First communication device, second communication device, third communication device, communication method, and communication system

Abstract

Use wireless sensing appropriately. [Solution] A first communication device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has a receiving unit that receives control information indicating a sensing procedure including at least one of a sensing method and a sensing quality, and a transmitting unit that transmits instruction information to a second communication device for instructing the execution of the sensing procedure.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a first communication device, a second communication device, a third communication device, a communication method, and a communication system in a mobile communication system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, wireless sensing technologies using radio frequency signals have been increasingly studied. For example, 5G wireless sensing (e.g., Non-Patent Document 1) that uses signals from the 5th generation mobile communication system New Radio (5G NR) of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP (registered trademark)) and Wi-Fi sensing that uses signals from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)) are being studied.

[0003] In addition, Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC), which integrates communication and sensing functions, is being considered.

[0004] Wireless sensing may provide information about object characteristics (shape, size, orientation, speed, position, distance or relative motion between objects, etc.). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] 3GPP TS 22.137 V19.1.0 (2024-03), “3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group TSG SA; Service requirements for Integrated Sensing and Communication; Stage 1 (Release 19)” Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As mentioned above, wireless sensing is being considered for 3GPP 5G NR, but specific methods for controlling sensing have not yet been explored. Unless this is clearly defined, there is a risk that the accuracy (performance) of wireless sensing will be insufficient, resulting in increased communication overhead due to false object detection, and a deterioration in the quality of services provided by external application functions.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a first communication device, a second communication device, a third communication device, a communication method, and a communication system that can appropriately utilize wireless sensing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A first communication device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has a receiving unit that receives control information indicating a sensing procedure including at least one of a sensing method and a sensing quality, and a transmitting unit that transmits instruction information to a second communication device for instructing the execution of the sensing procedure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, wireless sensing can be appropriately utilized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic functional configuration of each device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic hardware configuration of each device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a first procedure of sensing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of management of information related to sensing capabilities in an SF according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a second procedure of sensing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sensing instruction procedure 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sensing instruction procedure 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this specification and the drawings, elements that can be similarly described will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted.

[0012] In this disclosure, words enclosed in "()" in a sentence may indicate an explanation of the immediately preceding wording (for example, an explanation of spelling), a paraphrase, a specific example, a supplementary explanation, etc. Also, in this disclosure, words enclosed in "[ ]" in a sentence may be interpreted including the meaning of the entire sentence, or may be interpreted excluding the meaning of the entire sentence (ignoring the meaning of the entire sentence). Note that "()" and "[ ]" may also be used for purposes / meanings other than those mentioned above.

[0013] In the present disclosure, "A / B" and "at least one of A and B" may be interpreted interchangeably. Also, in the present disclosure, "A / B / C" may mean "at least one of A, B, and C."

[0014] In the present disclosure, a Network Function (NF) may include, for example, at least one of the following: Application Function (AF) (e.g., a function that realizes an application server outside the 5G Core Network (5GC)), Access and Mobility management Function (AMF) (e.g., functions to manage UE registration, location, etc.), Data Network (DN) (e.g., the function to realize a data network outside 5GC), Location Management Function (LMF) (e.g., communication control function related to location-based services), Non-3GPP Inter-Working Function (N3IWF) (e.g., function connecting untrusted non-3GPP access networks with 5GC), Network Exposure Function (NEF) (e.g., a function that provides an application interface for 5GC NF services to the outside world), Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) (e.g., the function that selects the network slice), Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) (e.g., a function for analyzing network data), Operation, Administration and Maintenance (Management) (OAM) (e.g., functions that provide the means for operation, maintenance and management), Policy Control Function (PCF) (e.g., a function that controls the quality of data transfer paths, policies, etc.), Session Management Function (SMF) (e.g., a function that manages a session), Trusted Non-3GPP Gateway Function (TNGF) (e.g., a function that connects trusted non-3GPP access networks with 5GC), Trusted WLAN Interworking Function (TWIF) (e.g., for non-5G UEs, connecting trusted non-3GPP access networks with 5G via a Wireless Local Area Network (LAN)), (Radio) Access Network ((R)AN) (e.g., the functionality that provides the radio access network), User Equipment (UE) (e.g., user access to network services over the radio interface), Unified Data Management (UDM) (e.g., the ability to store and manage subscriber information, UE authentication information, etc.), Unified Data Repository (UDR) (e.g., the ability to manage authentication / authorization based on subscriber information), User Plane Function (UPF) (e.g., the function that carries packets of user data).

[0015] It should be understood that these are merely examples and that other NFs are also covered by the present disclosure.

[0016] <System> 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system 1 includes a user equipment (UE) 10, a base station (BS) 20, a network function (NF) server 30, and an application server 40. The system 1 may also be referred to as a wireless / information communication system.

[0017] The system 1 is, for example, a system that complies with the Technical Specification (TS) of 3GPP. More specifically, the system 1 may be, for example, a system that complies with the TS of a 5th generation mobile communication system (5G) or New Radio (NR).

[0018] Note that system 1 is not limited to this example, and may also include systems that use Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 6th generation mobile communication system (6G), xth generation mobile communication system (xG (x is, for example, an integer or a decimal)), New Radio (NR), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and other wireless communication methods, as well as next-generation systems that are extended, modified, created, or defined based on these.

[0019] In other words, terms related to 5G in this disclosure can be replaced with terms of other technologies / systems. In addition, when this replacement is made, it is naturally understood by those skilled in the art that, for example, NF can be replaced with a function similar to that of 5G NF (or a device having a similar function).

[0020] In the system 1, the UE 10 receives a wireless communication service using a network (NW) 3000. The NW 3000 corresponds to a cellular NW to which the UE 10 can connect.

[0021] In this disclosure, the cellular network may be interchangeably referred to as a mobile network, a wireless communication network, a 5G core network (5GC), a 3GPP access network, etc. The 5GC may include, for example, an optical fiber network. In this disclosure, the 5GC, network, physical network, and core network (Core Network (CN)) may be interchangeably referred to.

[0022] UE 10 connects to NW 3000 via BS 20. UE 10 may be, for example, a mobile terminal (mobile communication terminal) such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, or wearable terminal, or may be a fixed communication terminal. UE 10 may be a device mounted on a moving object (e.g., a vehicle) that is a movable object, the moving object itself, or a device included in the moving object (held by a person riding in the moving object).

[0023] The UE 10 may be capable of using (or may be equipped with) a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) / Embedded SIM (eSIM) of an operator that provides wireless communication services using the NW 3000. The UE 10 may also switch its connection to a different NW 3000 of a different operator by switching an Access Point Name (APN) configuration profile.

[0024] In system 1, the communication link going to (received from) BS 20 / going out (transmitted from) UE 10 may be referred to as uplink (UL), and the communication link going out (transmitted from) BS 20 / going out (received from) UE 10 may be referred to as downlink (DL).

[0025] The BS 20 provides a radio access network (RAN) to the UE 10. An area where wireless communication is possible in the radio access network is also called a cell. In this disclosure, the terms BS and (Radio) Access Network ((R)AN) may be interpreted as interchangeable.

[0026] BS 20 may be, for example, a gNB. The gNB provides NR user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE and is connected to 5GC via an NG interface. BS 20 may also be an en-gNB. The en-gNB provides NR user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE and operates as a secondary node in E-UTRA-NR Dual Connectivity (EN-DC).

[0027] The UE 10 / BS 20 / NF server 30 / application server 40 may have a wireless sensing function, for example, a sensing transmitter / receiver. The UE 10 / BS 20 may use the sensing transmitter / receiver to perform wireless sensing of the surroundings of the terminal and acquire sensing data.

[0028] The UE 10 / BS 20 / NF server 30 / application server 40 may have devices (cameras, sensors, lasers, etc.) for sensing means other than wireless sensing (e.g., image sensing, light detection and ranging (LiDAR)).

[0029] The sensing of the UE 10 / BS 20 / NF server 30 / application server 40 may correspond to at least one of monostatic sensing, bistatic sensing, and multistatic sensing.

[0030] Monostatic sensing may be sensing in which a device transmits a sensing signal (e.g., a specific reference signal) and receives an echo signal [from an object] to acquire sensing data. Bistatic sensing may be sensing in which a sensing transmitter of the device itself or its associated UE 10 / BS 20 / NF server 30 / application server 40 transmits a signal, and a sensing receiver of the associated UE 10 / BS 20 / NF server 30 / application server 40 or the device itself receives the signal [affected by the object]. Multistatic sensing may correspond to sensing in which multiple sensing transmitters / multiple sensing receivers exist for an object.

[0031] The NF server 30 provides at least one function of the above-mentioned NF. 1 illustrates an NF server 30 that provides an AMF, an NF server 30 that provides an SMF, an NF server 30 that provides a UPF, etc. In the present disclosure, the NF server 30 and the NF (e.g., AMF, NEF, NSSF, PCF, SMF, etc.) can be read as interchangeable.

[0032] In this disclosure, the NF may include a Sensing Function (SF) that manages / controls / analyzes sensing.

[0033] The application server 40 may correspond to the above-mentioned AF defined for the 5G Core Network (5GC). In the present disclosure, the application server 40, the app, the AF, etc. may be read interchangeably.

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, the application server 40 may be an external application server (external AF) belonging to a network outside the 5GC (which may be called an untrusted AF outside the operator's trust domain), and may communicate with the NF server 30 in the 5GC via the NEF. Although not shown, the application server 40 may be an internal application server (internal AF) included in the 5GC (which may be called a trusted AF within the operator's trust domain), and may communicate with the NF server 30 in the 5GC [without going through the NEF].

[0035] The application server 40 (e.g., an untrusted AF) may support the exchange of information for a service provider that is not a telecommunications carrier to provide a service related to the UE 10 using communication via an API that enables external access to 5GC services (NFs, particularly control NFs). The exchange of information may include, for example, requesting and obtaining information related to the location / status of the UE 10, specifying the quality of service (communication speed, etc.) for the UE 10, and the like.

[0036] 1 may be called a network node, a node, a server, a [wired / wireless] communication device, an information processing device, etc. The lines between devices in FIG. 1 indicate logical connections and do not necessarily have to be physically connected directly (they may be connected indirectly via another device).

[0037] <Configuration of each device> An example of the configuration of each device (UE 10, BS 20, NF server 30, and application server 40) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0038] <<Function configuration>> 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic functional configuration of each device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the UE 10 includes a control unit 110, a communication unit 120, an input / output unit 130, and a storage unit 140.

[0039] Note that the BS 20, the NF server 30, and the application server 40 may also have similar functional configurations. For this reason, in Fig. 3, the reference numerals of the functional blocks corresponding to each device are also shown with the most significant digit of the reference numeral representing each device (for example, for the BS 20, the most significant digit of "20" is "2") replaced with "1". The following describes the functional blocks related to the UE 10, but it will be understood that the same description applies to the other devices.

[0040] In this example, functional blocks of the characteristic parts of this embodiment are mainly shown, and each device may also have other functional blocks necessary for other processes. Also, a configuration may be possible in which some functional blocks are not included.

[0041] The control unit 110 controls the UE 10 and provides various functions. For example, the control unit 110 may control communication with other devices via the communication unit 120. The control unit 110 may also acquire information necessary for processing based on information received via the communication unit 120. The control unit 110 may also be referred to as a processing unit.

[0042] The communication unit 120 communicates (transmits / receives) with other devices via wired / wireless communication. The communication unit 120 may obtain information from a received signal and output it to the control unit 110, or may convert information input from the control unit 110 into a signal and transmit it. The communication unit 120 may be configured as an integrated transmitting / receiving unit (a unit capable of both transmitting and receiving), or may be configured as a separate transmitting unit and receiving unit.

[0043] The input / output unit 130 may include an input unit that receives input through human operation and acquires information by measuring (sensing) the surrounding environment. The input unit may be connected to a predetermined device, storage medium, etc., and may receive input of data. The input unit may output the input result to the control unit 110, for example.

[0044] The input / output unit 130 may also include an output unit that outputs data, content, etc. in a format that can be perceived by humans. The output unit may be configured to include a display unit that displays images, an audio output unit that outputs audio, etc.

[0045] Either the communication unit 120 or the input / output unit 130, or a combination thereof, may function as a sensing transmitter / receiver. Sensing performed via the communication unit 120 may correspond to wireless sensing, and sensing performed via the input / output unit 130 may correspond to non-wireless sensing. A unit that performs sensing may be called a sensing unit, a measurement unit, or the like. For example, the measurement unit may perform sensing using a sensing method described below and acquire sensed data.

[0046] The storage unit 140 stores (holds) various pieces of information used for processing by the UE 10. The control unit 110 may instruct the storage unit 140 to read and write data.

[0047] <<Hardware configuration>> 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic hardware configuration of each device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Each device includes an antenna 910, a radio frequency (RF) circuit 920, a processor 930, a network interface 940, an input device / output device 950, a memory 960, and a storage 970.

[0048] For example, the above-mentioned control unit X10 (X=1, 2, 3, 4; the same applies below) may be implemented by the processor 930. The communication unit X20 may be implemented by the antenna 910 / RF circuit 920 / network interface 940. The input / output unit X30 may be implemented by the input device / output device 950. The storage unit X40 may be implemented by the memory 960 / storage 970.

[0049] The hardware configuration of each device may be configured to include one or more of the elements shown in Fig. 3, or may be configured to exclude some of the elements. For example, UE 10 may not have network interface 940.

[0050] The antenna 910 converts signals into radio waves and radiates the radio waves into space. The antenna 910 also receives radio waves in space and converts the radio waves into signals. Multiple antennas 910 may be installed, may include a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna, or may include a single antenna for both transmission and reception. The antenna 910 may include a directional antenna or may include multiple antenna elements.

[0051] The RF circuitry 920 performs analog processing of signals transmitted and received via the antenna 910. The RF circuitry 920 may include filters (e.g., high frequency filters, low pass filters), amplifiers, modulators, frequency synthesizers, analog-to-digital conversion circuits, digital-to-analog conversion circuits, Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) / Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT)) processing circuits, etc.

[0052] The RF circuit 920 may perform amplification, filtering, demodulation to a baseband signal, etc. on the received radio frequency band signal, and output the signal to the processor 930. The RF circuit 920 may perform modulation to a radio frequency band, filtering, amplification, etc. on the baseband signal input from the processor 930, and transmit the radio frequency band signal via the transmitting / receiving antenna 910. Note that the RF circuit 920 may perform physical layer processing (e.g., processing of lower functions of the physical layer), and may perform beamforming processing such as analog beamforming processing and digital beamforming processing.

[0053] The processor 930 may control the entire device. The processor 930 may read programs (program codes), software (software modules), data, etc. from the storage 970 into the memory 960 and execute various processes in accordance with these. For example, the processor 930 may execute a program of an operating system (OS) loaded into the memory 960 to perform control.

[0054] The processor 930 may be configured by a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control unit, an arithmetic unit, registers, etc. The processor 930 may also include a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.

[0055] The processor 930 may perform digital processing of signals transmitted and received via the antenna 910 and the RF circuitry 920. The digital processing may include physical layer processing (e.g., processing of functions higher than the physical layer), processing of the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer or higher, modulation, demodulation, encoding, decoding, scrambling, etc. The processor 930 also processes signals transmitted and received via the network interface 940.

[0056] Processor 930 may include multiple processors or may be a single processor, which may include a baseband processor that performs the digital processing described above and one or more processors that perform other processing (e.g., overall control).

[0057] The network interface 940 may be, for example, a network adapter, which is connected to an external network via a wired connection and may transmit and receive signals.

[0058] The RF circuit 920, the processor 930, and the network interface 940 may be integrated into one unit, and may be called a network controller, a network card, a communication module, or the like.

[0059] The input device / output device 950 includes input devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse, microphone, switch, button, camera, sensor, etc.) that receive input from the outside or acquire information about the surrounding environment, output devices (e.g., display, speaker, Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamp, etc.) that perform output to the outside, devices that combine these (e.g., touch panel), etc. Note that the sensor may include a locator (e.g., a receiver compatible with the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)) that acquires location information.

[0060] The memory 960 is a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium that stores programs executed by the processor 930, parameters related to the programs, and various other information. The memory 960 may include at least one of a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a random access memory (RAM), and a flash memory. All or a portion of the memory 960 may be included within the processor 930. The memory 960 may also be called a register, a cache, a main memory, etc.

[0061] Storage 970 is a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium that stores various information. Storage 970 may include, for example, at least one of a flexible disk, a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disc ROM (CD-ROM)), a digital versatile disc, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc), a removable disk, a hard disk drive (HDD), a smart card, a flash memory device (e.g., a solid state drive (SSD)), and the like. Storage 970 may also be referred to as an auxiliary storage device.

[0062] Furthermore, each device such as the processor 930, the memory 960, etc. may be connected by a bus for communicating information. A single bus may be used within the device, or different buses may be used between the devices.

[0063] The BS 20 may be separated into three elements: a Radio Unit (RU), a Distributed Unit (DU), and a Central Unit (CU). The RU performs RF processing and lower-level functions of the physical layer. The DU performs higher-level functions of the physical layer, MAC layer functions, and Radio Link Control (RLC) layer functions. The CU performs Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), and Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer functions.

[0064] In the present disclosure, BS20 may include one device that implements all of the functions of the RU, DU, and CU, or may include multiple devices that each implement some of the functions of the RU, DU, and CU.

[0065] Other devices in the present disclosure may also be implemented by multiple devices that are physically separated from one another. Conversely, multiple different devices in the present disclosure (e.g., two or more of the UE 10, the BS 20, the NF server 30, and the application server 40) may be implemented as a single device.

[0066] Furthermore, some or all of the devices disclosed herein may refer to logical devices realized by virtual machines, containers, Docker, etc., or physical devices that operate the logical devices.

[0067] <Example of operation> An example of the operation of each device / function according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. The communication method (wireless communication method, control method) described below may be applied to the system 1 described above.

[0068] In the following description of the present disclosure, reference numerals may be omitted. For example, the UE in the following description may refer to the UE 10.

[0069] Each device / function in the following description may be interpreted as one or more functional blocks (e.g., control unit 110, communication unit 120) or hardware configurations (e.g., RF circuit 920, processor 930) within the device / function.

[0070] In this disclosure, sensing, wireless sensing, and collaborative sensing (CS) may be interchangeable. CS may refer to sensing in which multiple BSs / UEs perform sensing in overlapping areas / times (e.g., sensing in which sensing results are calculated based on sensing data obtained from these sensing operations).

[0071] In the present disclosure, an SF may be interchangeably read as another NF (e.g., an NWDAF) in a NW, or as an SF / another NF. In the following description, one or more steps (processing) performed by one device / function may be interchangeably read as steps performed in a distributed manner by multiple devices / functions. For example, one of these devices / functions may perform part of one or more steps, and the other may perform the rest of the one or more steps. For example, in the first and second procedures described below, an SF receives a first sensing request and transmits a second sensing request, but this content may also cover content such as "one of the SF and another NF receives the first sensing request and transmits information to the other of them (e.g., a notice that the first sensing request has been received, an instruction to transmit a second sensing request, etc.), and the other of them transmits the second sensing request."

[0072] In the following procedures, UE may be interchangeably referred to as UE / BS. For example, UE information may be interchangeably referred to as BS information, and based on the BS information, a BS of a sensing participant (described later), a requesting BS or any BS, a BS included in or nearby the area to be sensed, etc. may be determined.

[0073] <<First step of sensing>> FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a first procedure of sensing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] In step S101, a sensing requester (e.g., an AF or a UE) transmits a sensing request (which may be referred to as a first sensing request) to an SF. The sensing request may include information for identifying a sensing participant (which may be referred to as an implementer) (e.g., UE information, area information, time information, etc., or a combination thereof). The information for identifying a sensing participant may be referred to as sensing participant identification information, participant identification information, or simply identification information.

[0075] In the present disclosure, when the sensing requester is a UE / trusted AF, the transmission and reception (e.g., transmission of a sensing request) between the requester and the SF may be performed without going through the NEF (via the BS or directly). When the sensing requester is an untrusted AF, the transmission and reception between the requester and the SF may be performed via the NEF.

[0076] The UE information may be any information for identifying the UE of the sensing participant, and may include, for example, at least one of the following: ·Generic Public Subscription Identifier (GPSI), ·Subscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI), ·NR Cell Global Identifier (NCGI), NR Cell Identify (NCI) or Cell Identifier (ID) gNB ID, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses (e.g., Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4) addresses, Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) addresses, IPv6 prefixes), MAC address, External Group Identifier, Internal Group Identifier, Any other identifier for identifying the UE (e.g., UE ID), the UE's telephone number itself, or information related to the telephone number (e.g., Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN)).

[0077] The UE information included in the sensing request may include UE information indicating the UE that requested the sensing (which may also be called a requesting UE, a requesting UE, etc.). The requesting UE may be the UE that sends the sensing request, or the UE that notifies the AF that it wishes to receive the sensing result.

[0078] The area information may be information indicating an area to be sensed, for example, an area (region / area) where the UE is currently, in the past, or in the future. The area information may be included in the UE information.

[0079] The area may be indicated by at least one of a latitude and longitude range [from a reference point], a distance [from a reference point], a geographical area, a Tracking Area (TA), etc., or may be predefined in the requester / SF / NEF. The area information may include at least one of a reference point, a latitude and longitude range [from a reference point], a distance [from a reference point], an address / shape indicating the geographical area, a [list of] Tracking Area Identities (TAIs), a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) ID, an Area Identifier (ID) predefined in the requester / SF / NEF, etc. The reference point may be predefined in the requester / SF / NEF, or may be the current location of the UE.

[0080] The time information may be information indicating the time of the sensing target, or may include information regarding the time when the UE is located in the region / area. The time may be determined based on at least one of a start time, an end time, a duration from the start time, a time period, a period, an offset from a specific time, etc. The time may be expressed in units of seconds, minutes, hours, etc.

[0081] If the UE information is an external (unique) ID different from the 3GPP domain ID (under 5GS management) (e.g., GPSI), the requester / NEF may have information on the mapping (correspondence) between the 3GPP domain ID and the external ID. In the present disclosure, the UE information may be interchangeably read as UE information converted into the 3GPP domain ID by the NEF or another NF.

[0082] Furthermore, in the present disclosure, UE information may be information in a list format or any information (e.g., information in an array format, a vector format, etc.). That is, information in the present disclosure may be interchangeably read as information (list), information (for identifying), information (for specifying), etc. Note that UE information may include one or more values ​​indicating an individual UE (e.g., one IP address), or may include one or more values ​​indicating multiple UEs (e.g., a range of IP addresses, the above-mentioned area information).

[0083] The requester may derive the remaining information based on one or two of the UE information, area information, time information, etc. The requester may also derive at least one of the UE information, area information, and time information based on a predetermined setting / value (which may be referred to as a default setting / value, for example). For example, the default value of the time information may indicate a predetermined time from the current time.

[0084] The requester may derive the remaining information based on one or two of the UE information, area information, time information, etc. Furthermore, the SF / NEF may derive at least one of the UE information, area information, time information, etc. that is not included in the sensing request based on one or two of the UE information, area information, time information, etc. included in the sensing request. For example, the requester / SF / NEF may grasp in advance the correspondence between UEs and areas, and may derive the area information from the UE information or the UE information from the area information based on the correspondence.

[0085] The requester / SF / NEF may also derive at least one of the UE information, area information, and time information based on a predetermined setting / value (which may be referred to as a default setting / value, for example). For example, the default value of the time information may indicate a predetermined time from the current time.

[0086] In step S102, the SF discovers participants (hereinafter also referred to as participants) of the sensing [based on the first sensing request]. Note that in this disclosure, discover, determine, identify, etc. may be read interchangeably. A participant may be one or more devices (BS / UE). If multiple participants are discovered, the sensing may correspond to a CS or individual sensing.

[0087] For example, the SF may identify a [requester or any] UE based on the UE information in the first sensing request in step S101 and determine BSs / UEs in the vicinity of the [requester or any] UE as participants. Also, the SF may determine at least one of the UEs indicated by the UE information in the first sensing request in step S101 as participants. Also, the SF may determine BSs / UEs included in or in the vicinity of the area based on area information in the first sensing request in step S101 as participants.

[0088] The determination of whether a BS / UE is in the vicinity of the [requesting or any] UE, included in the area / nearby, etc. may be based on the location information of each device (requesting UE, each BS, each UE), or based on the communication / connection status of each device. The SF may determine as participants the BS / UEs that are expected to be included in / nearby the area at a time specified based on the time information.

[0089] The first sensing request may include information that explicitly / implicitly specifies a CS, and the SF may determine to perform control for the CS (for example, to discover multiple participants) for the first sensing request based on the information. The information that implicitly specifies a CS may be the above-mentioned UE information, area information, etc., or may be information indicating sensing accuracy, etc.

[0090] The SF may receive information about sensing capabilities (which may also be called sensing functions) from the BSs / UEs in advance. The SF may determine which BSs / UEs are potential participants based on the sensing capabilities of each BS / UE, and then select a participant from the potential participants in step S102. The information about the sensing capabilities may include information indicating whether the device supports / has (or does not support / have) a sensing function / capability, or may include information indicating available sensing means of the device. The information about the sensing capabilities may be included in UE capability information or in any message / signaling between devices.

[0091] In the present disclosure, the terms sensing means and sensing method may be interpreted interchangeably.

[0092] Before step S102, the SF may send a query to the BS / UE to request the BS / UE to report information about its sensing capabilities. In response to the query, the BS / UE may send the information about its sensing capabilities to the SF. The transmission and reception of the query, the information about its sensing capabilities, etc. may be controlled via a specific NF (e.g., AMF).

[0093] In addition, the BS / UE may transmit information about its sensing capabilities to the SF at any timing. The timing may occur at a specific cycle / length / frequency. The specific cycle / length / frequency may be predetermined, or information indicating the specific cycle / length / frequency may be notified from the SF to the BS / UE.

[0094] When the SF receives information about a sensing capability [for a certain BS / UE that is new / different from the previous one], it may store the current timing as the timing at which the information about this sensing capability will be updated (which may also be called the update timing).

[0095] The update timing may be before step S101 (which may be called step S100, for example), before step S102, or at any other timing.

[0096] The SF preferably controls the sending of the inquiry so as to update the information about the sensing capabilities immediately before step S102.

[0097] The SF / the specific NF (e.g., AMF) may store the sensing capability of the BS / UE in association with at least one of information for identifying the BS / UE (e.g., UE information), the update timing, etc. (e.g., in the form of a [lookup] table). Note that the SF may store this information in association using any format, such as a list or an array, and is not limited to a table.

[0098] 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of management of information related to sensing capabilities in an SF according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. This example illustrates how UE information (e.g., UE ID), the timing of the last update (year, month, and date), and available sensing means are managed in a table format. In FIG. 5, for example, it is stored that UE1 can use terahertz waves and millimeter waves as sensing means, and the last update timing was June 20, 2024.

[0099] In step S103, the SF transmits a sensing request to the participant [via a BS / UE near the participant]. The sensing request of step S103 (which may be referred to as a second sensing request) may include information similar to or different from the first sensing request of step S101. For example, the UE information (or area information or time information) included in the second sensing request may indicate a portion (e.g., a portion of the UE, a portion of the area, or a portion of the time) of the content included in the UE information (or area information or time information) included in the first sensing request. The second sensing requests to multiple participants may be configured so that the UE information (or area information or time information) included therein, when combined, is the same as or corresponds to the content included in the UE information (or area information or time information) included in the first sensing request.

[0100] The second sensing request from the SF to the participant may be transmitted using, for example, RRC signaling (for example, an RRC reconfiguration message).

[0101] In step S104, each participant who received the sensing request in step S103 may perform sensing based on the sensing request and collect sensing data. For example, the participant may perform sensing at the time indicated by the time information in the sensing request / in the area indicated by the area information in the sensing request.

[0102] In addition, the second sensing request may include information that explicitly / implicitly specifies a CS, and based on that information, the participant may determine that the sensing to be performed is a CS, and may perform control that is different from individual sensing that is not a CS.

[0103] In step S105, each participant may transmit sensing data to the SF. Note that in step S105, the participant may calculate a sensing result based on the sensing data and transmit the sensing result to the SF together with or instead of the sensing data. Note that in the present disclosure, the participant may transmit the sensing data / sensing result to another device (e.g., an edge server [inside / outside the operator's trust domain], any NF, another AF, etc.).

[0104] In step S106, the SF may calculate a sensing result based on the received sensing data / sensing result from each participant (for example, by integrating this data / result). Note that in the present disclosure, the SF may receive the sensing data / sensing result directly from the participants, or may receive (acquire) the sensing data / sensing result received by another device (for example, an edge server [inside / outside the operator's trust domain], any NF, another AF, etc.) via the other device.

[0105] In step S107, the SF may transmit sensing results (e.g., at least one of the sensing results transmitted from the participants in step S105 and the sensing results calculated by the SF in step S106) to the sensing requester (requesting AF or requesting UE). The SF may transmit part or all of the sensing data from each participant to the requester together with or instead of the sensing results. In the present disclosure, the SF may transmit the sensing data / sensing results to another device (e.g., an edge server [inside / outside the operator's trust domain], an arbitrary NF, another AF, etc.). In the present disclosure, the sensing requester may receive the sensing data / sensing results directly from the SF, or may receive (acquire) the sensing data / sensing results received by another device (e.g., an edge server [inside / outside the operator's trust domain], an arbitrary NF, another AF, etc.) via the other device. If the AF is notified by the requesting UE that it wishes to receive the sensing result, the AF may further transmit the sensing result / sensing data to the requesting UE.

[0106] In the present disclosure, sensing results / sensing data may be interchangeably read as information related to sensing results.

[0107] According to the first sensing procedure described above, sensing can be performed on UEs in appropriate areas and at appropriate times. According to the first procedure, for example, sensing from multiple UEs (such as cars) can be integrated to detect the overall situation (such as road conditions). The drawback of sensing by only one UE, such as the presence of areas that cannot be detected due to obstacles, can be expected to be improved by performing CS in the first procedure.

[0108] <<Second step of sensing>> 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a second sensing procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the second sensing procedure, it is possible to specify the sensing method to be used for sensing.

[0109] Steps S200-S207 of the second procedure may correspond to steps S100-S107 of the first procedure, respectively. Differences between the second procedure and the first procedure will be described below. Contents of the second procedure [step S20X (where X=0-7)] that are not described may include the same content as the first procedure [step S10X].

[0110] In step S200, the BS / UE may transmit information about supported sensing methods to the SF. The SF may store (pre-register) the sensing methods supported by each BS / UE in association with the corresponding BS / UE information. The information about supported sensing methods may indicate at least one of the supported sensing methods, or may indicate that sensing is not supported (no sensing function).

[0111] Here, the sensing method may include, for example, at least one of 3GPP sensing, non-3GPP sensing, and the like.

[0112] 3GPP sensing may be sensing defined in the 3GPP standard or sensing using the wireless communication technology / frequency of the 3GPP standard. 3GPP sensing can detect effects (such as reflection, refraction, and diffraction) on 3GPP wireless signals caused by target objects, environments, etc.

[0113] The non-3GPP sensing may be sensing defined by a standard other than the 3GPP standard, may be sensing using a wireless communication technology / frequency of a non-3GPP standard such as Wi-Fi, or may be sensing using a technology other than a wireless communication technology. The non-3GPP sensing may include at least one of Wi-Fi sensing, image sensing, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), camera, radar, sonar, ultrasonic, infrared, etc.

[0114] The sensing method may include a frequency used for sensing, and the information about the supported sensing methods may include information about the frequency used for sensing. The frequency used for sensing may be expressed as an absolute value or a relative value [Hz] from some reference value, or may be expressed by a predefined range or a name corresponding to the range (e.g., terahertz wave, sub-terahertz wave, millimeter wave, centimeter wave, frequency range (FR), frequency band). FR may indicate at least one frequency range defined in 3GPP, such as FR1, FR2, FR2-1, FR2-2, and FR3. The frequency band may indicate at least one frequency band defined in 3GPP, such as n257-n263 for FR2. For example, n257 corresponds to the 26.5-29.5 GHz band. The frequency band is suitable for specifying a frequency at an intermediate granularity that is finer than the entire millimeter wave (30-300 GHz band) but coarser than the frequency value. Note that the information on the supported sensing methods may include only information on the frequency used for sensing (for example, in the case of 3GPP sensing).

[0115] The information about supported sensing methods may include information about targets that can be preferably sensed / are desired to be sensed, information about supported / desired sensing services, etc. The information about the targets may include, for example, information indicating the target's gas / liquid / solid (e.g., ice). The information about sensing services may include, for example, information indicating sensing services such as detection of specific gases / liquids / solids (e.g., ice), intruder detection, human / animal detection on roads, rain monitoring, autonomous vehicle driving / navigation, and collision avoidance for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Such information may be explicitly or implicitly associated with the sensing methods and may be referred to as auxiliary information about the sensing methods (auxiliary information for identifying the sensing methods).

[0116] The information on the supported sensing methods may be included in the information on sensing capabilities. Before step S202, the SF may transmit a query to the BS / UE to request that the BS / UE report information on the supported sensing methods (including information on sensing capabilities). In response to the query, the BS / UE may transmit information on the supported sensing methods (including information on sensing capabilities) to the SF. Transmission and reception of the query, information on the supported sensing methods (including information on sensing capabilities), etc. may be controlled via a specific NF (e.g., AMF).

[0117] The timing for registering / updating the information about the supported sensing methods may be before step S201 (step S200), before step S202, or at any other timing.

[0118] It is preferable that the SF controls the transmission of the above query so as to update information about the sensing methods it supports (including information about sensing capabilities) immediately before step S202. This is expected to enable the SF to select a participant that can perform appropriate sensing even if the BS / UE varies the sensing means that it can use depending on the environment.

[0119] In step S201, the first sensing request sent by the sensing requester (AF or UE) may include information about a sensing method for which the sensing results are desired, in addition to any one or a combination of UE information, area information, time information, etc. The information about the sensing method for which the sensing results are desired may be called sensing method specification information, desired sensing method information, or simply specification information. The sensing specification information may indicate multiple sensing methods.

[0120] The sensing requester may obtain information about sensing methods supported by each BS / UE from the SF in advance. In this case, the sensing requester can, for example, include sensing specification information including only sensing methods supported by BSs / UEs in a certain area in a first sensing request including area information indicating the area, thereby ensuring that sensing is performed using the specified method.

[0121] The sensing designation information may include information / auxiliary information about the sensing method, similar to that described above in the information about supported sensing methods. For example, the sensing designation information may be information indicating a specific sensing method (millimeter wave, LiDAR, etc.), or may be auxiliary information about the sensing method (for example, information indicating a desire (request) for ice detection).

[0122] If the first sensing request includes auxiliary information about the sensing method, the SF may determine the actual sensing method (to be performed by the participant) based on the auxiliary information.

[0123] In step S202, the SF may determine participants from among the BSs / UEs that support the sensing method indicated by the sensing specification information in step S201 based on the sensing methods supported by each BS / UE that have been registered / updated in advance, and determine participants from among the candidate participants.

[0124] When it is determined that control for CS is to be performed based on the first sensing request in step S201 and the sensing specification information indicates multiple sensing methods, the SF may determine multiple participants by associating them with different sensing methods. Note that the SF may also determine multiple sensing methods by associating one participant with multiple sensing methods. In other words, the SF may determine which participant will be assigned which sensing method.

[0125] In step S203, the second sensing request transmitted by the SF may include sensing specification information. The SF may transmit the second sensing request including specification information that specifies a corresponding sensing method for each participant.

[0126] In step S203, the second sensing request may be transmitted to the participant by another NF (e.g., NWDAF) instead of the SF. For example, the source of the second sensing request (one of the SF and the other NF) may be different from or the same as the destination of the information about the supported sensing method in step S200 (the other of the SF and the other NF).

[0127] In step S204, each participant who received the second sensing request in step S203 may perform sensing based on the second sensing request to collect sensing data. For example, the participant may perform sensing using the sensing method indicated by the sensing specification information in the second sensing request.

[0128] The sensing data may include 3GPP sensing data obtained by 3GPP sensing, non-3GPP sensing data obtained by non-3GPP sensing, and the like.

[0129] In step S204, if a participant is already performing sensing [based on a previously received second sensing request] (in other words, sensing based on an old sensing request), the participant may perform sensing based on the [newly received] second sensing request in addition to the previous sensing, or may stop sensing based on the old sensing request and perform sensing based on the [newly received] second sensing request. For example, when a participant performing 3GPP sensing receives a second sensing request including sensing designation information that designates non-3GPP sensing, the participant may control the participant to perform only the non-3GPP sensing, or may control the participant to perform both the 3GPP sensing and the non-3GPP sensing.

[0130] The second procedure may be used to switch the sensing method of a participant when it is assumed (predicted) that the sensing accuracy (performance) of the participant will deteriorate or has deteriorated due to bad weather (rain, etc.), radio wave interference, etc. Sensing methods whose sensing accuracy deteriorates in bad weather include cameras (image sensing) and LiDAR. Sensing methods whose sensing accuracy deteriorates in the event of radio wave interference include sensing that uses electromagnetic waves (e.g., 3GPP sensing and Wi-Fi sensing). Even in bad weather, the sensing accuracy of cameras (image sensing), LiDAR, etc. is unlikely to deteriorate if the sensing method is indoors, where it is not directly affected by rain and wind.

[0131] Here, information about the environment (e.g., weather, location, radio wave environment) related to a certain device (or around a certain device) may be referred to as environmental information. Weather information may include, for example, current, past, and future weather information / meteorological elements (temperature, air pressure, humidity, wind direction, precipitation, etc.) in the area where the device is located or nearby. Location information may include latitude, longitude, altitude, speed, direction of travel, etc. of the device. Radio wave environment information may include channel state, channel quality, received power, etc. related to a certain device.

[0132] In step S201, when environmental information of a certain participant / candidate participant is (predicted to) change or has changed, the sensing requester may determine an appropriate sensing method for at least one of the certain participant / candidate participant and another participant / candidate participant based on the environmental information, and transmit a first sensing request including sensing designation information that specifies the appropriate sensing method. For example, when the radio wave environment of a participant performing 3GPP sensing deteriorates, the requester may transmit a first sensing request including sensing designation information that specifies camera sensing so that the requester can request the participant to use a camera as the sensing method.

[0133] In step S203, when environmental information of a certain participant / candidate participant changes or is predicted to change, the SF may determine an appropriate sensing method for at least one of the certain participant / candidate participant and another participant / candidate participant based on the environmental information, and may send a second sensing request including sensing specification information that specifies the appropriate sensing method.

[0134] The sensing requester / SF may determine the appropriate sensing method and / or transmit the first / second sensing request including sensing specification information specifying the appropriate sensing method when it is determined that the sensing accuracy of a specific sensing method of a certain participant / candidate participant is deteriorating or improving (e.g., is below / above a certain threshold, or fluctuates by more than a certain threshold). The certain threshold may be specified in advance in a standard, or may be set for the sensing requester / SF / participant / candidate participant.

[0135] The sensing requester / SF may obtain its own environmental information by its own sensing, or may obtain it using the Internet (for example, a website that provides weather information), etc. The sensing requester / SF may obtain the environmental information of a participant / candidate participant based on signals / information transmitted from the participant / candidate participant, or may obtain it using the Internet (for example, a website that provides weather information), etc.

[0136] The sensing requester / SF may determine on its own that the environmental information of a certain participant / candidate participant is changing (is predicted to change) or has changed based on the above-mentioned information it has acquired (its own environmental information, the environmental information of the participant / candidate participant, etc.), signals / information sent from the participant / candidate participant, information obtainable from the Internet, etc., or it may determine this based on information sent by the SF / sensing requester indicating that the environmental information of a certain participant / candidate participant is changing (is predicted to change) or has changed.

[0137] In addition, the sensing requester / SF may determine for itself whether the sensing accuracy of a particular sensing method for a certain participant / candidate participant will deteriorate or improve based on the above-mentioned information it has acquired (its own environmental information, the participant / candidate participant's environmental information, etc.), signals / information sent from the participant / candidate participant, information obtainable from the Internet, etc., or it may determine this based on information sent from the SF / sensing requester indicating that the sensing accuracy of a particular sensing method for a certain participant / candidate participant will deteriorate or improve.

[0138] If the first sensing request sent by the sensing requester in step S201 does not include sensing specification information, the SF may autonomously determine sensing specification information for each participant and include it in the second sensing request for each participant and send it in step S203. The autonomous determination of the sensing specification information for the participants may be performed based on environmental information regarding the participants / candidate participants.

[0139] According to the second sensing procedure described above, it is possible to achieve more accurate sensing by, for example, combining the results of multiple sensing methods (e.g., 3GPP sensing and non-3GPP sensing). The second procedure is expected to improve upon the drawbacks of using a single sensing method, such as limited accuracy and degradation of sensing performance in bad weather (rain, fog, snow, etc.).

[0140] <<Sensing instruction procedure>> <<<Elements / information for sensing instruction procedures>>> In the present disclosure, the first communication device, CN, NF [in the CN], and SF [in the CN] are interchangeable. In the present disclosure, the second communication device, sensing device, communication device, sensing receiver, sensing transmitter, UE, and BS are interchangeable. In the present disclosure, the third communication device, AF, and server are interchangeable. The sensing device may be a communication device that performs sensing based on instructions from the CN, or may be a UE / BS.

[0141] The following is an example of a sensing instruction procedure in the case where one UE performs sensing. By replacing the UE in the sensing instruction procedure with a BS, the sensing instruction procedure may be applied to the case where one BS performs sensing. By replacing the one UE in the sensing instruction procedure with multiple sensing devices, the sensing instruction procedure may be applied to the case where multiple sensing devices perform sensing (CS). By replacing the AF in the sensing instruction procedure with a UE, the sensing instruction procedure may be applied to the case where one UE requests / requests sensing [such as the above-mentioned "first sensing procedure" or "second sensing procedure"].

[0142] The AF may receive / obtain / store status information indicating the status of one or more UEs by communicating with the UE / CN / external server.

[0143] The UE status information may include at least one of the following: UE information, environmental information, and time information for the UE (as described above); capability information for the UE; location information for the UE; and operational information (operation status) of the UE, the mobile body (e.g., a vehicle) carrying / transporting the UE, or sensors carried / transported by the mobile body. The UE capability information may be information about sensing capabilities supported by the UE. The sensing capabilities may indicate at least one of the sensing method and sensing quality (as described above). The UE capability information may be information about sensing capabilities including the supported sensing method (as described above). The UE capability information may indicate, for example, that the UE has high sensing quality. The UE's high sensing quality may be indicated, for example, by the mobile body including the UE being equipped with a LiDAR, or the type, model number, firmware version, etc. of sensors carried by the mobile body. The UE location information may include latitude and longitude, altitude, traveling speed, direction of travel, and rotation speed, and may also include area information (as described above). The environmental information may include weather information (weather information) [described above], information about whether the weather is suitable for sensing, or information about whether the area is suitable for sensing. An area suitable for sensing may be, for example, a space compatible with terahertz sensing [described below], or a space / parking lot / highway where a metasurface [described below] is installed. The UE operation information (operation status) may indicate, for example, whether the UE is powered on, whether the UE is powered off, whether the UE is expected to be powered off soon, or whether the UE is powered on and not expected to be powered off for a certain period of time. The AF may manage the operation of a fleet of autonomous taxis and may recognize UEs that are about to terminate. The mobile object operation information may include information about the status of specific functions of the mobile object (e.g., accelerator / brake / steering / sensor / wiper / headlight / lower light / turn signal).

[0144] The UE may communicate with the AF to send its status information to the AF / CN. The CN may obtain / store the status information of each UE through communication with the UE / AF / external server.

[0145] In the present disclosure, the terms sensing procedure, sensing method, and sensing quality are interchangeable. The sensing method may indicate at least one of the type of sensing, the frequency band of radio waves used for sensing, and the wireless communication system used for sensing. As described above, the sensing method may include at least one of a plurality of sensing methods, including 3GPP sensing and non-3GPP sensing. The sensing method may be, for example, sensing using terahertz waves (terahertz sensing), sensing using millimeter waves (millimeter wave sensing), or a camera. The sensing quality may indicate the quality, accuracy, resolution, distance, and coverage of sensing. For example, the sensing quality may be classified into high, medium, and low (low, medium, and high) sensing resolution, or low, medium, and high sensing accuracy.

[0146] The AF may send sensing control information (control information, message, request) indicating the sensing method to the CN based on one or more pieces of state information. The CN may receive the sensing control information. The AF can specify / select the sensing method based on the UE's state information, allowing the UE to perform optimal sensing. When the AF requests the CN to provide sensing results for a specific target, leaving the CN to decide the sensing method entirely may result in an unsatisfactory sensing result. The UE information (state information) managed by the CN may be insufficient to determine the sensing method. By having the AF manage sufficient UE state information, highly accurate sensing results can be obtained.

[0147] One or more sensing techniques may be associated with one or more UEs. One or more sensing techniques may be associated with one or more trigger conditions. When a trigger condition is met, the corresponding sensing technique may be triggered. One or more trigger conditions may be associated with one or more UEs. The association between one or more UEs and one or more sensing techniques may be acquired / stored / managed by the AF. The association between one or more trigger conditions and one or more sensing techniques may be defined in a specification or may be acquired / stored / managed by the AF. The association between one or more trigger conditions and one or more UEs may be acquired / stored / managed by the AF. The association between one or more trigger conditions and one or more UEs and one or more sensing techniques may be acquired / stored / managed by the AF.

[0148] The sensing control information may indicate a sensing request, a specific sensing method, a UE corresponding to a trigger condition / sensing method, a specific sensing method (one or more candidates) for a case where the trigger condition is met, or a combination of two or more of a sensing method, a trigger condition, and a UE. The sensing request may indicate a specific object or a specific area, or may be a request for sensing of a specific object or a specific area. The AF may select / determine a sensing method corresponding to the trigger condition / UE. The AF may select a UE corresponding to the trigger condition / sensing method. The AF may select a trigger condition corresponding to the UE / sensing method. The UEs associated with the sensing method or indicated by the sensing control information may be one or more candidate UEs (specific UEs) or one or more excluded UEs. A candidate UE (specific UE) may be a UE suitable for executing the sensing method (supporting the sensing method), a UE that satisfies the trigger condition, or a UE other than the excluded UEs. An excluded UE may be a UE that is not suitable for performing a sensing procedure (does not support the sensing procedure), a UE that does not satisfy the trigger condition, or a UE other than a candidate UE. For example, the AF may select a UE that is expected to be powered off soon as an excluded UE. For example, the AF may select a UE that is powered on and not expected to be powered off for a certain period of time as a candidate UE. For example, the AF may select a UE located in an area suitable for sensing as a candidate UE. For example, the AF may select a UE that is in weather suitable for sensing (located in an area with weather suitable for sensing) as a candidate UE.

[0149] The CN may transmit sensing instruction information (instruction information, message) for instructing the execution of [sensing using] a specific sensing procedure indicated by the sensing control information. In the case where a trigger condition is satisfied, the CN may transmit sensing instruction information (instruction information, message) to a specific UE corresponding to the trigger condition for instructing the execution of [sensing using] a specific sensing procedure corresponding to the trigger condition. The UE may receive the sensing instruction information. The UE may perform sensing using the sensing procedure indicated in the sensing instruction information.

[0150] <<<Trigger conditions>>> If the trigger condition is satisfied, sensing instruction information may be transmitted to a specific UE. If multiple UEs exist within the sensing target area, the CN may instruct sensing only to the UEs that satisfy the trigger condition, or may instruct sensing preferentially to the UEs that satisfy the trigger condition.

[0151] The association between one or more trigger conditions and one or more sensing techniques may be defined in a specification, registered in a storage / database, or determined by the AF based on the UE's state information.

[0152] The UE may perform sensing using a sensing method instructed by the CN.

[0153] The trigger condition may be, for example, one of the following conditions, or may be the result of a logical operation (for example, an AND / OR operation) of two or more of the following conditions:

[0154] <<<<Condition 1>>>> The UE's location information indicates that the UE is within a specific range. The specific range may be, for example, a driving speed / rotation speed of 0 (stopped), a driving speed / rotation speed equal to or less than a threshold, a traveling direction within a specific azimuth angle range, or a traveling direction of uphill or downhill on a road. The trigger condition of a driving speed / rotation speed of 0 (stopped) or a driving speed / rotation speed equal to or less than a threshold can achieve higher sensing accuracy compared to the sensing accuracy when the UE is moving at high speed. Furthermore, this trigger condition can improve communication quality in instructing sensing and reporting sensing results. For example, in a use case of high-accuracy sensing, if UE1, which is moving slowly or stopped, and UE2, which is moving at high speed, exist within the target area, the AF / CN may instruct UE1 to perform sensing with priority. <<<<<Condition 1a>>>>> The UE is stopped, and the engine / power source for the vehicle's movement is stopped. This trigger condition makes it possible to detect, for example, a suspicious object approaching a parked vehicle, thereby achieving crime prevention effects.

[0155] <<<<Condition 2>>>> The current time is within a specific time period (within a specific range). The specific time period may be, for example, nighttime (from sunset to dawn), rush hour, or a time period when heavy traffic is predicted. For example, a specific trigger condition for a specific sensing method other than a sensing method that uses visible light (e.g., a camera) may be that the current time is nighttime. Such a combination of trigger conditions and sensing methods makes it possible to avoid using cameras or the like, which have reduced accuracy at night, and use other sensing methods.

[0156] <<<<Condition 3>>>> The weather information indicates a specific weather. The specific weather may be, for example, no rain, rain, no fog, fog, or weather suitable for sensing. For example, a sensing procedure including a sensing method using terahertz sensing may be associated with a trigger condition that the weather information indicates no rain. Such a combination of trigger condition and sensing procedure can prevent a decrease in the accuracy of terahertz sensing due to rain.

[0157] <<<<Condition 4>>>> The UE is located within a specific area. The specific area may be, for example, a specific space / parking lot / highway, an area suitable for sensing, a space compatible with terahertz sensing, a space transmitting a specific signal, or within a specific distance from a stop sign / crosswalk / intersection. The space compatible with terahertz sensing may be a space / parking lot / highway in which a metasurface is installed. The metasurface may be a wall / floor / ceiling for increasing the reflectivity of terahertz waves. For example, a sensing procedure including a sensing method using terahertz sensing may be associated with a trigger condition that the UE is located within a space (parking lot / highway) in which a metasurface for reflecting terahertz waves is installed. This combination of trigger condition and sensing procedure can reduce attenuation / absorption of terahertz waves and expand sensing coverage.

[0158] <<<<Condition 5>>>> The UE, a moving body (e.g., a vehicle) including the UE, or a specific function / sensor of the moving body (described above) is in a specific status. The specific status of the UE may be that the UE is powered on, that the UE is powered on and is not expected to be powered off for a certain period of time, or that the UE is expected to be powered off soon. The specific status of a specific function (e.g., windshield wipers / headlights / lower lights) may be that the operation of the specific function has started / is in progress / is in a specific state. This trigger condition allows sensing results to be obtained according to the operation of the vehicle. Furthermore, this trigger condition, or a combination of this trigger condition with other conditions, can improve the accuracy of the trigger. For example, a trigger condition that the headlights / lower lights are operating may improve the accuracy of the trigger compared to a trigger condition that the current time is nighttime (Condition 2). For example, a trigger condition that the windshield wipers are operating may improve the accuracy of the trigger compared to a trigger condition that the weather information is rainy (Condition 3).

[0159] <<<<Condition 6>>>> The UE is able to communicate with a specific communication device (being within the service area of ​​a specific BS, being present in a specific cell). This trigger condition, or a combination of this trigger condition with other conditions, can improve the accuracy of the trigger. For example, the trigger condition that the UE is present in a specific cell may improve the accuracy of the trigger more than the trigger condition [Condition 4] that the UE is present in a specific area.

[0160] <<<<Condition 7>>>> The UE supports the sensing technique (UE capability information indicates support for the sensing technique, the UE capability information indicates support for the sensing method, and the UE capability information supports sensing that satisfies the sensing quality). According to such a combination of trigger conditions and sensing techniques, an appropriate UE can be instructed to use an appropriate sensing technique. For example, in a use case of high-accuracy sensing, if there is UE1 that supports high sensing quality and UE2 that supports low sensing quality, the AF / CN may instruct UE1 to perform sensing [priority].

[0161] <<<Example of sensing instruction procedure>>> The sensing procedure may be determined / instructed by any one of the following multiple sensing instruction procedures X.

[0162] <<<<Sensing Instruction Step 1>>>> In step S310, the AF may receive / acquire / store status information of the UE through communication with the UE.

[0163] In step S320, the AF may transmit sensing control information based on the association of one or more trigger conditions with one or more sensing methods to the CN, or may transmit sensing control information based on the association of one or more trigger conditions with one or more sensing methods and one or more UEs to the CN. The sensing control information may include sensing method information indicating the sensing method (e.g., one or more sensing method settings / IDs) and trigger condition information indicating the trigger conditions corresponding to the sensing method (e.g., one or more trigger condition settings / IDs), and may further include one or more UE information (e.g., one or more UE information settings / IDs) corresponding to the one or more trigger conditions / sensing methods. The one or more UE information may indicate one or more candidate UEs or one or more excluded UEs. The CN may receive the sensing control information.

[0164] In step S330, if a trigger condition indicated by the sensing control information is satisfied, the CN may determine a specific sensing procedure corresponding to the trigger condition based on the sensing control information. In the case where a specific trigger condition among one or more trigger conditions indicated by the sensing control information is satisfied, the specific sensing procedure may be a sensing procedure corresponding to the specific trigger condition among the one or more sensing procedures indicated by the sensing control information. The CN may determine a specific UE for executing the specific sensing procedure based on the sensing control information. In a case where a specific trigger condition among one or more trigger conditions indicated by the sensing control information is met, the specific UE may be one or more candidate UEs indicated by the sensing control information, or one or more UEs among one or more candidate UEs indicated by the sensing control information, or one or more UEs among one or more candidate UEs indicated by the sensing control information that are optimal for sensing procedures, or one or more UEs among one or more candidate UEs indicated by the sensing control information that correspond to the specific trigger condition, or one or more UEs among one or more UEs (candidate UEs) excluding one or more excluded UEs indicated by the sensing control information, or one or more UEs among one or more UEs (candidate UEs) excluding one or more excluded UEs indicated by the sensing control information that correspond to the specific trigger condition.

[0165] In step S340, the CN may transmit sensing instruction information for instructing the execution of a specific sensing procedure to a specific UE. The specific UE may be a UE that satisfies at least one of the trigger condition and being able to execute (support) the specific sensing procedure. The sensing instruction information may include sensing procedure information indicating the sensing procedure (e.g., one or more sensing procedure settings / IDs). The specific UE may receive the sensing instruction information.

[0166] In step S350, the specific UE may perform sensing using the specific sensing method indicated by the sensing instruction information, and then send a report of the sensing result to the CN / AF.

[0167] According to this sensing instruction procedure 1, for example, the CN can instruct an appropriate sensing procedure to an appropriate UE. Also, for example, the CN can determine the trigger condition, thereby reducing the load on the AF.

[0168] <<<<Sensing instruction procedure 2>>>> In step S410, the AF may receive / acquire / store status information of the UE through communication with the UE.

[0169] In step S420, if a specific trigger condition among the one or more trigger conditions is satisfied, the AF may determine a specific sensing method corresponding to the specific trigger condition and a specific UE corresponding to the specific trigger condition based on associations between the one or more trigger conditions, the one or more sensing methods, and one or more UEs. The specific UE may be a UE that satisfies at least one of satisfying the specific trigger condition and being able to perform (support) the specific sensing method.

[0170] In step S430, the AF may transmit sensing control information to the CN. The sensing control information may include sensing method information indicating a specific sensing method (e.g., one or more sensing method settings / IDs) and one or more UE information items corresponding to one or more trigger conditions / sensing methods (e.g., one or more UE information settings / IDs). The one or more UE information items may indicate one or more specific UEs that execute the corresponding one or more sensing methods, or one or more excluded UEs that do not execute the corresponding one or more sensing methods. The specific UEs may be UEs that are suitable for executing the sensing method (supporting the sensing method), UEs that are optimal for the sensing method, UEs that satisfy the trigger conditions, or UEs other than the excluded UEs. The excluded UEs may be UEs that are not suitable for executing the sensing method (not supporting the sensing method), UEs that do not satisfy the trigger conditions, or UEs other than the specific UEs. The CN may receive the sensing control information.

[0171] In step S440, the CN may send sensing instruction information to the specific UE for instructing the execution of a specific sensing procedure. The sensing instruction information may include sensing procedure information indicating the sensing procedure (e.g., one or more sensing procedure settings / IDs). The specific UE may receive the sensing instruction information.

[0172] In step S450, the UE may perform sensing using the sensing method indicated by the sensing instruction information, and then send a report of the sensing result to the CN / AF.

[0173] According to this sensing instruction procedure 2, for example, the AF can instruct an appropriate sensing procedure to an appropriate UE. Also, for example, the AF can determine the trigger condition, thereby reducing the load on the CN.

[0174] <Additional Notes> The following inventions are added regarding one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Appendix 1] a receiving unit that receives control information indicating a sensing procedure including at least one of a sensing method and a sensing quality; a transmitting unit configured to transmit instruction information for instructing the second communication device to execute the sensing procedure, to the first communication device; [Appendix 2] the sensing method and the second communication device correspond to a trigger condition; 2. The first communication device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the instruction information to the second communication device when the trigger condition is satisfied. [Appendix 3] the control information indicates one or more trigger conditions and one or more sensing procedures corresponding to the one or more trigger conditions; The first communication device described in Appendix 2, further comprising a control unit that, in a case where a trigger condition among the one or more trigger conditions is satisfied, determines the sensing procedure among the one or more sensing procedures that corresponds to the trigger condition. [Appendix 4] the control information indicates one or more trigger conditions, one or more sensing procedures corresponding to the one or more trigger conditions, and identification information indicating one or more communication devices corresponding to the one or more trigger conditions; The first communication device according to Supplementary Note 2 or Supplementary Note 3, further comprising a control unit that, in a case where a trigger condition among the one or more trigger conditions is satisfied, determines the sensing method among the one or more sensing methods that corresponds to the trigger condition, and determines the second communication device among the one or more communication devices that corresponds to the trigger condition. [Appendix 5] 5. The first communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control information indicates the sensing method and the second communication device. [Appendix 6] The first communication device described in any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 5, wherein the sensing method indicates at least one of a type of sensing, a radio wave frequency band for sensing, and a wireless communication system for sensing. [Appendix 7] 7. The first communication device of claim 2, wherein the trigger condition includes at least one of the following conditions: stoppage of the second communication device; time of day; weather; area; operation of a mobile body carrying the second communication device; and capabilities of the second communication device. [Appendix 8] receiving control information indicating a sensing procedure including at least one of a sensing method and a sensing quality; and transmitting instruction information for instructing the second communication device to perform the sensing procedure. [Appendix 9] a transmitter that transmits status information indicating a status of the second communication device; a receiving unit for receiving instruction information for instructing execution of a sensing procedure based on the status information, the instruction information including at least one of a sensing method and a sensing quality; a control unit that executes sensing using the sensing method, [Appendix 10] When a trigger condition based on the state information is satisfied, the receiving unit receives the instruction information; 10. The second communication device according to claim 9, wherein the sensing method corresponds to the trigger condition. [Appendix 11] transmitting status information indicative of a status of the second communication device; receiving instruction information for instructing execution of a sensing procedure based on the status information, the instruction information including at least one of a sensing method and a sensing quality; and performing sensing using the sensing technique. [Appendix 12] a receiving unit that receives status information indicating a status of the second communication device; a transmitting unit configured to transmit, to the first communication device, control information indicating a sensing procedure based on the state information, the control information including at least one of a sensing method and a sensing quality. [Appendix 13] the sensing procedure corresponds to a trigger condition; 13. The third communication device according to claim 12, wherein the transmitter transmits the control information to the first communication device when the trigger condition is met. [Appendix 14] the control information indicates one or more trigger conditions and one or more sensing procedures corresponding to the one or more trigger conditions; The third communication device described in Appendix 13, wherein, when a trigger condition among the one or more trigger conditions is satisfied, a sensing procedure among the one or more sensing procedures corresponding to the trigger condition is executed. [Appendix 15] the control information indicates one or more trigger conditions, one or more sensing procedures corresponding to the one or more trigger conditions, and identification information indicating one or more communication devices corresponding to the one or more trigger conditions; The third communication device described in Appendix 13 or Appendix 14, wherein, in a case where a trigger condition among the one or more trigger conditions is satisfied, the sensing procedure among the one or more sensing procedures corresponding to the trigger condition is executed by the second communication device among the one or more communication devices corresponding to the trigger condition. [Appendix 16] The one or more trigger conditions correspond to one or more sensing techniques; In a case where the trigger condition among the one or more trigger conditions is satisfied, determining the sensing procedure corresponding to the trigger condition among the one or more sensing procedures and the second communication device corresponding to the trigger condition among the one or more communication devices; 16. The third communication device according to any one of Supplementary Note 13 to Supplementary Note 15, wherein the control information indicates the sensing method and the second communication device. [Appendix 17] receiving status information indicative of a status of the second communication device; a step of transmitting, to the first communication device, control information that includes at least one of a sensing method and a sensing quality and indicates a sensing procedure based on the state information. [Appendix 18] A communication system having a first communication device, one or more second communication devices, and a third communication device, the third communication device, a receiving unit that receives status information indicating a status of the second communication device; a transmitter configured to transmit control information indicating a sensing procedure based on the state information, the control information including at least one of a sensing method and a sensing quality, to the first communication device; the first communication device, a receiving unit that receives the control information; a transmitting unit that transmits instruction information for instructing the second communication device to execute the sensing procedure, the second communication device, a transmitter for transmitting the status information; a receiving unit that receives the instruction information; a control unit that executes sensing using the sensing method.

[0175] <Modification> In addition, terms explained in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings.

[0176] In the present disclosure, the terms apparatus, circuit, device, section, unit, etc. may be read interchangeably.

[0177] The information, parameters, etc. described in the present disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or other corresponding information. For example, a radio resource may be indicated by a predetermined index.

[0178] The names used for parameters and the like in this disclosure are not limiting in any way, and furthermore, the formulas and the like using these parameters may differ from those explicitly disclosed in this disclosure.

[0179] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0180] Input and output information, signals, etc. may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input and output information, signals, etc. may be overwritten, updated, or added. Output information, signals, etc. may be deleted. Input information, signals, etc. may be transmitted to another device.

[0181] Any information (e.g., variables, constants, parameters) described in the present disclosure may be notified from any first device (e.g., UE / BS) to any second device (e.g., BS / UE) even if not specifically stated in the above embodiments. Note that notification of any information may be interchangeably read as notification of information indicating / specifying (or relating to) the value of the any information.

[0182] In this disclosure, terms such as "notify," "request," "activate," "deactivate," "indicate," "select," "configure," "update," "determine," etc. may be read interchangeably.

[0183] In this disclosure, terms such as "support," "control / operate / utilize," "control / operate / available," etc. may be read interchangeably.

[0184] In the present disclosure, the notification of information is not limited to the aspects / embodiments described in the present disclosure and may be performed using other methods. For example, the notification of information in the present disclosure may be performed by radio access-related signaling, RAN-related signaling, core network-related signaling, other signals, or a combination thereof. Note that in the present disclosure, signaling, message, parameter, field, information element (IE), setting, etc. may be interchangeable.

[0185] The radio access-related signaling may be signaling related to radio access (radio interface) between the UE and the RAN, and may correspond to Access Stratum (AS) signaling. The radio access-related signaling may include physical layer signaling, higher layer signaling, etc.

[0186] The physical layer signaling may include, for example, Downlink Control Information (DCI), Uplink Control Information (UCI), etc. The higher layer signaling may include, for example, Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) signaling, etc.

[0187] RRC signaling may include broadcast information (e.g., Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block (SIB)). MAC signaling may include MAC Control Elements (MAC CE), MAC Protocol Data Units (MAC PDUs), etc.

[0188] The RAN-related signaling may include signaling for control between RANs, for example, Xn Application Protocol (XnAP) signaling.

[0189] The core network-related signaling may include signaling for control between UE and CN, such as Non-Access Stratum (NAS) signaling, and signaling for control between CNs, such as Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) messages.

[0190] Furthermore, notification of specified information (e.g., notification that "it is X") is not limited to explicit notification, but may be made implicitly (e.g., by not notifying the specified information or by notifying other information).

[0191] Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0192] Software, instructions, information, etc. may also be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0193] In the present disclosure, terms such as "Base Station (BS)," "Radio Base Station," "Relay Station," "Fixed Station," "NodeB," "eNB (eNodeB)," "gNB (gNodeB)," "Access Point," "Transmission Point (TP)," "Reception Point (RP)," "Transmission / Reception Point (TRP)," "Panel," "Cell," "Sector," "Cell Group," "Carrier," "Component Carrier," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0194] In this disclosure, the terms "Mobile Station (MS)," "user terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," "terminal," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0195] Any device in the present disclosure may be referred to as a server, device, transmitting device, receiving device, wireless communication device, information processing device, etc., and these terms may be interchangeable. Any device in the present disclosure may be a device mounted on a moving object, which is a movable body, a device contained within the moving object (held by a person riding the moving object), or the moving object itself. Examples of such moving objects include, but are not limited to, vehicles, transport vehicles, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, connected cars, excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, dump trucks, forklifts, trains, buses, handcarts, rickshaws, ships and other watercraft, airplanes, rockets, artificial satellites, drones, multicopters, quadcopters, balloons, and objects mounted thereon. The moving object may also be autonomous / automatically driven. Note that the term "moving object" in the present disclosure may be interchangeable with a non-moving object (e.g., an object that does not move but can be ridden by a person).

[0196] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the implementation. Furthermore, the processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be rearranged, or some procedures / steps may be omitted, unless inconsistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps in an exemplary order, and are not limited to the specific order presented.

[0197] As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0198] As used in this disclosure, any reference to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc. does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must in some way precede the second element.

[0199] As used in this disclosure, the terms "connected," "coupled," or any variation thereof, refer to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. The coupling or connection between elements may be via wired and / or wireless connections.

[0200] In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "coupled" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

[0201] When used in this disclosure, the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, when used in this disclosure, the term "or" is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0202] In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0203] In the present disclosure, terms such as "decide," "judge," "assess," "select," "identify," "calculate," "calculate," "process," "derive," "search," "confirm," "assume," and "expect" may be read interchangeably.

[0204] In the present disclosure, terms such as "less than or equal to," "less than," "greater than," "more than," "equal to," etc. may be interchangeable. Furthermore, in the present disclosure, terms meaning "good," "bad," "big," "small," "high," "low," "fast," "slow," "wide," "narrow," etc. may be interchangeable, not limited to the positive, comparative, and superlative. Furthermore, in the present disclosure, terms meaning "good," "bad," "big," "small," "high," "low," "fast," "slow," "wide," "narrow," etc. may be interchangeable, not limited to the positive, comparative, and superlative, as expressions with the prefix "i-th" (i is any integer) (for example, "highest" may be interchangeable as "i-th highest").

[0205] In this disclosure, the terms "of," "for," "regarding," "related to," "associated with," etc. may be read interchangeably.

[0206] Although the invention according to the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the invention according to the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described in the present disclosure. The description of the present disclosure is for illustrative purposes only and does not impose any limiting meaning on the invention according to the present disclosure.

Claims

1. a receiving unit that receives control information indicating a sensing procedure including at least one of a sensing method and a sensing quality; a transmitting unit configured to transmit instruction information for instructing the second communication device to execute the sensing procedure, to the first communication device;

2. the sensing method and the second communication device correspond to a trigger condition; The first communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the transmission unit transmits the instruction information to the second communication device when the trigger condition is met.

3. the control information indicates one or more trigger conditions and one or more sensing procedures corresponding to the one or more trigger conditions; 3. The first communication device according to claim 2, further comprising a control unit that, in a case where a trigger condition among the one or more trigger conditions is satisfied, determines the sensing method among the one or more sensing methods that corresponds to the trigger condition.

4. the control information indicates one or more trigger conditions, one or more sensing procedures corresponding to the one or more trigger conditions, and identification information indicating one or more communication devices corresponding to the one or more trigger conditions; 3. The first communication device according to claim 2, further comprising a control unit that, in a case where a trigger condition among the one or more trigger conditions is satisfied, determines the sensing method among the one or more sensing methods that corresponds to the trigger condition, and determines the second communication device among the one or more communication devices that corresponds to the trigger condition.

5. The first communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the control information indicates the sensing method and the second communication device.

6. The first communication device according to claim 2 , wherein the sensing method indicates at least one of a type of sensing, a frequency band of radio waves for sensing, and a wireless communication system for sensing.

7. The first communication device of claim 2, wherein the trigger conditions include at least one of the following conditions: stoppage of the second communication device, time of day, weather, area, operation of a mobile body carrying the second communication device, and capabilities of the second communication device.

8. receiving control information indicating a sensing procedure including at least one of a sensing method and a sensing quality; and transmitting instruction information for instructing execution of the sensing procedure to a second communication device.

9. a transmitter that transmits status information indicating a status of the second communication device; a receiving unit for receiving instruction information for instructing execution of a sensing procedure based on the status information, the instruction information including at least one of a sensing method and a sensing quality; a control unit that executes sensing using the sensing method.

10. When a trigger condition based on the state information is satisfied, the receiving unit receives the instruction information; The second communication device according to claim 9 , wherein the sensing procedure corresponds to the trigger condition.

11. transmitting status information indicative of a status of the second communication device; receiving instruction information for instructing execution of a sensing procedure based on the status information, the instruction information including at least one of a sensing method and a sensing quality; and performing sensing using the sensing technique.

12. a receiving unit that receives status information indicating a status of the second communication device; a transmitting unit configured to transmit, to the first communication device, control information indicating a sensing procedure based on the state information, the control information including at least one of a sensing method and a sensing quality.

13. the sensing procedure corresponds to a trigger condition; The third communication device according to claim 12 , wherein the transmitter transmits the control information to the first communication device when the trigger condition is met.

14. the control information indicates one or more trigger conditions and one or more sensing procedures corresponding to the one or more trigger conditions; The third communication device according to claim 13 , wherein, in a case where a trigger condition among the one or more trigger conditions is satisfied, a sensing procedure among the one or more sensing procedures corresponding to the trigger condition is executed.

15. the control information indicates one or more trigger conditions, one or more sensing procedures corresponding to the one or more trigger conditions, and identification information indicating one or more communication devices corresponding to the one or more trigger conditions; 14. The third communication device according to claim 13, wherein, in a case where a trigger condition among the one or more trigger conditions is satisfied, the sensing procedure among the one or more sensing procedures corresponding to the trigger condition is executed by the second communication device among the one or more communication devices corresponding to the trigger condition.

16. the one or more trigger conditions correspond to one or more of the one or more sensing techniques; In a case where the trigger condition among the one or more trigger conditions is satisfied, determining the sensing procedure corresponding to the trigger condition among the one or more sensing procedures and the second communication device corresponding to the trigger condition among the one or more communication devices; The third communication device according to claim 13 , wherein the control information indicates the sensing method and the second communication device.

17. receiving status information indicative of a status of the second communication device; a step of transmitting, to the first communication device, control information that includes at least one of a sensing method and a sensing quality and indicates a sensing procedure based on the state information.

18. 1. A communication system having a first communication device, one or more second communication devices, and a third communication device, the third communication device, a receiving unit that receives status information indicating a status of the second communication device; a transmitter configured to transmit control information indicating a sensing procedure based on the state information, the control information including at least one of a sensing method and a sensing quality, to the first communication device; the first communication device, a receiving unit that receives the control information; a transmitting unit that transmits instruction information for instructing the second communication device to execute the sensing procedure, the second communication device a transmitter for transmitting the status information; a receiving unit that receives the instruction information; a control unit that executes sensing using the sensing method.

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