Radio Access Network Node with Wireless Communication and Sensing for Dual Connectivity - Patent application

Abstract

An integrated wireless sensing and communication (ISAC) system may enable radio access network ("RAN") nodes to improve sensing. For additional sensing functionality, a secondary sensing radio link (SS-RL) may exist. Sensing signals can be used by the RAN node and / or UE to detect objects along the radio path between the RAN node and the UE and improve wireless communication through the RL. SS-RL may be added in a single connectivity system or modified in a dual connectivity system. To maximize sensing cooperation benefits between RAN nodes, SS-RL can assist communication or assist sensing.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (Technical field) This document is generally directed to wireless communications. More specifically, a Radio Access Network ("RAN") node includes a secondary wireless sensing from a secondary RAN node that may assist in communication and / or assist in sensing. [Background technology]

[0002] (background) Wireless communication technologies are moving the world towards an increasingly connected and networked society. Wireless communication relies on efficient network resource management and allocation between user mobile stations and radio access network nodes, including but not limited to radio access network ("RAN" nodes and radio base stations). New generation networks are expected to provide high speed, low latency, and ultra-reliable communication capabilities to fulfill requirements from different industries and users. User mobile stations or user equipment ("UE") are becoming more complex and the amount of data communicated continuously increases. With the development of more advanced radar and sensing systems, communication between UEs can be modernized. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] (summary) This document relates to methods, systems, and devices for a Radio Access Network ("RAN") node or base station that provides functionality for wireless sensing (e.g., sensing radio link S-RL) in addition to wireless communication (C-RL). An integrated wireless sensing and communication (ISAC) system may enable a serving RAN node to improve sensing and / or communication. A secondary sensing radio link (SS-RL) may exist in a secondary RAN node, subject to assisting sensing and assisting communication. The sensing signal can be used by the RAN node and / or UE to detect objects along the wireless path between the RAN node and the UE and improve wireless communication through RL. The SS-RL may be added in a single connectivity system, or may be added or modified in a dual connectivity system. To maximize the sensing cooperation benefits between those RAN nodes, the SS-RL may assist communication or assist sensing in the master RAN node.

[0004] In one embodiment, a wireless communication method includes providing an add request for secondary sensing and receiving a sensing result report after acknowledging the add request. The providing is from the master node to the secondary node, and the secondary node provides the sensing result report to the master node. A user equipment (UE) in single connectivity (SC) is changed to dual connectivity (DC) based on the add request for secondary sensing. The add request includes secondary sensing being added to the secondary node. The secondary sensing includes a secondary sensing radio link or sensing function being performed by the secondary node. The secondary sensing radio link provides assistance to the master node's communications. The secondary sensing radio link provides assistance to the master node's sensing. The sensing result report is transmitted periodically. The sensing result report is transmitted based on the request. The sensing result report includes data being sensed by the secondary RAN node.

[0005] In another embodiment, a wireless communication method includes receiving an add request for secondary sensing and providing a sensing result report after acknowledging the add request. The receiving is from a master node to a secondary node, and the secondary node provides the sensing result report to the master node. A user equipment (UE) in single connectivity (SC) is changed to dual connectivity (DC) based on the add request for secondary sensing. The add request includes secondary sensing being added to the secondary node. The secondary sensing includes a secondary sensing radio link or sensing function being performed by the secondary node. The secondary sensing radio link provides assistance to the master node's communications. The secondary sensing radio link provides assistance to the master node's sensing. The sensing result report is transmitted periodically. The sensing result report is transmitted based on a request. The sensing result report comprises data being sensed by the secondary RAN node.

[0006] In one embodiment, a wireless communication method includes providing a modification request for secondary sensing and receiving a sensing result report after acknowledging the modification request. The providing is from a master node to a secondary node, and the secondary node provides the sensing result report to the master node. A user equipment (UE) in a dual connectivity (DC) is modified based on the modification request for secondary sensing. The modification request includes secondary sensing to be added or modified being provided to the secondary node. The secondary sensing includes a secondary sensing radio link or sensing function being performed by the secondary node. The secondary sensing radio link provides assistance to the master node's communications. The secondary sensing radio link provides assistance to the master node's sensing. The sensing result report is transmitted periodically. The sensing result report is transmitted based on a request. The sensing result report comprises data being sensed by the secondary RAN node.

[0007] In another embodiment, a wireless communication method includes receiving a modification request for secondary sensing and providing a sensing result report after acknowledging the modification request. The receiving is from a master node to a secondary node, and the secondary node provides the sensing result report to the master node. A user equipment (UE) in a dual connectivity (DC) is modified based on the modification request for secondary sensing. The modification request includes secondary sensing to be added or modified being provided to the secondary node. The secondary sensing includes a secondary sensing radio link or sensing function being performed by the secondary node. The secondary sensing radio link provides assistance to the master node's communications. The secondary sensing radio link provides assistance to the master node's sensing. The sensing result report is transmitted periodically. The sensing result report is transmitted based on a request. The sensing result report comprises data being sensed by the secondary RAN node.

[0008] In one embodiment, a wireless communications apparatus comprises a processor and a memory, the processor configured to read code from the memory and implement any of the embodiments discussed above.

[0009] In one embodiment, a computer program product comprises a computer readable program medium code stored thereon which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to implement any of the embodiments discussed above.

[0010] In some embodiments, there is a wireless communication device comprising a processor and a memory, the processor configured to read code from the memory and implement any method recited in any of the embodiments. In some embodiments, a computer program product comprises a computer readable program medium code stored thereon, the code when executed by the processor causes the processor to implement any method recited in any of the embodiments. The above and other aspects and implementations thereof are described in more detail in the drawings, description and claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary base station.

[0012] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary random access ("RA") messaging environment.

[0013] [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a single connectivity wireless communication system.

[0014] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a dual connectivity wireless communication system.

[0015] [Figure 5a] 5a and 5b show communication with a master node and a secondary node that are not co-located. [Figure 5b] 5a and 5b show communication with a master node and a secondary node that are not co-located.

[0016] [Figure 5c] FIG. 5c illustrates dual connectivity communication with a co-located master node and a secondary node.

[0017] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates a dual-function radio access network ("RAN") node communicating with user equipment ("UE") over a dual-function link.

[0018] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a communications diagram with a dual function RAN node communicating with a communications radio link (“C-RL”) and a sensing radio link (“S-RL”).

[0019] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates a wireless communication system that converts from single connectivity to dual connectivity.

[0020] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 illustrates a wireless communication system in dual connectivity with an additional secondary sensing radio link ("SS-RL").

[0021] [Figure 10] FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of communication for additional requests with sensing-assisted communication.

[0022] [Figure 11] FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of communication for an additional request with sense-assisted sensing.

[0023] [Figure 12] FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of communication for a modification request with sensing-assisted communication.

[0024] [Figure 13] FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of communication for a modification request with sensing-assisted communication.

[0025] [Figure 14] FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of communication for a modification request with sensing-assisted communication.

[0026] [Figure 15] FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of communication for a modification request with sense-assisted sensing.

[0027] [Figure 16] FIG. 16 illustrates another embodiment of communication for a modification request involving sensing-assisted sensing.

[0028] [Figure 17] FIG. 17 illustrates another embodiment of communication for a modification request involving sensing-assisted sensing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] (Detailed Description) The present disclosure will now be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and which show, by way of illustration, specific examples of embodiments. It should be noted, however, that the present disclosure may be embodied in a variety of different forms, and thus, the subject matter covered or claimed is not intended to be construed as limited to any of the embodiments that will be described below.

[0030] Throughout the specification and claims, terms may have subtle meanings that are suggested or implied in a context other than the explicitly stated meaning. Similarly, the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in some embodiment" as used herein do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, and the phrases "in another embodiment" or "in other embodiment" as used herein do not necessarily refer to different embodiments. The phrases "in one implementation" or "in some implementation" as used herein do not necessarily refer to the same implementation, and the phrases "in another implementation" or "in other implementation" as used herein do not necessarily refer to different implementations. For example, it is intended that the claimed subject matter includes, in whole or in part, a combination of example embodiments or implementations.

[0031] Generally, terminology may be understood, at least in part, from usage in context. For example, terms such as "and", "or", or "and / or" as used herein may include various meanings that may depend, at least in part, on the context in which such terms are used. Typically, "or", when used to relate a list such as A, B, or C, is intended to mean A, B, and C, which are used herein in an inclusive sense, as well as A, B, or C, which are used herein in an exclusive sense. In addition, the terms "one or more" or "at least one" as used herein may be used, at least in part, to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in a singular sense, or may be used to describe a combination of features, structures, or characteristics in a plural sense, depending on the context. Similarly, again, terms such as "a", "an", or "the" may be understood to convey the use of the singular or to convey the use of the plural, depending, at least in part, on the context. In addition, the terms "based on" or "determined by" may be understood as not necessarily intended to convey an exclusive set of factors, but instead may allow for the existence of additional factors not necessarily explicitly described, again depending at least in part on the context.

[0032] Radio Resource Control ("RRC") is a protocol layer between the UE and the base station at the IP level (radio network layer). There may be various Radio Resource Control (RRC) states, such as RRC CONNECTED, RRC INACTIVE, and RRC IDLE. RRC messages are transported via Packet Data Convergence Protocol ("PDCP"). The UE may transmit non-periodic (periodic and / or aperiodic) data in the RRC_INACTIVE state without transitioning to the RRC_CONECTED state. This may save UE power consumption and signaling overhead. This may be done through a Random Access Channel ("RACH") protocol scheme or a Configuration Grant ("CG") scheme. The wireless communication described herein may be done through radio access. Additionally, the described embodiments include sensing communication or signals, which may be either physically distinct from the wireless communication or logically distinct from the wireless communication. 1-2 illustrate example Radio Access Network ("RAN") nodes (e.g., base stations) and user equipment and messaging environments that may be applicable to both wireless and sensing communications. A single RAN node can provide more flexibility and efficiency for both wireless communication and wireless sensing capabilities and services as described herein.

[0033] In some wireless communication systems (such as 4G-LTE and 5G-NR), the RAN node may transmit downlink pilot reference signals, such as SSB, CSI-RS, etc., which the UE receives, measures, and processes so that the UE knows the connection quality of the communication radio link ("RL"). This may be done between the serving RAN node and the UE to maintain mobility and service continuity. "UE-based measurement and reporting" is one example of sensing configured by the network. However, there may be more and different measurement and sensing and reporting examples between the network and the UE. The network and the UE may measure, detect, and sense objects other than pilot reference signals for communication. Sensing may enable measurement, detection, and sensing of the UE's local environment and the UE's resource utilization context. The sensing results may be provided to the UE's serving RAN node, so that the serving RAN node knows the UE's local environment and resource utilization context and can dynamically improve the connection quality of the communication RL with the UE.

[0034] With the development of international mobile telecommunications (IMT) wireless communication systems (such as 4G-LTE and 5G-NR) and various advanced radar and sensing systems, integration may be challenging in terms of architecture / capability design and network / air interface resource usage, etc. In the future, next-generation versions of IMT wireless systems may integrate and harmonize various wireless sensing functions with their own communication capabilities so that Radio Access Network (RAN) nodes may provide both wireless communication and wireless sensing capabilities and services.

[0035] An integrated wireless sensing and communications (ISAC) system may enable a serving RAN node to actively sense a human user's body or hand gestures based on radar-type sensing techniques. This sensing may be faster, e.g., lower latency than 10 ms, than other implementations (e.g., legacy UE-based measurement reporting). The serving RAN node can then take more proactive and faster actions to improve the connection quality of the radio link (RL). In the following, an example RL and example components are described below. C-RL = Communication Radio Link: A radio link between a RAN node and a UE, or between RAN nodes, or between UEs, that serves wireless communication purposes (e.g., transferring data). S-RL = Sensing Radio Link: A virtual radio link between a RAN node and a UE, or between a RAN node and the environment, or between RAN nodes, or between UEs, or between a UE and its environment, that serves radio sensing purposes (e.g. detecting and / or sensing something). ISAC RAN Node = A RAN node that can perform both wireless communication and wireless sensing services. ISAC RAN node (C) = a RAN node that can only perform wireless communication services (e.g., a traditional RAN node). ISAC RAN node = a RAN node that can only perform wireless sensing services (e.g., a radar type node). Master ISAC RAN node = ISAC RAN node playing the master role in dual connectivity (DC) operation. Secondary ISAC RAN node = an ISAC RAN node playing a secondary role in DC operation. · MC-RL = Master C-RL, managed by the Master ISAC RAN node in DC operation. · MS-RL = Master S-RL, managed by the Master ISAC RAN node in DC operation. · SC-RL = Secondary C-RL, managed by the secondary ISAC RAN node in DC operation. · SS-RL = Secondary S-RL, managed by the secondary ISAC RAN node in DC operation.

[0036] A RAN node can utilize its ISAC capability to enhance its own wireless communication capability (e.g., improve resource efficiency, save communication energy, etc.). In various networks, there may be RAN nodes that can support multiple network types (or multi-generational networks, including 4G, 5G, etc.). Similarly, a RAN node may support either wireless communication or wireless sensing, or may support both. To maximize sensing cooperation benefits between those RAN nodes, the embodiments described below include additional / secondary sensing that may assist communication or assist sensing within the master RAN node. To achieve "sensing-assisted communication" or "sensing-assisted sensing", wireless sensing cooperation between different RAN nodes is described in the embodiments below. A RAN node can cooperate with other RAN nodes for wireless sensing benefits.

[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary (“RAN”) node or base station 102. The RAN node may also be referred to as a radio network node. The RAN node 102 may also be identified as a NodeB (NB, e.g., eNB or gNB) in a mobile telecommunications context. The exemplary RAN node may include radio Tx / Rx circuitry 113 for receiving and transmitting signaling with a user equipment (UE) 104. The RAN node may also include network interface circuitry 116 for coupling the RAN node to a core network 110, e.g., optical or wired interconnects, Ethernet, and / or other data transmission media / protocols.

[0038] The RAN node may also include system circuitry 122. The system circuitry 122 may include a processor 124 and / or a memory 126. The memory 126 may include operations 128 and control parameters 130. The operations 128 may include instructions for execution on one or more of the processors 124 to support functioning of the RAN node. For example, the operations may handle random access transmission requests from multiple UEs. The control parameters 130 may include parameters or support execution of the operations 128. For example, the control parameters may include network protocol settings, random access messaging format rules, bandwidth parameters, radio frequency mapping assignments, and / or other parameters.

[0039] 2 illustrates an example random access messaging environment 200. In the random access messaging environment, the UE 104 may communicate with the RAN node 102 via a random access channel 252. In this example, the UE 104 supports one or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs), such as SIM1 202. An electrical and physical interface 206 connects SIM1 202 to the rest of the user equipment hardware, for example, through a system bus 210.

[0040] The mobile device 200 includes a communication interface 212, a system logic 214, and a user interface 218. The system logic 214 may include any combination of hardware, software, firmware, or other logic. The system logic 214 may be implemented, for example, using one or more systems on a chip (SoC), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), discrete analog and digital circuits, and other circuitry. The system logic 214 is part of the implementation of any desired functionality within the UE 104. In that regard, system logic 214 may include, as examples, logic to facilitate decoding and playing music and video, e.g., MP3, MP4, MPEG, AVI, FLAC, AC3, or WAV decoding and playback, launching applications, receiving user input, storing and retrieving application data, as one example, establishing, maintaining, and terminating cellular telephone calls or data connections, establishing, maintaining, and terminating wireless network connections, Bluetooth connections, or other connections, for Internet connectivity, and displaying relevant information on user interface 218. User interface 218 and input 228 may include a graphical user interface, a touch-sensitive display, tactile feedback or other tactile output, voice or facial recognition input, buttons, switches, speakers, and other user interface elements. Additional examples of input 228 include microphones, video and still image cameras, temperature sensors, vibration sensors, rotation and orientation sensors, headset and microphone input / output jacks, Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectors, memory card slots, radiation sensors (e.g., IR sensors), and other types of inputs.

[0041] The system logic 214 may include one or more processors 216 and a memory 220. The memory 220 stores, for example, control instructions 222 that the processor 216 executes to perform a desired functionality for the UE 104. Control parameters 224 provide and define configuration and operation options for the control instructions 222. The memory 220 may also store any BT, Wifi, 3G, 4G, 5G, or other data 226 that the UE 104 will transmit or receive through the communication interface 212. In various implementations, system power may be provided by a power storage device, such as a battery 282.

[0042] In the communications interface 212, radio frequency (RF) transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) circuitry 230 handles the transmission and reception of signals through one or more antennas 232. The communications interface 212 may include one or more transceivers. A transceiver may be a wireless transceiver that includes modulation / demodulation circuitry, digital-to-analog converters (DACs), shaping tables, analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), filters, waveform shapers, filters, preamplifiers, power amplifiers, and / or other logic for transmitting and receiving through one or more antennas or (for some devices) through a physical (e.g., wired) medium.

[0043] The transmitted and received signals may conform to any of a wide variety of formats, protocols, modulations (e.g., QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM, or 256-QAM), frequency channels, bit rates, and encodings. As one specific example, the communication interface 212 may include a transceiver supporting transmission and reception under 2G, 3G, BT, Wifi, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA)+, and 4G / Long Term Evolution (LTE) standards. However, the techniques described below are also applicable to other wireless communication technologies, whether from the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), GSM Association, 3GPP2, IEEE, or other partnership or standards bodies.

[0044] 3 illustrates a single connectivity wireless communication system. Single connectivity (SC) may include UEs that have only a master communication radio link (MC-RL) and / or a master sensing radio link (MS-RL) and no radio links on the secondary RAN node side. Conversely, dual connectivity (DC) includes UEs with a secondary communication radio link (SC-RL) and / or a secondary sensing radio link (SS-RL) on the secondary RAN node side. SC and DC connectivity are further described below, including with respect to FIG. 8.

[0045] In IMT wireless communication systems (such as 4G-LTE and 5G-NR), as shown in FIG. 3, a Radio Access Network (RAN) node may transmit downlink (DL) pilot reference signals such as SSB, cSI-RS, etc. The UE receives, measures, and processes them so that the UE can know the connection quality of the radio link (RL) over the air. The UL measurement report is fed back to the serving RAN node. This can be a communication between the serving RAN node and the UE to maintain communication service continuity. This is an example of Single Connectivity (SC).

[0046] "UE-based DL measurements and UL reporting" is one example of wireless sensing configured by the RAN. However, there may be more types of wireless sensing between the RAN node and the UE or between RAN nodes or between UEs. The RAN and UE may measure, detect, and sense aspects and objects other than pilot reference signals locally for communication or sensing purposes. Sensing may be triggered by higher layers or third party entities. For example, the UE may sense its local environment (e.g., user gestures, nearby objects, and radio conditions) and resource utilization context (e.g., radio / computing / interference status) via its local sensors. This sensing information may be provided to its serving RAN node as "sensing result information." Based on the sensing, the serving RAN node may know about the UE's environment and resource utilization context and may make adaptive measurements to improve wireless communication with the UE.

[0047] In one example, in a mmWave (e.g., above 6 GHz) communication context, due to the larger path loss and weak mmWave channel conditions in the high frequency bands, the body and hand gestures of a human user may impose detrimental disadvantages to the UE wireless communication, such as RL blocking and interference. Previously, the serving RAN node relied on other reactive mechanisms to enhance the quality of RL, which were often not fast or responsive enough because they relied on time-consuming activities on the UE side. With an integrated wireless communication and sensing system in a dual-functionality RAN node, the serving RAN node may sense and detect the body and hand gestures of a human user based on either radar-type techniques (using sensing signals) that are identified in advance much more quickly, and thus the serving RAN node can take proactive actions to enhance the quality of the communication RL.

[0048] 4 illustrates a dual connectivity wireless communication system. Dual connectivity (DC) includes a UE with a secondary communication radio link (SC-RL) and / or a secondary sensing radio link (SS-RL). SC and DC connectivity are further described below, including with respect to FIG. 8. For example, DC operation may include any of the following combinations of XX-RL: ·MC-RL+MS-RL, ·MC-RL+SC-RL, MC-RL+SS-RL, MS-RL+SC-RL, MS-RL+SS-RL, or ·SC-RL+SS-RL.

[0049] In FIG. 4, the UE communicates with RAN node 1 using both the C-RL and the S-RL. There is a second RAN node that provides only the S-RL towards the environment. The core network, the RAN nodes, and the UE are all ISAC-enabled in this embodiment. In other words, they are capable of both wireless communication and wireless sensing over the air. The communication wireless link is denoted here as the "C-RL" and still serves communication purposes, while the sensing wireless link is denoted as the "S-RL", which exists as a logical function but can also be physically implemented together with the "C-RL". The ISAC-enabled RAN node may perform a type of wireless sensing towards a certain target UE via the "S-RL", or may also perform wireless sensing towards the environment via the "S-RL", with or without the assistance of UE involvement.

[0050] 5a and 5b show communication with a master node and a secondary node that are not co-located. Multiple RAN nodes of the same or different radio access technology ("RAT") (e.g., eNB, gNB, xNB) can be deployed in a geographic area within the same or different frequency carriers, and they can cooperate with each other via dual connectivity operation to provide joint communication services for the same target UE. A multi-RAT dual connectivity ("MR-DC") architecture with a non-co-located master node ("MN") and secondary node ("SN") is shown in FIG. 5a and 5b. The Access Mobility Function ("AMF") and Session Management Function ("SMF") are control plane entities in New Radio ("NR") or 5GC, and the User Plane Function ("UPF") is the user plane entity. The signaling connection between the AMF / SMF and the MN is the Next Generation-Control Plane ("NG-C") / MN interface. The signaling connection between the MN and the SN is the Xn-Control Plane ("Xn-C") interface. The signaling connection between the MN and the UE is the Uu-Control Plane ("Uu-C") RRC interface. All these connections govern the configuration and operation of the MR-DC. Figure 5a shows that the user plane connection between the UPF and the MN is the NG-U(MN) interface instance, which corresponds to the MN terminated bearer.

[0051] Figure 5b shows that the user plane connection between the UPF and the SN is an NG-U (SN) interface, which corresponds to an SN terminated bearer. The user plane connection between the MN and the SN is an Xn-user plane ("Xn-U") interface, which corresponds to a split bearer. The user plane connection between the MN and the UE is an Uu-U (MCG) interface instance (providing the master RL), and the user plane connection between the SN and the UE is an Uu-U (SCG) interface instance (providing the secondary RL). These user plane connections support the user data forwarding of the MR-DC. From the network's perspective, the MN provides communication services via the Uu-U (MCG) through the MN's internal local processing effort and MCG resources, while the SN provides communication services in parallel towards the same target UE via the Uu-U (SCG) through the SN's internal local processing effort and SCG resources. There are two separate and independent RLs (master RL and secondary RL).

[0052] FIG. 5c shows communication with co-located master and secondary nodes. MR-DC architecture with co-located MN and SN is shown in FIG. 5c. Logically, MN and SN still exist, but physically, they are now implemented in the same RAN node, so the external Xn interface instance in FIG. 5a-5b between MN and SN is not required, and MN and SN cooperate with each other in the internal interface. There are also two separate and independent RLs (master RL and secondary RL). A single MR-DC functional RAN node shown in FIG. 5c logically integrates a primary / master radio communication RL (MC-RL) and a secondary radio communication RL (SC-RL) toward the same target UE. From the perspective of the MR-DC functional UE, it logically integrates and maintains two separate and independent RLs over the air. Those two RLs may be the same or different RATs or frequency carriers. From the network perspective, the MN provides a primary radio communication service via the MC-RL, and the SN provides a secondary radio communication service via the SC-RL. From the perspective of a UE in a DC, it may be served over the air by two independent C-RLs: a master C-RL and a secondary C-RL.

[0053] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary Radio Access Network ("RAN") node that communicates with a user equipment ("UE") through multiple links for dual functionality. One of the dual functionality is wireless communication and the other is wireless sensing. Wireless communication includes at least one wireless link ("C-RL") for wirelessly transmitting and receiving (signaling and / or user) data between the RAN node and the UE. Wireless sensing includes a sensing wireless link ("S-RL"). The S-RL is set up and used for wirelessly sensing and detecting something along the radial path between the RAN node and the UE. A sensing wireless link ("S-RL") is a logical wireless link that is not used for the purpose of wirelessly transmitting and receiving (signaling and / or user) data, but is used for the purpose of wirelessly sensing and detecting something along the radial path. A dual functionality RAN node includes a single RAN node that can perform both wireless communication and wireless sensing operations with a target UE. Specifically, FIG. 6 illustrates a dual-function RAN node that transmits a sensing radio link ("S-RL") to the UE, which then sends a signal (e.g., an echo signal / response) back to the RAN node. In addition to the radio sensing of the S-RL, the dual-function RAN node has a communication radio link ("C-RL"). The C-RL is a downlink from the RAN node to the UE and an uplink from the UE to the RAN node. As shown in FIG. 6, the dual-function RAN node can simultaneously establish and maintain both the S-RL and the C-RL with the target UE. For handling of the communication C-RL, it may be the same as in legacy systems (e.g., following 4G-LTE or 5G-NR specifications).

[0054] FIG. 7 shows a communication diagram with a dual function RAN node communication with a communication radio link ("C-RL") and a sensing radio link ("S-RL"). The RAN node (also referred to as a base station) establishes a communication C-RL 702 with the UE. In addition, a second function of the RAN node provides an S-RL 704 to the UE. In response to the S-RL 704, the UE provides a response 706. The response 706 may be referred to as an echo signal transmitted by the UE in direct response to receiving the S-RL 704 as part of a sensing operation S-RL. The S-RL may be a logically separate radio link from the communication C-RL, but physically, the S-RL may share the same air / radio resources (e.g., time / frequency / space / code, etc.) as the communication C-RL or may use different ones. FIG. 7 shows an example using different air / radio resources, where the radio signals between the RAN node and the UE carry either data information or sensing related information in this embodiment, but not both.

[0055] (Secondary sensing) IMT 5G Advanced (5G-A) and future wireless systems may integrate and harmonize their own communication capabilities with various radio sensing capabilities so that RAN nodes are capable of providing both wireless communication and radio sensing capabilities and / or services. One of such integration (ISAC) benefits is that a RAN node can utilize its own radio sensing capabilities to enhance its own wireless communication capabilities, e.g., to improve resource efficiency, save communication energy, etc. Despite such integration trends, in heterogeneous networks or for any business reasons, there will still be many RAN nodes in the field that may support both or only support either wireless communication or radio sensing capabilities. In order to maximize the sensing cooperation benefits between those RAN nodes, for example, to achieve performance gains from "sensing-assisted communication" and "sensing-assisted sensing", a method for wireless sensing cooperation between different RAN nodes is needed. This patent aims to create new mechanisms, modeling, and methods to address such issues so that a "requesting" RAN node may coordinate and cooperate with other "assisting" RAN nodes for any kind of wireless sensing benefits.

[0056] 8 illustrates a wireless communication system that converts from single connectivity to dual connectivity. A direct interface (denoted as Xn) exists between two ISAC RAN nodes, which can cooperate and / or collaborate with each other via various Xn procedures, at least for the following: Coordination of both sides' wireless communication capabilities, resources, and operational status; Coordination of both sides' radio sensing capabilities, resources, and operational status; and / or · Managing DC operations.

[0057] For a UE in SC mode, the current serving RAN node (to become the master ISAC RAN node) may be enabled to add a secondary ISAC RAN node for the following: · For wireless sensing purposes (without SC-RL, only with the new SS-RL,addition) [as shown in Fig. 8]. For radio communication purposes (without SS-RL, with new SC-RL only, addition), or · For both radio communication and radio sensing purposes (with both new SS-RL and SC-RL added) [compare with Figure 9].

[0058] FIG. 8 shows the cooperation between different ISAC RAN nodes for UE DC mode. Specifically, this embodiment may refer to the case where the UE changes from "SC mode" to "DC mode". SN is added in FIG. 8. Compared with FIG. 4, SS-RL alone may not be sufficient (MN now only needs SS-RL assistance from SN, not SC-RL). In another embodiment, SS-RL+SC-RL may exist as well. As shown in FIG. 8, the master ISAC RAN node sets up and maintains MC-RL with the target UE for wireless communication purposes. Optionally, there may be MS-RL with the same UE to achieve some type of wireless sensing benefit (e.g., the master ISAC RAN node may achieve the benefit of "sensing-assisted communication" via a local MS-RL). Additional / secondary sensing may provide communication assistance (i.e., "sensing-assisted communication") and / or sensing assistance (i.e., "sensing-assisted sensing").

[0059] With regard to "sensing-assisted communication", the sensing operations of the SS-RL assist the communication operations of the MC-RL. The master ISAC RAN node may determine that the local MS-RL (if configured) is not sufficient (e.g., there is not enough wireless sensing benefit of "sensing-assisted communication" via the local MS-RL), and therefore the master ISAC RAN node may trigger a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Addition Procedure" via the Xn interface to request the secondary ISAC RAN node to establish and maintain the SS-RL. The secondary ISAC RAN node may establish and maintain the SS-RL with the target UE via the SS-RL and perform the required wireless sensing operations. Feedback is provided to the master ISAC RAN node with regard to "sensing result information" via the "ISAC RAN Node Sensing Result Reporting Procedure" via the Xn interface. In response to obtaining the "sensing result information", the master ISAC RAN node may interpret, compile, and / or use them to attempt to achieve additional wireless sensing benefit of "sensing-assisted communication" from the SS-RL.

[0060] With respect to "sensing assisted sensing", the sensing operations of the SS-RL assist the sensing operations of the MS-RL. The master ISAC RAN node may determine that the local MS-RL (if configured) is not sufficient (e.g., there is not sufficient wireless sensing related performance via the local MS-RL), and therefore the master ISAC RAN node may trigger a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Addition Procedure" via the Xn interface to request that the secondary ISAC RAN node configure and maintain the SS-RL. The secondary ISAC RAN node may configure and maintain the SS-RL and perform the required wireless sensing operations via the SS-RL with the target UE. Feedback is provided to the master ISAC RAN node with respect to "sensing result information" via the "ISAC RAN Node Sensing Result Reporting Procedure" via the Xn interface. In response to obtaining the "sensing result information", the master ISAC RAN node may interpret, compile, and / or use them to improve its sensing related performance and attempt to achieve the additional wireless sensing benefits of "sensing assisted sensing" from the SS-RL.

[0061] Figure 9 shows a wireless communication system in dual connectivity with an additional secondary sensing radio link ("SS-RL"). Figure 8 illustrates an SC embodiment, while Figure 9 is a DC embodiment. For a UE already in DC mode (e.g., already having at least an SC-RL or SS-RL), the master ISAC RAN node may be enabled to modify the secondary ISAC RAN node as follows. For wireless sensing purposes (e.g., with the new SS-RL additions), For wireless communication purposes (e.g. with new SC-RL, additions), For wireless sensing purposes (e.g., with or with modifications to existing SS-RL), For wireless communication purposes (e.g. involving or amending existing SC-RLs), and / or For both radio communication and radio sensing purposes (e.g. involving both existing SS-RL and SC-RL, modifications).

[0062] FIG. 9 illustrates the cooperation between different ISAC RAN nodes in UE DC mode. In this embodiment, the UE is already in "DC mode" since the SC-RL on the SN side has been established but the SS-RL has not yet been established. The MN can then use assistance from the SS-RL. In FIG. 9, the master ISAC RAN node sets up and maintains an MC-RL with the target UE for wireless communication purposes. Optionally, it sets up and maintains an MS-RL with the same UE to achieve some form of wireless sensing benefit. For example, the master ISAC RAN node may achieve the benefit of "sensing-assisted communication" via a local MS-RL. The secondary ISAC RAN node sets up and maintains an SC-RL with the target UE for wireless communication purposes. Optionally, it sets up and maintains an SS-RL with the same UE to achieve some type of wireless sensing benefit. For example, the secondary ISAC RAN node may achieve the benefit of "sensing-assisted communication" via a local SS-RL.

[0063] With regard to "sensing-assisted communication" in DC operation, the sensing operation of the SS-RL assists the communication operation of the MC-RL. The master ISAC RAN node determines whether the local MS-RL is sufficient. If there is not sufficient wireless sensing benefit of "sensing-assisted communication" via the local MS-RL, the master ISAC RAN node triggers a "secondary ISAC RAN node modification procedure" via the Xn interface. This may request the secondary ISAC RAN node to configure or modify the SS-RL. The secondary ISAC RAN node may configure or modify the SS-RL and perform the required wireless sensing operation via the SS-RL with the target UE. Feedback of "sensing result information" is provided to the master ISAC RAN node via the Xn interface via the "ISAC RAN node sensing result reporting procedure". In response to obtaining the "sensing result information", the master ISAC RAN node may interpret, compile, and / or use them to attempt to achieve additional wireless sensing benefit of "sensing-assisted communication" from the SS-RL.

[0064] With regard to "sensing assisted sensing" in DC operation, the sensing operation of the SS-RL assists the sensing operation of the MS-RL. The master ISAC RAN node determines whether the local MS-RL is sufficient. If there is no sufficient wireless sensing performance via the local MS-RL, the master ISAC RAN node triggers a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Modification Procedure" via the Xn interface. This requests the secondary ISAC RAN node to configure and / or modify the SS-RL. The secondary ISAC RAN node may configure or modify the SS-RL and perform the required wireless sensing operation via the SS-RL with the target UE. Feedback of "sensing result information" is provided to the master ISAC RAN node via the Xn interface via the "ISAC RAN Node Sensing Result Reporting Procedure". In response to obtaining the "sensing result information", the master ISAC RAN node may interpret, compile, and / or use them to improve wireless sensing related performance and attempt to achieve the additional wireless sensing benefits of "sensing assisted sensing" from the SS-RL.

[0065] FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of communication for an add request with sensing-assisted communication. The master ISAC xNB configures and maintains a MC-RL with a target UE (e.g., in the 3.5 GHz band) for wireless communication, and also configures and maintains a MS-RL with the same UE (e.g., in the 6 GHz band) for wireless sensing. The MS-RL can be used to improve MIMO beam management between the xNB and the UE based on a radar-type sensing mechanism implemented by the master ISAC xNB. For example, the xNB can optimize serving beam selection for the MC-RL based on radar-type sensing feedback in advance. This achieves the benefit of "sensing-assisted communication" via the local MS-RL. The master ISAC xNB may coordinate with other neighboring ISAC xNBs about their mutual wireless sensing capabilities, resources, and operation status.

[0066] The Master ISAC xNB may determine that the local MS-RL is not sufficient. For example, there may be insufficient radio sensing benefit for MIMO beam management, and therefore the Master ISAC xNB triggers a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Addition Procedure" via the Xn interface in block 1002. Sending a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Addition Request" message towards the secondary ISAC xNB includes parameter information (e.g., expected sensing frequency band 26 GHz, "Sensing Result Information" reporting pattern, and radio sensing signal pattern, etc.) required to configure the "Assistant SS-RL".

[0067] In block 1004, the secondary ISAC xNB receives the request from the master ISAC xNB, so that the secondary ISAC xNB may set up and maintain SS-RL (e.g., in the 26 GHz band) and sends back a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Addition Request Acknowledgement" message toward the master ISAC xNB in ​​block 1006 via the Xn interface. It may further perform the requested wireless sensing operation via SS-RL with the target UE (e.g., in the 26 GHz band). In block 1008, after obtaining some "sensing result information", the secondary ISAC xNB provides feedback on the "sensing result information". This may be provided periodically to the master ISAC xNB via the Xn interface via the "ISAC RAN Node Sensing Result Reporting Procedure". In alternative embodiments, the reports may be sent once or both rather than periodically. There may be a persistence benefit when sent periodically (e.g., block 1012). At block 1010, an ISAC RAN Node Sensing Results Report message is transmitted towards the master ISAC xNB containing the available Sensing Results Information.

[0068] In response to obtaining the "sensing result information" in block 1012, the master ISAC xNB may interpret, compile, and use them to assist in serving beam selection for the MC-RL and attempt to achieve additional radio sensing benefits of "sensing-assisted communication" from the SS-RL. The secondary ISAC xNB continues to perform radio sensing towards the target UE via the SS-RL until it is indicated to stop for any reason, either by a master ISAC xNB command or by itself, and periodically reports the available "sensing result information" to the master ISAC xNB.

[0069] FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of communication for an add request with sensing-assisted sensing. The master ISAC gNB may set up and maintain an MC-RL with a target UE (e.g., in the 2.6 GHz band) for wireless communication purposes. It may also set up and maintain an MS-RL with the same UE (e.g., in the 2.6 GHz band) for wireless sensing purposes. The MS-RL may be based on a radar-type mechanism implemented by the master ISAC gNB and can be used to measure and / or evaluate the position and trajectory of the target UE. For example, the gNB can predict the mobility profile of the UE in advance based on the radar-type sensing feedback and achieve the benefit of "sensing-assisted sensing" via the local MS-RL. The master ISAC gNB may coordinate with other neighboring ISAC xNBs on their mutual wireless sensing capabilities, resources, and operation status.

[0070] The master ISAC gNB may determine whether the local MS-RL is sufficient, including sufficiency of performance with respect to UE positioning accuracy. In block 1102, the master ISAC gNB triggers a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Addition Procedure" via the Xn interface, which may include sending a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Addition Request" message toward the secondary ISAC xNB in ​​block 1104. This may further include parameter information (e.g., expected sensing frequency band 60 GHz), "sensing result information" reporting pattern, and wireless sensing signal pattern to configure the "auxiliary SS-RL". In block 1106, the secondary ISAC xNB receives the request from the master ISAC gNB, so the secondary ISAC xNB may set up and maintain SS-RL (e.g., in the 60 GHz band) and in block 1108 sends a “Secondary ISAC RAN Node Addition Request Acknowledgement” message back via the Xn interface towards the master ISAC gNB and further performs the requested wireless sensing operation via SS-RL with the target UE (e.g., in the 60 GHz band).

[0071] After obtaining the "sensing result information", the secondary ISAC xNB may provide feedback on the "sensing result information". This may be provided (once, intermittently or periodically) to the master ISAC gNB via the "ISAC RAN Node Sensing Result Reporting Procedure" over the Xn interface, block 1110. This may include transmitting an "ISAC RAN Node Sensing Result Report" message, including the available "sensing result information", towards the master ISAC gNB, block 1110. In response to obtaining the "sensing result information", the master ISAC gNB may interpret, compile and use them, block 1112, to assist in the assessment of the target UE's position and trajectory and attempt to achieve the additional radio sensing benefits of "sensing-assisted sensing" from the SS-RL. The secondary ISAC xNB continues to perform radio sensing via the SS-RL towards the target UE until it is indicated to stop for any reason, either by master ISAC gNB command or by itself, and periodically reports the available "sensing result information" to the master ISAC gNB. In alternative embodiments, the reports may be sent once or both rather than periodically.

[0072] FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of communication for a modification request with sensing-assisted communication. In FIG. 12, an SS-RL must be configured. The master ISAC xNB and secondary ISAC xNB configure and maintain an MC-RL and an SC-RL with a target UE (e.g., in the 3.5 GHz band) for wireless communication purposes, respectively. The master ISAC xNB also configures and maintains an MS-RL with the same UE (e.g., in the 6 GHz band) for wireless sensing purposes. The MS-RL may be based on a radar-type mechanism implemented by the master ISAC xNB and can be used to improve MIMO beam management between the xNB and the UE. For example, the xNB may optimize serving beam selection for the MC-RL based on radar-type sensing feedback in advance. This may achieve the benefit of "sensing-assisted communication" via a local MS-RL. The master ISAC xNB may coordinate with the secondary ISAC xNB on their mutual wireless sensing capabilities, resources, and operation status.

[0073] The Master ISAC xNB determines whether the local MS-RL is sufficient. This may include determining whether there is sufficient radio sensing benefit for MIMO beam management. The Master ISAC xNB triggers a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Modification Procedure" via the Xn interface, block 1202. This may include sending a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Modification Request" message, block 1204, towards the secondary ISAC xNB, including required parameter information (e.g., expected sensing frequency band 26 GHz), such as a "Sensing Result Information" reporting pattern and a radio sensing signal pattern, to configure the "Assistant SS-RL".

[0074] The secondary ISAC xNB receives the request from the master ISAC xNB in ​​block 1206, so the secondary ISAC xNB shall set up and maintain SS-RL (e.g., in the 26 GHz band). In block 1208, it returns a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Modification Request Acknowledgement" message towards the master ISAC xNB via the Xn interface, and further performs the requested wireless sensing operation (e.g., in the 26 GHz band) via SS-RL with the target UE. After obtaining some "sensing result information", the secondary ISAC xNB feeds back the "sensing result information" to the master ISAC xNB in ​​block 1210 via the Xn interface via the "ISAC RAN Node Sensing Result Report Procedure". This may include sending an "ISAC RAN Node Sensing Result Report" message including the available "sensing result information" towards the master ISAC xNB. In response to obtaining the "sensing result information", the master ISAC xNB shall interpret, compile and / or use them in block 1212 to assist in serving beam selection for the MC-RL and attempt to achieve the additional wireless sensing benefits of "sensing-assisted communication" from the SS-RL. In some embodiments, the sensing result reports are provided periodically, and thus the benefits of block 1212 continue. Specifically, the secondary ISAC xNB continues to perform wireless sensing towards the target UE via the SS-RL and periodically reports available "sensing result information" to the master ISAC xNB until it is indicated to stop for any reason, either by a master ISAC xNB command or by itself.

[0075] FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of communication for modification request with sensing-assisted communication. FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment in which an SS-RL is already configured and already exists, but now has to be modified. This embodiment modifies the existing SS-RL. The master ISAC xNB and the secondary ISAC xNB are already configured and continue to maintain an MC-RL and an SC-RL with the target UE (e.g., in the 3.5 GHz band) respectively for wireless communication purposes. The secondary ISAC xNB is also configured and maintains an SS-RL with the same UE (e.g., in the 26 GHz band) for wireless sensing purposes. The SS-RL may be based on a radar-type mechanism implemented by the secondary ISAC xNB and can be used to improve MIMO beam management between the master ISAC xNB and the UE. For example, the master ISAC xNB can optimize the serving beam selection for the MC-RL based on sensing feedback from the secondary ISAC xNB in ​​advance. This can achieve the benefit of "sensing-assisted communication" via the SS-RL. The master ISAC xNB may coordinate with secondary ISAC xNBs regarding their mutual radio sensing capabilities, resources, and operational status.

[0076] The Master ISAC xNB determines whether the SS-RL is sufficient. If not, there is no radio sensing benefit for MIMO beam management and the Master ISAC xNB triggers a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Modification Procedure" via the Xn interface, block 1302. This may include transmitting a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Modification Request" message, block 1304, including updated parameter information (e.g., expected new sensing frequency band 38 GHz, "Sensing Result Information" reporting pattern, and / or radio sensing signal pattern, etc.) towards the Secondary ISAC xNB to reconfigure the "Assistant SS-RL".

[0077] The secondary ISAC xNB receives the request from the master ISAC xNB in ​​block 1306, so the secondary ISAC xNB may set up and maintain the SS-RL (e.g., in the 38 GHz band). In block 1308, it sends back a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Modification Request Acknowledgement" message over the Xn interface towards the master ISAC xNB, and further performs the requested radio sensing operation (e.g., in the 38 GHz band) via the SS-RL with the target UE. In this embodiment, the SS-RL already exists and is already set up, but is modified. Other embodiments include creating and / or setting up the SS-RL.

[0078] After obtaining certain "sensing result information", the secondary ISAC xNB feeds back the "sensing result information" to the master ISAC xNB, for example, periodically, via the "ISAC RAN Node Sensing Result Report Procedure" over the Xn interface. Specifically, the transmission of an "ISAC RAN Node Sensing Result Report" message to the master ISAC xNB in ​​block 1310 includes the available "sensing result information". In response to obtaining the "sensing result information", the master ISAC xNB may interpret, compile, and / or use them in block 1312 to assist in serving beam selection for MC-RL and attempt to achieve additional wireless sensing benefits of "sensing-assisted communication" from the SS-RL. In some embodiments involving periodic transmission of sensing result reports, the secondary ISAC xNB continues to perform wireless sensing to the target UE via SS-RL and periodically reports the available "sensing result information" to the master ISAC xNB until it is indicated to stop for any reason, either by a master ISAC xNB command or by itself. In such an embodiment, the benefits of "sensing-assisted communication" continue.

[0079] FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of communication for a modification request with sensing-assisted communication. The master ISAC xNB and the secondary ISAC xNB set up and maintain a MC-RL and a SC-RL with a target UE (e.g., in the 3.5 GHz band) for wireless communication purposes, respectively. The secondary ISAC xNB also sets up and maintains a SS-RL with the same UE (e.g., in the 26 GHz band) for wireless sensing purposes. The SS-RL may be based on a radar-type mechanism implemented by the secondary ISAC xNB that may be used to improve MIMO beam management between the master ISAC xNB and the UE. For example, the master ISAC xNB may optimize serving beam selection for the MC-RL based on sensing feedback from the secondary ISAC xNB in ​​advance. This may achieve the benefit of "sensing-assisted communication" via the SS-RL. The master ISAC xNB may coordinate with the secondary ISAC xNB on their mutual wireless sensing capabilities, resources, and operation status.

[0080] The Master ISAC xNB determines whether the SS-RL is sufficient. If not, there is a radio sensing benefit for MIMO beam management, and therefore the Master ISAC xNB triggers a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Modification Procedure" via the Xn interface, block 1402. This may include sending a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Modification Request" message, block 1404, to the Secondary ISAC xNB, including the necessary updated parameter information (e.g., expected new sensing frequency band 38 GHz, "Sensing Result Information" reporting pattern, and / or radio sensing signal pattern, etc.) to reconfigure the "Assistant SS-RL".

[0081] In this embodiment, if the secondary ISAC xNB denies the request from the master ISAC xNB for local resource reasons, as in block 1406, it provides a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Modification Denied" message to the master ISAC xNB via the Xn interface, in block 1408. It then stops conducting radio sensing operations via the existing SS-RL with the target UE (e.g., in the 26 GHz band), and thus no benefit is provided, in block 1410. In response to receiving the "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Modification Denied" message, the master ISAC xNB learns about the failure of the "Assisted SS-RL" reconfiguration attempt with the secondary ISAC xNB, and may then take further action, in block 1412.

[0082] FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of communication for a modification request with sensing-assisted sensing. The master ISAC gNB and secondary ISAC xNB respectively set up and maintain an MC-RL and an SC-RL (e.g., in the 60 GHz band) for wireless communication purposes with a target UE. The master ISAC gNB also sets up and maintains an MS-RL (e.g., in the 60 GHz band) with the same UE for wireless sensing purposes. The MS-RL may be based on a radar-type mechanism implemented by the master ISAC gNB that may be used to improve UE imaging management between the gNB and the UE. For example, the master ISAC gNB may monitor the UE image based on radar-type sensing feedback. This may achieve the benefit of "sensing-assisted sensing" via the local MS-RL. The master ISAC gNB may coordinate with the secondary ISAC xNB on their mutual wireless sensing capabilities, resources, and operation status.

[0083] The Master ISAC gNB determines whether the local MS-RL is sufficient. If not, there is no wireless sensing benefit for UE imaging management, and the Master ISAC gNB then triggers a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Modification Procedure" via the Xn interface, block 1502. This may include sending a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Modification Request" message to the secondary ISAC xNB, block 1504. Parameter information (e.g., expected sensing frequency band 600 GHz, "Sensing Result Information" reporting pattern, and / or wireless sensing signal pattern, etc.) may be included to configure the "auxiliary SS-RL".

[0084] The secondary ISAC xNB may receive the request from the master ISAC gNB in ​​block 1506, so that the secondary ISAC xNB may set up and maintain SS-RL (e.g., in the 600 GHz band) and return a “Secondary ISAC RAN Node Modification Request Acknowledgement” message over the Xn interface to the master ISAC gNB in ​​block 1508. It may further perform the requested wireless sensing operation (e.g., in the 600 GHz band) via SS-RL with the target UE.

[0085] After obtaining the "sensing result information", the secondary ISAC xNB feeds back the "sensing result information" to the master ISAC gNB via the Xn interface via the "ISAC RAN Node Sensing Result Report Procedure". This may include sending an "ISAC RAN Node Sensing Result Report" message including the available "sensing result information" to the master ISAC gNB in ​​block 1510. In response to obtaining the "sensing result information", the master ISAC gNB may interpret, compile, and use them in block 1512 to assist UE imaging and attempt to achieve the additional radio sensing benefits of "sensing-assisted sensing" from the SS-RL. The secondary ISAC xNB continues to perform radio sensing towards the target UE via the SS-RL and reports the available "sensing result information" to the master ISAC gNB until it is indicated to stop for any reason, either by master ISAC gNB command or by itself.

[0086] FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of communication for modification request with sensing-assisted sensing. FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment in which the SS-RL is already configured but is now modified. The master ISAC gNB and secondary ISAC xNB configure and maintain an MC-RL and an SC-RL, respectively (e.g., in the 26 GHz band) for wireless communication purposes with a target UE, and the secondary ISAC xNB also configures and maintains an SS-RL with the same UE (e.g., in the 6.5 GHz band) for wireless sensing purposes. The SS-RL may be based on a radar-type mechanism implemented by the secondary ISAC xNB and can be used to improve UE imaging management between the master ISAC gNB and the UE. For example, the master ISAC gNB may monitor the UE image based on sensing feedback from the secondary ISAC xNB to achieve the benefits of "sensing-assisted sensing" via the SS-RL. The master ISAC gNB may coordinate with the secondary ISAC xNB on their mutual wireless sensing capabilities, resources, and operation status.

[0087] The Master ISAC gNB determines whether the SS-RL is sufficient. If there is not sufficient radio sensing benefit for UE imaging management, the Master ISAC gNB triggers a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Modification Procedure" via the Xn interface, block 1602. This may include sending a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Modification Request" message including updated parameter information (e.g., expected new sensing frequency band 70 GHz, "Sensing Result Information" reporting pattern, and / or radio sensing signal pattern, etc.) to the secondary ISAC xNB, block 1604, to reconfigure the "auxiliary SS-RL".

[0088] The secondary ISAC xNB receives the request from the master ISAC gNB in ​​block 1606. The secondary ISAC xNB may set up and maintain SS-RL (e.g., in the 70 GHz band) and in block 1608 returns a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Modification Request Acknowledgement" message over the Xn interface to the master ISAC gNB and further performs the requested wireless sensing operation (e.g., in the 70 GHz band) via SS-RL with the target UE.

[0089] After obtaining the "sensing result information", the secondary ISAC xNB feeds back the "sensing result information" to the master ISAC gNB via the Xn interface via the "ISAC RAN Node Sensing Result Report Procedure". This may include sending an "ISAC RAN Node Sensing Result Report" message including the available "sensing result information" to the master ISAC gNB in ​​block 1610. In response to obtaining the "sensing result information", the master ISAC gNB may interpret, compile, and use them in block 1612 to assist UE imaging and attempt to achieve the additional radio sensing benefits of "sensing-assisted sensing" from the SS-RL. The secondary ISAC xNB continues to perform radio sensing towards the target UE via the SS-RL and reports the available "sensing result information" to the master ISAC gNB until it is indicated to stop for any reason, either by master ISAC gNB command or by itself.

[0090] FIG. 17 illustrates another embodiment of communication for a modification request with sense-assisted sensing. The master ISAC gNB and secondary ISAC xNB establish and maintain an MC-RL and an SC-RL with a target UE (e.g., in the 3.5 GHz band) respectively for wireless communication purposes. The secondary ISAC xNB also establishes and maintains an SS-RL with the same UE (e.g., in the 65 GHz band) for wireless sensing purposes. The SS-RL can be used to improve UE imaging management between the master ISAC gNB and the UE based on a radar-type mechanism implemented by the secondary ISAC xNB. For example, the master ISAC gNB can monitor the UE image based on sensing feedback from the secondary ISAC xNB to achieve the benefits of "sense-assisted sensing" via the SS-RL. The master ISAC gNB may coordinate with the secondary ISAC xNB on their mutual wireless sensing capabilities, resources, and operation status.

[0091] The Master ISAC gNB determines whether the SS-RL is sufficient. If not, there is no radio sensing benefit for UE imaging management, and therefore the Master ISAC gNB triggers a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Modification Procedure" via the Xn interface, block 1702. This may include sending a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Modification Request" message, block 1704, to the Secondary ISAC xNB, including the required updated parameter information (e.g., expected new sensing frequency band 70 GHz, "Sensing Result Information" reporting pattern, and / or radio sensing signal pattern, etc.) to reconfigure the "Auxiliary SS-RL".

[0092] In this embodiment, the secondary ISAC xNB denies the request from the master ISAC gNB for local resource reasons in block 1706. This may include a reply with a "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Modification Denied" message to the master ISAC gNB over the Xn interface in block 1708. This causes the master ISAC gNB to stop performing radio sensing operations (e.g., in the 65 GHz band) over the existing SS-RL with the target UE, as in block 1710, and therefore there is no further benefit. In response to receiving the "Secondary ISAC RAN Node Modification Denied" message, the master ISAC gNB learns about the failure of the reconfiguration attempt of the "auxiliary SS-RL" with the secondary ISAC xNB and may take other actions in block 1712.

[0093] The systems and processes described above may be encoded in a signal-bearing medium such as a memory, a computer-readable medium, programmed into a device such as one or more integrated circuits, one or more processors, or processed by a controller or computer. The data may be analyzed in a computer system and used to generate a spectrum. If the method is implemented by software, the software may reside in a non-volatile or volatile memory that resides in or interfaces with a storage device, communicates with a memory, synchronizer, communication interface, or transmitter. A circuit or electronic device is designed to transmit data to another location. The memory may include an ordered list of executable instructions to implement a logical function. The described logical function or any system element may be implemented through optical circuitry, digital circuitry, through source code, through analog circuitry, through analog sources such as analog electrical, audio, or video signals, or a combination. The software may be embodied in any computer-readable or signal-bearing medium for use by or in connection with an instruction-executable system, apparatus, or device. Such systems may include computer-based systems, processor-containing systems, or other systems that may selectively fetch instructions from an instruction-executable system, apparatus, or device that may also execute the instructions.

[0094] A "computer-readable medium", "machine-readable medium", "propagating signal" medium, and / or "signal-bearing medium" may comprise any device that contains, stores, communicates, propagates, or transports software for use by or in connection with an instruction-executable system, apparatus, or device. A machine-readable medium may alternatively be, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. A non-exhaustive list of examples of machine-readable media would include electrically connected "electronic devices" having one or more wires, a portable magnetic or optical disk, a volatile memory, such as a random access memory "RAM", a read-only memory "ROM", an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), or an optical fiber. A machine-readable medium may also include tangible media on which software is printed so that the software can be stored electronically, as an image or in another format (e.g., through optical scanning), and then compiled and / or interpreted or otherwise processed. The processed media may then be stored within a computer and / or machine memory.

[0095] The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structures of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the present disclosure. Other embodiments may also be utilized and derived from the present disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the illustrations are merely representative and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may be exaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Thus, the present disclosure and figures should be considered illustrative, rather than restrictive.

[0096] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and / or collectively, by the term "invention" merely for convenience and without any intention to spontaneously limit the scope of the present application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Furthermore, although specific embodiments are illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that any subsequent arrangements designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. The present disclosure is intended to cover any subsequent adaptations or modifications of the various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments and other embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the description.

[0097] The phrase "coupled with" is defined to mean directly connected or indirectly connected through one or more intermediate components. Such intermediate components may include both hardware and software based components. Variations in the arrangement and type of components may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims as set forth herein. Additional, different, or fewer components may be provided.

[0098] The above disclosed subject matter should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, extensions, and other embodiments that fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the scope of the present invention should be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and should not be limited or constrained by the foregoing detailed description. While various embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited, except in light of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. 1. A wireless communication method, comprising: providing a correction requirement for the secondary sensing; and receiving a sensing result report after acknowledging the modification request; A method comprising:

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing is from a master node to a secondary node, the secondary node providing the sensing report to the master node.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein a user equipment (UE) in dual connectivity (DC) is modified based on the modification request for secondary sensing.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the modification request includes the secondary sensing to be added or modified being provided to the secondary node.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the secondary sensing includes a secondary sensing wireless link or sensing function performed by the secondary node.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the secondary sensing wireless link provides assistance to communications of the master node.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the secondary sensing wireless link provides supplemental sensing of the master node.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensing report is transmitted periodically.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensing report is transmitted upon request.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensing report comprises data being sensed.

11. 1. A wireless communication method, comprising: receiving a modification request for secondary sensing; providing a sensing result report after acknowledging the modification request; A method comprising:

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the providing is from a master node to a secondary node, the secondary node providing the sensing report to the master node.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein a user equipment (UE) in dual connectivity (DC) is modified based on the modification request for secondary sensing.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the modification request includes the secondary sensing to be added or modified being provided to the secondary node.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the secondary sensing includes a secondary sensing wireless link or sensing function performed by the secondary node.

16. 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the secondary sensing wireless link provides assistance to communications of the master node.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the secondary sensing wireless link provides supplemental sensing of the master node.

18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the sensing reports are transmitted periodically.

19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the sensing report is transmitted upon request.

20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the sensing report comprises sensed data.

21. A wireless communication device comprising a processor and a memory, the processor configured to read code from the memory and to implement a method according to any of claims 1 to 20.

22. A computer program product comprising a computer readable program medium code stored thereon, said code, when executed by a processor, causing said processor to implement a method according to any of claims 1 to 20.

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