Indicating user equipment (UE) phase continuity in a wireless communication system

Abstract

An apparatus for wireless communication by a user equipment (UE) includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is configured to transmit a message that includes an indication of maintaining phase continuity of a sensing reference signal (SRS) during a processing interval associated with a joint sensing operation The receiver is configured to receive control information associated with the indication.

Description

INDICATING USER EQUIPMENT (UE) PHASE CONTINUITY IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Greece Patent Application No. 20230100578, entitled, “INDICATING USER EQUIPMENT (UE) PHASE CONTINUITY IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM,” filed on July 14, 2023, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless communication systems, and more particularly, indicating user equipment (UE) phase continuity in a wireless communication system.INTRODUCTION

[0003] Wireless communication networks are widely deployed to provide various communication services such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and the like. These wireless networks may be multiple-access networks capable of supporting multiple users by sharing the available network resources. Such networks may be multiple access networks that support communications for multiple users by sharing the available network resources.

[0004] A wireless communication network may include several components. These components may include wireless communication devices, such as base stations (or node Bs) that may support communication for a number of user equipments (UEs). A UE may communicate with a base station via downlink and uplink. The downlink (or forward link) refers to the communication link from the base station to the UE, and the uplink (or reverse link) refers to the communication link from the UE to the base station.

[0005] A base station may transmit data and control information on a downlink to a UE or may receive data and control information on an uplink from the UE. On the downlink, a transmission from the base station may encounter interference due to transmissions from neighbor base stations or from other wireless radio frequency (RF) transmitters. On the uplink, a transmission from the UE may encounter interference from uplink transmissions of other UEs communicating with the neighbor base stations or from other wireless RFtransmitters. This interference may degrade performance on both the downlink and uplink.

[0006] In some wireless communication systems, UEs and other devices may use sensors to sense data and to perform operations. For example, a UE may correspond to a vehicle that uses sensors to estimate parameters, such as by estimating a vehicle velocity. Further, some wireless communication systems use joint communication and radar sensing (JCR) techniques to jointly perform a communication operation (such as a cellular communication operation) and a radar sensing operation, which may simplify device operation, hardware, or other features as compared to separately performing such operations. In some instances, jointly performing such operations may reduce device performance within a wireless communication system, such as by interrupting an operating state of the UE to change from a sensing operation to a communication operation (or vice versa), which can affect accuracy of one or both of the sensing operation or the communication operation in some circumstances.BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

[0007] In one aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for wireless communication by a user equipment (UE) includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is configured to transmit a message that includes an indication of maintaining phase continuity of a sensing reference signal (SRS) during a processing interval associated with a joint sensing operation The receiver is configured to receive control information associated with the indication.

[0008] In another aspect, a method of wireless communication performed by a UE includes transmitting a message that includes an indication of maintaining phase continuity of a SRS during a processing interval associated with a joint sensing operation. The method further includes receiving control information associated with the indication.

[0009] In another aspect, an apparatus for wireless communication by a network node includes a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver is configured to receive a message that includes an indication of a UE maintaining phase continuity of a SRS during a processing interval associated with a j oint sensing operation. The transmitter is configured to transmit control information associated with the indication.

[0010] In another aspect, a method for wireless communication performed by a network node includes receiving a message that includes an indication of a UE maintaining phase continuity of a SRS during a processing interval associated with a joint sensing operation.The method further includes transmitting control information associated with the indication.

[0011] While some aspects and implementations may be described in this application by illustration to some examples, those skilled in the art will understand that additional implementations and use cases may come about in many different arrangements and scenarios. Innovations described herein may be implemented across many differing platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes, packaging arrangements. For example, aspects and / or uses may come about via integrated chip implementations and other nonmodule-component based devices (e.g., end-user devices, vehicles, communication devices, computing devices, industrial equipment, retail / purchasing devices, medical devices, artificial intelligence (Al)-enabled devices, etc.). While some examples may or may not be specifically directed to use cases or applications, a wide assortment of applicability of described innovations may occur. Implementations may range in spectrum from chip-level or modular components to non-modular, non-chip-level implementations and further to aggregate, distributed, or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) devices or systems incorporating one or more aspects of the described innovations. In some practical settings, devices incorporating described aspects and features may also necessarily include additional components and features for implementation and practice of claimed and described aspects. For example, transmission and reception of wireless signals necessarily includes a number of components for analog and digital purposes (e.g., hardware components including antenna, radio frequency (RF)-chains, power amplifiers, modulators, buffer, processor(s), interleaver, adders / summers, etc.). It is intended that innovations described herein may be practiced in a wide variety of devices, chip-level components, systems, distributed arrangements, end-user devices, etc. of varying sizes, shapes, and constitution.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized by reference to the following drawings. In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similarcomponents having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating details of an example wireless communication system that supports indicating user equipment (UE) phase continuity according to one or more aspects.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating examples of a base station and a UE that support indicating UE phase continuity according to one or more aspects.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example wireless communication system that supports indicating UE phase continuity according to one or more aspects.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a graph that may be used to support indicating UE phase continuity according to one or more aspects.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an example process that supports indicating UE phase continuity according to one or more aspects.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating another example process that supports indicating UE phase continuity according to one or more aspects.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example UE that supports indicating UE phase continuity according to one or more aspects.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example network node that supports indicating UE phase continuity according to one or more aspects.

[0021] Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may indicate, to one or more network nodes, a capability of the UE to maintain phase continuity associated with a sensing reference signal (SRS). To illustrate, during a sensing operation (such as a sensing operation that estimates position, velocity, or acceleration), the UE may transmit SRS pulses and may perform one or more additional operations between transmission of the SRS pulses, such as one or more cellular communication operations. The UE may indicate a capability of the UE to perform one or more such additional operations while maintaining at least a threshold amount of phase continuity from one SRS pulse to another SRS pulse.

[0023] The one or more network nodes may schedule, allocate, or configure resources for the UE in accordance with the indication of phase continuity. As an illustrative example, if the UE indicates that the UE is (or is not) capable of receiving a downlink signal in between transmitting SRS pulses, the resources may include (or may exclude) downlink resourcesfor receiving one or more downlink signals in between two or more SRS pulses. Other examples are also within the scope of the disclosure.

[0024] By indicating UE capability to maintain phase continuity associated with a SRS, reliability of one or more operations at a UE may be improved. For example, because some sensing operations (such as certain velocity sensing operations) may be relatively sensitive to phase of the SRS, avoiding certain operations that may change or degrade phase from one SRS pulse to another SRS pulse may improve phase continuity among pulses of the SRS. As a result, accuracy of such a sensing operation may be enhanced.

[0025] Alternatively, or in addition, the improved accuracy may reduce or avoid the need for certain circuitry that may be relatively costly or complex to implement. For example, some operations performed in between pulses of an SRS may use specialized hardware or other circuitry, such as hardware or circuitry that facilitates a beam switch operation or operation according to a sleep mode. By indicating the UE capability to maintain phase capability to a network node, the network node may avoid allocating, configuring, or scheduling resources for such operations in between the pulses of the SRS. As a result, use of such hardware or circuitry may be reduced or avoided, reducing UE cost and complexity.

[0026] In various implementations, the techniques and apparatus may be used for wireless communication networks such as code division multiple access (CDMA) networks, time division multiple access (TDMA) networks, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) networks, orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) networks, single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) networks, LTE networks, GSM networks, 5thGeneration (5G) or new radio (NR) networks (sometimes referred to as “5G NR” networks, systems, or devices), as well as other communications networks. As described herein, the terms “networks” and “systems” may be used interchangeably.

[0027] A CDMA network, for example, may implement a radio technology such as universal terrestrial radio access (UTRA), cdma2000, and the like. UTRA includes wideband- CDMA (W-CDMA) and low chip rate (LCR). CDMA2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95, and IS-856 standards.

[0028] A TDMA network may, for example implement a radio technology such as Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM). The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) defines standards for the GSM EDGE (enhanced data rates for GSM evolution) radio access network (RAN), also denoted as GERAN. GERAN is the radio component ofGSMZEDGE, together with the network that joins the base stations (for example, the Ater and Abis interfaces) and the base station controllers (A interfaces, etc.). The radio access network represents a component of a GSM network, through which phone calls and packet data are routed from and to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and Internet to and from subscriber handsets, also known as user terminals or user equipments (UEs). A mobile phone operator's network may comprise one or more GERANs, which may be coupled with UTRANs in the case of a UMTS / GSM network. Additionally, an operator network may also include one or more LTE networks, or one or more other networks. The various different network types may use different radio access technologies (RATs) and RANs.

[0029] An OFDMA network may implement a radio technology such as evolved UTRA (E- UTRA), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.20, flash-OFDM and the like. UTRA, E-UTRA, and GSM are part of universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS). In particular, long term evolution (LTE) is a release of UMTS that uses E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, GSM, UMTS and LTE are described in documents provided from an organization named “3rd Generation Partnership Project” (3 GPP), and cdma2000 is described in documents from an organization named “3rd Generation Partnership Project 2” (3GPP2). These various radio technologies and standards are known or are being developed. For example, the 3GPP is a collaboration between groups of telecommunications associations that aims to define a globally applicable third generation (3G) mobile phone specification. 3GPP LTE is a 3 GPP project which was aimed at improving UMTS mobile phone standard. The 3 GPP may define specifications for the next generation of mobile networks, mobile systems, and mobile devices. The present disclosure may describe certain aspects with reference to LTE, 4G, or 5G NR technologies; however, the description is not intended to be limited to a specific technology or application, and one or more aspects described with reference to one technology may be understood to be applicable to another technology. Additionally, one or more aspects of the present disclosure may be related to shared access to wireless spectrum between networks using different radio access technologies or radio air interfaces.

[0030] 5G networks contemplate diverse deployments, diverse spectrum, and diverse services and devices that may be implemented using an OFDM-based unified, air interface. To achieve these goals, further enhancements to LTE and LTE-A are considered in addition to development of the new radio technology for 5G NR networks. The 5G NR will becapable of scaling to provide coverage (1) to a massive Internet of things (loTs) with an ultra-high density (e.g., ~1 M nodes / kmA2), ultra-low complexity (e.g., -10 s of bits / sec), ultra-low energy (e.g., -10+ years of battery life), and deep coverage with the capability to reach challenging locations; (2) including mission-critical control with strong security to safeguard sensitive personal, financial, or classified information, ultra-high reliability (e.g., -99.9999% reliability), ultra-low latency (e.g., - 1 millisecond (ms)), and users with wide ranges of mobility or lack thereof; and (3) with enhanced mobile broadband including extreme high capacity (e.g., - 10 Tbps / kmA2), extreme data rates (e.g., multi- Gbps rate, 100+ Mbps user experienced rates), and deep awareness with advanced discovery and optimizations.

[0031] Devices, networks, and systems may be configured to communicate via one or more portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The electromagnetic spectrum is often subdivided, based on frequency or wavelength, into various classes, bands, channels, etc. In 5G NR two initial operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz - 7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz - 52.6 GHz). The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are often referred to as mid-band frequencies. Although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is often referred to (interchangeably) as a “sub-6 GHz” band in various documents and articles. A similar nomenclature issue sometimes occurs with regard to FR2, which is often referred to (interchangeably) as a “millimeter wave” (mmWave) band in documents and articles, despite being different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz - 300 GHz) which is identified by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as a “mmWave” band.

[0032] With the above aspects in mind, unless specifically stated otherwise, it should be understood that the term “sub-6 GHz” or the like if used herein may broadly represent frequencies that may be less than 6 GHz, may be within FR1, or may include mid-band frequencies. Further, unless specifically stated otherwise, it should be understood that the term “mmWave” or the like if used herein may broadly represent frequencies that may include mid-band frequencies, may be within FR2, or may be within the EHF band.

[0033] 5G NR devices, networks, and systems may be implemented to use optimized OFDMbased waveform features. These features may include scalable numerology and transmission time intervals (TTIs); a common, flexible framework to efficiently multiplex services and features with a dynamic, low-latency time division duplex (TDD) design or frequency division duplex (FDD) design; and advanced wireless technologies, such asmassive multiple input, multiple output (MIMO), robust mmWave transmissions, advanced channel coding, and device-centric mobility. Scalability of the numerology in 5G NR, with scaling of subcarrier spacing, may efficiently address operating diverse services across diverse spectrum and diverse deployments. For example, in various outdoor and macro coverage deployments of less than 3 GHz FDD or TDD implementations, subcarrier spacing may occur with 15 kHz, for example over 1, 5, 10, 20 MHz, and the like bandwidth. For other various outdoor and small cell coverage deployments of TDD greater than 3 GHz, subcarrier spacing may occur with 30 kHz over 80 / 100 MHz bandwidth. For other various indoor wideband implementations, using a TDD over the unlicensed portion of the 5 GHz band, the subcarrier spacing may occur with 60 kHz over a 160 MHz bandwidth. Finally, for various deployments transmitting with mmWave components at a TDD of 28 GHz, subcarrier spacing may occur with 120 kHz over a 500 MHz bandwidth.

[0034] The scalable numerology of 5G NR facilitates scalable TTI for diverse latency and quality of service (QoS) requirements. For example, shorter TTI may be used for low latency and high reliability, while longer TTI may be used for higher spectral efficiency. The efficient multiplexing of long and short TTIs to allow transmissions to start on symbol boundaries. 5G NR also contemplates a self-contained integrated subframe design with uplink or downlink scheduling information, data, and acknowledgement in the same subframe. The self-contained integrated subframe supports communications in unlicensed or contention-based shared spectrum, adaptive uplink or downlink that may be flexibly configured on a per-cell basis to dynamically switch between uplink and downlink to meet the current traffic needs.

[0035] For clarity, certain aspects of the apparatus and techniques may be described below with reference to example 5G NR implementations or in a 5G-centric way, and 5G terminology may be used as illustrative examples in portions of the description below; however, the description is not intended to be limited to 5G applications.

[0036] Moreover, it should be understood that, in operation, wireless communication networks adapted according to the concepts herein may operate with any combination of licensed or unlicensed spectrum depending on loading and availability. Accordingly, it will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art that the systems, apparatus and methods described herein may be applied to other communications systems and applications than the particular examples provided.

[0037] While aspects and implementations are described in this application by illustration to some examples, those skilled in the art will understand that additional implementations and use cases may come about in many different arrangements and scenarios. Innovations described herein may be implemented across many differing platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes, packaging arrangements. For example, implementations or uses may come about via integrated chip implementations or other non-module-component based devices (e.g., end-user devices, vehicles, communication devices, computing devices, industrial equipment, retail devices or purchasing devices, medical devices, AI- enabled devices, etc.). While some examples may or may not be specifically directed to use cases or applications, a wide assortment of applicability of described innovations may occur. Implementations may range from chip-level or modular components to non- modular, non-chip-level implementations and further to aggregated, distributed, or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) devices or systems incorporating one or more described aspects. In some practical settings, devices incorporating described aspects and features may also necessarily include additional components and features for implementation and practice of claimed and described aspects. It is intended that innovations described herein may be practiced in a wide variety of implementations, including both large devices or small devices, chip-level components, multi-component systems (e.g., radio frequency (RF)-chain, communication interface, processor), distributed arrangements, end-user devices, etc. of varying sizes, shapes, and constitution.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating details of an example wireless communication system according to one or more aspects. The wireless communication system may include wireless network 100. Wireless network 100 may, for example, include a 5G wireless network. As appreciated by those skilled in the art, components appearing in FIG. 1 are likely to have related counterparts in other network arrangements including, for example, cellular- style network arrangements and non-cellular-style-network arrangements (e.g., device to device or peer to peer or ad hoc network arrangements, etc.).

[0039] Wireless network 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a number of base stations 105 and other network entities. A base station may be a station that communicates with the UEs and may also be referred to as an evolved node B (eNB), a next generation eNB (gNB), an access point, and the like. Each base station 105 may provide communication coverage for a particular geographic area. In 3GPP, the term “cell” may refer to this particular geographic coverage area of a base station or a base station subsystem serving the coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used. In implementationsof wireless network 100 herein, base stations 105 may be associated with a same operator or different operators (e.g., wireless network 100 may include a plurality of operator wireless networks). Additionally, in implementations of wireless network 100 herein, base station 105 may provide wireless communications using one or more of the same frequencies (e.g., one or more frequency bands in licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or a combination thereof) as a neighboring cell. In some examples, an individual base station 105 or UE 115 may be operated by more than one network operating entity. In some other examples, each base station 105 and UE 115 may be operated by a single network operating entity.

[0040] A base station may provide communication coverage for a macro cell or a small cell, such as a pico cell or a femto cell, or other types of cell. A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g., several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptions with the network provider. A small cell, such as a pico cell, would generally cover a relatively smaller geographic area and may allow unrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptions with the network provider. A small cell, such as a femto cell, would also generally cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a home) and, in addition to unrestricted access, may also provide restricted access by UEs having an association with the femto cell (e.g., UEs in a closed subscriber group (CSG), UEs for users in the home, and the like). A base station for a macro cell may be referred to as a macro base station. A base station for a small cell may be referred to as a small cell base station, a pico base station, a femto base station or a home base station. In the example shown in FIG. 1, base stations 105d and 105e are regular macro base stations, while base stations 105a- 105c are macro base stations enabled with one of 3 dimension (3D), full dimension (FD), or massive MIMO. Base stations 105a-105c take advantage of their higher dimension MIMO capabilities to exploit 3D beamforming in both elevation and azimuth beamforming to increase coverage and capacity. Base station 105f is a small cell base station which may be a home node or portable access point. A base station may support one or multiple (e.g., two, three, four, and the like) cells.

[0041] Wireless network 100 may support synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, the base stations may have similar frame timing, and transmissions from different base stations may be approximately aligned in time. For asynchronous operation, the base stations may have different frame timing, and transmissions from different base stations may not be aligned in time. In some scenarios,networks may be enabled or configured to handle dynamic switching between synchronous or asynchronous operations.

[0042] UEs 115 are dispersed throughout the wireless network 100, and each UE may be stationary or mobile. It should be appreciated that, although a mobile apparatus is commonly referred to as a UE in standards and specifications promulgated by the 3 GPP, such apparatus may additionally or otherwise be referred to by those skilled in the art as a mobile station (MS), a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communications device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal (AT), a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a terminal, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, a gaming device, an augmented reality device, vehicular component, vehicular device, or vehicular module, or some other suitable terminology. Within the present document, a “mobile” apparatus or UE need not necessarily have a capability to move, and may be stationary. Some non-limiting examples of a mobile apparatus, such as may include implementations of one or more of UEs 115, include a mobile, a cellular (cell) phone, a smart phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a laptop, a personal computer (PC), a notebook, a netbook, a smart book, a tablet, and a personal digital assistant (PDA). A mobile apparatus may additionally be an loT or “Internet of everything” (loE) device such as an automotive or other transportation vehicle, a satellite radio, a global positioning system (GPS) device, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) device, a logistics controller, a drone, a multi-copter, a quad-copter, a smart energy or security device, a solar panel or solar array, municipal lighting, water, or other infrastructure; industrial automation and enterprise devices; consumer and wearable devices, such as eyewear, a wearable camera, a smart watch, a health or fitness tracker, a mammal implantable device, gesture tracking device, medical device, a digital audio player (e.g., MP3 player), a camera, a game console, etc.; and digital home or smart home devices such as a home audio, video, and multimedia device, an appliance, a sensor, a vending machine, intelligent lighting, a home security system, a smart meter, etc. In one aspect, a UE may be a device that includes a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC). In another aspect, a UE may be a device that does not include a UICC. In some aspects, UEs that do not include UICCs may also be referred to as loE devices. UEs 115a-l 15d of the implementation illustrated in FIG. 1 are examples of mobile smart phone-type devices accessing wireless network 100 A UE may also be a machine specifically configured for connected communication, including machine typecommunication (MTC), enhanced MTC (eMTC), narrowband loT (NB-IoT) and the like. UEs 115e-l 15k illustrated in FIG. 1 are examples of various machines configured for communication that access wireless network 100.

[0043] A mobile apparatus, such as UEs 115, may be able to communicate with any type of the base stations, whether macro base stations, pico base stations, femto base stations, relays, and the like. In FIG. 1, a communication link (represented as a lightning bolt) indicates wireless transmissions between a UE and a serving base station, which is a base station designated to serve the UE on the downlink or uplink, or desired transmission between base stations, and backhaul transmissions between base stations. UEs may operate as base stations or other network nodes in some scenarios. Backhaul communication between base stations of wireless network 100 may occur using wired or wireless communication links.

[0044] In operation at wireless network 100, base stations 105a-105c serve UEs 115a and 115b using 3D beamforming and coordinated spatial techniques, such as coordinated multipoint (CoMP) or multi-connectivity. Macro base station 105d performs backhaul communications with base stations 105a- 105c, as well as small cell, base station 105f. Macro base station 105d also transmits multicast services which are subscribed to and received by UEs 115c and 115d. Such multicast services may include mobile television or stream video, or may include other services for providing community information, such as weather emergencies or alerts, such as Amber alerts or gray alerts.

[0045] Wireless network 100 of implementations supports mission critical communications with ultra-reliable and redundant links for mission critical devices, such as UE 115e, which is a drone. Redundant communication links with UE 115e include from macro base stations 105d and 105e, as well as small cell base station 105f. Other machine type devices, such as UE 115f (thermometer), UE 115g (smart meter), and UE 115h (wearable device) may communicate through wireless network 100 either directly with base stations, such as small cell base station 105f, and macro base station 105e, or in multi-hop configurations by communicating with another user device which relays its information to the network, such as UE 115f communicating temperature measurement information to the smart meter, UE 115g, which is then reported to the network through small cell base station 105f. Wireless network 100 may also provide additional network efficiency through dynamic, low-latency TDD communications or low-latency FDD communications, such as in a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) mesh network between UEs 115i- 115k communicating with macro base station 105e.

[0046] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating examples of base station 105 and UE 115 according to one or more aspects. Base station 105 and UE 115 may be any of the base stations and one of the UEs in FIG. 1. For a restricted association scenario (as mentioned above), base station 105 may be small cell base station 105f in FIG. 1, and UE 115 may be UE 115c or 115d operating in a service area of base station 105f, which in order to access small cell base station 105f, would be included in a list of accessible UEs for small cell base station 105f. Base station 105 may also be a base station of some other type. As shown in FIG. 2, base station 105 may be equipped with antennas 234a through 234t, and UE 115 may be equipped with antennas 252a through 252r for facilitating wireless communications.

[0047] At base station 105, transmit processor 220 may receive data from data source 212 and control information from processor 240. The control information may be for a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), a physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH), a physical hybrid-ARQ (automatic repeat request) indicator channel (PHICH), a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH), an MTC physical downlink control channel (MPDCCH), etc. The data may be for a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), etc. Additionally, transmit processor 220 may process (e.g., encode and symbol map) the data and control information to obtain data symbols and control symbols, respectively. Transmit processor 220 may also generate reference symbols, e.g., for the primary synchronization signal (PSS) and secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and cell-specific reference signal. Transmit (TX) MIMO processor 230 may perform spatial processing (e.g., precoding) on the data symbols, the control symbols, or the reference symbols, if applicable, and may provide output symbol streams to modulators (MODs) 232a through 232t. For example, spatial processing performed on the data symbols, the control symbols, or the reference symbols may include precoding. Each modulator 232 may process a respective output symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain an output sample stream. Each modulator 232 may additionally or alternatively process (e.g., convert to analog, amplify, filter, and upconvert) the output sample stream to obtain a downlink signal. Downlink signals from modulators 232a through 232t may be transmitted via antennas 234a through 234t, respectively.

[0048] At UE 115, antennas 252a through 252r may receive the downlink signals from base station 105 and may provide received signals to demodulators (DEMODs) 254a through 254r, respectively. Each demodulator 254 may condition (e.g., filter, amplify,downconvert, and digitize) a respective received signal to obtain input samples. Each demodulator 254 may further process the input samples (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain received symbols. MIMO detector 256 may obtain received symbols from demodulators 254a through 254r, perform MIMO detection on the received symbols if applicable, and provide detected symbols. Receive processor 258 may process (e.g., demodulate, deinterleave, and decode) the detected symbols, provide decoded data for UE 115 to data sink 260, and provide decoded control information to processor 280, such as a processor.

[0049] On the uplink, at UE 115, transmit processor 264 may receive and process data (e.g., for a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)) from data source 262 and control information (e.g., for a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH)) from processor 280. Additionally, transmit processor 264 may also generate reference symbols for a reference signal. The symbols from transmit processor 264 may be precoded by TX MIMO processor 266 if applicable, further processed by modulators 254a through 254r (e.g., for SC-FDM, etc.), and transmitted to base station 105. At base station 105, the uplink signals from UE 115 may be received by antennas 234, processed by demodulators 232, detected by MIMO detector 236 if applicable, and further processed by receive processor 238 to obtain decoded data and control information sent by UE 115. Receive processor 238 may provide the decoded data to data sink 239 and the decoded control information to processor 240.

[0050] Processor 240 and 280 may direct the operation at base station 105 and UE 115, respectively. Processor 240 or other processors and modules at base station 105 or processor 280 or other processors and modules at UE 115 may perform or direct the execution of various processes for the techniques described herein, such as to perform or direct the execution illustrated in FIGs. 5 and 6, or other processes for the techniques described herein. Memories 242 and 282 may store data and program codes for base station 105 and UE 115, respectively. Scheduler 244 may schedule UEs for data transmission on the downlink or the uplink.

[0051] In some cases, UE 115 and base station 105 may operate in a shared radio frequency spectrum band, which may include licensed or unlicensed (e.g., contention-based) frequency spectrum. In an unlicensed frequency portion of the shared radio frequency spectrum band, UEs 115 or base stations 105 may traditionally perform a medium-sensing procedure to contend for access to the frequency spectrum. For example, UE 115 or base station 105 may perform a listen-before-talk or listen-before-transmitting (LBT) procedure such as a clear channel assessment (CCA) prior to communicating in order todetermine whether the shared channel is available. In some implementations, a CCA may include an energy detection procedure to determine whether there are any other active transmissions. For example, a device may infer that a change in a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of a power meter indicates that a channel is occupied. Specifically, signal power that is concentrated in a certain bandwidth and exceeds a predetermined noise floor may indicate another wireless transmitter. A CCA also may include detection of specific sequences that indicate use of the channel. For example, another device may transmit a specific preamble prior to transmitting a data sequence. In some cases, an LBT procedure may include a wireless node adjusting its own backoff window based on the amount of energy detected on a channel or the acknowledge / negative-acknowledge (ACK / NACK) feedback for its own transmitted packets as a proxy for collisions.

[0052] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system 300 that supports indicating UE phase continuity according to one or more aspects. The wireless communication system 300 may include a UE 315 (such as the UE 115). The wireless communication system 300 may also include one or more network nodes, such as a network node 305. An example of a network node may be a base station, such as the base station 105. A network node may also be referred to herein as a network entity. Depending on the example, a network node (or network entity) may be implemented as a base station, a network controller, an integrated access and backhauling (IAB) node, a distributed unit (DU), a central unit (CU), a remote / radio unit (RU) (which may also be referred to as a remote radio unit (RRU)), or one or more other components or entities, as illustrative examples.

[0053] The network node 305 may include one or more processors 302 (such as the processor 240), a memory 304 (such as the memory 242), a transmitter 306, and a receiver 308. The one or more processors 302 may be coupled to the memory 304, to the transmitter 306, and to the receiver 308. In some examples, the transmitter 306 and the receiver 308 may include one or more components described with reference to Figure 2, such as one or more of the modulator / demodulators 232a-t, the MIMO detector 236, the receive processor 238, the transmit processor 220, or the TX MIMO processor 230. In some implementations, the transmitter 306 and the receiver 308 may be integrated in one or more transceivers of the network node 305.

[0054] The transmitter 306 may be configured to transmit reference signals, synchronization signals, control information, and data to one or more other devices, and the receiver 308 may be configured to receive reference signals, control information, and data from one ormore other devices. For example, the transmitter 306 may be configured to transmit signaling, control information, and data to the UE 315, and the receiver 308 may be configured to receive signaling, control information, and data from the UE 315.

[0055] The UE 315 may include one or more processors 352 (such as the processor 280), a memory 354 (such as the memory 282), a transmitter 356, and a receiver 358. The one or more processors 352 may be coupled to the memory 354, to the transmitter 356, and to the receiver 358. In some examples, the transmitter 356 and the receiver 358 may include one or more components described with reference to Figure 2, such as one or more of the modulator / demodulators 254a-r, the MIMO detector 256, the receive processor 258, the transmit processor 264, or the TX MIMO processor 266. In some implementations, the transmitter 356 and the receiver 358 may be integrated in one or more transceivers of the UE 315. In some examples, the transmitter 356 may include a power amplifier 370. In some examples, the transmitter 356 and the receiver 358 may include a radar device, such as a monostatic radar transceiver, and may further include a cellular device, such as a cellular transceiver.

[0056] The transmitter 356 may transmit reference signals, synchronization signals, control information, and data to one or more other devices, and the receiver 358 may receive reference signals, control information, and data from one or more other devices. For example, in some implementations, the transmitter 356 may transmit signaling, control information, and data to the network node 305, and the receiver 358 may receive signaling, control information, and data from the network node 305.

[0057] The wireless communication system 300 may use wireless communication channels, which may be specified by one or more wireless communication protocols, such as a 5G NR wireless communication protocol. To illustrate, the network node 305 may communicate with the UE 315 using one or more downlink wireless communication channels (such as via one or more of a PDSCH or a PDCCH). The UE 315 may communicate with the network node 305 using one or more uplink wireless communication channels (such as via one or more of a PUSCH or a PUCCH). Alternatively, or in addition, the UE 315 may communicate with one or more other UEs, such as via a sidelink wireless communication channel.

[0058] In some implementations, the UE 315 may correspond to one of the UEs 115e, 115i, 115k, or 115j illustrated in FIG. 1, which may be a vehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle, a partially autonomous vehicle, or a non-autonomous vehicle. To further illustrate, in some implementations, the UE 315 may correspond to a wheeled vehicle (such as a car, truck,or motorcycle), a railed vehicle (such a train or a tram), a watercraft (such as a ship, boat, or underwater vehicle), an aircraft vehicle, or a spacecraft vehicle. In some other examples, the UE 315 may correspond to another device, such as a drone, a robot, or a sensor device, such as an Internet-of-things (loT) sensor device, as illustrative examples. In some examples, the UE 315 may correspond to one of the UEs 115f, 115g, and 115h of FIG. 1.

[0059] During operation, the UE 315 may perform one or more joint sensing operations. An example of a joint sensing operation is a joint communication and radar sensing (JCR) operation. Performing a joint sensing operation (such as a JCR operation) may include performing one or more cellular communication operations and one or more sensing operations. To illustrate, in some implementations, the UE 315 may include or may be a vehicle, and the one or more sensing operations may include estimating one or more of a position, velocity, acceleration, or other parameter of one or more of the UE 315 or another UE, vehicle, or object.

[0060] To further illustrate, the UE 315 may perform a joint sensing operation 360 (e.g., a JCR operation) that includes multiple operations, such as a cellular communication 362 and a sensing operation 364. In some examples, performing the cellular communication 362 includes communicating with the network node 305, such as by transmitting data or other signaling to the network node 305, receiving data or other signaling from the network node 305, or both. In some examples, the sensing operation 364 may include estimating one or more of a position, velocity, acceleration, or other parameter of one or more of the UE 315 or another UE, vehicle, or object.

[0061] To illustrate, performing the sensing operation 364 may include transmitting a sensing reference signal (SRS) 320 (also referred to as a sensor reference signal). The UE 315 may transmit the SRS 320 using resources (e.g., uplink resources) of a cellular frequency band, such as a millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency band. To further illustrate, in some examples, the cellular frequency band may be associated with a center frequency of 28 gigahertz (GHz), 77 GHz, or another frequency. The resources may be configured, allocated, or scheduled by the network node 305. In some implementations, the SRS 320 may include a cellular signal waveform, such as a cyclic prefix orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (CP-OFDM) signal waveform, or a non-cellular signal waveform.

[0062] Performing the sensing operation 364 may further include receiving one or more reflections of the SRS 320, such as a reflection 322. The UE 315 may estimate one or more of a position, velocity, acceleration, or other parameter of one or more of the UE315 or another UE, vehicle, or object. In some examples, the SRS 320 may include a radar signal, and the UE 315 may estimate the position, velocity, acceleration, or other parameter using a Doppler sensing technique. Alternatively, or in addition, in some other aspects, one or more other sensing signals or sensing techniques may be used, such as an ultrasonic signal and an ultrasonic sensing technique.

[0063] In some examples, the UE 315 may use one or more components of the UE 315 to perform both the cellular communication 362 and the sensing operation 364 (or portions thereof), which may be referred to herein as jointly performing the cellular communication 362 and the sensing operation 364 (or portions thereof). To illustrate, in some examples, the UE 315 may jointly perform the cellular communication 362 and the sensing operation 364 using a wireless communication device of the UE 315. The wireless communication device may include one or both of the transmitter 356 or the receiver 358. In some examples, the wireless communication device includes or corresponds to a transceiver that includes the transmitter 356 and the receiver 358. The UE 315 may use the wireless communication device to transmit the SRS 320 (e.g., via the transmitter 356) and to receive the reflection 322 (e.g., via the receiver 358).

[0064] To further illustrate, FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a graph 400 that may be used to support indicating UE phase continuity according to one or more aspects. In the graph 400, the abscissa may indicate time, and the ordinate may indicate magnitude (e.g., signal energy or power). In some examples, transmitting the SRS 320 of FIG. 3 may include transmitting one or more SRS pulses, such as SRS pulses 320a, 320b, 320c, 320d, and 320e (also referred to as SRS pulses 320a-e). Performing the sensing operation 364 of FIG. 3 may include transmitting the SRS pulses 320a-e and detecting one or more reflections of the SRS pulses 320a-e (such as the reflection 322). The UE 315 may transmit each of the SRS pulses 320a-e using time domain resources, such as OFDM symbols associated with a wireless communication protocol, and further using frequency domain resources, such as a “comb” type mapping of frequency domain resources.

[0065] The UE 315 may transmit the SRS pulses 320a-e during a processing interval 404. In some implementations, the processing interval 404 may be a coherent processing interval (CPI) or another processing interval. In some examples, a duration of the processing interval 404 may be selected (e.g., by the network node 305 or by the UE 315) in accordance with one or more criteria. For example, the duration of the processing interval 404 may be selected in accordance with a parameter to be measured or estimated by the UE 315. As a non-limiting illustrative example, the UE 315 estimate a velocity inaccordance with a particular duration of the processing interval 404 to achieve at least a threshold accuracy (or resolution) level of the estimated velocity.

[0066] Each of the SRS pulses 320a-e may be associated with a respective SRS interval that includes an SRS pulse transmission interval and a gap interval. For example, the SRS pulse 320a may be associated with an SRS interval 402 that includes an SRS pulse transmission interval during which the UE 315 transmits the SRS pulse 320a and that further includes a gap interval 408 following transmission of the SRS pulse 320a and prior to transmission of the SRS pulse 320b. In some examples, the gap intervals may be uniform or approximately uniform, where the gap intervals are equal or approximately equal. In some other examples, the gap intervals may be non-uniform.

[0067] The UE 315 may perform one or more operations during one or more gap intervals, such as transmitting or receiving one or more signals 406 during the gap interval 408. In some examples, the one or more signals 406 may be associated with the cellular communication 362 and may include one or more of a downlink signal received from the network node 305, an uplink signal transmitted to the network node 305, a sidelink signal received from another UE, or a sidelink signal transmitted to another UE, as illustrative examples. Alternatively, or in addition, the UE 315 may perform one or more other operations during the gap interval 408, such as by operating according to a sleep mode (e.g., by placing the transmitter 356 in the sleep mode) or performing a beam switch operation (such as by adjusting the transmitter 356 from using a first beam direction associated with the SRS pulse 320a to using a second beam associated with the SRS pulse 320b). In some implementations, processing time intervals 410 and 412 enable the UE 315 to change or configure one or more parameters, such as by changing from transmit state to a receive state (or vice versa), as an illustrative example.

[0068] In some circumstances, performing one or more operations during one or more gap intervals of the processing interval 404 (such as the gap interval 408) may be associated with a reduction or loss of phase continuity associated with the SRS 320. As an illustrative example, after transmitting or receiving the one or more signals 406, a phase of the SRS pulse 320b may differ from a phase of the SRS pulse 320a. As a result, accuracy of an estimation operation (such as a position, velocity, or acceleration operation) may be reduced in some cases (such as if the phase difference between the SRS pulses 320a and 320b is relatively large).

[0069] Referring again to FIG. 3, prior to performing the joint sensing operation 360, the UE 315 may transmit a message 330 (e.g., a UE phase continuity capability report or anothermessage) including an indication 332 associated with maintaining phase continuity of the SRS 320. For example, the indication 332 may specify whether the UE 315 (or one or more components of the UE 315, such as one or more of the transmitter 356 or the receiver 358) is capable of maintaining at least a threshold amount of phase continuity (e.g., at least a particular percentage of phase continuity) between two or more of the SRS pulses 320a-e of FIG. 4 during the processing interval 404. To illustrate, the indication 332 may specify (or may be associated with) whether the UE 315 is capable of maintaining at least the threshold amount of phase continuity between successive SRS pulses, such as the SRS pulses 320a and 320b. In another example, the indication 332 may specify (or may be associated with) whether the UE 315 is capable of maintaining at least the threshold amount of phase continuity between the initial and final SRS pulses of a processing interval, such as the SRS pulses 320a and 320e of the processing interval 404.

[0070] In some examples, the indication 332 may include a value, bit, flag, or other parameter that indicates whether the UE 315 is capable of maintaining at least the threshold amount of phase continuity associated with the SRS 320 during the processing interval 404. For example, the indication 332 may include a value, bit, or flag that, if included in the message 330, indicates that the UE 315 is (or is not) capable of maintaining at least the threshold amount of phase continuity. In some other examples, the indication 332 may include a value, bit, or flag that, if not included in the message 330, indicates that the UE 315 is (or is not) capable of maintaining at least the threshold amount of phase continuity. Alternatively, or in addition, the indication 332 may specify an amount of phase continuity (such as a percentage) that is supported by the UE 315.

[0071] In some examples, the indication 332 may specify whether the UE 315 supports maintaining phase continuity for one or more particular operations or conditions. For example, the indication 332 may specify whether the UE 315 supports beam switching during the processing interval 404 while maintaining the phase continuity, such as by indicating whether the UE 315 supports interleaving of a beam associated with the SRS 320 and at least one other beam (such as a beam associated with the one or more signals 406). As an illustrative example, the indication 332 may specify whether the UE 315 supports transmitting an uplink signal of the one or more signals 406 while maintaining phase continuity associated with the SRS 320. Alternatively, or in addition, the indication 332 may specify whether the UE 315 supports changing a bandwidth during the processing interval 404 while maintaining the phase continuity. For example, the indication 332 may specify whether the UE 315 supports changing from a transmissionbandwidth associated with the SRS 320 to another bandwidth associated with the one or more signals 406 while maintaining the phase continuity. Alternatively, or in addition, the indication 332 may specify whether the UE 315 supports receiving (or monitoring for) another signal (such as a downlink signal from the network node 305 or a sidelink signal from another UE) during the processing interval 404 while maintaining the phase continuity. In some examples, the indication 332 may specify such information using a quantity of slots or symbols, such as a quantity of slots or symbols associated with a downlink or sidelink signal for which the UE does or does not support maintaining phase continuity of the SRS 320.

[0072] In some examples, the indication 332 may specify whether the UE 315 supports maintaining the phase continuity for a particular duration or may indicate a threshold duration during which the UE 315 supports maintaining the phase continuity, such as a maximum duration for which the UE 315 supports maintaining the phase continuity or a minimum duration for which the UE 315 does not support maintaining the phase continuity. To further illustrate, the indication 332 may specify whether the UE 315 supports a particular duration of the processing interval 404 while maintaining the phase continuity. In some examples, the duration may correspond to a duration of the processing interval 404, such as by indicating a quantity of SRS pulses for which the UE 315 is able to maintain phase continuity. In some examples, the duration may be indicated via the initial OFDM symbol and final OFDM symbol of the SRS 320, or a time interval between the initial OFDM symbol and the final OFDM symbol.

[0073] In some examples, the indication 332 may specify a duration of the gap interval 408 of FIG. 4 or may indicate whether the UE 315 supports maintaining a particular duration of the gap interval 408 while maintaining the phase continuity. To illustrate, in some implementations, a greater duration of the gap interval 408 may be associated with greater phase loss (or likelihood of phase loss) from the SRS pulse 320a to the SRS pulse 320b (even if the UE 315 does not perform transmit or receive the one or more signals 406 during the gap interval 408). To further illustrate, in some examples, the SRS 320 may be associated with at least a first SRS pulse (such as the SRS pulse 320a or another SRS pulse) and a second SRS pulse (such as a second SRS pulse or another SRS pulse) that is separated from the first SRS pulse by a gap interval (such as the gap interval 408), and the indication 332 may specify whether the UE 315 supports a particular duration of the gap interval while maintaining the phase continuity. In some implementations, the duration of the gap interval 408 may related to a subcarrier spacing (SCS) parameterassociated with the SRS 320, and the duration may be indicated in connection with the SCS.

[0074] In some examples, the indication 332 may specify one or more processing time interval durations, such as a duration of the processing time interval 410, a duration of the processing time interval 412, or a combination thereof. To illustrate, in some examples, the UE 315 may perform an operation during a gap interval (such as the gap interval 408) that is associated with an interruption of a transmit state 372 of the transmitter 356. The transmit state 372 may be associated with transmission of the SRS 320. For example, the transmit state 372 may include one or more of a phase associated with the SRS 320 or a power amplifier state (e.g., an amount of signal amplification) of the power amplifier 370 used to amplify the SRS 320. The UE 315 may store an indication of the transmit state 372, such as at the memory 354 (e.g., prior to interrupting the transmit state 372 to perform the operation). The UE 315 may select the duration of the gap interval 408 to enable the UE 315 to retrieve the transmit state 372 (e.g., from the memory 354) and to restore the retrieved transmit state 372 at the transmitter 356. In an example, the indication 332 may specify a duration of the processing time interval 412 for restoring the transmit state 372 prior to completion of the gap interval 408, the control information 340 may indicate time resources associated with the operation, and the time resources may be in accordance with the duration of the processing time interval 412. The UE 315 may perform the operation in accordance with the time resources (e.g., while using the processing time interval 412 to restore the transmit state 372).

[0075] In some examples, the network node 305 and the UE 315 may communicate using a wireless communication protocol that specifies one or more features associated with the indication 332. For example, the wireless communication protocol may specify that the indication 332 is to be provided by UEs that are capable of transmitting an SRS for sensing, such as the SRS 320. In some other examples, the wireless communication protocol may specify that the indication 332 is to be provided by UEs that are capable of transmitting and using an SRS for a particular operation, such as for velocity estimation.

[0076] The network node 305 may select resources 342 associated with the processing interval 404 and may transmit (e.g., prior to the UE 315 performing the joint sensing operation 360) control information 340 indicating the resources 342. The control information 340 may include allocation, configuration, or scheduling of the resources 342 in accordance with the indication 332. To illustrate, the control information 340 may indicate, in accordance with the indication 332, one or more of a configured duration of theprocessing interval 404, a configured gap interval (such as a configured duration of the gap interval 408), a configured interleaving or non-interleaving of a beam associated with the SRS 320 and at least one other beam, one or more configured resources for another transmission during the processing interval (such as transmission of the one or more signals 406), or an allocation of uplink resources for transmission of the SRS 320. For example, the control information 340 may indicate the uplink resources in accordance with the indication 332 specifying whether the UE 315 supports maintaining the phase continuity while monitoring for or receiving another signal, such as using downlink resources, sidelink resources, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the downlink resources may include one or more of a first set of downlink resources that are common to UEs of a same cell or a second set of downlink resources that are associated with the UE.

[0077] To further illustrate, if the indication 332 specifies that the UE 315 does (or does not) support beam switching during the processing interval 404 while maintaining the phase continuity, the resources 342 may include multiple beams for beam switching during the processing interval 404 (or a single beam to avoid beam switching during the processing interval 404). Alternatively, or in addition, if the indication 332 specifies that the UE 315 supports (or does not support) changing a transmission bandwidth during the processing interval 404 while maintaining the phase continuity, then the resources 342 may include multiple different transmission bandwidth for transmission bandwidth adjustment during the processing interval 404 (or a single transmission bandwidth to avoid transmission bandwidth adjustment during the processing interval 404). Alternatively, or in addition, if the indication 332 specifies that the UE 315 supports (or does not support) receiving another signal (such as a downlink signal from the network node 305 or a sidelink signal from another UE) during the processing interval 404 while maintaining the phase continuity, then the resources 342 may include one or more of downlink resources or sidelink resources for one or more receive operations during the processing interval 404 (or may exclude such downlink or sidelink resources if the UE 315 does not support receiving such a signal during the processing interval 404 while maintaining the phase continuity). Alternatively, or in addition, the resources 342 may include time resources that are selected in accordance with a duration specified by the indication 332 (e.g., so that a duration of the processing interval 404 does not exceed a duration during which the UE 315 is able to maintain the phase continuity). Other examples are also within the scope of the disclosure.

[0078] The UE 315 may receive the control information 340. The UE 315 may perform the joint sensing operation 360 in accordance with the control information 340, such as by using the resources 342 indicated by the control information 340. To illustrate, the UE 315 may transmit, during the processing interval 404, the SRS 320 in accordance with the control information 340, such as by using the resources 342 indicated by the control information 340. The UE 315 may receive the reflection 322 of the SRS 320 and may estimate, in accordance with the reflection 322, one or more parameters (such as one or more of a position, velocity, or acceleration) associated with one or more of the UE 315, another UE, or another object.

[0079] In some circumstances, control information received by the UE 315 (such as the control information 340) may indicate one or more parameters that contradict the indication 332, such as if a capability of the UE 315 changes after transmitting the message 330, or if the network node 305 is unable to schedule, allocate, or configure the resources 342 in accordance with the indication 332 due to resource unavailability. The UE 315 may determine in accordance with one or more criteria, whether to transmit the SRS in accordance with the one or more parameters. In some implementations, the one or more criteria may specify that the UE 315 is to transmit the SRS 320 in accordance with the one or more parameters (if the UE 315 is capable of doing so) or to avoid transmitting the SRS 320 in accordance with the one or more parameters. In some other examples, the one or more criteria may be specific to the UE 315 (such as by being configured by a vendor of the UE 315) or may be specified by a wireless communication protocol associated with the wireless communication system 300.

[0080] In some examples, the phase continuity associated with the indication 332 may be measured (or indicated) in accordance with one or more phase continuity metrics. To illustrate, the one or more phase continuity metrics may include a percentage phase difference or a number of degrees of phase difference between two or more SRS pulses associated with the SRS 320, such as the SRS pulses 320a and 320b or the SRS pulses 320a and 320e. As phase difference may also be referred to as a phase offset or phase “drift.” Alternatively, or in addition, to expressing phase continuity using phase difference, phase continuity may be expressed using one or more other metrics, such as using a frequency offset, where the frequency offset is caused by a phase difference less than a particular percentage of a carrier frequency associated with the SRS 320. In some implementations, the one or more phase continuity metrics may be specific to the UE 315 (such as by being configured by a vendor of the UE 315). In some other examples, theone or more phase continuity metrics may be specified by a wireless communication protocol associated with the wireless communication system.

[0081] One or more aspects described herein may improve operation of one or more devices within a wireless communication system, such as the wireless communication system 300. For example, because some sensing operations may be relatively sensitive to phase of the SRS 320, avoiding one or more operations that may change or degrade phase from one SRS pulse to another SRS pulse may improve phase continuity among pulses of the SRS 320, improving accuracy of such a sensing operation. Accordingly, by specifying, via the indication 332, capability of the UE 315 to maintain phase continuity associated with the SRS 320, reliability of a sensing operation at the UE 315 may be improved.

[0082] Alternatively, or in addition, the improved accuracy may reduce or avoid the need for certain circuitry that may be relatively costly or complex to implement. For example, some operations performed in between pulses of the SRS 320 may use specialized hardware or other circuitry of the UE 315, such as hardware or circuitry that facilitates a beam switch operation or operation according to a sleep mode. By indicating, to the network node 305 via the indication 332, capability of the UE 315 to support phase continuity, the network node 305 may avoid allocating, configuring, or scheduling resources for such operations in between the pulses of the SRS 320. As a result, use of such hardware or circuitry may be reduced or avoided, reducing cost and complexity associated with the UE 315.

[0083] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an example process 500 that supports indicating UE phase continuity according to one or more aspects. In some examples, the UE 315 performs the process 500.

[0084] The process 500 includes transmitting a message that includes an indication of maintaining phase continuity of a sensing reference signal (SRS) during a processing interval associated with a joint sensing operation, at 502. For example, the UE 315 may transmit the message 330 including the indication 332 associated with maintaining phase continuity of the SRS 320 during the processing interval 404 associated with the joint sensing operation 360.

[0085] The process 500 further includes receiving control information associated with the indication, at 504. For example, the UE 315 may receive the control information 340 associated with the indication 332.

[0086] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating another example process 600 that supports indicating UE phase continuity according to one or more aspects. In some examples, the network node 305 performs the process 600.

[0087] The process 600 includes receiving a message that includes an indication of a user equipment (UE) maintaining phase continuity of a sensing reference signal (SRS) during a processing interval associated with a joint sensing operation, at 602. For example, the network node 305 may receive the message 330 including the indication 332 associated with the UE 315 maintaining phase continuity of the SRS 320 during the processing interval 404 associated with the joint sensing operation 360.

[0088] The process 600 further includes transmitting control information associated with the indication, at 604. For example, the network node 305 may transmit the control information 340 associated with the indication 332.

[0089] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the UE 315 according to some aspects of the disclosure. The UE 315 may include the processor 280, which may execute instructions stored in the memory 282. Using the processor 280, the UE 315 may transmit and receive signals via wireless radios 701a-r and antennas 252a-r. The wireless radios 701a-r may include one or more components or devices described herein, such as the modulator / demodulators 254a-r, the MIMO detector 256, the receive processor 258, the transmit processor 264, the TX MIMO processor 266, the transmitter 356, the receiver 358, one or more other components or devices, or a combination thereof.

[0090] In some examples, the memory 282 may store instructions executable by one or more processors (e.g., the processor 280) that are individually or collectively configured to initiate, perform, or control one or more operations described herein. In some examples, the processor 280 may execute such instructions to determine one or more parameters to be specified by the indication 332. To illustrate, the one or more parameters may include one or more maximum duration parameters 702 (such as a duration of one or more of the SRS interval 402, the processing interval 404, or the gap interval 408) for which the UE supports maintaining phase continuity of the SRS 320, a beam switching parameter 704 indicating whether the UE 315 supports beam switching while maintaining the phase continuity, a bandwidth change parameter 706 indicating whether the UE 315 supports changing bandwidth while maintaining the phase continuity, an uplink transmission parameter 708, a downlink transmission parameter 710, or a combination thereof. In some examples, one or both of the uplink transmission parameter 708 or the downlink transmission parameter 710 may indicate a parameter associated with an operationperformed during one or more gap intervals (such as the gap interval 408) by the UE 315 while maintaining the phase continuity.

[0091] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the network node 305 according to some aspects of the disclosure. The network node 305 may include the processor 240, which may execute instructions stored in memory 242. Under control of the processor 240, the network node 305 may transmit and receive signals via wireless radios 801a-t and antennas 234a-t. The wireless radios 801a-t may include one or more components or devices described herein, such as the modulator / demodulators 232a-t, the MIMO detector 236, the receive processor 238, the transmit processor 220, the TX MIMO processor 230, the transmitter 306, the receiver 308, one or more other components or devices, or a combination thereof.

[0092] In some examples, the memory 242 may store instructions executable by one or more processors (e.g., the processor 240) that are individually or collectively configured to initiate, perform, or control one or more operations described herein. In some examples, the processor 280 may execute such instructions to determine one or more parameters to be specified by the indication 332 and to select one or more configured parameters, which may be specified by the control information 340. To illustrate, the one or more configured parameters may include one or more configured duration parameters 802 (such as a configured duration of one or more of the SRS interval 402, the processing interval 404, or the gap interval 408), a configured beam switching parameter 804, a configured bandwidth change parameter 806, a configured uplink transmission parameter 808, a configured downlink transmission parameter 810, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the network node 305 selects the one or more configured duration parameters 802, the configured beam switching parameter 804, the configured bandwidth change parameter 806, the configured uplink transmission parameter 808, and the configured downlink transmission parameter 810 in accordance with the one or more maximum duration parameters 702, the beam switching parameter 704, the bandwidth change parameter 706, the uplink transmission parameter 708, and the downlink transmission parameter 710, respectively. In some examples, one or both of the configured uplink transmission parameter 808 or the configured downlink transmission parameter 810 may indicate a parameter associated with an operation performed during one or more gap intervals (such as the gap interval 408) by the UE 315 while maintaining phase continuity of the SRS 320.

[0093] According to some further aspects, in a first aspect, an apparatus for wireless communication by a UE includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is configured to transmit a message that includes an indication of maintaining phase continuity of a SRS during a processing interval associated with a joint sensing operation The receiver is configured to receive control information associated with the indication.

[0094] In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the indication specifies whether the UE is configured to support a particular duration of the processing interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

[0095] In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect or the second aspect, the SRS is associated with at least a first SRS pulse and a second SRS pulse that is separated from the first SRS pulse by a gap interval, and the indication specifies whether the UE is configured to support a particular duration of the gap interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

[0096] In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the third aspect, the indication specifies whether the UE is configured to support beam switching during the processing interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

[0097] In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the fourth aspect, the indication specifies whether the UE is configured to change a transmission bandwidth during the processing interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

[0098] In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the fifth aspect, the indication specifies whether the UE is configured to receive or monitor for another signal during the processing interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

[0099] In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the sixth aspect, the control information includes allocation, configuration, or scheduling of resources associated with the processing interval in accordance with the indication.

[0100] In an eighth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the seventh aspect, the control information indicates, in accordance with the indication, one or more of a configured duration of the processing interval, a configured gap interval, a configured interleaving or non-interleaving of a beam associated with the SRS and at least one other beam, one or more configured resources for another transmission during the processing interval, or an allocation of uplink resources for transmission of the SRS.

[0101] In a ninth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the eighth aspect, the control information indicates the uplink resources in accordance withthe indication specifying whether the UE is configured to maintain the phase continuity while monitoring for or receiving another signal.

[0102] In a tenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the ninth aspect, the transmitter is further configured to perform, during a gap interval of the processing interval, an operation that is associated with an interruption of a transmit state of the transmitter for transmission of the SRS, and the indication specifies a duration of a processing time interval associated with restoring the transmit state prior to completion of the gap interval.

[0103] In an eleventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the tenth aspect, the apparatus further includes a power amplifier configured to amplify the SRS, and the transmit state includes one or more of a phase associated with the SRS or a power amplifier state of the power amplifier.

[0104] In a twelfth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the eleventh aspect, a method of wireless communication performed by a UE includes transmitting a message that includes an indication of maintaining phase continuity of a SRS during a processing interval associated with a joint sensing operation. The method further includes receiving control information associated with the indication.

[0105] In a thirteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the twelfth aspect, the indication specifies whether the UE supports a particular duration of the processing interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

[0106] In a fourteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the thirteenth aspect, the SRS is associated with at least a first SRS pulse and a second SRS pulse that is separated from the first SRS pulse by a gap interval, and the indication specifies whether the UE supports a particular duration of the gap interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

[0107] In a fifteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the fourteenth aspect, the indication specifies whether the UE supports beam switching during the processing interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

[0108] In a sixteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the fifteenth aspect, the indication specifies whether the UE supports changing a transmission bandwidth during the processing interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

[0109] In a seventeenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the sixteenth aspect, the indication specifies whether the UE supports receivingor monitoring for another signal during the processing interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

[0110] In an eighteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the seventeenth aspect, the control information includes allocation, configuration, or scheduling of resources associated with the processing interval in accordance with the indication.[OHl] In a nineteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the eighteenth aspect, the control information indicates, in accordance with the indication, one or more of a configured duration of the processing interval, a configured gap interval, a configured interleaving or non-interleaving of a beam associated with the SRS and at least one other beam, one or more configured resources for another transmission during the processing interval, or an allocation of uplink resources for transmission of the SRS.

[0112] In a twentieth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the nineteenth aspect, the control information indicates the uplink resources in accordance with the indication specifying whether the UE supports maintaining the phase continuity while monitoring for or receiving another signal using one or more of a first set of downlink resources that are common to UEs of a same cell or a second set of downlink resources that are associated with the UE.

[0113] In a twenty-first aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the twentieth aspect, the method further includes performing, during a gap interval of the processing interval, an operation that is associated with an interruption of a transmit state for transmission of the SRS, and the indication specifies a duration of a processing time interval associated with restoring the transmit state prior to completion of the gap interval.

[0114] In a twenty-second aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the twenty-first aspect, the transmit state includes one or more of a phase associated with the SRS or a power amplifier state of a power amplifier of the UE used to amplify the SRS.

[0115] In a twenty-third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the twenty-second aspect, an apparatus for wireless communication by a network node includes a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver is configured to receive a message that includes an indication of a UE maintaining phase continuity of a SRS during a processing interval associated with a joint sensing operation. The transmitter is configured to transmit control information associated with the indication.

[0116] In a twenty-fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the twenty-third aspect, the indication specifies whether the UE supports a particular duration of the processing interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

[0117] In a twenty-fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the twenty-fourth aspect, the SRS is associated with at least a first SRS pulse and a second SRS pulse that is separated from the first SRS pulse by a gap interval, and the indication specifies whether the UE supports a particular duration of the gap interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

[0118] In a twenty-sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the twenty-fifth aspect, the indication specifies whether the UE supports beam switching during the processing interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

[0119] In a twenty-seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the twenty-sixth aspect, a method for wireless communication performed by a network node includes receiving a message that includes an indication of a UE maintaining phase continuity of a SRS during a processing interval associated with a joint sensing operation. The method further includes transmitting control information associated with the indication.

[0120] In a twenty-eighth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the twenty-seventh aspect, the indication specifies whether the UE supports changing a transmission bandwidth during the processing interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

[0121] In a twenty-ninth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the twenty-eighth aspect, the indication specifies whether the UE supports receiving or monitoring for another signal during the processing interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

[0122] In a thirtieth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the twenty-ninth aspect, the control information indicates, in accordance with the indication, one or more of a configured duration of the processing interval, a configured gap interval, a configured interleaving or non-interleaving of a beam associated with the SRS and at least one other beam, one or more configured resources for another transmission during the processing interval, or an allocation of uplink resources for transmission of the SRS.

[0123] Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data,instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0124] One or more components, functional blocks, and modules described herein may include one or more processors, electronics devices, hardware devices, electronics components, logical circuits, memories, software codes, firmware codes, among other examples, or any combination thereof. Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, application, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, and / or functions, among other examples, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language or otherwise. In addition, features discussed herein may be implemented via specialized processor circuitry, via executable instructions, or combinations thereof.

[0125] Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and operations described herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To illustrate, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and operations have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software may depend upon the particular application and design of the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure. Skilled artisans will also readily recognize that the order or combination of components, methods, or interactions that are described herein are merely examples and that the components, methods, or interactions of the various aspects of the present disclosure may be combined or performed in ways other than those illustrated and described herein.

[0126] A hardware and data processing apparatus that may be used to implement one or more illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules, and circuits described herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose single- or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed toperform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or, any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. In some implementations, a processor may be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. In some implementations, particular processes and methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function.

[0127] In one or more aspects, one or more functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, digital electronic circuitry, computer software, firmware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents thereof, or in any combination thereof. Implementations of the subject matter described in this specification also may be implemented as one or more computer programs, that is one or more modules of computer program instructions, encoded on a computer storage media for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus.

[0128] If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. The operations of a method or process disclosed herein may be implemented in a processor-executable software module which may reside on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that may be enabled to transfer a computer program from one place to another. A storage media may be any available media that may be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media may include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable readonly memory (EEPROM), CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that may be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a computer. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. Additionally, the operations of a method or process may be implemented using one or more sets of codes and instructions on a machine readable medium and computer- readable medium, which may be incorporated into a computer program product.

[0129] Various modifications to the implementations described in this disclosure may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to some other implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with this disclosure, the principles and the novel features disclosed herein.

[0130] Additionally, a person having ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate, the terms “upper” and “lower” are sometimes used for ease of describing the figures, and indicate relative positions corresponding to the orientation of the figure on a properly oriented page, and may not reflect the proper orientation of any device as implemented.

[0131] Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations also may be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation also may be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination may in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[0132] Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Further, the drawings may schematically depict one more example processes in the form of a flow diagram. However, other operations that are not depicted may be incorporated in the example processes that are schematically illustrated. For example, one or more additional operations may be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the illustrated operations. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems may generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products. Additionally, some other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. In some cases, the actions recited in the claims may be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results.

[0133] As used herein, including in the claims, the term “or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items may be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items may be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, or C, the composition may contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination. Also, as used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items prefaced by “at least one of’ indicates a disjunctive list such that, for example, a list of “at least one of A, B, or C” means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (that is A and B and C) or any of these in any combination thereof. The term “substantially” is defined as largely but not necessarily wholly what is specified (and includes what is specified; for example, substantially 90 degrees includes 90 degrees and substantially parallel includes parallel), as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. In any disclosed implementations, the term “substantially” may be substituted with “within [a percentage] of’ what is specified, where the percentage includes .1, 1, 5, or 10 percent.

[0134] The previous description of the disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

CLAIMSWHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus for wireless communication by a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising: a transmitter configured to transmit a message that includes an indication of maintaining phase continuity of a sensing reference signal (SRS) during a processing interval associated with a joint sensing operation; and a receiver configured to receive control information associated with the indication.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indication specifies whether the UE is configured to support a particular duration of the processing interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the SRS is associated with at least a first SRS pulse and a second SRS pulse that is separated from the first SRS pulse by a gap interval, and wherein the indication specifies whether the UE is configured to support a particular duration of the gap interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indication specifies whether the UE is configured to support beam switching during the processing interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indication specifies whether the UE is configured to change a transmission bandwidth during the processing interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indication specifies whether the UE is configured to receive or monitor for another signal during the processing interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control information includes allocation, configuration, or scheduling of resources associated with the processing interval in accordance with the indication.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control information indicates, in accordance with the indication, one or more of a configured duration of the processing interval, a configured gap interval, a configured interleaving or non-interleaving of a beam associated with the SRS and at least one other beam, one or more configured resources for another transmission during the processing interval, or an allocation of uplink resources for transmission of the SRS.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the control information indicates the uplink resources in accordance with the indication specifying whether the UE is configured to maintain the phase continuity while monitoring for or receiving another signal.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is further configured to perform, during a gap interval of the processing interval, an operation that is associated with an interruption of a transmit state of the transmitter for transmission of the SRS, and wherein the indication specifies a duration of a processing time interval associated with restoring the transmit state prior to completion of the gap interval.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a power amplifier configured to amplify the SRS, wherein the transmit state includes one or more of a phase associated with the SRS or a power amplifier state of the power amplifier.

12. A method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: transmitting a message that includes an indication of maintaining phase continuity of a sensing reference signal (SRS) during a processing interval associated with a joint sensing operation; and receiving control information associated with the indication.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the indication specifies whether the UE supports a particular duration of the processing interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the SRS is associated with at least a first SRS pulse and a second SRS pulse that is separated from the first SRS pulse by a gap interval, and wherein the indication specifies whether the UE supports a particular duration of the gap interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the indication specifies whether the UE supports beam switching during the processing interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the indication specifies whether the UE supports changing a transmission bandwidth during the processing interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the indication specifies whether the UE supports receiving or monitoring for another signal during the processing interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the control information includes allocation, configuration, or scheduling of resources associated with the processing interval in accordance with the indication.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the control information indicates, in accordance with the indication, one or more of a configured duration of the processing interval, a configured gap interval, a configured interleaving or non-interleaving of a beam associated with the SRS and at least one other beam, one or more configured resources for another transmission during the processing interval, or an allocation of uplink resources for transmission of the SRS.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the control information indicates the uplink resources in accordance with the indication specifying whether the UE supportsmaintaining the phase continuity while monitoring for or receiving another signal using one or more of a first set of downlink resources that are common to UEs of a same cell or a second set of downlink resources that are associated with the UE.

21. The method of claim 12, further comprising performing, during a gap interval of the processing interval, an operation that is associated with an interruption of a transmit state for transmission of the SRS, and wherein the indication specifies a duration of a processing time interval associated with restoring the transmit state prior to completion of the gap interval.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the transmit state includes one or more of a phase associated with the SRS or a power amplifier state of a power amplifier of the UE used to amplify the SRS.

23. An apparatus for wireless communication by a network node, the apparatus comprising: a receiver configured to receive a message that includes an indication of a user equipment (UE) maintaining phase continuity of a sensing reference signal (SRS) during a processing interval associated with a joint sensing operation; and a transmitter configured to transmit control information associated with the indication.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the indication specifies whether the UE supports a particular duration of the processing interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the SRS is associated with at least a first SRS pulse and a second SRS pulse that is separated from the first SRS pulse by a gap interval, and wherein the indication specifies whether the UE supports a particular duration of the gap interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the indication specifies whether the UE supports beam switching during the processing interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

27. A method for wireless communication performed by a network node, the method comprising: receiving a message that includes an indication of a user equipment (UE) maintaining phase continuity of a sensing reference signal (SRS) during a processing interval associated with a joint sensing operation; and transmitting control information associated with the indication.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the indication specifies whether the UE supports changing a transmission bandwidth during the processing interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the indication specifies whether the UE supports receiving or monitoring for another signal during the processing interval while maintaining the phase continuity.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the control information indicates, in accordance with the indication, one or more of a configured duration of the processing interval, a configured gap interval, a configured interleaving or non-interleaving of a beam associated with the SRS and at least one other beam, one or more configured resources for another transmission during the processing interval, or an allocation of uplink resources for transmission of the SRS.

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