Communication device, wireless device, and program

Abstract

To suppress an increase in the amount of information from the sensing results to be fed back.SOLUTION: A wireless device includes: sensing means for receiving reference signals transmitted by each of multiple communication devices using one or more transmission beams using one or more receive beams including a first receive beam to perform sensing; detection means for detecting obstacles on the basis of the sensing results of the first receive beams of the reference signals transmitted by each of the plurality of communication devices using one or more transmit beams; and feedback means for feeding back to a first communication device of the plurality of communication devices the sensing results of the first receive beams of the reference signals transmitted by a second communication device of one or more communication devices, when the same obstacle is detected on the basis of the sensing results of the first receive beams of the reference signals transmitted by one or more communication devices of the plurality of communication devices.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to sensing technology using a communication device. [Background technology]

[0002] Non-Patent Document 1 discloses various use cases of sensing services in mobile communication networks. In one of the configurations disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1, a base station (BS), which is a wireless communication device, transmits a signal for sensing (hereinafter referred to as a sensing signal), and a wireless device (WD) feeds back the reception result of the sensing signal to the base station, thereby allowing the mobile communication network to collect sensing data. Based on the collected sensing data, the mobile communication network detects the environment of the area where the base station provides service (hereinafter referred to as a service area), for example, obstacles that may obstruct the propagation of wireless signals. Note that obstacles include stationary objects such as buildings and moving objects such as vehicles. By using a signal used for communication as a sensing signal, communication and sensing can be performed efficiently.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a system called ISAC (Integrated Sensing and Communication) that integrates sensing signals and communication signals. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2023 / 205961 [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] 3GPP TR 22.837,V19.0.0,June 2023 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] For example, as shown in FIG. 1, BS1 is configured to transmit N (N is an integer equal to or greater than 1) transmit beams T#1 to T#N, and WD2 is configured to receive M (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1) receive beams R#1 to R#M. Then, BS1 is caused to repeatedly transmit a sensing signal using each of the N transmit beams. In the following description, the timing at which BS1 transmits a sensing signal is referred to as "transmission timing." The transmission timing may be a repeated timing, for example, a periodic timing. By configuring in this way, WD2 can receive the sensing signals transmitted using the N transmit beams using each of the M receive beams at each transmission timing.

[0007] In other words, if the reception result (sensing result) of a sensing signal transmitted by a transmission beam T#n (n is an integer from 1 to N) by a reception beam R#m (m is an integer from 1 to M) is expressed as sensing result #nm, WD2 can acquire up to N×M sensing results, from sensing result #11 to sensing result #NM, at each transmission timing.

[0008] The WD2 can receive sensing signals transmitted by multiple BSs 1, rather than only receiving sensing signals transmitted by one BS 1. Therefore, sensing accuracy can be improved by having the WD2 receive sensing signals transmitted by multiple BSs 1 and feeding back the sensing results. However, if the WD2 feeds back all of the sensing results of the sensing signals transmitted by multiple BSs 1, the amount of information fed back becomes too large.

[0009] The present disclosure provides a technique for suppressing an increase in the amount of information of the sensing results that are fed back. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a wireless device includes: a sensing means that performs sensing by receiving reference signals transmitted by each of a plurality of communication devices using one or more transmission beams, using one or more reception beams including a first reception beam; a detection means that detects an obstacle based on the sensing results of the first reception beam of the reference signals transmitted by each of the plurality of communication devices using one or more transmission beams; and a feedback means that, when the same obstacle is detected based on the sensing results of the first reception beam of the reference signals transmitted by one or more communication devices of the plurality of communication devices, feeds back to a first communication device of the plurality of communication devices the sensing results of the first reception beam of the reference signals transmitted by a second communication device of the one or more communication devices. It is equipped with: [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress an increase in the amount of information of the sensing results that is fed back. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a sensing configuration. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram used to explain an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of obstacle detection. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a sensing result obtained by a wireless device. [Figure 6] 1 is an explanatory diagram of sensing results fed back to each BS. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the invention. Two or more of the features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0014] FIG. 2 shows a system used to explain the embodiment. WD2 shown in FIG. 2 is capable of receiving signals transmitted by three BS1-1 to BS1-3. In the following explanation, the three BS1-1 to BS1-3 are collectively referred to as BS1. Note that the number of BS1 from which WD2 can receive signals depends on the arrangement of the BS1 and the position of the WD2, and is not limited to three. In this embodiment, each BS1 is configured to transmit N (N is an integer equal to or greater than 1) transmission beams T#1 to T#N. Also, in this embodiment, WD2 is configured to receive M (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1) reception beams R#1 to R#M. Note that the number of transmission beams transmitted by each BS1 may differ for each BS1.

[0015] Each BS1 is configured to transmit a sensing signal using each of N transmission beams at a transmission timing, which is a repetition timing. As the sensing signal, for example, a downlink reference signal (RS) specified in 3GPP (registered trademark) can be used. As an example, a channel state information (CSI)-RS or a positioning reference signal (PRS) can be used as the sensing signal.

[0016] WD2 receives the sensing signals transmitted by each BS1 using M receiving beams. WD2 can detect an obstacle and its position based on the direction of the transmitting beam used by BS1 to transmit the sensing signal, the direction of the receiving beam used to receive the sensing signal, and the delay between when BS1 transmits the sensing signal and when WD2 receives the sensing signal. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, WD2 can detect an obstacle and its position by receiving a sensing signal transmitted by BS1-1 using transmitting beam T#1 using receiving beam R#2. WD2 can also detect the same obstacle and its position by receiving a sensing signal transmitted by BS1-2 using transmitting beam T#3 using receiving beam R#2. WD#2 feeds back the sensing results to BS1.

[0017] Returning to FIG. 1, the processing device 3 collects the sensing results fed back to each BS 1 by the WD 2 and determines the distribution of obstacles and the like.

[0018] Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram according to this embodiment. Note that Fig. 4 shows a sequence between one BS1 and one WD2, but the sequence in Fig. 4 is performed between each of BS1-1 to BS1-3 and WD2. In S1, WD2 notifies BS1 of information indicating its capabilities (user equipment (UE) capabilities). The UE capabilities include information indicating the sensing processing capabilities of WD2. WD2 has the capability to reduce the amount of feedback information described in this embodiment, and therefore the UE capabilities notified to BS1 in S1 include information indicating that WD2 has the capability to reduce the amount of feedback information.

[0019] In S2, BS1 notifies WD2 of the sensing configuration. The sensing configuration notified to WD2 in S2 includes information specifying the sensing signal, information specifying the transmission beam used by BS1, and the like.

[0020] In step S3, BS1 notifies WD2 of the index of BS1 to be used in sensing by WD2. The index is information for identifying BS1. Note that if the index is included in the signal periodically broadcast by BS1, the process in step S3 can be omitted.

[0021] BS1 transmits sensing signals according to the sensing configuration notified to WD2 in S2. WD2 acquires sensing results by receiving sensing signals transmitted by BS1-1 to BS1-3 in S4. WD2 then feeds back the sensing results to BS1 in S5.

[0022] 5(A) to 5(C) show examples of sensing results. Note that FIG. 5(A) shows the sensing result of the sensing signal transmitted by BS1-1, FIG. 5(B) shows the sensing result of the sensing signal transmitted by BS1-2, and FIG. 5(C) shows the sensing result of the sensing signal transmitted by BS1-3. In FIGS. 5(A) to 5(C), BS1-1 to BS1-3 transmit sensing signals using four transmission beams T#1 to T#4, and WD2 receives the sensing signals using four reception beams R#1 to R#4. In FIGS. 5(A) to 5(C), #nm (n is an integer from 1 to 4, and m is an integer from 1 to 4) indicates the sensing result of the sensing signal transmitted using transmission beam T#n and received using reception beam R#m. Furthermore, the shaded sensing results indicate the sensing results in which an obstacle is detected.

[0023] 6 shows the sensing results of obstacle detection for each receiving beam among the sensing results of FIGS. 5(A) to 5(C). As shown in FIGS. 5(A) to 5(C), in receiving beam R#1, an obstacle is detected based on the sensing signal transmitted by BS1-1 in transmission beam T#4, an obstacle is detected based on the sensing signal transmitted by BS1-2 in transmission beam T#2, and an obstacle is detected based on the sensing signal transmitted by BS1-3 in transmission beam T#1. In addition, in receiving beam R#2, an obstacle is detected based on the sensing signal transmitted by BS1-1 in transmission beam T#3, and an obstacle is detected based on the sensing signal transmitted by BS1-2 in transmission beam T#1. In addition, in receiving beam R#3, an obstacle is detected based on the sensing signal transmitted by BS1-2 in transmission beam T#3, and an obstacle is detected based on the sensing signal transmitted by BS1-3 in transmission beam T#2. Furthermore, in reception beam R#4, an obstacle is detected based on the sensing signal transmitted by BS1-3 in transmission beam T#4.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 3, obstacles detected based on sensing signals transmitted by different BSs using the same receiving beam are likely to be the same obstacle. In other words, in Fig. 6, the obstacle detected by BS1-1 receiving the sensing signal transmitted by BS1-1 using transmitting beam T#4 using receiving beam R#1, the obstacle detected by BS1-2 receiving the sensing signal transmitted by BS1-2 using transmitting beam T#2 using receiving beam R#1, and the obstacle detected by BS1-3 receiving the sensing signal transmitted by BS1-3 using transmitting beam T#1 using receiving beam R#1 are likely to be the same. Therefore, there is no need to feed back sensing result #41, sensing result #21, and sensing result #11 to BS1-1 to BS1-3, respectively; it is sufficient to feed back only one of the three sensing results.

[0025] Therefore, in this embodiment, when an obstacle that is likely to be the same is detected by receiving sensing signals transmitted from multiple BSs 1 in one receiving beam, the sensing result is not fed back to each of the multiple BSs 1, but the sensing result of the sensing signal transmitted by that one BS 1 is fed back to only one of the multiple BSs 1. While the method for selecting the BS 1 to which the sensing result is fed back is arbitrary, in this embodiment, the sensing result is fed back to the BS 1 with the highest power received sensing signal. The shading in Figure 6 indicates the sensing result with the highest power received sensing signal.

[0026] Therefore, in the case of the sensing results shown in Figure 6, at S5 in Figure 4, WD2 feeds back sensing result #41 to BS1-1, sensing results #12 and #33 to BS1-2, and sensing result #43 to BS1-3.

[0027] As described above, when sensing results indicate the detection of overlapping obstacles, by feeding back only one sensing result, it is possible to prevent an increase in the amount of information of the sensing results to be fed back.

[0028] It is possible to configure the system so that all of the sensing results shown by the hatching in Fig. 6 are fed back to the same BS1. For example, when feeding back the sensing results shown by the hatching in Fig. 6 to BS1-1, WD2 feeds back to BS1-1, in S5 of Fig. 4, sensing result #41 based on the sensing signal from BS1-1, sensing results #12 and #33 based on the sensing signal from BS1-2, and sensing result #43 based on the sensing signal from BS1-3. In this case, for each sensing result, information indicating the BS1 that transmitted the sensing signal used to obtain the sensing result, i.e., the index of BS1, is included in the feedback. It is possible for WD2 to select one BS1 to which to feed back the sensing result, for example, in an arbitrary manner.

[0029] <Configuration of WD2> FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of WD2. In FIG. 7, only parts necessary for the description of the embodiment are shown, and parts of WD2 that are not necessary for the description of the embodiment are omitted. The receiving unit 22 receives the radio signal transmitted by BS1. The transmitting unit 21 transmits a radio signal to BS1. The antenna used by the transmitting unit 21 to transmit the radio signal may be used only by the transmitting unit 21 or may be shared with the receiving unit 22. The receiving unit 22 may be configured to receive the sensing signals transmitted by each of the plurality of BS1s with one or more transmission beams with one or more receiving beams including the first receiving beam.

[0030] The sensing processing unit 20 performs processing related to sensing. Specifically, the detection unit 201 can detect an obstacle based on the sensing result in the first receiving beam of the sensing signals transmitted by each of the plurality of BS1s with one or more transmission beams. When the feedback unit 203 detects the same obstacle based on the sensing result in the first receiving beam of the sensing signals transmitted by one or more of the plurality of BS1s, the feedback unit 203 feeds back the sensing result in the first receiving beam of the sensing signals transmitted by the second BS1 among the one or more BS1s to the first BS1 among the plurality of BS1s. The first BS1 may be a predetermined BS1 among the plurality of BS1s.

[0031] The selection unit 202 can select the second BS1. For example, the selection unit 202 can select the second BS1 from one or more BS1s based on the reception power of the sensing signals from each of the one or more BS1s received in the first receiving beam. As an example, the selection unit 202 can select, as the second BS1, the BS1 that transmits the sensing signal with the highest reception power among the one or more BS1s. Further, the selection unit 202 can select the first BS1. For example, the selection unit 202 can select the same BS1 as the second BS as the first BS1.

[0032] Note that the BS1 may be realized by a single device, or may be composed of multiple devices located in different locations, such as a radio unit (RU), a distributed unit (DU), a central unit (CU), or a baseband unit (BBU) and a remote radio unit (RRU). Furthermore, while the BS (base station device) 1 has been described as transmitting a sensing signal, the device transmitting the sensing signal is not limited to a base station device in a mobile communication network, but may be a wireless communication device such as a wireless LAN access point device. Furthermore, the WD2 is also not limited to a wireless device in a mobile communication network, but may be any wireless device having the functions of FIG. 7.

[0033] The present disclosure further provides a program executable by one or more processors. The program includes instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the device to function as a wireless device, such as a WD2. The present disclosure also provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having the program stored thereon. The present disclosure also provides a method that can be executed by a wireless device, such as a WD2, according to the content described in Figures 4 to 6. The present disclosure also provides a program for causing a device having one or more processors to execute the method, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having the program stored thereon.

[0034] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention.

[0035] This configuration makes it possible to prevent the volume of information fed back from the sensing results from increasing, thereby contributing to Goal 9 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is to "Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation." [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 201: detection unit, 202: selection unit, 203: feedback unit, 22: reception unit

Claims

1. a sensing means for receiving, with one or more reception beams including a first reception beam, reference signals transmitted with one or more transmission beams from each of a plurality of communication devices, thereby performing sensing; a detection means for detecting an obstacle based on a sensing result of the first receiving beam of the reference signal transmitted by each of the plurality of communication devices using one or more transmitting beams; a feedback means for feeding back, to a first communication device among the plurality of communication devices, a sensing result of the reference signal transmitted by a second communication device among the one or more communication devices, using the first receiving beam, when the same obstacle is detected based on a sensing result of the reference signal transmitted by one or more communication devices among the plurality of communication devices using the first receiving beam; A wireless device comprising:

2. The wireless device of claim 1, further comprising a selection means for selecting the second communication device from the one or more communication devices based on the received power of the reference signal from each of the one or more communication devices received in the first receiving beam.

3. The wireless device according to claim 2 , wherein the selection means selects, as the second communication device, a communication device that has transmitted the reference signal with the highest received power from among the one or more communication devices.

4. The wireless device of claim 1 , wherein the first communication device and the second communication device are the same.

5. The wireless device according to claim 1 , wherein the first communication device is a predetermined communication device among the plurality of communication devices.

6. A program that, when executed by one or more processors of a device having one or more processors, causes the device to function as a wireless device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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