

[0022] Preferably, the first message includes address information of the sensing network node. Preferably, the access and mobility management node is configured to receive address information of the target access network node from the target access network node and transmit the address information of the target access network node to the detection network node, and the detection data is transmitted to the detection network node via one or more tunnels based on the address information of the detection network node and the address information of the target access network node.

[0023] Preferably, the access and mobility management node is configured to send a first message having a routing identifier of the detection network node to the target access network node, receive address information of the target access network node having the routing identifier, and send the address information of the target access network node to the detection network node according to the routing identifier.

[0024] Preferably, the address information of the detected network node includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address and an IP port.

[0025] Preferably, the access and mobility management node is configured to receive the sensing data and to transmit the sensing data to the sensing network node.

[0026] Preferably, the access and mobility management node is configured to send a first message having a routing identifier of the sensing network node to a target access network node, receive sensing data having the routing identifier, and send the sensing data to the sensing network node according to the routing identifier.

[0027] Preferably, the access and mobility management node is configured to receive a detection request that includes a Tracking Area Identity (TAI) list.

[0028] Preferably, the access and mobility management node is configured to select the sensing network node according to a Tracking Area Identity (TAI) list, and send the TAI list to the sensing network node.

[0029] Preferably, the access and mobility management node is configured to transmit at least one of the sensed Quality of Service (QoS) or the one or more object types to the sensed network node.

[0030] Preferably, the access and mobility management node is configured to transmit information of the one or more unavailable access network nodes to the detecting network node.

[0031] Preferably, the access and mobility management node is configured to transmit the calculation result to the network exposure node or the application node.

[0032] Preferably, the sensing network node is configured to receive address information of the target access network node from the access and mobility management node, and receive sensing data via one or more tunnels based on the address information of the sensing network node and the address information of the target access network node.

[0033] Preferably, the sensing network node is configured to receive a Tracking Area Identity (TAI) list from the access and mobility management node, and determine one or more identifiers of the target access network node according to the TAI list.

[0034] Preferably, the sensing network node is configured to receive at least one of the sensed Quality of Service (QoS) or the one or more object types from the access and mobility management node.

[0035] Preferably, the sensing network node is configured to receive information of one or more unavailable access network nodes from the access and mobility management node.

[0036] Preferably, the access network node is configured to transmit address information of the access network node to the sensing network node via the access and mobility management node.

[0037] Preferably, the sensing data is transmitted to the sensing network node via a tunnel based on address information of the sensing network node and address information of the target access network node.

[0038] Preferably, the access network node is configured to receive a first message having a routing identifier of the detected network node, and to transmit address information of the access network node having the routing identifier to the detected network node, to enable the access and mobility management node to transmit address information of the target access network node according to the routing identifier to the detected network node.

[0039] Preferably, the access network node is arranged to transmit the sensing data to the sensing network node via the access and mobility management node.

[0040] Preferably, the access network node is configured to receive a first message having a routing identifier of the sensing network node, and to transmit sensing data having the routing identifier to the access and mobility management node, to enable the access and mobility management node to transmit the sensing data to the sensing network node in accordance with the routing identifier.

[0041] Preferably, the network exposure node is configured to receive a second sensing request from the application node and determine whether the second sensing request from the application node is authorized.

[0042] Preferably, the second sensing request includes a target area, and the network exposure node is configured to map the target area to a Tracking Area Identity (TAI) list.

[0043] Preferably, the second sensing request includes at least one of a sensing Quality of Service (QoS) or one or more object types.

[0044] Preferably, the network exposure node is configured to select an access and mobility management node according to a tracking area identity (TAI) list, and send a first sensing request including the TAI list to the selected access and mobility management node.

[0045] The present disclosure relates to a computer program product having stored thereon a computer readable program medium code which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform a wireless communication method as set forth in any one of the preceding methods.

[0046] The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are intended to provide additional features that will become readily apparent by reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. According to various embodiments, exemplary systems, methods, devices, and computer program products are disclosed herein. However, it is understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example and not by way of limitation, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure that various modifications to the disclosed embodiments may be made while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0047] Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and applications described and illustrated herein. Moreover, the specific order and / or hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed herein are merely example approaches. Based on design preferences, the specific order or hierarchy of steps of a disclosed method or process can be rearranged while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, those skilled in the art will understand that the methods and techniques disclosed herein present various steps or operations in a sample order, and that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented, unless otherwise stated.

[0048] These and other aspects and implementations thereof are described in greater detail in the drawings, specification, and claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0049] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a sensing architecture according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an example schematic diagram of a wireless network node according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0050] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a network (architecture) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The network illustrated in FIG. 1 may be in a 5G system (5GS). Positioning of each UE may be supported in 5GS. FIG. 1 illustrates an architecture of (5GS) location services for non-roaming user equipment (UE).

[0051] In Figure 1, the network includes the following network functions / entities: 1) User equipment: The UE obtains location measurements and sends the measurements to a Location Management Function (LMF) to calculate its location.

[0052] 2) (R)AN (Radio Access Network): The (R)AN is responsible for handling various positioning procedures such as positioning the target UE, providing location related information not related to a specific target UE, and sending positioning messages between the AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) or LMF and the target UE.

[0053] 3) AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function): The AMF encompasses functionality for managing the positioning of target UEs for all types of location requests.

[0054] 4) LMF (Location Management Function): The LMF manages the overall coordination and scheduling of resources required for the location of a UE registered in or accessing a 5G Core Network (CN). The LMF can also calculate or verify the final location and velocity estimates of the UE and estimate the accuracy achieved.

[0055] 5) UDM (Unified Data Management): The UDM contains location service (LCS) subscriber, LCS privacy profile, and routing information.

[0056] 6) GMLC (Gateway Mobile Location Center): The GMLC is the first node that an external LCS client accesses in a public land mobile network (PLMN). The AF and NF (Network Function) can access the GMLC directly or via the NEF. The GMLC can request routing information and / or target UE privacy information from the UDM. After checking the authorization of the external LCS client or AF and verifying the privacy of the target UE, the GMLC forwards the location request to the serving AMF.

[0057] 7) NEF (Network Exposure Function): The NEF provides the means to access location services by an external AF or an internal AF.

[0058] 8)AF (Application Function): The AF requests the location of the UE.

[0059] 2 shows a schematic diagram of a sensing architecture according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. To enhance 5GC to support sensing, the sensing architecture shown in FIG. 2 can be used in 5GC having at least one of the following aspects:

[0060] i) The AF and / or NEF send a detection request to a detection NF (detection network function) via the AMF.

[0061] ii) The sensing NF collects sensing data from the transmitting RAN and multiple receiving RANs and calculates the sensing result.

[0062] iii) Collection of sensing data from the RAN is performed via an Nx tunnel between the RAN and the sensing NF, or via an N2 interface between the RAN and the AMF.

[0063] In some embodiments, a sensing NF may have at least some of the capabilities of an LMF. In some embodiments, a sensing NF may be collocated with an LMF or other NF.

[0064] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 3, a sensing NF collects sensing data from an NG-RAN (e.g., Next Generation RAN) through an Nx tunnel. Specifically, the process includes the following steps:

[0065] Step 301: To recognize objects (e.g., non-UE objects) in an area, an external AF sends a detection request for the area to a NEF. The detection request includes a target area (e.g., a geographical region) and may further include at least one of a detection quality of service (QoS), one or more object types (e.g., dynamic objects or static objects), and / or other attributes for the detection requirements.

[0066] In an embodiment where the AF is an internal AF, the internal AF may select an AMF and send a sensing request directly to the AMF. In this embodiment, the sensing request includes a target tracking area identity (TAI) list.

[0067] Step 302: The NEF determines whether the sensing request from the AF or AF is allowed, and maps the geographical area to the TAI list. If the sensing request from the AF or AF is allowed, the NEF selects an AMF to serve the mapped TAI list (e.g., to serve a tracking area in the TAI list).

[0068] Step 303: The NEF sends a detection request including the TAI list to the selected AMF. Step 304: The AMF selects a sensing NF based on the TAI list. In one embodiment, the selection may be performed using a Network Repository Function (NRF) query.

[0069] Step 305: The AMF sends a detection decision request toward the detection NF to request detection data corresponding to the TAI list. The AMF includes the TAI list in the detection decision request. In one embodiment, the AMF further includes at least one of a detection quality of service (QoS), one or more object types (e.g., dynamic object or static object), and / or other attributes in the detection decision request received from the AF, if available.

[0070] Step 306: To collect sensing data from the NG-RAN nodes serving the TAI list, the sensing NF sends a sensing resource setup request toward the AMF to set up an Nx tunnel between the NG-RAN node and the sensing NF. The sensing resource setup request may include address information (e.g., Internet Protocol (IP) address and IP port) of the sensing NF. In one embodiment, the sensing NF may further include a list of NG-RAN node identifiers and sensing requirements or instructions in the sensing resource setup request. In one embodiment, the sensing NF obtains a list of NG-RAN node identifiers according to the TAI list.

[0071] Step 307: The AMF sends a detection resource setup response to the detection NF. The detection resource setup response may include the unavailable NG-RAN node identifier.

[0072] Step 308: The AMF forwards the address information (e.g., IP address and IP port) of the detecting NF and the detection requirement or transmission instruction in an N2 transport message to the NG-RAN node indicated in step 307. The AMF includes a routing identifier to identify the detecting NF in the N2 transport message.

[0073] Step 309: The NG-RAN node returns the address information (e.g., IP address and IP port) of the NG-RAN node to the AMF in an N2 transport message. In one embodiment, the target NG-RAN node may also include the routing identifier received in step 308 in the N2 transport message.

[0074] Step 310: The AMF forwards the address information (e.g., IP address and IP port) of the NG-RAN node in the detection resource setup notification to the detection NF indicated by the routing identifier received in step 309.

[0075] Step 311: The detection NF sends a detection resource setup notification response to the AMF. Step 312: The NG-RAN node performs sensing measurement according to the sensing requirement or sensing command, and obtains sensing data requested by the sensing NF. It should be noted that step 312 can be performed after receiving the sensing requirement or sensing command, and the order of steps is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0076] Step 313: The NG-RAN node sends sensing data to the sensing NF via the Nx tunnel. In one embodiment, steps 312 and 313 may be repeated if the sensing NF further exchanges sensing information with the NG-RAN node via the Nx tunnel.

[0077] In one embodiment, steps 308-313 are performed, for example, for each NG-RAN node that serves a TAI list (a tracking area (TA) associated with the TAI list).

[0078] Step 314: The sensing NF calculates a sensing result based on the sensing data received from the NG-RAN node, and sends the final sensing data (e.g., the calculated result) to the AMF.

[0079] Steps 315 and 316: The AMF sends a detection report including the final detection data to the external AF via the NEF.

[0080] In one embodiment, where the AF is an internal AF, the AMF sends a detection report including the final detection data directly to the AF.

[0081] In one embodiment, the NR Positioning Protocol A (NRPPa) protocol between the detecting NFs and the NG-RAN nodes is evolved to support the Nx interface.

[0082] In one embodiment, the above-mentioned routing identifier is used by the AMF to send the sensing data from the NG-RAN to the correct sensing NF. For example, when two sensing NFs, namely sensing NF1 and sensing NF2, simultaneously request sensing data from the NG-RAN through the AMF, in response to the requests from the sensing NF1 and sensing NF2, the AMF immediately returns a response to the sensing NF1 and sensing NF2, and these pairs of HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) requests and responses are completed. After that, when the AMF receives the sensing data with the routing identifier corresponding to the sensing NF1 and sensing NF2 from the NG-RAN, the AMF reports the received sensing data to the sensing NF1 and sensing NF2 through a notification request. Because the notification request is a completely new HTTP request, the AMF needs the routing identifier corresponding to the sensing NF1 and sensing NF2 to identify the destination of the sensing data from the NG-RAN.

[0083] In some embodiments, two or more AMFs are selected by the NEF to perform the above operations. In such a case, each AMF may serve a portion of the TAs in the TAI list. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0084] Similarly, in some embodiments, two or more sensing NFs are selected by the AMF to perform the above operations. In such cases, each sensing NF may serve a portion of the TAs in the TAI list. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0085] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 4, a sensing NF collects sensing data from an NG-RAN via an AMF through an N2 interface. In particular, the process shown in FIG. 4 includes the following steps:

[0086] Step 401: To recognize an object in an area, an external AF sends a detection request for the area to a NEF. The detection request includes a target area (e.g., a geographical region) and may further include at least one of a detection quality of service (QoS), one or more object types (e.g., dynamic objects or static objects), and / or other attributes for the detection requirements.

[0087] In one embodiment, where the AF is an internal AF, the internal AF may select an AMF and send the sensing request directly to the AMF. In this embodiment, the sensing request includes a target TAI list.

[0088] Step 402: The NEF determines whether the AF or the sensing request from the AF is allowed, and maps the geographical area to the TAI list. If the AF or the sensing request is allowed, the NEF selects an AMF to serve the mapped TAI list.

[0089] Step 403: The NEF sends a detection request including the TAI list to the selected AMF. Step 404: The AMF selects a sensing NF based on the TAI list. In one embodiment, the selection may be performed using an NRF query.

[0090] Step 405: The AMF sends a detection decision request toward the detection NF to request detection data corresponding to the TAI list. The AMF includes the TAI list in the detection decision request. In one embodiment, the AMF further includes at least one of a detection quality of service (QoS), one or more object types (e.g., dynamic object or static object), and / or other attributes, if available, in the detection decision request received from the AF.

[0091] Step 406: To collect sensing data from the NG-RAN nodes serving the TAI list, the sensing NF sends a sensing data request towards the AMF. The sensing NF includes a list of NG-RAN node identifiers and sensing requirements or sensing instructions in the sensing data request. In one embodiment, the sensing NF obtains the list of NG-RAN node identifiers according to the TAI list.

[0092] Step 407: The AMF sends a sensing data response to the sensing NF. The sensing data response may include the unavailable NG-RAN node identifier.

[0093] Step 408: The AMF forwards the detection requirement or command in an N2 transport message to the NG-RAN node indicated in step 406. In one embodiment, the AMF further includes a routing identifier in the N2 transport message that identifies the detection NF.

[0094] Step 409: The NG-RAN node performs sensing measurements and obtains sensing data requested by the sensing NF.

[0095] Step 410: The NG-RAN node returns the sensing data to the AMF in an N2 transport message. In one embodiment, the target NG-RAN node may also include the routing identifier received in step 408 in the N2 transport message.

[0096] Step 411: The AMF forwards the sensing data to the sensing NF indicated by the routing identifier received in step 410 in the sensing data notification.

[0097] Step 412: The sensing NF sends a sensing data notification response to the AMF. It should be noted that steps 408 to 412 are performed, for example, for each NG-RAN node that serves the TAI list (TA associated with the TAI list).

[0098] Step 413: The sensing NF calculates a sensing result based on the sensing data received from the NG-RAN node, and sends the final sensing data to the AMF.

[0099] Steps 414 and 415: The AMF sends a sensing report with the final sensing data (eg, calculation results) to the (external) AF via the NEF.

[0100] In one embodiment, where the AF is an internal AF, the AMF sends the detection report directly to the AF. The details of the process in FIG. 4 can be confirmed by referring to the above-mentioned embodiments, and will not be described here.

[0101] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the sensing NF may perform at least one of the following:

[0102] 1) Receive a detection request from AMF. 2) Sending the IP address and IP port of the sensing NF that receives uplink data (sensing data) through the Nx tunnel to the NG-RAN via the AMF.

[0103] 3) Receive the IP address and IP port of the NG-RAN that receives downlink data (detection request) through the Nx tunnel from the NG-RAN via the AMF.

[0104] 4) Requesting sensing data from NG-RAN via AMF. 5) Requesting sensing data from the NG-RAN via the Nx tunnel.

[0105] 6) Receive sensing data from NG-RAN via AMF. 7) Receive sensing data from NG-RAN via the Nx tunnel.

[0106] 8) Calculating detection results based on the detection data received from the NG-RAN. 9) Sending a detection report with final detection data to the AMF.

[0107] 10) The detecting NF registers with the NRF a list of TAIs it can service. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the NEF may perform at least one of the following:

[0108] 1) Mapping the target area (e.g., geographic region) indicated in the AF detection request to a TAI list.

[0109] 2) Allow AF detection requests. 3) Select AMF based on the TAI list.

[0110] 4) Forward the AF detection request to the AMF. 5) Receive sensing data from the AMF and forward the sensing data to the AF.

[0111] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the AMF may perform at least one of the following:

[0112] 1) Receiving an (AF) detection request from the AF (via the NEF). 2) Selecting a sensing NF via NRF or local configuration based on the TAI list.

[0113] 3) Sending a sensing request to the sensing NF. 4) Receiving from the sensing NF the IP address and IP port of the sensing NF that receives uplink data (sensing data) through the Nx tunnel.

[0114] 5) Transfer the IP address and IP port of the detected NF to the NG-RAN. 6) Receive from the NG-RAN the IP address and IP port of the NG-RAN that will receive downlink data (detection request) through the Nx tunnel.

[0115] 7) Forward the IP address and IP port of the NG-RAN to the detecting NF. 8) Forward the sensing request received from the sensing NF to the NG-RAN.

[0116] 9) Forwarding the sensing data received from the NG-RAN to the sensing NF. 10) Receive detection reports from the detection NFs and forward the detection data (via the NEFs) to the AF.

[0117] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the NG-RAN (node) may implement at least one of the following:

[0118] 1) Receiving the IP address and IP port of the sensing NF that receives uplink data (sensing data) through the Nx tunnel from the sensing NF via the AMF.

[0119] 2) Sending the IP address and IP port of the detecting NF that receives downlink data (detection request) through the Nx tunnel to the detecting NF via the AMF.

[0120] 3) Receiving a detection request from a detection NF via the AMF. 4) Perform sensing measurements and obtain sensing data as requested by the sensing NF.

[0121] 5) Sending the sensing data to the sensing NF via the Nx tunnel. 6) Sending the sensing data to the sensing NF via the AMF.

[0122] 7) Receiving a detection request from a detection NF via the Nx tunnel. 5 relates to a schematic diagram of a wireless network node 60 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless network node 60 may be a satellite, a base station (BS), a network entity, a mobility management entity (MME), a serving gateway (S-GW), a packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), a radio access network (RAN) node, a next generation RAN (NG-RAN) node, a gNB, an eNB, a gNB central unit (gNB-CU), a gNB distributed unit (gNB-DU), a data network, a core network, or a radio network controller (RNC), and is not limited herein. In addition, the wireless network node 60 may comprise (implement at least a part of the functionality of) at least one network function, such as an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), a user place function (UPF), a policy control function (PCF), an application function (AF), a sensing NF, a network exposure function (NEF), etc. The wireless network node 60 may include a processor 600, such as a microprocessor or ASIC, a storage unit 610, and a communication unit 620. The storage unit 610 may be any data storage device that stores program code 612 that is accessed and executed by the processor 600. Examples of the storage unit 612 include, but are not limited to, a SIM, a ROM, a flash memory, a RAM, a hard disk, and an optical data storage device. The communication unit 620 may be a transceiver and is used to transmit and receive signals (e.g., messages or packets) according to the processing results of the processor 600. In one example, the communication unit 620 transmits and receives signals via at least one antenna 622 shown in FIG. 5.

[0123] In one embodiment, the storage unit 610 and the program code 612 may be omitted. The processor 600 may include a storage unit having the program code stored therein.

[0124] The processor 600 may perform any of the steps described in the illustrated embodiments on the wireless network node 60, for example by executing the program code 612.

[0125] The communication unit 620 may be a transceiver. Alternatively, or in addition, the communication unit 620 may combine a transmitting unit and a receiving unit configured to transmit and receive, respectively, signals to and from a wireless terminal (e.g., user equipment or another wireless network node).

[0126] A wireless communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is also provided. In an embodiment, the wireless communication method may be implemented by using a wireless communication node (e.g., AMF). In an embodiment, the wireless communication node may be implemented using, but is not limited to, the wireless communication node 60 described above.

[0127] In one embodiment, a wireless communication method includes receiving, by an access and mobility management node, a first message and one or more identifiers of one or more target access network nodes from a sensing network node; transmitting, by the access and mobility management node, the first message to a target access network node according to the one or more identifiers of the target access network node to request the target access network node to generate sensing data, where the sensing data is transmitted to the sensing network node; and receiving, by the access and mobility management node, a calculation result based on the sensing data from the sensing network node.

[0128] In one embodiment, the first message may be, but is not limited to, the sensing resource setup notification or sensing data request described above. In one embodiment, the target access network node may be, but is not limited to, the NG-RAN described above.

[0129] Further details on this point can be found in the paragraphs above and will not be repeated here.

[0130] Another wireless communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is also provided. In an embodiment, the wireless communication method may be implemented by using a wireless communication node (e.g., a sensing NF). In an embodiment, the wireless communication node may be implemented using, but is not limited to, the wireless communication node 60 described above.

[0131] In one embodiment, a wireless communication method includes transmitting, by a sensing network node, a first message and one or more identifiers of one or more target access network nodes to an access and mobility management node, requesting the access and mobility management node to forward the first message to the target access network node according to the one or more identifiers to request the target access network node to generate sensing data; receiving, by the sensing network node, the sensing data; and transmitting, by the sensing network node, a calculation result based on the sensing data to the access and mobility management node.

[0132] Further details on this point can be found in the paragraphs above and will not be repeated here.

[0133] Another wireless communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is also provided. In one embodiment, the wireless communication method may be implemented by using a wireless communication node (e.g., an NG-RAN node). In one embodiment, the wireless communication node may be implemented using, but is not limited to, the wireless communication node 60 described above.

[0134] In one embodiment, a wireless communication method includes receiving, by an access network node, a first message from an access and mobility management node; performing, by the access network node, measurements to generate sensed data according to the first message; and transmitting, by the access network node, the sensed data to the sensing network node to enable the sensing network node to generate a calculation result according to the sensed data.

[0135] Further details on this point can be found in the paragraphs above and will not be repeated here.

[0136] Another wireless communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is also provided. In one embodiment, the wireless communication method may be implemented by using a wireless communication node (e.g., NEF). In one embodiment, the wireless communication node may be implemented using, but is not limited to, the wireless communication node 60 described above.

[0137] In one embodiment, a wireless communication method includes sending, by a network exposure node, a first sensing request to an access and mobility management node to enable the access and mobility management node to trigger the sensing network node to obtain sensing data from one or more target access network nodes, and receiving, by the network exposure node, a calculation result based on the sensing data from the access and mobility management node.

[0138] In one embodiment, the network exposure node is configured to receive a second sensing request from the application node and determine whether the second sensing request from the application node is authorized.

[0139] In one embodiment, the first sensing request may be, but is not limited to, the above-mentioned NEF to AMF sensing request. In one embodiment, the second request may be, but is not limited to, the above-mentioned AF to NEF sensing request.

[0140] Further details on this point can be found in the paragraphs above and will not be repeated here.

[0141] Although various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they are presented only as examples and not as limitations. Similarly, various figures may depict exemplary architectures or configurations provided to enable those skilled in the art to appreciate exemplary features and functions of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary architectures or configurations depicted, but may be implemented using various alternative architectures and configurations. Furthermore, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, one or more features of one embodiment may be combined with one or more features of another embodiment described herein. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the exemplary embodiments described above.

[0142] It is also understood that any reference to an element herein using a designation such as "first," "second," etc., generally does not limit the quantity or order of those elements. Rather, these designations may be used herein as a convenient means of distinguishing between two or more elements or instances of an element. Thus, reference to a first element and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be utilized or that the first element must precede the second element in any manner.

[0143] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that information and signals may be represented using any one of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits and symbols that may be referenced in the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0144] Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that any of the various illustrative logical blocks, units, processors, means, circuits, methods, and functions described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented by electronic hardware (e.g., digital implementations, analog implementations, or a combination of the two), firmware, various forms of program or design code incorporating instructions (which for convenience may be referred to herein as "software" or "software units"), or any combination of these techniques.

[0145] To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware, firmware, and software, various exemplary components, blocks, units, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware, or software, or a combination of these techniques, depends on the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functionality in various ways for each particular application, and such implementation decisions do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure. According to various embodiments, a processor, device, component, circuit, structure, machine, unit, etc. may be configured to perform one or more functions described herein. The term "configured to" or "configured for" as used herein with respect to a specified operation or function refers to a processor, device, component, circuit, structure, machine, unit, etc. that is physically constructed, programmed, and / or configured to perform the specified operation or function.

[0146] Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various exemplary logical blocks, units, devices, components, and circuits described herein may be implemented or performed within an integrated circuit (IC), which may include a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, or any combination thereof. The logical blocks, units, and circuits may further include an antenna and / or a transceiver for communicating with various components in a network or device. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in combination with a DSP core, or any other suitable configuration for performing the functions described herein. When implemented in software, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. Thus, the steps of a method or algorithm disclosed herein may be implemented as software stored on a computer-readable medium.

[0147] Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that can enable a computer program or code to be transferred from one place to another. Storage media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

[0148] In this specification, the term "unit" as used herein refers to software, firmware, hardware, and any combination of these elements for performing the relevant functions described herein. Moreover, for purposes of explanation, various units are described as individual units. However, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, two or more units can be combined to form a single unit that performs the relevant functions according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0149] Further, memory or other storage devices and communication components may be utilized in embodiments of the present disclosure. For clarity, it will be appreciated that the above description has described embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to different functional units and processors. However, it will be apparent that any suitable distribution of functionality between different functional units, processing logic elements, or domains may be used without detracting from the present disclosure. For example, functionality shown to be performed by separate processing logic elements or controllers may be performed by the same processing logic element or controller. Thus, references to specific functional units are merely to suitable means for providing the described functionality, rather than to a strict logical or physical structure or organization.

[0150] Various modifications to the embodiments described in this disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the novel features and principles disclosed herein, as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A wireless communication method, comprising: receiving, by an access and mobility management node, from a sensing network node, a first message and one or more identifiers of one or more target access network nodes; transmitting, by the access and mobility management node, the first message to the target access network node according to one or more identifiers of the target access network node to request the target access network node to generate sensing data, wherein the sensing data is transmitted to the sensing network node; receiving, by said access and mobility management node, from said sensing network node, a calculation result according to said sensing data; 23. A wireless communication method comprising:

2. 2. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the sensing data is transmitted to the sensing network node via one or more tunnels between the sensing network node and each of the target access network nodes.

3. The wireless communication method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first message includes address information of the detected network node.

4. 4. The wireless communication method of claim 3, wherein the access and mobility management node is configured to receive address information of the target access network node from the target access network node and transmit the address information of the target access network node to the sensing network node, and the sensing data is transmitted to the sensing network node via one or more tunnels based on the address information of the sensing network node and the address information of the target access network node.

5. 5. The wireless communication method of claim 4, wherein the access and mobility management node is configured to send the first message to the target access network node having a routing identifier of the sensing network node, receive the address information of the target access network node having the routing identifier, and send the address information of the target access network node to the sensing network node according to the routing identifier.

6. The wireless communication method of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the address information of the detected network node includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address and an IP port.

7. The wireless communication method of claim 1 , wherein the access and mobility management node is configured to receive the sensing data and transmit the sensing data to the sensing network node.

8. 8. The wireless communication method of claim 7, wherein the access and mobility management node is configured to: send the first message to the target access network node, the first message having a routing identifier of the sensing network node; receive the sensing data having the routing identifier; and send the sensing data to the sensing network node according to the routing identifier.

9. The wireless communication method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the access and mobility management node is configured to receive a sensing request including a Tracking Area Identity (TAI) list.

10. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the access and mobility management node is configured to select the detected network node according to a Tracking Area Identity (TAI) list and to transmit the TAI list to the detected network node.

11. The wireless communication method of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the access and mobility management node is configured to transmit at least one of a sensed Quality of Service (QoS) or one or more object types to the sensed network node.

12. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the access and mobility management node is configured to transmit information of one or more unavailable access network nodes to the detecting network node.

13. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the access and mobility management node is configured to transmit the calculation result to a network exposure node or an application node.

14. 1. A wireless communication method, comprising: transmitting, by the sensing network node, to an access and mobility management node, a first message and one or more identifiers of one or more target access network nodes, requesting the access and mobility management node to forward the first message to the target access network node according to the one or more identifiers to request the target access network node to generate sensing data; receiving, by the sensing network node, the sensing data; transmitting, by said sensing network node, a calculation result based on said sensing data to said access and mobility management node; 23. A wireless communication method comprising:

15. 15. The wireless communication method of claim 14, wherein the sensed data is received by the sensing network node via one or more tunnels between the sensing network node and each of the target access network nodes.

16. 16. The wireless communication method of claim 14 or 15, wherein the first message includes address information of the detected network node.

17. 17. The wireless communication method of claim 16, wherein the sensing network node is configured to receive address information of the target access network node from the access and mobility management node, and to receive the sensing data via one or more tunnels based on the address information of the sensing network node and the address information of the target access network node.

18. The wireless communication method of any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the address information of the detected network node includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address and an IP port.

19. The wireless communication method of claim 14 , wherein the sensing data is received by the sensing network node via the access and mobility management node.

20. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the sensing network node is configured to receive a Tracking Area Identity (TAI) list from the access and mobility management node and determine the one or more identifiers of a target access network node according to the TAI list.

21. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein the sensing network node is configured to receive at least one of a sensed Quality of Service (QoS) or one or more object types from the access and mobility management node.

22. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 14 to 21, wherein the sensing network node is configured to receive information of one or more unavailable access network nodes from the access and mobility management node.

23. 1. A wireless communication method, comprising: receiving, by an access network node, a first message from an access and mobility management node; performing, by the access network node, measurements to generate sensed data according to the first message; transmitting, by the access network node, the sensing data to the sensing network node, to enable the sensing network node to generate a calculation result according to the sensing data; 23. A wireless communication method comprising:

24. 24. The wireless communication method of claim 23, wherein the sensing data is transmitted to the sensing network node via a tunnel between the sensing network node and the target access network node.

25. 25. The wireless communication method of claim 23 or 24, wherein the first message includes address information of the detected network node.

26. 26. The wireless communication method of claim 25, wherein the access network node is configured to send address information of the access network node to the sensing network node via the access and mobility management node, and the sensing data is sent to the sensing network node via a tunnel based on the address information of the sensing network node and address information of the target access network node.

27. 27. The wireless communication method of claim 26, wherein the access network node is configured to receive the first message with a routing identifier of the detecting network node, and to transmit the address information of the access network node with the routing identifier to enable the access and mobility management node to transmit the address information of the target access network node to the detecting network node according to the routing identifier.

28. The wireless communication method of any one of claims 24 to 27, wherein the address information of the detected network node includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address and an IP port.

29. 24. The wireless communication method of claim 23, wherein the access network node is configured to transmit the sensing data to the sensing network node via the access and mobility management node.

30. 30. The wireless communication method of claim 29, wherein the access network node is configured to receive the first message having a routing identifier of the sensing network node, and to transmit the sensing data having the routing identifier to the access and mobility management node to enable the access and mobility management node to transmit the sensing data to the sensing network node in accordance with the routing identifier.

31. 1. A wireless communication method, comprising: sending, by a network exposure node, a first sensing request to an access and mobility management node, to enable the access and mobility management node to trigger a sensing network node to obtain sensing data from one or more target access network nodes; receiving, by the network exposure node, a calculation result based on the sensed data from the access and mobility management node; 23. A wireless communication method comprising:

32. 32. The wireless communication method of claim 31, wherein the network exposure node is configured to receive a second sensing request from an application node and determine whether the second sensing request from the application node is authorized.

33. 33. The wireless communication method of claim 31 or 32, wherein the second sensing request includes a target area, and the network exposure node is configured to map the target area to a Tracking Area Identity (TAI) list.

34. 34. The wireless communication method of claim 32 or 33, wherein the second sensing request includes at least one of a sensing quality of service (QoS), or one or more object types.

35. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 31 to 34, wherein the network exposure node is configured to select the access and mobility management node according to a Tracking Area Identity (TAI) list, and to send the first sensing request including the TAI list to the selected access and mobility management node.

36. 1. A wireless communications node, comprising: A communication unit; Processor and Equipped with A wireless communications node, wherein the processor is configured to: receive a first message and one or more identifiers of one or more target access network nodes from a sensing network node; transmit the first message to the target access network node according to the one or more identifiers of the target access network node to request the target access network node to generate sensing data, the sensing data being transmitted to the sensing network node; and receive a calculation result using the sensing data from the sensing network node.

37. The wireless communication node of claim 36, wherein the processor is further configured to perform a wireless communication method according to any one of claims 2 to 13.

38. 1. A wireless communications node, comprising: A communication unit; Processor and Equipped with 11. The wireless communications node, wherein the processor is configured to: send a first message and one or more identifiers of one or more target access network nodes to an access and mobility management node, requesting the access and mobility management node to forward the first message to the target access network node according to the one or more identifiers to request the target access network node to generate sensing data; receive the sensing data; and send a calculation result using the sensing data to the access and mobility management node.

39. The wireless communication node of claim 38, wherein the processor is further configured to perform a wireless communication method according to any one of claims 15 to 22.

40. 1. A wireless communications node, comprising: A communication unit; Processor and Equipped with 2. The wireless communications node, wherein the processor is configured to: receive a first message from an access and mobility management node; perform measurements to generate sensing data according to the first message; and transmit the sensing data to a sensing network node to enable the sensing network node to generate a calculation result according to the sensing data.

41. The wireless communication node of claim 40, wherein the processor is further configured to perform a wireless communication method according to any one of claims 24 to 30.

42. 1. A wireless communications node, comprising: A communication unit; Processor and Equipped with A wireless communications node, wherein the processor is configured to: send a first sensing request to an access and mobility management node to enable the access and mobility management node to trigger a sensing network node to obtain sensing data from one or more target access network nodes; and receive from the access and mobility management node a calculation result based on the sensing data.

43. The wireless communication node of claim 42, wherein the processor is further configured to perform a wireless communication method according to any one of claims 32 to 35.

44. A computer program product having computer readable program medium code stored thereon, the code, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to implement a wireless communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 35.

Images