Wireless sensing coordination with multiple network nodes

Abstract

The management and coordination of sensing may be performed through a Session Management Function for Wireless Sensing (S-SMF) that provides policies, configuration data, or sensing assistance data related to a wireless sensing session. The S-SMF may be independent and separated from a Session Management Function (SMF) that provides communication session-related policies and configuration data. The S-SMF manages wireless sensing sessions, and the SMF manages other communication sessions. Additional functions may include a Sensing Anchor Function (AMF) configured to control the wireless sensing session and a Sensing Data Storage Function (S-UPF) configured to store wireless sensing result data from the wireless sensing session.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This document is directed generally to wireless sensing. More specifically, management and coordination of wireless sensing can be improved for systems involving multiple network nodes. [Background technology]

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

[0003] This document relates to methods, systems, and devices for wireless sensing management and coordination that may be improved for systems involving multiple network nodes. Wireless sensing management and coordination may be performed through a Wireless Sensing Session Management Function (S-SMF), which provides policy, configuration data, or sensing assistance data related to wireless sensing sessions. The S-SMF may be independent and separate from a Session Management Function (SMF) for communication purposes, which provides communication session-related policy and configuration data. The S-SMF manages wireless sensing sessions, and the SMF manages other communication sessions. Additional functions may include a Sensing Anchor Function (AMF), configured to control wireless sensing sessions, and a Sensing Data Storage Function (S-UPF), configured to store wireless sensing result data from wireless sensing sessions.

[0004] In one embodiment, a method for wireless sensing includes triggering a wireless sensing session for sensing purposes, coordinating via a signaling procedure, and managing operation of the wireless sensing session based on the coordination. The triggering, coordinating, and managing include core network sensing. sessionThe triggering is performed by a core network S-SMF (S-SMF Management Function). The triggering is triggered by the S-SMF independently or in response to receiving a command related to a "sensing service request" from another node or entity. The coordinating is performed using a core network sensing anchor function (AMF) that includes the wireless sensing context, and the coordinating is performed using a core network sensing data storage function (S-UPF) that includes the wireless sensing session result data. The method includes selecting a target core network sensing anchor function before the triggering. The method includes triggering a retrieval of the wireless sensing session result data. The retrieval is performed by the core network S-SMF independently or in response to receiving a "sensing result data read request" command from another node or entity. The wireless sensing session result data comprises sensing result data associated with a wireless sensing session performed by a base station and / or a user equipment (UE). The method includes storing the wireless sensing session result data by the core network sensing data storage function entity (S-UPF). The wireless sensing sessions comprise different wireless sensing types including at least target positioning determination, wireless channel estimation, environmental imaging or object detection based on radar-type sensing, and / or biological indicators. The wireless sensing sessions comprise functions performed by local wireless sensors in the base station and / or user equipment (UE).

[0005] In another embodiment, a wireless communications apparatus includes a processor and a memory, the processor configured to read code from the memory and perform any of the methods enumerated herein.

[0006] In another embodiment, a computer program product includes a computer readable program medium code stored thereon which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform any of the methods recited herein.

[0007] In another embodiment, a system includes a wireless sensing session management function (S-SMF) for providing policy, configuration data, or sensing assistance data related to a wireless sensing session, and a session management function (SMF) for providing communication session-related policy and configuration data, where the S-SMF is separate and separate from the SMF. The system further includes a user equipment (UE) and a base station between the UE and an access and mobility management function (AMF), the S-SMF, or the SMF. The base station generates wireless sensing signals according to the policy, configuration data, or sensing assistance data provided by the S-SMF, the wireless sensing signals relating to the UE, a target entity, or the environment. The S-SMF manages the wireless sensing session, and the SMF manages other communication sessions. The management of the wireless sensing session includes retrieving wireless sensing session result data. The retrieval is performed independently or in response to receiving a "request to read sensing result data" command from another node or entity. The sensing session result data includes data associated with wireless sensing sessions conducted by the base station and / or the UE, the wireless sensing sessions comprising different wireless sensing types including at least target positioning determination, wireless channel estimation, environmental imaging or object detection based on radar-type sensing, and / or biological indicators.

[0008] In another embodiment, the system includes a sensing anchor function (AMF) configured to control the wireless sensing session and a sensing anchor function (AMF) configured to manage the wireless sensing session. sessionThe wireless sensing session management function includes a management function (S-SMF) and a sensing data storage function (S-UPF) configured to store wireless sensing result data from the wireless sensing session. The managing further includes providing wireless sensing session related policies, providing wireless sensing session related configuration data and / or assistance data, and distributing the wireless sensing session result data to another node or entity. The wireless sensing session result data is reported by the base station, the user equipment (UE), and / or disseminated from the S-UPF. Sensing session The Management Function (S-SMF) comprises a centralized management point within the system. The Sensing Management Function comprises a Sensing Session Management Function (S-SMF) for sensing purposes, but not for communication purposes. The Sensing Result Data comprises sensing result data associated with wireless sensing sessions performed by a base station and / or user equipment (UE). The wireless sensing sessions comprise different wireless sensing types, including at least target positioning determination, wireless channel estimation, environmental imaging or object detection based on radar-type sensing, and / or biological indicators.

[0009] In one embodiment, a wireless communications device comprises a processor and a memory, the processor configured to read code from the memory and implement any of the embodiments discussed above.

[0010] In one embodiment, a computer program product comprises a computer readable program medium code stored thereon which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to implement any of the embodiments discussed above.

[0011] In some embodiments, there is a wireless communication device comprising a processor and a memory, the processor configured to read code from the memory and perform any method recited in any of the embodiments. In some embodiments, a computer program product comprises a computer readable program medium code stored thereon, the code, when executed by the processor, causing the processor to perform any method recited in any of the embodiments. These and other aspects and implementations thereof are described in more detail in the drawings, description, and claims. The present invention provides, for example, the following. (Item 1) 1. A method for wireless sensing, comprising: triggering a wireless sensing session for sensing purposes; Coordinating via a signaling procedure; managing operation of the wireless sensing session based on the coordination; and A method comprising: (Item 2) Item 2. The method of item 1, wherein the triggering, coordinating, and managing are performed by a core network sensing management function (S-SMF). (Item 3) Item 3. The method of item 2, wherein the triggering is triggered by the S-SMF independently or in response to receiving a command relating to a "sensed service request" from another node or entity. (Item 4) Item 3. The method of item 2, wherein the coordination is performed using a core network sensing anchor function (AMF) that includes wireless sensing context, and the coordination is performed using a core network sensing data storage function (S-UPF) that includes the wireless sensing session result data. (Item 5) Item 5. The method of item 4, further comprising selecting a target core network sensing anchor function before the triggering. (Item 6) Item 3. The method of item 2, further comprising triggering a readout of wireless sensing session result data. (Item 7) Item 7. The method of item 6, wherein the reading is performed by the core network S-SMF independently or in response to receiving a "sensing result data read request" command from another node or entity. (Item 8) Item 7. The method of item 6, wherein the wireless sensing session result data comprises sensing result data associated with the wireless sensing session conducted by a base station and / or a user equipment (UE). (Item 9) 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising storing the sensed session result data by a core network sensed data storage function entity (S-UPF). (Item 10) Item 10. The method of item 1, wherein the wireless sensing sessions comprise different wireless sensing types including at least target positioning, wireless channel estimation, environmental imaging or object detection based on radar-type sensing, and / or biological indicators. (Item 11) Item 11. The method of item 10, wherein the wireless sensing session comprises functions performed by local wireless sensors in a base station and / or a user equipment (UE). (Item 12) 12. A wireless communication device comprising a processor and a memory, the processor configured to read code from the memory and to perform the method according to any one of items 1-11. (Item 13) 12. A computer program product comprising computer-readable program medium code stored thereon, the code, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to perform the method of any of items 1-11. (Item 14) 1. A system comprising: a wireless sensing session management function (S-SMF) for providing policy, configuration data, or sensing assistance data related to a wireless sensing session; a Session Management Function (SMF) for providing communication session related policy and configuration data, said S-SMF being independent and separate from said SMF; A system comprising: (Item 15) a user equipment (UE); a base station between the UE and the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), the S-SMF, or the SMF; Item 15. The system of item 14, further comprising: (Item 16) Item 16. The system of item 15, wherein the base station generates wireless sensing signals according to policies, configuration data, or sensing assistance data provided by the S-SMF, and the wireless sensing signals relate to the UE, a target entity, or an environment. (Item 17) Item 16. The system described in item 15, wherein the S-SMF manages the wireless sensing session and the SMF manages other communication sessions. (Item 18) Item 18. The system of item 17, wherein managing the wireless sensing session comprises retrieving wireless sensing session result data. (Item 19) 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the reading is performed independently or in response to receiving a "request to read sensing result data" command from another node or entity. (Item 20) Item 19. The system of item 18, wherein the sensing session result data comprises data associated with the wireless sensing session conducted by the base station and / or the UE. (Item 21) Item 15. The system of item 14, wherein the wireless sensing sessions comprise different wireless sensing types including at least target positioning determination, wireless channel estimation, environmental imaging or object detection based on radar-type sensing, and / or biological indicators. (Item 22) 1. A system comprising: a sensing anchor function (AMF) configured to control a wireless sensing session; a Sensing Management Function (S-SMF) configured to manage the wireless sensing session; a sensing data storage function (S-UPF) configured to store wireless sensing result data from the wireless sensing session; A system comprising: (Item 23) The managing further comprises: providing a wireless sensing session-related policy; providing wireless sensing session related configuration data and / or assistance data; disseminating said wireless sensing session results data to another node or entity; Item 23. The system according to item 22, comprising: (Item 24) 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the wireless sensing session result data is reported by a base station, a user equipment (UE), and / or distributed from the S-UPF. (Item 25) Item 24. The system of item 23, wherein the sensing management function (S-SMF) comprises a centralized management point within the system. (Item 26) Item 23. The system of item 22, wherein the sensing management function comprises a sensing session management function (S-SMF) for sensing purposes and not for communication purposes. (Item 27) 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the sensing result data comprises sensing result data associated with the wireless sensing session conducted by a base station and / or a user equipment (UE). (Item 28) 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the wireless sensing sessions comprise different wireless sensing types including at least target positioning determination, wireless channel estimation, environmental imaging or object detection based on radar-type sensing, and / or biological indicators. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary base station.

[0013] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary random access (“RA”) messaging environment.

[0014] [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a single connectivity wireless communication system.

[0015] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a dual connectivity wireless communication system.

[0016] [Figure 5] FIG. 5 illustrates a dual-function radio access network ("RAN") node communicating with user equipment ("UE") over a dual-function link.

[0017] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a communication diagram with a dual function RAN node communicating with a communication radio link (“C-RL”) and a sensing radio link (“S-RL”).

[0018] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a wireless network system architecture.

[0019] [Figure 8]FIG. 8 illustrates an example architecture for end-to-end (E2E) wireless sensing operations.

[0020] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a network system for sensing between multiple network nodes.

[0021] [Figure 10] FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of sensing communication between multiple network nodes.

[0022] [Figure 11] FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of a network system for sensing between multiple network nodes.

[0023] [Figure 12] FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of sensing communication between multiple network nodes.

[0024] [Figure 13] FIG. 13 illustrates a wireless sensing embodiment with user equipment (UE) positioning. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Detailed Description The present disclosure will now be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and which show, by way of illustration, specific examples of embodiments. It should be noted, however, that the present disclosure may be embodied in a variety of different forms, and therefore, the subject matter covered or claimed is not intended to be construed as limited to any of the embodiments that will be described below.

[0026] Throughout the specification and claims, terms may have nuanced meanings that are suggested or implied in context other than their explicitly stated meaning. Similarly, the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in some embodiments" as used herein do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, and the phrases "in another embodiment" or "in other embodiments" as used herein do not necessarily refer to different embodiments. The phrases "in one implementation" or "in some implementations" as used herein do not necessarily refer to the same implementation, and the phrases "in another implementation" or "in other implementations" as used herein do not necessarily refer to different implementations. For example, it is intended that the claimed subject matter include, in whole or in part, combinations of example embodiments or implementations.

[0027] Generally, terminology can be understood, at least in part, from usage in context. For example, terms such as "and," "or," or "and / or," as used herein, can include a variety of meanings that may depend, at least in part, on the context in which such terms are used. Typically, when "or" is used to relate a list such as A, B, or C, it is intended to refer to A, B, and C, which are used herein in an inclusive sense, and to A, B, or C, which are used herein in an exclusive sense. Additionally, the terms "one or more" or "at least one," as used herein, may be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in a singular sense, or may be used to describe a combination of features, structures, or characteristics in a plural sense, depending, at least in part, on the context. Similarly, again, terms such as "a," "an," or "the" may be understood to convey singular use or to convey plural use, depending, at least in part, on the context. Additionally, the terms "based on" or "determined by" may be understood as not necessarily intended to convey an exclusive set of factors, but instead may allow for the existence of additional factors not necessarily explicitly described, again depending at least in part on the context.

[0028] Radio Resource Control ("RRC") is a protocol layer between a UE and a base station at the IP level (radio network layer). Various Radio Resource Control (RRC) states may exist, such as RRC_CONNECTED, RRC_INACTIVE, and RRC_IDLE. RRC messages are transported via the Packet Data Convergence Protocol ("PDCP"). A UE can transmit non-periodic (periodic and / or aperiodic) data in the RRC_INACTIVE state without transitioning to the RRC_CONECTED state. This can save UE power consumption and signaling overhead. This can be done through a random access channel ("RACH") protocol scheme or a configuration grant ("CG") scheme. The wireless communication described herein can be done through radio access. Additionally, the described embodiments include sensing communication or sensing signals, which are either physically distinct from wireless communication or logically distinct from wireless communication. 1-2 illustrate exemplary radio access network (“RAN”) nodes (e.g., base stations) and user equipment and messaging environments, which may be applicable to both wireless and sensory communications.

[0029] In some wireless communication systems (such as 4G-LTE and 5G-NR), a RAN node may transmit downlink pilot reference signals, such as SSB and SI-RS, which the UE receives, measures, and processes so that the UE understands the connection quality of the communication radio link ("RL"). This may occur between the serving RAN node and the UE to maintain mobility and service continuity. "UE-based measurement and reporting" is one example of sensing configured by the network. However, there may be many different measurement, sensing, and reporting examples between the network and the UE. The network and the UE may measure, detect, and sense objects other than pilot reference signals for communication. Sensing may enable measurement, detection, and sensing of the UE's local environment and the UE's resource utilization context. The sensing results may be provided to the UE's serving RAN node, so that the serving RAN node understands the UE's local environment and resource utilization context and can dynamically improve the connection quality of the communication RL with the UE.

[0030] An integrated wireless sensing and communications (ISAC) system may enable a serving RAN node to actively sense a human user's body or hand gestures, for example, based on radar-type sensing techniques. This sensing may be faster, e.g., with a latency of less than 10 ms, than other implementations (e.g., legacy UE-based measurement reporting). The serving RAN node can then take more proactive and faster action to improve the connection quality of the radio link (RL). An example RL and example components are described below. C-RL = Communication Radio Link: A radio link between a RAN node and a UE, or between RAN nodes, or between UEs, that serves wireless communication purposes (e.g., transferring data). S-RL = Sensing Radio Link: A virtual radio link between a RAN node and a UE, or between a RAN node and the environment, or between RAN nodes, or between UEs, or between a UE and its environment, that serves radio sensing purposes (e.g., detecting and / or sensing something). ISAC RAN node = A RAN node that can perform both wireless communication and wireless sensing services. An ISAC RAN node can refer to an eNB (4G Advanced), a gNB (5G Advanced), or an xNB (6G+) for future use. ISAC RAN node (C) = A RAN node (e.g., a legacy RAN node) that can only perform wireless communication services. ISAC RAN node(s) = A RAN node (e.g., a radar-type node) that can only perform wireless sensing services. Sensing Service = End-to-end (E2E) operation with sensing objectives. Sensing session = a sensing operation process triggered and executed by a system involving multiple network nodes (e.g., an IMT system). Master ISAC RAN node = ISAC RAN node that plays the master role in dual connectivity (DC) operation. Secondary ISAC RAN node = An ISAC RAN node that plays a secondary role in DC operation.

[0031] With the development of international mobile telecommunications (IMT) wireless communication systems (such as 4G-LTE and 5G-NR) and various advanced radar and sensing systems, integration can be challenging in terms of architecture / capability design and network / air interface resource usage. Future generations of IMT wireless systems may integrate and harmonize various wireless sensing functions with their own communication capabilities. A radio access network (RAN) node may provide both wireless communication and wireless sensing capabilities and services. End-to-end (E2E) wireless sensing operations for a sensing service or task may involve multiple network nodes (e.g., CN, RAN, and / or UE), which may cause contention to trigger and perform wireless sensing services. As described in the following embodiments, management and coordination of wireless sensing operations involving multiple network nodes may be simplified.

[0032] In various networks, there may be RAN nodes (e.g., base stations) that may support multiple network types (or multi-generation networks, including 4G, 5G, 6G, etc.). Similarly, a RAN node may support either wireless communication or wireless sensing, or may support both. To improve sensing in a network with multiple nodes, there may be an entity for controlling, managing, and / or coordinating sensing. In one embodiment, a sensing session management function (S-SMF) may be used for sensing between multiple network nodes.

[0033] 1 illustrates an exemplary (“RAN”) node or base station 102. The RAN node may also be referred to as a radio network node. The RAN node 102 may also be identified as a NodeB (NB, e.g., eNB or gNB) in the mobile telecommunications context. The exemplary RAN node may include radio Tx / Rx circuitry 113 for receiving and transmitting with a user equipment (UE) 104. The RAN node may also include network interface circuitry 116 for coupling the RAN node to a core network 110, e.g., optical or wired interconnects, Ethernet, and / or other data transmission media / protocols.

[0034] The RAN node may also include system circuitry 122. The system circuitry 122 may include a processor 124 and / or a memory 126. The memory 126 may include operations 128 and control parameters 130. The operations 128 may include instructions for execution on one or more of the processors 124 to support functioning of the RAN node. For example, the operations may handle random access transmission requests from multiple UEs. The control parameters 130 may include parameters or support the execution of the operations 128. For example, the control parameters may include network protocol settings, random access messaging formatting rules, bandwidth parameters, radio frequency mapping assignments, and / or other parameters.

[0035] 2 illustrates an exemplary random access messaging environment 200. In the random access messaging environment, a UE 104 may communicate with a RAN node 102 via a random access channel 252. In this example, the UE 104 supports one or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs), such as SIM1 202. An electrical and physical interface 206 connects SIM1 202 to the rest of the user equipment hardware, for example, through a system bus 210.

[0036] The mobile device 200 includes a communications interface 212, system logic 214, and a user interface 218. The system logic 214 may include any combination of hardware, software, firmware, or other logic. The system logic 214 may be implemented using, for example, one or more systems on a chip (SoC), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), discrete analog and digital circuits, and other circuitry. The system logic 214 is part of the implementation of any desired functionality within the UE 104. In that regard, system logic 214 may include, by way of example, logic to facilitate decoding and playing music and video, e.g., MP3, MP4, MPEG, AVI, FLAC, AC3, or WAV decoding and playback, launching applications, receiving user input, saving and retrieving application data, and, by way of example, establishing, maintaining, and terminating cellular phone calls or data connections, wireless network connections, Bluetooth connections, or other connections for Internet connectivity, and displaying related information on user interface 218. User interface 218 and input 228 may include a graphical user interface, a touch-sensitive display, tactile feedback or other tactile output, voice or facial recognition input, buttons, switches, speakers, and other user interface elements. Additional examples of input 228 include microphones, video and still image cameras, temperature sensors, vibration sensors, rotation and orientation sensors, headset and microphone input / output jacks, universal serial bus (USB) connectors, memory card slots, radiation sensors (e.g., IR sensors), and other types of inputs.

[0037] The system logic 214 may include one or more processors 216 and a memory 220. The memory 220 stores, for example, control instructions 222 that the processor 216 executes to perform desired functionality for the UE 104. Control parameters 224 provide and define configuration and operating options for the control instructions 222. The memory 220 may also store any BT, Wifi, 3G, 4G, 5G, or other data 226 that the UE 104 will transmit or receive through the communication interface 212. In various implementations, system power may be provided by a power storage device, such as a battery 282.

[0038] In the communications interface 212, radio frequency (RF) transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) circuitry 230 handles the transmission and reception of signals through one or more antennas 232. The communications interface 212 may include one or more transceivers. The transceiver may be a wireless transceiver including modulation / demodulation circuitry, digital-to-analog converters (DACs), shaping tables, analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), filters, waveform shapers, filters, preamplifiers, power amplifiers, and / or other logic for transmitting and receiving through one or more antennas or (for some devices) through a physical (e.g., wired) medium.

[0039] The transmitted and received signals may conform to any of a wide variety of formats, protocols, modulations (e.g., QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM, or 256-QAM), frequency channels, bit rates, and encodings. As one specific example, communication interface 212 may include a transceiver supporting transmission and reception under 2G, 3G, BT, Wi-Fi, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA)+, and 4G / Long Term Evolution (LTE) standards. However, the techniques described below are also applicable to other wireless communication technologies, whether from the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), GSM Association, 3GPP2, IEEE, or other partnership or standards body.

[0040] 3 illustrates a single connectivity wireless communication system. Single connectivity (SC) may include a UE that has only a master communication radio link (MC-RL) and / or a master sensing radio link (MS-RL) and has no radio link on the secondary RAN node side. Conversely, dual connectivity (DC) includes a UE that has a secondary communication radio link (SC-RL) and / or a secondary sensing radio link (SS-RL) on the secondary RAN node side.

[0041] In IMT wireless communication systems (such as 4G-LTE and 5G-NR), a radio access network (RAN) node may transmit downlink (DL) pilot reference signals such as SSB, cSI-RS, etc., as shown in Figure 3. The UE receives, measures, and processes them so that the UE can know the connection quality of the radio link (RL) over the air. The UL measurement report is fed back to the serving RAN node. This can be a communication between the serving RAN node and the UE to maintain communication service continuity. This is an example of single connectivity (SC).

[0042] "UE-based DL measurements and UL reporting" is one example of radio sensing configured by the RAN. However, there may be more types of radio sensing between a RAN node and a UE, or between RAN nodes or between UEs. The RAN and UE can measure, detect, and sense aspects and objects other than pilot reference signals locally for communication or sensing purposes. Radio sensing may be triggered by a higher layer or a third-party entity. For example, a UE can sense its local environment (e.g., user gestures, nearby objects, and radio conditions) and resource utilization context (e.g., radio / computing / interference status) through its local sensors. This sensing information can be provided to its serving RAN node as "sensing result information." Based on radio sensing, the serving RAN node can learn about the UE's environment or any target entities and resource utilization context and can make adaptive measurements to improve radio communication with the UE.

[0043] In one example, in a mmWave (e.g., above 6 GHz) communication context, due to the larger path loss and weak mmWave channel conditions in high frequency bands, the body and hand gestures of a human user may impose deleterious disadvantages on UE wireless communications, such as RL blockage and interference. Previously, the serving RAN node relied on other reactive mechanisms to enhance the quality of RL, which were often not fast or prompt enough because they relied on time-consuming activities on the UE side. By employing an integrated wireless communication and sensing system in a dual-functionality RAN node, the serving RAN node can sense and detect the body and hand gestures of a human user based on either radar-type techniques (using sensing signals) that are identified in advance much more quickly, and thus the serving RAN node can take proactive action to enhance the quality of the communication RL.

[0044] 4 shows a dual connectivity wireless communication system. Dual connectivity (DC) includes a UE with a secondary communication radio link (SC-RL) and / or a secondary sensing radio link (SS-RL). SC and DC connectivity are further described below, including with respect to FIG. 8. For example, DC operation may include any of the following combinations of XX-RL: MC-RL+MS-RL, ·MC-RL+SC-RL, ·MC-RL+SS-RL, ·MS-RL+SC-RL, MS-RL+SS-RL, or ·SC-RL+SS-RL.

[0045] In FIG. 4, the UE communicates with RAN node 1 using both a C-RL and an S-RL. There is a second RAN node that provides only an S-RL toward the environment. The core network, RAN nodes, and UE are all AC-enabled in this embodiment. In other words, they are capable of both wireless communication and wireless sensing over the air. The communication wireless link is denoted as "C-RL" and still serves communication purposes, while the sensing wireless link is denoted as "S-RL," which exists as a logical function but can also be physically implemented along with the "C-RL." An ISAC-enabled RAN node may perform some type of wireless sensing toward a target UE via the "S-RL," or may also perform wireless sensing toward the environment via the "S-RL," with or without UE involvement assistance.

[0046] In some embodiments, there may be communication with a master node and secondary nodes that are not co-located. Multiple RAN nodes of the same or different radio access technologies (“RATs”) (e.g., eNBs, gNBs, xNBs) can be deployed in a geographic area within the same or different frequency carriers, and they can cooperate with each other via dual connectivity operation to provide joint communication services for the same target UE. The system may be referred to as a multi-RAT dual connectivity (“MR-DC”) architecture with non-co-located master nodes (“MNs”) and secondary nodes (“SNs”).

[0047] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary radio access network ("RAN") node that communicates with user equipment ("UE") through multiple links for dual functionality. One of the dual functions is wireless communication and the other is wireless sensing. Wireless communication includes at least one wireless link ("C-RL") for transmitting and receiving (signaling and / or user) data over the air between the RAN node and the UE. Wireless sensing includes a sensing wireless link ("S-RL"). The S-RL is established and used for wireless sensing and detection of something along the radiation path between the RAN node and the UE. A sensing wireless link ("S-RL") is a logical wireless link that is not used for the purpose of transmitting and receiving (signaling and / or user) data over the air, but is used for the purpose of wireless sensing and detection of something along the radiation path. A dual-function RAN node includes a single RAN node that can perform both wireless communication and wireless sensing operations with a target UE. Specifically, FIG. 5 illustrates a dual-function RAN node that transmits a sensing radio link ("S-RL") to the UE, which then returns a signal (e.g., an echo signal / response) to the RAN node. In addition to the S-RL radio sensing, the dual-function RAN node also has a communication radio link ("C-RL"). The C-RL is a downlink from the RAN node to the UE and an uplink from the UE to the RAN node. As shown in FIG. 5, the dual-function RAN node can simultaneously establish and maintain both an S-RL and a C-RL with the target UE. The handling of the communication C-RL may be the same as in legacy systems (e.g., following 4G-LTE or 5G-NR specifications).

[0048] FIG. 6 shows a communication diagram involving a dual-function RAN node communication with a communication radio link (“C-RL”) and a sensing radio link (“S-RL”). The RAN node (also referred to as a base station) establishes a communication C-RL 602 with the UE. In addition, a second function of the RAN node provides an S-RL 604 to the UE. In response to the S-RL 604, the UE provides a response 606. The response 606 may be referred to as an echo signal transmitted by the UE in direct response to receiving the S-RL 604 as part of a sensing operation S-RL. While the S-RL may be a logically separate radio link from the communication C-RL, physically, the S-RL may share the same air / radio resources (e.g., time / frequency / space / code, etc.) as the communication C-RL, or may use different ones. FIG. 6 shows an example using different air / radio resources; in this embodiment, radio signals between the RAN node and the UE carry either data information or sensing-related information, but not both.

[0049] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a wireless network system architecture. This architecture is merely an example, and more or fewer components may be present to implement the embodiments described herein. Interconnections or communications between components are identified as N1, N2, N4, N6, N7, N8, N10, and N11, which may be referenced in the description or by other figures. FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary user equipment (“UE”) 104. The UE 702 is a device that accesses a wireless network (e.g., 5GS) and obtains service via an NG-RAN node or base station 704. The UE 702 interacts with the core network's Access and Mobility Control Function (“AMF”) 706 via NAS signaling. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary base station or NG-RAN 102. The NG-RAN node 704 is responsible for air interface resource scheduling and air interface connection management of the network to which the UE accesses. The AMF 706 includes the following functionality: registration management, connection management, reachability management, and mobility management. The AMF 706 also performs access authentication and authorization. The AMF 706 is a NAS security termination and relays session management NAS between the UE 702 and the SMF 708, etc.

[0050] The SMF 708 includes the following functionality: session management, e.g., session establishment, modification, and release; UE IP address allocation and management (including optional authorization); uplink function selection and control; downlink data notification; etc. The User Plane Function ("UPF") 710 includes the following functionality: anchor point for intra / inter-RAT mobility; packet routing and forwarding; traffic usage reporting; QoS handling for the user plane; downlink packet buffering; and downlink data notification triggering. The Unified Data Management ("UDM") 712 manages subscription profiles for the UE. The subscriptions include data used for mobility management (e.g., restricted area), session management (e.g., QoS profile). The subscription data also includes slice selection parameters, which the AMF 706 uses to select the appropriate SMF 708. The AMF 706 and SMF 708 obtain subscriptions from the UDM 712. Subscription data may be stored in a unified data repository using the UDM 712, which uses such data in response to receiving a request from the AMF 706 or SMF 708. The Policy Control Function (“PCF”) 714 includes the following functionality: supporting a unified policy framework, governing network behavior, providing policy rules, control plane functions, enforcing policy rules, and implementing a front end to access subscription information related to policy decisions in the user data repository. A Network Exposure Function (“NEF”) 716 is optionally deployed to exchange information with external third parties. In one embodiment, the Application Function (“AF”) 716 may store application information in the unified data repository via the NEF. The UPF 710 communicates with a data network 718.

[0051] The Access Mobility Function ("AMF") and Session Management Function ("SMF") are control plane entities, and the User Plane Function ("UPF") is a user plane entity in New Radio ("NR") or 5GC. The signaling connection between the AMF / SMF and the MN may be a Next Generation-Control Plane ("NG-C") / MN interface. The signaling connection between the MN and the SN may be an Xn-Control Plane ("Xn-C") interface. The signaling connection between the MN and the UE may be a Uu-Control Plane ("Uu-C") RRC interface.

[0052] As described below, there may be additional components or entities for wireless sensing sessions or sensing signals. While Figure 7 shows signals for communication signals, there may be an additional sensing session management function 708, which may be referred to as an S-SMF, for managing sensing sessions. Similarly, there may be a wireless sensing user plane function 710, which may be referred to as an S-UPF.

[0053] An end-to-end (E2E) wireless sensing operation for a sensing service or task may involve multiple network nodes (e.g., CN, RAN, and UE) that trigger the wireless sensing service. In embodiments herein, the handling of the wireless sensing service may be more efficiently coordinated / managed for multiple network nodes. Figure 8 shows an example architecture for end-to-end (E2E) wireless sensing operation.

[0054] An ISAC RAN node may be referred to as a base station and may include a control plane (CP) and a user plane (UP). In an exemplary core network (CN) domain, there may be at least three functional entities for radio sensing operations: A "Core Network Sensing Anchor Function" may be an anchor point for controlling sensing sessions, which may involve ISAC RAN nodes, UEs, and / or the environment. A "core network sensing management function" may be a centralized management point for managing wireless sensing sessions, which may include providing wireless sensing session related policy and / or configuration data and / or sensing assistance data, etc., and may include distributing sensing result data. The "Core Network Sensing Data Storage Function" may be a data storage point for storing sensing result data reported by ISAC RAN nodes and / or UEs.

[0055] The interface between the "Core Network Sensing Anchor Function" entity and the "Core Network Sensing Management Function" entity may be denoted as "N-SBA" (Service Based Architecture like 5GC). A single "Core Network Sensing Management Function" entity may connect with multiple "Core Network Sensing Anchor Function" entities. The N-SBA signaling procedure may carry sensing session related signaling data.

[0056] The interface between the "Core Network Sensing Data Storage Function" entity and the "Core Network Sensing Management Function" entity is denoted as "N4". A single "Core Network Sensing Management Function" entity may connect to multiple "Core Network Sensing Data Storage Function" entities. The N4 signaling procedure may carry sensing session related signaling data. The N4 data flow procedure may carry sensing session result data.

[0057] The interface between the "Core Network Sensing Anchor Function" entity and the "ISAC RAN Node - CP Part" may be denoted as "N2". The N2 signaling procedure carries sensing session related signaling data. The interface between the "Core Network Sensing Data Storage Function" entity and the "ISAC RAN Node - UP Part" is denoted as "N3". The N3 data flow procedure may carry sensing session result data. Core network sensing and management functions

[0058] The "Core Network Sensing Management Function" entity may by itself, independently or in response to receiving a "Sensing Service Request" message from any other entity, select a target "Core Network Sensing Anchor Function" entity (among multiple options) and trigger a wireless sensing session. It can coordinate with the selected "Core Network Sensing Anchor Function" entity via N-SBA signaling procedures for managing wireless sensing session operations.

[0059] The 'Core Network Sensing Management Function' entity may by itself, independently or in response to receiving a 'Sensing Result Data Read Request' message from any other entity, select a target 'Core Network Sensing Data Storage Function' entity (among multiple options) and trigger the reading of the sensing session result data. It may coordinate with the selected 'Core Network Sensing Data Storage Function' entity via an N4 signaling procedure to read the relevant sensing session result data.

[0060] The 'Core Network Sensing Management Function' entity may retrieve the relevant sensing session result data from the target 'Core Network Sensing Data Storage Function' entity via the N4 data flow procedure. Core network sensing anchor function

[0061] The "Core Network Sensing Anchor Function" entity can trigger a wireless sensing session by itself, independently, or in response to receiving a "Sensing Service Request" message from any ISAC RAN node or from the UE. It can coordinate with the "Core Network Sensing Management Function" entity via the N-SBA signaling procedure for wireless sensing session operation. In response to obtaining the required wireless sensing session policy and / or configuration data and / or sensing assistance data, the "Core Network Sensing Anchor Function" entity can coordinate with the target ISAC RAN node. This can be done through the control plane (CP) part via the N2 signaling procedure for triggering and controlling wireless sensing session operation. Core network sensing data storage function

[0062] The 'Core Network Sensing Data Storage Function' entity may store the sensing session result data in response to receiving them reported from the ISAC RAN node. This may be done through the user plane (UP) part via the N3 data flow procedure. The 'Core Network Sensing Data Storage Function' entity may forward the sensing session result data to the 'Core Network Sensing Management Function' entity via the N4 data flow procedure, either by itself or in response to receiving a 'Sensing Result Data Read Request' message from the 'Core Network Sensing Management Function' entity. The 'Core Network Sensing Data Storage Function' entity may also forward the sensing session result data to the ISAC RAN node in response to receiving a 'Sensing Result Data Forward Command' from the 'Core Network Sensing Management Function' entity via the user plane (UP) part via the N3 data flow procedure.

[0063] FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a network system for sensing between multiple network nodes. An ISAC base station includes a control plane (CP) and a user plane (UP). The network system in FIG. 9 provides wireless sensing signal and sensing data management / coordination through a sensing SMF (S-SMF) and a sensing UPF (S-UPF). This sensing may be part of a sensing session handled by the network. FIG. 9 illustrates sensing entities that may be different from their communication counterparts (SMF / UPF). These may be additional entities for sensing, while the SMF / UPF handles communication.

[0064] The Access Mobility Function (AMF) may be for communication and / or sensing. Conversely, the S-SMF and S-UPF may be dedicated or exclusive to wireless sensing sessions. The Sensing-SMF (S-SMF) may correspond to a "Core Network Sensing Management Function" entity. Similarly, the Sensing-UPF (S-UPF) may correspond to a "Core Network Sensing Data Storage Function" entity. In some embodiments, the AMF may be enhanced with ISAC capabilities and correspond to a "Core Network Sensing Anchor Function" entity. The S-SMF may actively trigger an associated wireless sensing session towards an appropriate target AMF entity.

[0065] The S-SMF may obtain sensory data for an application / environment. In one embodiment, the sensory data may include environmental imaging data for a specific area with an imaging resolution and update period (e.g., 1 m resolution and 30-second update period in a large sports stadium). In another embodiment, the sensory data may be from a drone and include drone trajectory information in a certain airspace to locate an intruding drone. The imaging for this embodiment may have an imaging resolution of 0.1 m and an update period of 5 seconds. In this embodiment, the drone is much smaller than a sports stadium and may require a finer sensing resolution for the sensing radio link RL. This configuration may be adapted to detect drones with a finer resolution. In another embodiment, a sensing session may be for obtaining vehicle cluster information within a metropolitan area (e.g., for traffic policy steering). This embodiment may have an imaging resolution of 0.5 m and an update period of 60 seconds.

[0066] 10 illustrates an embodiment of sensing communication between multiple network nodes. In block 1002, a sensing SMF (S-SMF) triggers a sensing session. In one embodiment, the S-SMF coordinates with a selected AMF entity via an N-SBA signaling procedure to trigger a desired wireless sensing task. In block 1004, the S-SMF sends a "Sensing Service Request" message to the AMF entity, which provides sensing session-related policy and configuration assistance data. For a sports stadium example, the data may include sensing session id=XXXX, sensing task type="target imaging", sensing mode="radar-type mechanism", sensing target area="sports stadium", sensing operating frequency band="60 GHz", sensing operating bandwidth="600 MHz", imaging resolution="1 m", and imaging update period="30 seconds". For a drone embodiment, the data may include: sensing session id=YYYY, sensing task type="target object trace", sensing mode="radar-type mechanism", sensing target area="indicated airspace area", sensing operating frequency band="200 GHz", sensing operating bandwidth="10 GHz", imaging resolution="0.1 m", and imaging update period="5 seconds". For a vehicle cluster embodiment, the data may include: sensing session id="target object detection", sensing mode="radar-type mechanism", sensing target area="indicated ground area", preferred sensing operating frequency band="100 GHz", preferred sensing operating bandwidth="5 GHz", imaging resolution="0.5 m", and imaging update period="60 seconds".

[0067] In response to receiving the "Sensing Service Request" message, the AMF entity determines whether it can perform the requested wireless sensing task. If yes, the AMF entity shall prepare the requested wireless sensing operation and reply with a "Sensing Service Request Acknowledge" message in block 1006. If no, the AMF entity shall reply with a "Sensing Service Denied" message containing a denial cause value rather than an acknowledgement from block 1006. In block 1008, the AMF entity initiates a sensing session setup procedure over the N2 interface towards the target ISAC base station / gNB. The base station may perform the requested wireless sensing operation over the air in block 1010. This may be based on the received sensing session-related policy and configuration assistance data.

[0068] After obtaining the sensing session result data (e.g., imaging of a target sports stadium or drone trajectory information), the ISAC gNB / base station collects the result data within its UP portion and periodically reports them via the N3 data flow procedure towards the indicated Sensing-UPF (S-UPF) entity in blocks 1012-1014. The S-UPF entity stores the reported sensing session result data from the ISAC gNB / base station UP portion associated with the sensing session identification. The S-SMF may retrieve the desired sensing session result data from the S-UPF entity via the N4 procedure.

[0069] In an alternative embodiment, the AMF from FIG. 9 may be modified for ISAC compatibility for future networks (e.g., sixth-generation {6G} networks). In one embodiment, this AMF may be referred to as a sensing AMF (S-AMF). In addition, the ISAC base station is an xNB for the updated network. The 6G AMF entity in 6GC with ISAC capabilities corresponds to the "Core Network Sensing Anchor Function" entity. The modified AMF entity may obtain sensing data and actively trigger related wireless sensing service requests towards the S-SMF entity.

[0070] Figure 11 shows another embodiment of a network system for sensing between multiple network nodes. Each ISAC base station includes a control plane (CP) and a user plane (UP). The network system in Figure 11 provides sensing signaling and sensing data management / coordination through a sensing SMF (S-SMF), a sensing UPF (S-UPF), and an AMF. This sensing may be part of a sensing session handled by the network.

[0071] FIG. 11 illustrates two base stations (base station 1 and base station 2), which may be xNB nodes. The base stations can initiate / trigger a sensing session, so the sensing SMF or sensing UPF does not need to repeat sensing. The sensing-SMF entity corresponds to a "core network sensing management function" entity, and the sensing-UPF entity is connected to the sensing-SMF entity via the N4 interface and corresponds to a "core network sensing data storage function" entity. The AMF may be a modified AMF corresponding to a "core network sensing anchor function" entity. In this embodiment, base station 1 is performing a wireless sensing operation (based on the sensing session ID) triggered by the forward sensing-SMF entity, as described above. The sensing-SMF entity may have already retrieved the desired sensing session result data for the sensing session ID from the sensing-UPF entity. In FIG. 11, base station 2 may desire to obtain sensing data. In this embodiment, base station 2 may actively trigger an associated wireless sensing service request to the AMF, as shown in FIG. 12.

[0072] FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of sensing communication between multiple network nodes. In this example, base station 2 initiates a sensing request, and the AMF may forward the request and sensed data as appropriate. Specifically, base station 2 coordinates with the AMF entity via an N2 signaling procedure to trigger a desired wireless sensing task by sending a “sensing service request” message to the AMF entity in block 1202. The AMF entity coordinates with the sensing-SMF entity via an N-SBA signaling procedure to trigger a desired wireless sensing task by sending a “sensing service request” message to the sensing-SMF entity in block 1204. In response to processing the “sensing service request” message, the sensing-SMF entity determines whether a wireless sensing operation is being performed (e.g., based on the sensing session ID) and whether the desired sensing session result data for that session ID is available. The sensing-SMF entity may decide not to perform the desired wireless sensing task again and may return a “sensing result data forwarding request” message to the AMF entity in block 1206. In response to receiving the "Sensing Result Data Forwarding Request" message, the AMF entity forwards the "Sensing Result Data Forwarding Request" message to base station 2 in block 1208. In response to receiving the "Sensing Result Data Forwarding Request" message, base station 2 prepares to receive the desired sensing session result data for that particular session id in block 1210. Base station 2 replies to the AMF entity with a "Sensing Result Data Forwarding Response" message in block 1212. The AMF entity forwards the "Sensing Result Data Forwarding Response" message to the sensing-SMF entity in block 1214. The sensing-SMF entity commands the sensing-UPF entity to forward the desired sensing session result data for the particular session id to base station 2 in block 1216 via the N3 data flow procedure.In block 1218, the sensing-UPF entity sends the desired sensing session result data for the particular session id, along with its association with the particular session id, to base station 2. Base station 2 obtains the sensing session result data in block 1220. It may collect and obtain the desired sensing session result data for the particular session id from the sensing-UPF entity via an N3 data flow procedure.

[0073] FIG. 13 illustrates a wireless sensing example using user equipment (UE) positioning. Positioning is one example of wireless sensing. In this example, the UE's position / location is determined. In other embodiments, sensing may be for something other than position / location, which is simply one example of a sensing signal. Other wireless sensing examples include wireless channel estimation, environmental imaging, and object detection, which may be based on radar-type mechanisms. In other examples, an ISAC-enabled UE may perform various wireless sensing of the user's biological indicators based on its local wireless sensors. FIG. 13 illustrates UE positioning as one example, but any of the other types of wireless sensing operations may be managed and controlled by the IMT system in other embodiments. UE positioning sensing-related data (e.g., positioning assistance data, configuration data, PRS measurement result data) may be transferred via signaling bearers / connections (e.g., SRBs and NGAPs). In other wireless sensing embodiments, there may be more types and different amounts of wireless sensing-related data that may be transferred and / or stored by the IMT system. As shown, for UE positioning, there may be associated sensing procedures for coordination of wireless sensing operations with multiple network nodes (e.g., LMF, AMF, RAN, UE).

[0074] In block 1302, there is a request for location services, which may originate from several entities in 5GC (e.g., GMLC). As mentioned, this example is specific to location, positioning, or location / location services, but this is merely one example of sensed data. In another embodiment, the serving AMF for the target UE may determine the need for location services in block 1304 (e.g., to locate the UE for an emergency call). In another embodiment, the UE requests location services (e.g., positioning or delivery of assistance data) from the serving AMF at the NAS level in block 1306.

[0075] In block 1308, the AMF forwards the location service request to the LMF. In block 1310, the LMF initiates a location procedure with the serving and possibly neighboring base stations to obtain positioning measurements or assistance data. In an alternative embodiment, the LMF initiates a location procedure with the UE to obtain a location estimate or positioning measurements or forwards location assistance data to the UE in block 1312. The LMF provides a location service response to the AMF in block 1314, including any required results (e.g., a success or failure indication and, if requested and obtained, a location estimate for the UE). In response to block 1302, the AMF returns a location service response to the AMF in block 1316 (response from block 1314), including any required results (e.g., a location estimate for the UE). In response to block 1304, the AMF may use the location service response (using the response received in block 1314) to assist the service triggered in this block 1304 (e.g., provide a location estimate associated with the emergency call to the GMLC) in block 1318. In response to block 1306, the AMF returns a location service response to the UE in block 1320, including any required results (e.g., a location estimate for the UE).

[0076] The systems and processes described above may be encoded in a signal-bearing medium such as a memory, a computer-readable medium, programmed into one or more integrated circuits, one or more processors, or processed by a controller or computer. The data may be analyzed in a computer system and used to generate a spectrum. If the method is implemented by software, the software may reside in a non-volatile or volatile memory that communicates with a memory, synchronizer, communication interface, or transmitter, resident in or interfaced with a storage device. A circuit or electronic device is designed to transmit data to another location. The memory may contain an ordered list of executable instructions for implementing a logical function. The described logical function or any system element may be implemented through optical circuitry, digital circuitry, source code, analog circuitry, analog sources such as analog electrical, audio, or video signals, or a combination. The software may be embodied in any computer-readable or signal-bearing medium for use by or in connection with an instruction-executable system, apparatus, or device. Such a system may include a computer-based system, a processor-containing system, or another system that may selectively fetch instructions from an instruction-executable system, apparatus, or device that may also execute the instructions.

[0077] A “computer-readable medium,” “machine-readable medium,” “propagating signal” medium, and / or “signal-bearing medium” may comprise any device that contains, stores, communicates, propagates, or transports software for use by or in connection with an instruction-executable system, apparatus, or device. The machine-readable medium may alternatively be, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. A non-exhaustive list of examples of machine-readable media would include electrically connected “electronic devices” having one or more wires, portable magnetic or optical disks, volatile memory such as random access memory “RAM,” read-only memory “ROM,” erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), or optical fibers. The machine-readable medium may also include tangible media upon which software is printed so that the software can be stored electronically, as an image or in another format (e.g., through optical scanning), and then compiled and / or interpreted or otherwise processed. The processed media may then be stored in computer and / or machine memory.

[0078] The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the present disclosure. Other embodiments may also be utilized and derived from the present disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, the illustrations are merely representative and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may be exaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Therefore, the present disclosure and the figures should be considered illustrative, not restrictive.

[0079] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and / or collectively, by the term "invention" merely for convenience and without any intention to intentionally limit the scope of the present application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Furthermore, while specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that any subsequent arrangements designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. The present disclosure is intended to cover any subsequent adaptations or modifications of the various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments and other embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the description.

[0080] The phrase "coupled with" is defined to mean directly connected or indirectly connected through one or more intermediate components. Such intermediate components may include both hardware and software-based components. Variations in the arrangement and type of components may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims as set forth herein. Additional, different, or fewer components may be provided.

[0081] The above disclosed subject matter should be considered illustrative, not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, extensions, and other embodiments that fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the scope of the present invention should be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and should not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description. While various embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention should not be limited except in light of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. 1. A method for wireless sensing, comprising: triggering a wireless sensing session for sensing purposes by a core network session sensing management function (S-SMF); coordinating, by the S-SMF, with at least one other network node via a signaling procedure; managing, by the S-SMF, operation of the wireless sensing session based on the coordination; triggering, by the core network S-SMF, independently or in response to receiving a "request to read sensing result data" command from another node or entity, the reading of wireless sensing session result data; A method comprising:

2. the triggering is initiated by the S-SMF either independently or in response to receiving a command relating to a "sense service request" from another node or entity; 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the coordinating is performed using a core network sensing anchor function (AMF) having wireless sensing context and a core network sensing data storage function (S-UPF) having wireless sensing session result data.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising selecting a target core network sensing anchor function prior to said triggering.

4. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless sensing sessions comprise different wireless sensing types having at least one of target positioning, wireless channel estimation, environmental imaging or object detection based on radar-type sensing, and / or biological indicators.

5. 1. A wireless sensing system, comprising: a wireless sensing session management function (S-SMF) for managing a wireless sensing session and providing policy, configuration data, or sensing assistance data related to said wireless sensing session; a Session Management Function (SMF) for providing communication session related policy and configuration data, the S-SMF being independent and separate from the SMF; Equipped with 1. A wireless sensing system, wherein the management of the wireless sensing session by the S-SMF comprises retrieving wireless sensing session result data, the retrieval being triggered independently or in response to receiving a "request to read sensing result data" command from another node or entity.

6. a user equipment (UE); and a base station between the UE and an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), the S-SMF, or the SMF; 6. The wireless sensing system of claim 5, further comprising:

7. 7. The wireless sensing system of claim 6, wherein the base station generates wireless sensing signals according to a policy, configuration data, or sensing assistance data provided by the S-SMF, and the wireless sensing signals relate to the UE, a target entity, or an environment.

8. The wireless sensing system of claim 6 , wherein the sensing session result data comprises data associated with the wireless sensing session conducted by the base station and / or the UE.

9. 6. The wireless sensing system of claim 5, wherein the wireless sensing sessions managed by the S-SMF comprise different wireless sensing types having at least one of target positioning determination, wireless channel estimation, environmental imaging or object detection based on radar-type sensing, and / or biological indicators.

10. 1. A wireless sensing system, comprising: a sensing anchor function (AMF) configured to control a wireless sensing session; a sensing session management function (S-SMF) configured to manage the wireless sensing session; a sensing data storage function (S-UPF) configured to store wireless sensing session result data from the wireless sensing session; Equipped with 1. A wireless sensing system, wherein the management of the wireless sensing session by the S-SMF comprises retrieving wireless sensing session result data, the retrieval being triggered independently or in response to receiving a "request to read sensing result data" command from another node or entity.

11. Managing the wireless sensing session by the S-SMF further comprises: providing a wireless sensing session-related policy; providing wireless sensing session related configuration data and / or assistance data; disseminating said wireless sensing session results data to another node or entity; 11. The wireless sensing system of claim 10, comprising:

12. 11. The wireless sensing system of claim 10, wherein the wireless sensing session result data stored by the S-UPF comprises sensing result data associated with the wireless sensing session conducted by a base station and / or a user equipment (UE).

13. 11. The wireless sensing system of claim 10, wherein the wireless sensing sessions managed by the S-SMF comprise different wireless sensing types having at least one of target positioning determination, wireless channel estimation, environmental imaging or object detection based on radar-type sensing, and / or biological indicators.

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