Joint communication and sensing configuration

Abstract

There is provided techniques for JCAS configuration. A method is performed by a UE (200). The method comprises obtaining (S102) JCAS information. The JCAS information pertains to capabilities of the UE (200) to participate in a JCAS service and comprises a boundary value of at least one communication access parameter. The at least one communication access parameter is used by the UE (200) when performing a communication procedure as part of the UE participating in the JCAS service. The method comprises sending (S104) the JCAS information towards a network node (300).

Description

[0001] JOINT COMMUNICATION AND SENSING CONFIGURATION

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Embodiments presented herein relate to methods, a user equipment, a network node, computer programs, and a computer program product for joint communication and sensing configuration.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Some wireless communication networks provide sensing services in diverse application areas, such as detection, ranging and tracking of vulnerable road users, automated guided vehicles, or unmanned aerial vehicles. See, for example, “Enabling Joint Communications and Radar Sensing in Mobile Networks - a Survey,” IEEE Communications Surveys and Tutorials, Vol. 24, No. 1, First Quarter, 2022. Different scenarios for sensing performed in third-generation partnership project (3GPP) wireless cellular communication networks using New Radio (NR) signals and protocols are schematically illustrated in Fig. 1. The suffix “-s” is short for “sensing” and indicates that the transmitted (Tx) and received (Rx) signals are for sensing rather than for communication purposes. The sensed object can be an active (connected) object or a passive (unconnected) object). Active objects are equipped with a radio transceiver and connected to the 3GPP network. A user equipment (UE) in connected state is an example of an active object from a sensing point-of-view. Passive objects are not connected to the 3GPP network during the sensing process. Such objects may lack a radio transceiver or may be powered off and thereby not communicating with the 3GPP network.

[0006] In Fig. 1(a) is illustrated an example of monostatic sensing of an object, as represented by UE 200a, which can be a passive object or an active object, where a network node 300 transmits sensing signals (SS) that are reflected by UE 200a, and the reflected sensing signal (SSr) is measured by the network node 300.

[0007] In Fig. 1(b) is illustrated an example of bi-static sensing of an object, as represented by UE 200a, where in one example a UE 200b transmits sensing signals that are reflected by object and the reflected sensing signal is measured by the network node 300b. In another example a network node 300 transmits sensing signals that are reflected by object and the reflected sensing signal is measured by UE 200b.

[0008] In Fig. 1(c) is illustrated an example of multi-static sensing of an object, as represented by UE 200a, where in one example a UE 200b transmits sensing signals that are reflected by UE 200a, and the reflected sensing signals are measured by multiple receiving nodes e.g. by network node 300b and by UE 200c. In another example a network node 300a transmits sensing signals that are reflected by UE 200a, and the reflected sensing signals are measured by multiple receiving nodes e.g. by network node 300b and by UE 200c.

[0009] Sensing can help to improve the position estimation of both active and passive objects. For active objects, whose positions are estimated using cellular signals sensing can be used as a means to make the position estimation more precise, while for passive objects sensing can either be the sole available scheme for determining its position, or sensing data can be fused by data provided by other sensors, such as inertial measurement unit (IMU), onboard light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device, etc.

[0010] JCAS can be configured to operate in e.g., time or frequency division mode or in concurrent mode, and can also operate in e.g., bi-static, or multi-static sensing mode. Different UEs have different capabilities. Regardless, some resources for communication must be sacrificed for the UE to use for sensing. Different types of sensing (as in Fig. 1) require different amounts of resources and capabilities at the UEs. When more than one device is involved in the sensing (i.e., during bi-static sensing and multi-static sensing), there are many options (called JCAS mode) for how to perform the sensing. Current technology does not enable the involved devices to agree on which JCAS mode to use. In turn, the JCAS operation will tend to be inefficient in terms of communication and sensing performance and usage of radio resources for JCAS operation.

[0011] Hence, there is still a need for improved JCAS operation. SUMMARY

[0012] An object of the invention is to enable facilitated configuration of JCAS operation.

[0013] According to a first aspect there is presented a method for JCAS configuration. The method is performed by a UE. The method comprises obtaining JCAS information. The JCAS information pertains to capabilities of the UE to participate in a JCAS service and comprises a boundary value of at least one communication access parameter. The at least one communication access parameter is used by the UE when performing a communication procedure as part of the UE participating in the JCAS service. The method comprises sending the JCAS information towards a network node. Hereby is achieved to enable the UE and the network node to agree on which JCAS mode to use.

[0014] According to a second aspect there is presented a UE for JCAS configuration. The UE comprises processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the UE to obtain JCAS information. The JCAS information pertains to capabilities of the UE to participate in a JCAS service and comprises a boundary value of at least one communication access parameter. The at least one communication access parameter is used by the UE when performing a communication procedure as part of the UE participating in the JCAS service. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the UE to send the JCAS information towards a network node.

[0015] According to a third aspect there is presented a UE for JCAS configuration. The UE comprises an obtain module configured to obtain JCAS information. The JCAS information pertains to capabilities of the UE to participate in a JCAS service and comprises a boundary value of at least one communication access parameter. The at least one communication access parameter is used by the UE when performing a communication procedure as part of the UE participating in the JCAS service. The UE comprises a send module configured to send the JCAS information towards a network node.

[0016] According to a fourth aspect there is presented a computer program for JCAS configuration. The computer program comprises computer code which, when run on processing circuitry of a UE, causes the UE to perform actions. One action comprises the UE to obtain JCAS information. The JCAS information pertains to capabilities of the UE to participate in a JCAS service and comprises a boundary value of at least one communication access parameter. The at least one communication access parameter is used by the UE when performing a communication procedure as part of the UE participating in the JCAS service. One action comprises the UE to send the JCAS information towards a network node.

[0017] According to a fifth aspect there is presented a method for JCAS configuration. The method is performed by a network node. The method comprises obtaining JCAS information for a UE served by the network node. The JCAS information pertains to capabilities of the UE to participate in a JCAS service and comprises a boundary value of at least one communication access parameter. The at least one communication access parameter is used by the UE when performing a communication procedure as part of the UE participating in the JCAS service. The method comprises sending JCAS configuration towards the UE for the UE to apply when participating in the JCAS service. The JCAS configuration is determined from the JCAS information and at least specifies a selected value of the at least one communication access parameter. The selected value does not exceed the boundary value. Hereby is achieved that the network node is enabled to select a proper JCAS mode based on UE capabilities, to address the fact that JCAS operation according to state-of-the-art is inefficient in terms of communication and sensing performance and usage of radio resources for JCAS operation.

[0018] According to a sixth aspect there is presented a network node for JCAS configuration. The network node comprises processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the network node to obtain JCAS information for a UE served by the network node. The JCAS information pertains to capabilities of the UE to participate in a JCAS service and comprises a boundary value of at least one communication access parameter. The at least one communication access parameter is used by the UE when performing a communication procedure as part of the UE participating in the JCAS service. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the network node to send JCAS configuration towards the UE for the UE to apply when participating in the JCAS service. The JCAS configuration is determined from the JCAS information and at least specifies a selected value of the at least one communication access parameter. The selected value does not exceed the boundary value.

[0019] According to a seventh aspect there is presented a network node for JCAS configuration. The network node comprises an obtain module configured to obtain JCAS information for a UE served by the network node. The JCAS information pertains to capabilities of the UE to participate in a JCAS service and comprises a boundary value of at least one communication access parameter. The at least one communication access parameter is used by the UE when performing a communication procedure as part of the UE participating in the JCAS service. The network node comprises a send module configured to send JCAS configuration towards the UE for the UE to apply when participating in the JCAS service. The JCAS configuration is determined from the JCAS information and at least specifies a selected value of the at least one communication access parameter. The selected value does not exceed the boundary value.

[0020] According to an eighth aspect there is presented a computer program for JCAS configuration. The computer program comprises computer code which, when run on processing circuitry of a network node, causes the network node to perform actions. One action comprises the network node to obtain JCAS information for a UE served by the network node. The JCAS information pertains to capabilities of the UE to participate in a JCAS service and comprises a boundary value of at least one communication access parameter. The at least one communication access parameter is used by the UE when performing a communication procedure as part of the UE participating in the JCAS service. One action comprises the network node to send JCAS configuration towards the UE for the UE to apply when participating in the JCAS service. The JCAS configuration is determined from the JCAS information and at least specifies a selected value of the at least one communication access parameter. The selected value does not exceed the boundary value.

[0021] According to a ninth aspect there is presented a computer program product comprising a computer program according to at least one of the fourth aspect and the eighth aspect and a computer readable storage medium on which the computer program is stored. The computer readable storage medium could be a non-transitory computer readable storage medium.

[0022] Advantageously, these aspects enable the involved devices to agree on which JCAS mode to use.

[0023] Advantageously, these aspects enable the network node to select a proper JCAS mode based on UE capabilities.

[0024] Advantageously, these aspects enable the network node to properly configure the UE for JCAS operation.

[0025] Other objectives, features and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, from the attached dependent claims as well as from the drawings.

[0026] Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a / an / the element, apparatus, component, means, module, step, etc." are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, module, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

[0027] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The inventive concept is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating positioning and tracking of a UE according to an example;

[0030] Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of positioning and tracking of a UE according to embodiments;

[0031] Figs. 3 and 4 are flowcharts of methods according to embodiments; Fig. 5 is a signaling of a method according to an embodiment;

[0032] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing functional units of a UE according to an embodiment;

[0033] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing functional modules of a UE according to an embodiment;

[0034] Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing functional units of a network node according to an embodiment;

[0035] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing functional modules of a network node according to an embodiment; and

[0036] Fig. io shows one example of a computer program product comprising computer readable means according to an embodiment.

[0037] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The inventive concept will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the inventive concept are shown. This inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description. Any step or feature illustrated by dashed lines should be regarded as optional.

[0039] The embodiments disclosed herein relate to techniques for JCAS configuration. In order to obtain such techniques, there is provided a UE 200, a method performed by the UE 200, a computer program product comprising code, for example in the form of a computer program, that when run on processing circuitry of the UE 200, causes the UE 200 to perform the method. In order to obtain such techniques, there is further provided a network node 300, a method performed by the network node 300, and a computer program product comprising code, for example in the form of a computer program, that when run on processing circuitry of the network node 300, causes the network node 300 to perform the method.

[0040] In at least some embodiments, the network node 300 is made aware of the UE capabilities and UE assistance information. In at least some embodiments, the network node 300, based on the UE capabilities and UE assistance information, configures the UE 200, such that both the network node 300 and the UE 200 become capable of avoiding and managing resource conflicts for JCAS operations.

[0041] In Fig. 2(a) is illustrated a UE 200a configured to operate as a transmitter of communication and sensing signals during JCAS operation. In Fig. 2(b) is illustrated a UE 200a configured to operate as a receiver of communication and sensing signals during JCAS operation.

[0042] When the UE 200 200a is a JCAS transmitter (as in Fig. 2(a)), it transmits e.g., an uplink reference signal (e.g., SRS, DMRS), physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) signal, physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) signal, physical random access channel (PRACH), sidelink control / shared channel signal, etc. towards a network node 300 (or another UE, not shown). Depending on the UE capabilities, the UE 200 can either simultaneously, using e.g., multibeam forming, transmit sensing signals (also called radar signals) at the same time / frequency resources, or it can use timedivision mode for transmitting sensing signals towards some target object 410 to be sensed. The transmitted sensing signal can then be sensed by the network node 300 (or another (sensing) UEs), depending on bi-static or multi-static sensing.

[0043] When the UE 200 is a JCAS receiver (as in Fig. 2(b)), it may simultaneously receive a communication signal, such as a downlink reference signal (e.g., SSB, CSI-RS, DMRS, TRS etc.), a DL control or shared channel signal (PDCCH / PDSCH), sidelink control information, sidelink shared channel, etc., from a network node 300 (or from another UE, not shown) and a sensing signal. In the case of multiple Rx antennas, the UE 200 may receive several communication signals, such as multiple DL streams (e.g., 2-by-2 MIMO) if the UE 200 is MU-MIMO reception capable. The receiving UE 200 may receive the multiple communication and sensing signals (as reflected by some target object 410) either simultaneously using multibeam reception or MU-MIMO reception, or in a time-division fashion.

[0044] The UE 200 may also be configured for monostatic sensing, in which case the UE 200 receives the backscattered sensing signal whilst transmitting a communication signal, if the UE 200 is capable of full duplex on certain frequency bands. For example, the UE 200 may be equipped with successive interference cancellation or other selfinterference cancellation mechanism, which enables the UE 200 to simultaneously transmit and receive Tx / Rx sensing signals, and it may also enable the UE 200 to transmit or receive communication signals using the same or different frequency or antenna resources. Alternatively, the UE 200 may use full-duplex self-interference cancellation for sensing signals, while it uses time-division between sensing and communication signals.

[0045] In some examples, the UE 200 indicates, using either UE assistance information or UE capability information in RRC signaling, its capabilities, when the UE 200 acts as a JCAS transmitter in mono-static, bi-static, or multi-static JCAS operation. For example, when the UE 200 is a JCAS transmitter in a bi-static or multi-static JCAS operation, the UE 200 could indicate whether it is capable of multibeam operation or if it supports time-division operation between communication and sensing signals. The UE 200 can indicate its capabilities for signal transmission when the UE 200 engages in time-division or concurrent mode JCAS, e.g., maximum rank indication (RI), precoder matrix information (PMI), minimum time gap between communication and sensing when using time-division mode, maximum number of component carriers when using carrier aggregation, etc.

[0046] In some examples, the UE 200 indicates, using either UE 200 assistance information or UE capability information in RRC signaling, its capabilities, when the UE 200 acts as a JCAS receiver in mono-static, bi-static, or multi-static JCAS operation. For example, when the UE 200 is a JCAS receiver in a bi-static or multi-static JCAS operation, the UE 200 could indicate whether it is capable of angle, Doppler shift or delay estimation based on received radar signals. Further, the UE 200 could indicate that it cannot act (for a certain time period, or in certain frequency bands) as a sensing node, or if it can only act as a sensing node but should not be allocated as a communication receiver node.

[0047] In some examples, the UE 200 obtains a boundary value Vb (such as maximum value or a minimum value, depending on the parameter) of at least one communication access parameter (CAP), which the UE 200 can use for performing a communication procedure while the UE 200 is configured to perform a sensing procedure. The UE transmits the obtained boundary value Vb to a network node 300. The UE 200 then receives, from the network node 300, a selected value Va of the CAP based on predefined information / rule or autonomously (e.g., based on currently available UE resources such as memory etc.). Examples of CAP are parameters related to multicarrier operation (e.g., carrier aggregation (CA) / dual connectivity (DC)), multiantenna operation (e.g., number of Rx antennas, number of Tx antennas, number of layers etc.), CSI reporting (e.g., RI, PMI, CQI), measurement capability (e.g., number of beams, cells, component carriers (CCs) etc. to measure), bandwidth, data rate, etc. The selected value Va of the CAP may depend on the UE JCAS capabilities and the characteristics of the sensing procedure.

[0048] In some examples, the JCAS capabilities and the characteristics of the sensing procedure pertains to properties of sensing signal (SS) used for the sensing procedure e.g., SS bandwidth, number of SS time resources (e.g., symbols, slots) in a SS occasion, whether the SS comprises of a SS transmit pattern (SSTP) and / or a SS received pattern (SSRP), periodicity of SSTP and / or SSRP, etc. In some examples the JCAS capabilities and the characteristics of the sensing procedure pertains to the type of sensing resources e.g., time-division mode (TDM) or frequency-division mode (FDM) with respect to the communication signal (CS) when engaging in JCAS. In some examples the JCAS capabilities and the characteristics of the sensing procedure pertains to the type of sensing measurements and procedures, e.g., angle or Doppler estimation, using e.g., multiple signal classification (MUSIC) or similar algorithms. In some examples the JCAS capabilities and the characteristics of the sensing procedure pertains to the type of sensing procedure e.g., mono-static, bi-static, or multi-static sensing. In some examples the JCAS capabilities and the characteristics of the sensing procedure pertains to the type of radio link used for or involved in the sensing procedure e.g., PCs / sidelink, WAN / Uu, etc.

[0049] In some examples, the network node 300 obtains a boundary value Vb (such as maximum value or a minimum value, depending on the parameter) of at least one CAP, and selects a value (Va) of the at least one CAP, which can be allocated / used for the communication procedure based on the obtained boundary value Vb of the at least one CAP. The network node 300 can obtain the m boundary value Vb based on pre-defined information / rule or by receiving it from the UE. The network node 300 further configures the UE 200 with the selected value Va for enabling the UE 200 to perform the communication procedure while the UE 200 is also performing sensing procedure i.e., engage in JCAS operation.

[0050] In some examples, the network node 300 indicates to the UE, depending on how the UE 200 is scheduled for JCAS operation (mono-static, bi-static, multi-static, separated or concurrent mode of JCAS operation) how the UE 200 should handle a possible resource conflict between communication and sensing. Such a resource conflict can e.g., arise between measurement gaps used by the UE 200 to measure reference signals (e.g., synchronization signal blocks, SSBs of neighbor cells) when executing intra-frequency, inter-frequency, and inter-RAT measurements. Resource conflict can also arise due to limited antenna resources for simultaneous reception of communication signals and e.g., estimating angles of arrivals of sensing signals. When the UE 200 is engaged as a sensing receiver and such a conflict occurs, the UE 200 may be configured to drop sensing, or it may be configured to skip e.g., and SSB measurement. Alternatively, according to some examples, if such conflicts occur in time-division mode while the UE 200 is acting as JCAS transmitter, the UE 200 may be scheduled for multibeam (concurrent) operation if the UE 200 is multibeam capable.

[0051] Reference is now made to Fig. 3 illustrating a method for JCAS configuration as performed by the UE 200 according to an embodiment.

[0052] S102: The UE 200 obtains JCAS information. The JCAS information pertains to capabilities of the UE 200 to participate in a JCAS service. The JCAS information comprises a boundary value Vb of at least one CAP. The at least one CAP is used by the UE 200 when performing a communication procedure as part of the UE 200 participating in the JCAS service.

[0053] S104: The UE 200 sends the JCAS information towards a network node 300.

[0054] The UE 200 can thereby make the network node 300 aware of UE capabilities and UE assistance information for JCAS operations.

[0055] Embodiments relating to further details of JCAS configuration as performed by the UE 200 will now be disclosed with continued reference to Fig. 3.

[0056] In some aspects, as will be further disclosed below, the network node 300 configures the UE 200 for JCAS operation. Therefore, in some embodiments, the UE 200 is configured to perform (optional) step S106.

[0057] S106: The UE 200 receives JCAS configuration from the network node 300. The JCAS configuration at least specifies a selected value Va of the at least one CAP. The selected value Va does not exceed the boundary value Vb.

[0058] The UE 200 can then apply the JCAS configuration during JCAS operation. Therefore, in some embodiments, the UE 200 is configured to perform (optional) step S108.

[0059] S108: The UE 200 applies the JCAS configuration when participating in the JCAS service.

[0060] In this way the UE 200 uses the selected value Va of the at least one CAP when performing a communication procedure whilst performing a sensing procedure (as a sensing receiver or as a sensing transmitter). The UE 200 can thus use the obtained selected value Va for configuring and performing communication procedures, such as power control, Tx / Rx beamforming, whilst the UE 200 is executing a sensing procedure.

[0061] Aspects of the boundary value Vb will be disclosed next. As mentioned above, the boundary value Vb could be a maximum value or a minimum value, depending on the CAP. That is, in some embodiments, the boundary value Vb is a maximum value Vmax of the at least one CAP, and the selected value Va is at most as high as the maximum value Vmax. This could be the case when the CAP is a parameter where the higher the value of the parameter is, the better the performance is. This is the case for power, rank, etc.

[0062] In other embodiments, the boundary value Vb is a minimum value Vmin of the at least one CAP, and the selected value Va is at most as low as the minimum value Vmin. This could be the case when the CAP is a parameter where the lower the value of the parameter is, the better the performance is. This is the case for latency, time gaps, etc.

[0063] In some aspects, there is one boundary value Vb for each CAP. That is, in some embodiments, there is one respective boundary value Vb per each of the at least one CAP and one corresponding selected value Va per each of the at least one CAP. In this case, the UE 200 might be configured with several selected values Va, one for each reported boundary value Vb. The boundary value Vb might depend on the capabilities of the UE 200 to participate in the JCAS service. Further, the boundary value Vb might depend on the capabilities of the UE 200 to participate in the JCAS service in accordance with a relation that is any of: configured in the UE 200, determined by the UE 200, received as configuration from a network node 300.

[0064] There could be different ways for the UE 200 to obtain the boundary value Vb. In some non-limiting examples, the boundary value Vb is obtained from any, or any combination of: internal storage in the UE 200, measurements, at least one rule, available communication resources, an application program run in the UE 200, user input, configuration as received from a network node 300.

[0065] Aspects of the JCAS information and the at least one CAP will be disclosed next.

[0066] Examples of CAP are parameters related to multi-carrier operation (maximum number of component carriers (CCs) for e.g., carrier aggregation (CA) and / or dual connectivity (DC)), multi-antenna operation (e.g., number of Rx antennas, number of Tx antennas, number of layers etc.), CSI reporting (e.g., RI, PMI, CQI), modulation and coding scheme (MCS), measurement capability (e.g., number of beams, cells, component carriers (CCs) etc., to measure), UE bandwidth (e.g. UE transmission bandwidth and / or UE reception bandwidth, BWP related parameter (e.g. BW of the DL bandwidth part (BWP) and / or BW of the UL BWP), aggregated BW across all the CCs, data rate, transport block size, etc. Hence, in some non-limiting examples, the at least one CAP pertains to any, or any combination of: multi-carrier operation, multiantenna operation, channel state information reporting, modulation and coding scheme, measurement capability, bandwidth, data rate, transport block size, transmission power and receiver configuration.

[0067] In some embodiments, the JCAS information comprises the at least one CAP.

[0068] The JCAS information might at least specify a capability of the UE 200 to act as a transmitter as part of the UE 200 participating in the JCAS service. Further, the JCAS information might at least specifies a capability of the UE 200 to act as a receiver as part of the UE 200 participating in the JCAS service.

[0069] The JCAS information might further at least pertains to any, or any combination of:

[0070] - properties of a sensing signal used by the UE 200 when performing a sensing procedure as part of the UE 200 participating in the JCAS service,

[0071] - type of sensing resources with respect to a communication signal when performing the sensing procedure as part of the UE 200 participating in the JCAS service,

[0072] - type of sensing measurements and procedures when performing the sensing procedure as part of the UE 200 participating in the JCAS service,

[0073] - type of radio link used when performing the sensing procedure as part of the UE 200 participating in the JCAS service.

[0074] In some examples, the JCAS information pertains to a UE capability for multibeam transmission. Such JCAS information may also indicate the power sharing capability between the communication and sensing beams, number of antennas that can be used for forming the multibeam, maximum output power for the communication and the sensing beams, maximum bandwidth that the UE 200 can use for multibeam formation.

[0075] In some examples, the JCAS information pertains to a UE maximum rank indication for communication and sensing (RI-c, RI-s). The maximum rank indicates the maximum number of modulating communication and sensing symbols that the UE 200 can use for multibeam operation when the UE 200 is capable of transmitting multiple Tx and sensing beams.

[0076] In some examples, the JCAS information pertains to UE precoders available for setting the beamforming weights for simultaneous communication and sensing multibeam formation. For example, if the multibeam complex weights are stored in codebooks, the UE 200 can inform the network node 300 which precoder vectors for communication and sensing are stored in such codebooks.

[0077] In some examples, when the UE 200 is capable of time-division mode operation between communication and sensing, the JCAS information might specify the minimum time gap between transmitting communication and sensing signals in subsequent time slots.

[0078] In some examples, the JCAS information pertains to the maximum number of component carriers in which the UE 200 is capable of performing a JCAS signal transmission.

[0079] In some aspects, the UE 200 is able to keep a fixed receive beam towards an intended transmitter of communication signals utilizing channel state information at the receiver (CSIR), whilst sweeping for sensing signals with another beam. The JCAS information might then pertain to the number of receive antennas and RF chains that can be allocated for communication and sensing, number of communication streams (rank indication) while in a JCAS reception operation, as well as receiver sensitivity when in JCAS Rx operation.

[0080] The JCAS information might be sent in a UE capability report or as UE Assistance Information. In some embodiments, the JCAS information is sent in response to a trigger condition being fulfilled. For example, a network node 300 serving the UE 200 might trigger the UE 200 to transmit a UE capability report specifically regarding JCAS information. Alternatively, the UE can report UE Assistance Information triggered by UE higher layers (such as an application trigger), changes in the battery status, mobility status, location change, etc. The network node might additionally or alternatively request the UE 200 to transmit UE Assistance Information (UAI) containing preference for JCAS related parameters. The UAI might comprise parameters which may vary or change dynamically or semi-statically.

[0081] In some aspects, the UE 200 receives information from the network node 300 regarding how the UE 200 should handle a possible resource conflict between communication and sensing. Therefore, in some embodiments, the UE 200 is configured (optional) step S110.

[0082] S110: The UE 200 receives information from the network node 300 pertaining to handling a resource conflict at the UE 200 between communication and sensing.

[0083] The UE 200 can then act accordingly when such a conflict is detected. Therefore, in some embodiments, the UE 200 is configured (optional) step S112.

[0084] S112: The UE 200 operates in accordance with the received information when participating in the JCAS service and when experiencing the resource conflict.

[0085] For example, when such a conflict occurs, the UE 200 might manage and prioritize resources between communication and sensing services.

[0086] Reference is now made to Fig. 4 illustrating a method for JCAS configuration as performed by the network node 300 according to an embodiment.

[0087] S202: The network node 300 obtains JCAS information for a UE 200 served by the network node 300. The JCAS information pertains to capabilities of the UE 200 to participate in a JCAS service. The JCAS information comprises a boundary value Vb of at least one CAP. The at least one CAP is used by the UE 200 when performing a communication procedure as part of the UE 200 participating in the JCAS service. S204: The network node 300 sends JCAS configuration towards the UE 200 for the UE 200 to apply when participating in the JCAS service. The JCAS configuration is determined from the JCAS information. The JCAS configuration at least specifies a selected value Va of the at least one CAP. The selected value Va does not exceed the boundary value Vb.

[0088] The network node 300 thereby configures the UE 200 with a selected value Va for enabling the UE 200 to perform the communication procedure whilst the UE 200 is also performing a sensing procedure (i.e., whilst being engaged in JCAS operation).

[0089] There can be different ways for the network node to obtain the boundary value Vb. In some embodiments, the boundary value Vb is obtained from any, or any combination of: internal storage in the network node 300, measurements, at least one rule, available communication resources, information as received from the UE 200.

[0090] As mentioned above, the boundary value Vb could be a maximum value or a minimum value, depending on the CAP. That is, in some embodiments, the boundary value Vb is a maximum value Vmax of the at least one CAP, and the selected value Va is at most as high as the maximum value Vmax. This could be the case when the CAP is a parameter where the higher the value of the parameter is, the better the performance is. This is the case for power, rank, etc.

[0091] In other embodiments, the boundary value Vb is a minimum value Vmin of the at least one CAP, and the selected value Va is at most as low as the minimum value Vmin. This could be the case when the CAP is a parameter where the lower the value of the parameter is, the better the performance is. This is the case for latency, time gaps, etc.

[0092] In some aspects, there is one boundary value Vb for each CAP. That is, in some embodiments, there is one respective boundary value Vb per each of the at least one CAP and one corresponding selected value Va per each of the at least one CAP. In this case, the UE 200 might be configured with several selected values Va, one for each reported boundary value Vb. The boundary value Vb might depend on the capabilities of the UE 200 to participate in the JCAS service. Further, the boundary value Vb might depend on the capabilities of the UE 200 to participate in the JCAS service in accordance with a relation that is any of: configured in the UE 200, determined by the UE 200, received as configuration from a network node 300.

[0093] In some aspects, the selected value Va of the at least one CAP is determined by the network node 300. In particular, in some embodiments, the network node 300 is configured to perform (optional) step S204.

[0094] S204: The network node 300 determines the selected value Va of the at least one CAP based on the JCAS information comprising the boundary value Vb.

[0095] For example, the network node 300 may limit the number of physical resource blocks, or the maximum transmit power or power spectral density (e.g., power per resource element or per resource block) used for transmitting communication signals when the UE 200 is participating in the JCAS service.

[0096] For example, if the UE 200 indicates (e.g., in UAI) that the maximum value for MCS in DL is 16 QAM (i.e., the boundary value Vb is a maximum value Vmax and specifies 16 QAM as maximum MCS) for communication during JCAS procedure then the network node 300 might schedule the UE 200 in DL with an MCS not higher than 16 QAM (i.e., the selected value Va specifies an MCS that is not higher than 16 QAM).

[0097] In another example, the at least one CAP represents uplink transmit power of the UE and the network node 300 autonomously obtains the maximum value, Vmax, for the transmit power of the UE 200 when the network node 300 receives uplink reference signal (e.g., SRS or DMRS) from the UE 200 and assesses the current received signal strength (RSL) (e.g., RSRP, path loss, etc.) between the network node 300 and the UE 200. When the estimated RSL (e.g., path loss) exceeds a predefined threshold (such as for a cell edge UE) or when it is less than a predefined threshold (such as for cell center UE), the network node 300 may set the selected value Va for the transmit power level to be used by the UE 200 accordingly, which applies to the UE 200 transmitting communication signals when the UE 200 is participating in the JCAS service. Therefore, in some embodiments, the selected value Va is determined based on at least one of: a type or characteristic of the sensing procedure, a mode of the sensing procedure, a target quality of the sensing service, a target quality of the communication service, a relation between the at least one CAP and at least one sensing radio resource in frequency domain, a relation between the at least one CAP and at least one sensing radio resource in time domain. Examples of the mode of the sensing procedure or operation are mono-static sensing, bi-static sensing, multistatic sensing.

[0098] Some specific examples of the relation, or mapping, between a certain sensing configuration and a certain selected value of the CAP are shown in Tables 1-7. In each of these tables, in the left column is given the selected value of the CAP for the sensing configuration given in the right column.

[0099] The example in Table 1 shows that the maximum BW for the communication operation needs to be reduced if both SSTP and SSRP are configured compared to the case when only one of the SSTP and SSRP is configured. In other words, the Maximum supported BW for communication (BWmax) is BW1 if the UE 200 is configured with only SSTP or SSRP for sensing.

[0100] Table 1: An example illustrating relation between BMmax for communication and SS pattern type.

[0101] The example in Table 2 shows that the maximum BW for the communication operation needs to be reduced if the periodicity of SSTP (TSSTP) or the periodicity of SSTP (TSSRP) is below certain threshold (Hl) compared to the case when both TSSTP and TSSTP are above Hl.

[0102] Table 2: An example illustrating relation between BMmax for communication and SS pattern periodicities. The example in Table 3 shows that the maximum number of candidate beams (e.g.,

[0103] SSB indices of the SSBs, etc.) which can be identified and reported by the UE 200 within certain measurement period for the communication operation needs to be reduced if both SSTP and SSRP are configured compared to the case when only one of the SSTP and SSRP is configured. The candidate beams (e.g., SSBs) can be used for different communication related procedures e.g., for mobility, link recovery procedure / beam management etc.

[0104] Table 3: An example illustrating relation between candidate beams to monitor for communication and SS pattern type. The example in Table 4 shows that the maximum number of candidate beams (e.g., SSB indices of the SSBs, etc.) which can be identified and reported by the UE 200 within certain measurement period for the communication operation needs to be reduced if TSSTP or TSSRP is below certain threshold (H2) compared to the case when both TSSTP and TSSTP are above H2.

[0105] Table 4: An example illustrating relation between candidate beams to monitor for communication and SS pattern periodicities.

[0106] The example in Table 5 shows that the maximum modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for the communication operation needs to be lowered if both SSTP and SSRP are configured compared to the case when only one of the SSTP and SSRP is configured. In one example, the MCS should be limited to 16 QAM and / or code rate of up to 1 / 4 when both SSTP and SSRP are configured even if the UE 200 supports higher modulation (e.g., 256 QAM) and lower code rate (e.g., 1 / 2). In another example, the MCS should be limited to 64 QAM and / or code rate of up to 1 / 3 when one of the SSTP and SSRP is configured. Table 5: An example illustrating relation between maximum MCS for communication and SS pattern type.

[0107] The example in Table 6 shows that the maximum MCS for the communication operation needs to be lowered if TSSTP or TSSRP is below certain threshold (H3) compared to the case when both TSSTP and TSSTP are above H3.

[0108] Table 6: An example illustrating relation between maximum MCS for communication and SS pattern type.

[0109] The example in Table 7 shows that the maximum number of DL MIMO layers supported by the UE 200 during the JCAS procedure depends on the type of the sensing measurement performed by the UE 200. For example, the UE 200 can support only single DL MIMO layer if the UE 200 is requested to perform AoA measurements on SS received by the UE 200. This is because the UE 200 needs large number of antenna resources to accurate estimate the AoA of the received SS. In another example, the UE 200 can support only 2 DL MIMO layers if the UE 200 is requested to perform AoD measurements on SS transmitted by the UE 200. In another example, the UE 200 can support up to 3 DL MIMO layers if the UE 200 is requested to perform Doppler or velocity estimation on SS transmitted by the UE 200. The UE 200 can support all the DL MIMO layers supported by the UE 200 (e.g., 4 layers) if the UE 200 is requested to perform other measurements such as signal strength (e.g., RSRP, path loss etc.), time of arrival of SS etc.

[0110] Table 7: An example illustrating relation between maximum DL MIMO layers for communication and sensing measurement types.

[0111] As above, in some embodiments, the JCAS information comprises the at least one CAP.

[0112] As above, in some non-limiting examples, the at least one CAP pertains to any, or any combination of: multi-carrier operation, multi-antenna operation, channel state information reporting, modulation and coding scheme, measurement capability, bandwidth, data rate, transport block size, transmission power and receiver configuration.

[0113] As above, the JCAS information might at least specify a capability of the UE 200 to act as a transmitter as part of the UE 200 participating in the JCAS service. As above, the JCAS information might at least specify a capability of the UE 200 to act as a receiver as part of the UE 200 participating in the JCAS service.

[0114] As above, the JCAS information might further at least pertains to any, or any combination of:

[0115] - properties of a sensing signal used by the UE 200 when performing a sensing procedure as part of the UE 200 participating in the JCAS service,

[0116] - type of sensing resources with respect to a communication signal when performing the sensing procedure as part of the UE 200 participating in the JCAS service,

[0117] - type of sensing measurements and procedures when performing the sensing procedure as part of the UE 200 participating in the JCAS service, - type of radio link used when performing the sensing procedure as part of the UE 200 participating in the JCAS service.

[0118] As above, the JCAS information might by the UE 200 be sent in a UE capability report or as UE Assistance Information, hence, in some embodiments, the JCAS information is by the network node 300 obtained by being received from the UE 200 in a UE capability report or as UE Assistance Information.

[0119] As above, in some aspects, the UE 200 receives information from the network node 300 regarding how the UE 200 should handle a possible resource conflict between communication and sensing. Therefore, in some embodiments, the network node 300 is configured (optional) step S208.

[0120] S208: The network node 300 sends information to the UE 200 pertaining to handling a resource conflict at the UE 200 between communication and sensing.

[0121] One particular embodiment for JCAS configuration based on at least some of the above disclosed embodiments will now be disclosed in detail with reference to the signaling diagram of Fig. 5.

[0122] S301: The network node 300 requests JCAS information from the UE 200.

[0123] S302: The UE 200 provides, to the network node 300, JCAS information specifying a capability of the UE 200 to act as a transmitter as part of the UE 200 participating in a JCAS service. The UE 200 could indicate whether it is capable of multibeam operation or if it supports time-division operation between communication and sensing signals. The UE 200 can indicate its capabilities for signal transmission when the UE 200 engages in time-division or concurrent mode JCAS, e.g., maximum rank indication (RI), precoder matrix information (PMI), minimum time gap between communication and sensing when using time-division mode, maximum number of component carriers when using carrier aggregation, etc.

[0124] S303: The UE 200 provides, to the network node 300, JCAS information specifying a capability of the UE 200 to act as a receiver as part of the UE 200 participating in a JCAS service. The UE 200 could indicate whether it is capable of angle, Doppler shift or delay estimation based on received radar signals. Further, the UE 200 could indicate that it cannot act (for a certain time period, or in certain frequency bands) as a sensing node, or if it can only act as a sensing node but should not be allocated as a communication receiver node.

[0125] S304: The UE 200 provides, to the network node 300, a boundary value Vb of at least one CAP. The at least one CAP is used by the UE 200 when performing a communication procedure as part of the UE 200 participating in the JCAS service.

[0126] S305: The network node 300 sends JCAS configuration towards the UE 200 for the UE 200 to apply when participating in the JCAS service. The JCAS configuration is determined from the JCAS information and at least specifies a selected value Va of the at least one CAP. The selected value Va does not exceed the boundary value Vb.

[0127] S306: The UE 200 applies the JCAS configuration when participating in the JCAS service.

[0128] S307: The network node 300 sends information to the UE 200 pertaining to handling a resource conflict at the UE 200 between communication and sensing.

[0129] S308: The UE 200 operates in accordance with the received information when participating in the JCAS service and when experiencing such a resource conflict.

[0130] Fig. 6 schematically illustrates, in terms of a number of functional units, the components of a UE 200 according to an embodiment. Processing circuitry 210 is provided using any combination of one or more of a suitable central processing unit (CPU), multiprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), etc., capable of executing software instructions stored in a computer program product 1010a (as in Fig. 10), e.g., in the form of a storage medium 230. The processing circuitry 210 may further be provided as at least one application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0131] Particularly, the processing circuitry 210 is configured to cause the UE 200 to perform a set of operations, or steps, as disclosed above. For example, the storage medium 230 may store the set of operations, and the processing circuitry 210 may be configured to retrieve the set of operations from the storage medium 230 to cause the UE 200 to perform the set of operations. The set of operations may be provided as a set of executable instructions. Thus, the processing circuitry 210 is thereby arranged to execute methods as herein disclosed.

[0132] The storage medium 230 may also comprise persistent storage, which, for example, can be any single one or combination of magnetic memory, optical memory, solid state memory or even remotely mounted memory.

[0133] The UE 200 may further comprise a communications (comm.) interface 220 for communications other entities, functions, nodes, and devices. As such the communications interface 220 may comprise one or more transmitters and receivers, comprising analogue and digital components.

[0134] The processing circuitry 210 controls the general operation of the UE 200 e.g., by sending data and control signals to the communications interface 220 and the storage medium 230, by receiving data and reports from the communications interface 220, and by retrieving data and instructions from the storage medium 230. Other components, as well as the related functionality, of the UE 200 are omitted in order not to obscure the concepts presented herein.

[0135] Fig. 7 schematically illustrates, in terms of a number of functional modules, the components of a UE 200 according to an embodiment. The UE 200 of Fig. 7 comprises a number of functional modules; an obtain module 210a configured to perform step S102, and a send module 210b configured to perform step S104. The UE 200 of Fig. 7 may further comprise a number of optional functional modules, such as any of a receive module 210c configured to perform step S106, an apply module 2iod configured to perform step S108, a receive module 2ioe configured to perform step S110, and an operate module 2iof configured to perform step S112. In general terms, each functional module 210a: 2iof may be implemented in hardware or in software. Preferably, one or more or all functional modules 210a: 2iof may be implemented by the processing circuitry 210, possibly in cooperation with the communications interface 220 and / or the storage medium 230. The processing circuitry 210 may thus be arranged to from the storage medium 230 fetch instructions as provided by a functional module 2ioa:2iof and to execute these instructions, thereby performing any steps of the UE 200 as disclosed herein.

[0136] Fig. 8 schematically illustrates, in terms of a number of functional units, the components of a network node 300 according to an embodiment. Processing circuitry 310 is provided using any combination of one or more of a suitable central processing unit (CPU), multiprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), etc., capable of executing software instructions stored in a computer program product 1010b (as in Fig. 10), e.g., in the form of a storage medium 330. The processing circuitry 310 may further be provided as at least one application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0137] Particularly, the processing circuitry 310 is configured to cause the network node 300 to perform a set of operations, or steps, as disclosed above. For example, the storage medium 330 may store the set of operations, and the processing circuitry 310 may be configured to retrieve the set of operations from the storage medium 330 to cause the network node 300 to perform the set of operations. The set of operations may be provided as a set of executable instructions. Thus, the processing circuitry 310 is thereby arranged to execute methods as herein disclosed.

[0138] The storage medium 330 may also comprise persistent storage, which, for example, can be any single one or combination of magnetic memoiy, optical memory, solid state memory or even remotely mounted memory.

[0139] The network node 300 may further comprise a communications interface 320 for communications with other entities, functions, nodes, and devices. As such the communications interface 320 may comprise one or more transmitters and receivers, comprising analogue and digital components.

[0140] The processing circuitry 310 controls the general operation of the network node 300 e.g., by sending data and control signals to the communications interface 320 and the storage medium 330, by receiving data and reports from the communications interface 320, and by retrieving data and instructions from the storage medium 330. Other components, as well as the related functionality, of the network node 300 are omitted in order not to obscure the concepts presented herein.

[0141] Fig. 9 schematically illustrates, in terms of a number of functional modules, the components of a network node 300 according to an embodiment. The network node 300 of Fig. 9 comprises a number of functional modules; an obtain module 310a configured to perform step S202, and a send module 310c configured to perform step S206. The network node 300 of Fig. 9 may further comprise a number of optional functional modules, such as any of a determine module 310b configured to perform step S204, and a send module 3iod configured to perform step S208. In general terms, each functional module 3ioa:3iod may be implemented in hardware or in software. Preferably, one or more or all functional modules 3ioa:3iod may be implemented by the processing circuitry 310, possibly in cooperation with the communications interface 320 and / or the storage medium 330. The processing circuitry 310 may thus be arranged to from the storage medium 330 fetch instructions as provided by a functional module 3ioa:3iod and to execute these instructions, thereby performing any steps of the network node 300 as disclosed herein.

[0142] The network node 300 may be provided as a standalone device or as a part of at least one further device. For example, the network node 300 may be provided in a node of the radio access network or in a node of the core network 510. Alternatively, functionality of the network node 300 may be distributed between at least two devices, or nodes. These at least two nodes, or devices, may either be part of the same network part (such as a radio access network or the core network 510) or may be spread between at least two such network parts. In general terms, instructions that are required to be performed in real time may be performed in a device, or node, operatively closer to the cell than instructions that are not required to be performed in real time. Thus, a first portion of the instructions performed by the network node 300 may be executed in a first device, and a second portion of the instructions performed by the network node 300 may be executed in a second device; the herein disclosed embodiments are not limited to any particular number of devices on which the instructions performed by the network node 300 may be executed. Hence, the methods according to the herein disclosed embodiments are suitable to be performed by a network node 300 residing in a cloud computational environment. Therefore, although a single processing circuitry 310 is illustrated in Fig. 8 the processing circuitry 310 may be distributed among a plurality of devices, or nodes. The same applies to the functional modules 3ioa:3iod of Fig. 9 and the computer program 1020b of Fig. 10.

[0143] Fig. 10 shows one example of a computer program product 1010a, 1010b comprising computer readable means 1030. On this computer readable means 1030, a computer program 1020a can be stored, which computer program 1020a can cause the processing circuitry 210 and thereto operatively coupled entities and devices, such as the communications interface 220 and the storage medium 230, to execute methods according to embodiments described herein. The computer program 1020a and / or computer program product 1010a may thus provide means for performing any steps of the UE 200 as herein disclosed. On this computer readable means 1030, a computer program 1020b can be stored, which computer program 1020b can cause the processing circuitry 310 and thereto operatively coupled entities and devices, such as the communications interface 320 and the storage medium 330, to execute methods according to embodiments described herein. The computer program 1020b and / or computer program product 1010b may thus provide means for performing any steps of the network node 300 as herein disclosed.

[0144] In the example of Fig. 10, the computer program product 1010a, 1010b is illustrated as an optical disc, such as a CD (compact disc) or a DVD (digital versatile disc) or a Blu-Ray disc. The computer program product 1010a, 1010b could also be embodied as a memory, such as a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) and more particularly as a non-volatile storage medium of a device in an external memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a Flash memory, such as a compact Flash memory. Thus, while the computer program 1020a, 1020b is here schematically shown as a track on the depicted optical disk, the computer program 1020a, 1020b can be stored in any way which is suitable for the computer program product 1010a, 1010b. The inventive concept has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the inventive concept, as defined by the appended patent claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for joint communication and sensing, JCAS, configuration, wherein the method is performed by a UE (200), and wherein the method comprises: obtaining (S102) JCAS information, wherein the JCAS information pertains to capabilities of the UE (200) to participate in a JCAS service and comprises a boundary value (Vb) of at least one communication access parameter, wherein the at least one communication access parameter is used by the UE (200) when performing a communication procedure as part of the UE (200) participating in the JCAS service; and sending (S104) the JCAS information towards a network node (300).

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving (S106) JCAS configuration from the network node (300), wherein the JCAS configuration at least specifies a selected value (Va) of the at least one communication access parameter, and wherein the selected value (Va) does not exceed the boundary value (Vb); and applying (S108) the JCAS configuration when participating in the JCAS service.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the boundary value (Vb) is a maximum value (Vmax) of the at least one communication access parameter, and wherein the selected value (Va) is at most as high as the maximum value (Vmax).

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the boundary value (Vb) is a minimum value (Vmin) of the at least one communication access parameter, and wherein the selected value (Va) is at most as low as the minimum value (Vmin).

5. The method according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein there is one respective boundary value (Vb) per each of the at least one communication access parameter and one corresponding selected value (Va) per each of the at least one communication access parameter.

6. The method according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the boundary value (Vb) depends on the capabilities of the UE (200) to participate in the JCAS service.

7. The method according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the boundary value (Vb) depends on the capabilities of the UE (200) to participate in the JCAS service in accordance with a relation that is any of: configured in the UE (200), determined by the UE (200), received as configuration from a network node (300).

8. The method according to any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the boundary value (Vb) is obtained from any, or any combination of: internal storage in the UE (200), measurements, at least one rule, available communication resources, an application program run in the UE (200), user input, configuration as received from a network node (300).

9. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the JCAS information comprises the at least one communication access parameter.

10. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one communication access parameter pertains to any, or any combination of: multicarrier operation, multi-antenna operation, channel state information reporting, modulation and coding scheme, measurement capability, bandwidth, data rate, transport block size, transmission power and receiver configuration.

11. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the JCAS information at least specifies a capability of the UE (200) to act as a transmitter as part of the UE (200) participating in the JCAS service.

12. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the JCAS information at least specifies a capability of the UE (200) to act as a receiver as part of the UE (200) participating in the JCAS service.

13. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the JCAS information at least pertains to any, or any combination of: properties of a sensing signal used by the UE (200) when performing a sensing procedure as part of the UE (200) participating in the JCAS service,- type of sensing resources with respect to a communication signal when performing the sensing procedure as part of the UE (200) participating in the JCAS service,- type of sensing measurements and procedures when performing the sensing procedure as part of the UE (200) participating in the JCAS service,- type of radio link used when performing the sensing procedure as part of the UE (200) participating in the JCAS service.

14. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the JCAS information is sent in a UE capability report or as UE Assistance Information.

15. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the JCAS information is sent in response to a trigger condition being fulfilled.

16. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the method further comprises: receiving (S110) information from the network node (300) pertaining to handling a resource conflict at the UE (200) between communication and sensing; and operating (S112) in accordance with the received information when participating in the JCAS service and when experiencing the resource conflict.

17. A method for joint communication and sensing, JCAS, configuration, wherein the method is performed by a network node (300), and wherein the method comprises: obtaining (S202) JCAS information for a UE (200) served by the network node (300), wherein the JCAS information pertains to capabilities of the UE (200) to participate in a JCAS service and comprises a boundary value (Vb) of at least one communication access parameter, wherein the at least one communication access parameter is used by the UE (200) when performing a communication procedure as part of the UE (200) participating in the JCAS service; andsending (S206) JCAS configuration towards the UE (200) for the UE (200) to apply when participating in the JCAS service, wherein the JCAS configuration is determined from the JCAS information and at least specifies a selected value (Va) of the at least one communication access parameter, wherein the selected value (Va) does not exceed the boundary value (Vb).

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the boundary value (Vb) is obtained from any, or any combination of: internal storage in the network node (300), measurements, at least one rule, available communication resources, information as received from the UE (200).

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the method further comprises: determining (S204) the selected value (Va) of the at least one communication access parameter based on the JCAS information comprising the boundary value (Vb).

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the selected value (Va) is determined based on at least one of: a type or characteristic of the sensing procedure, a mode of the sensing procedure, a target quality of the sensing service, a target quality of the communication service, a relation between the at least one communication access parameter and at least one sensing radio resource in frequency domain, a relation between the at least one communication access parameter and at least one sensing radio resource in time domain.

21. The method according to any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the boundary value (Vb) is a maximum value (Vmax) of the at least one communication access parameter, and wherein the selected value (Va) is at most as high as the maximum value (Vmax).

22. The method according to any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the boundary value (Vb) is a minimum value (Vmin) of the at least one communication access parameter, and wherein the selected value (Va) is at most as low as the minimum value (Vmin).

23. The method according to any of claims 17 to 22, wherein there is one respective boundary value (Vb) per each of the at least one communication access parameter and one corresponding selected value (Va) per each of the at least one communication access parameter.

24. The method according to any of claims 17 to 23, wherein the boundary value (Vb) depends on the capabilities of the UE (200) to participate in the JCAS service.

25. The method according to any of claims 17 to 24, wherein the JCAS information comprises the at least one communication access parameter.

26. The method according to any of claims 17 to 25, wherein the at least one communication access parameter pertains to any, or any combination of: multicarrier operation, multi-antenna operation, channel state information reporting, modulation and coding scheme, measurement capability, bandwidth, data rate, transport block size, transmission power and receiver configuration.

27. The method according to any of claims 17 to 26, wherein the JCAS information at least specifies a capability of the UE (200) to act as a transmitter as part of the UE (200) participating in the JCAS service.

28. The method according to any of claims 17 to 27, wherein the JCAS information at least specifies a capability of the UE (200) to act as a receiver as part of the UE (200) participating in the JCAS service.

29. The method according to any of claims 17 to 28, wherein the JCAS information at least pertains to any, or any combination of:- properties of a sensing signal used by the UE (200) when performing a sensing procedure as part of the UE (200) participating in the JCAS service,- type of sensing resources with respect to a communication signal when performing the sensing procedure as part of the UE (200) participating in the JCAS service,- type of sensing measurements and procedures when performing the sensing procedure as part of the UE (200) participating in the JCAS service,type of radio link used when performing the sensing procedure as part of the UE (200) participating in the JCAS service.

30. The method according to any of claims 17 to 29, wherein the JCAS information is obtained by being received from the UE (200) in a UE capability report or as UE Assistance Information.

31. The method according to any of claims 17 to 30, wherein the method further comprises: sending (S208) information to the UE (200) pertaining to handling a resource conflict at the UE (200) between communication and sensing.

32. A UE (200) for joint communication and sensing, JCAS, configuration, the UE (200) comprising processing circuitry (210), the processing circuitry being configured to cause the UE (200) to: obtain JCAS information, wherein the JCAS information pertains to capabilities of the UE (200) to participate in a JCAS service and comprises a boundary value (Vb) of at least one communication access parameter, wherein the at least one communication access parameter is used by the UE (200) when performing a communication procedure as part of the UE (200) participating in the JCAS service; and send the JCAS information towards a network node (300).

33. A UE (200) for joint communication and sensing, JCAS, configuration, the UE (200) comprising: an obtain module (210a) configured to obtain JCAS information, wherein the JCAS information pertains to capabilities of the UE (200) to participate in a JCAS service and comprises a boundary value (Vb) of at least one communication access parameter, wherein the at least one communication access parameter is used by the UE (200) when performing a communication procedure as part of the UE (200) participating in the JCAS service; anda send module (210b) configured to send the JCAS information towards a network node (300).

34. The UE (200) according to claim 32 or 33, further being configured to perform the method according to any of claims 2 to 16.

35. A network node (300) for joint communication and sensing, JCAS, configuration, the network node (300) comprising processing circuitry (310), the processing circuitry being configured to cause the network node (300) to: obtain JCAS information for a UE (200) served by the network node (300), wherein the JCAS information pertains to capabilities of the UE (200) to participate in a JCAS service and comprises a boundary value (Vb) of at least one communication access parameter, wherein the at least one communication access parameter is used by the UE (200) when performing a communication procedure as part of the UE (200) participating in the JCAS service; and send JCAS configuration towards the UE (200) for the UE (200) to apply when participating in the JCAS service, wherein the JCAS configuration is determined from the JCAS information and at least specifies a selected value (Va) of the at least one communication access parameter, wherein the selected value (Va) does not exceed the boundary value (Vb).

36. A network node (300) for joint communication and sensing, JCAS, configuration, the network node (300) comprising: an obtain module (310a) configured to obtain JCAS information for a UE (200) served by the network node (300), wherein the JCAS information pertains to capabilities of the UE (200) to participate in a JCAS service and comprises a boundary value (Vb) of at least one communication access parameter, wherein the at least one communication access parameter is used by the UE (200) when performing a communication procedure as part of the UE (200) participating in the JCAS service; anda send module (310c) configured to send JCAS configuration towards the UE (200) for the UE (200) to apply when participating in the JCAS service, wherein the JCAS configuration is determined from the JCAS information and at least specifies a selected value (Va) of the at least one communication access parameter, wherein the selected value (Va) does not exceed the boundary value (Vb).

37. The network node (300) according to claim 35 or 36, further being configured to perform the method according to any of claims 18 to 31.

38. A computer program (1020a) for joint communication and sensing, JCAS, configuration, the computer program comprising computer code which, when run on processing circuitry (210) of a UE (200), causes the UE (200) to: obtain (S102) JCAS information, wherein the JCAS information pertains to capabilities of the UE (200) to participate in a JCAS service and comprises a boundary value (Vb) of at least one communication access parameter, wherein the at least one communication access parameter is used by the UE (200) when performing a communication procedure as part of the UE (200) participating in the JCAS service; and send (S104) the JCAS information towards a network node (300).

39. A computer program (1020b) for joint communication and sensing, JCAS, configuration, the computer program comprising computer code which, when run on processing circuitry (310) of a network node (300), causes the network node (300) to: obtain (S202) JCAS information for a UE (200) served by the network node (300), wherein the JCAS information pertains to capabilities of the UE (200) to participate in a JCAS service and comprises a boundary value (Vb) of at least one communication access parameter, wherein the at least one communication access parameter is used by the UE (200) when performing a communication procedure as part of the UE (200) participating in the JCAS service; and send (S206) JCAS configuration towards the UE (200) for the UE (200) to apply when participating in the JCAS service, wherein the JCAS configuration isdetermined from the JCAS information and at least specifies a selected value (Va) of the at least one communication access parameter, wherein the selected value (Va) does not exceed the boundary value (Vb).

40. A computer program product (1010a, 1010b) comprising a computer program (1020a, 1020b) according to at least one of claims 38 and 39, and a computer readable storage medium (1030) on which the computer program is stored.

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