Sensing in a wireless communication system

Abstract

A method, apparatus and computer program is described comprising: receiving, from a sensing client of a wireless communication system, a sensing service request for a sensing service; selecting a sensing method for the sensing service; selecting sensing devices involved in the sensing service based on the selected sensing method (including one or more radio access network node that is / are used for one of transmission and reception of sensing signals and one or more user equipment that are used for the other of transmission and reception of sensing signals); transmitting, to the one or more radio access network node, a sensing session establishment request; and receiving a response to the session establishment request, the response comprising an indication of success or failure to provide the sensing service.

Description

SENSING IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM Related Applications

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of priority of United Kingdom Patent Application No.2313316.8 filed September 1, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if reproduced in its entirety. Field

[0002] The present specification relates to sensing in a wireless communication system. Background

[0003] The present specification relates to sensing in a wireless communication system, for example to obtaining awareness of a scene surrounding a sensing device. Example applications include detection or tracking of objects, and extracting features for recognition or classification purposes. There remains a need for further developments in this field. Summary

[0004] In a first aspect, the specification describes an apparatus (e.g. a sensing management function (SeMF)) comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, wherein execution of the instructions causes the apparatus to perform at least: receiving, from a sensing client (such as a user equipment, application function or network function) of a wireless communication system, a sensing service request for a sensing service; selecting a sensing method for the sensing service based, at least in part, on sensing information included in the sensing request; selecting sensing devices involved in the sensing service based on the selected sensing method, wherein said sensing devices include one or more radio access network nodes that are used for one of transmission and reception of sensing signals and one or more user equipments that are used for the other of transmission and reception of sensing signals; transmitting, to the radio access network node(s), a sensing session establishment request to establish a sensing session for the sensing service, the sensing session establishment request comprising a sensing configuration for the radio access network node to be a transmitter or receiver of sensing signals, an identifier of the user equipment and a sensing configuration for the user equipment to be a receiver or transmitter of sensing signals; and receiving a response to the session establishment request, the response comprising an indication of success or failure to establish the sensing session for the sensing service.

[0005] Execution of the instructions may further cause the apparatus to perform at least: receiving sensing data from one of the one or more radio access network node, wherein the sensing data is collected by the one or more radio access network nodes and the user equipment that are used for reception of sensing signals.

[0006] Execution of the instructions further cause the apparatus to perform at least: providing sensing output data to the sensing client in response to said sensing request, wherein the sensing output data is based, at least in part, on the sensing data received from the radio access network node. Providing sensing output data to the sensing client may further comprise processing the collected sensing data to generate said sensing output data.

[0007] In some example embodiments, selecting sensing devices comprises selecting the user equipment based on at least one of the following: a user equipment defined in the sensing request; a user equipment in the vicinity of a sensing area defined in the sensing request; and a user equipment connected to the selected radio access network node.

[0008] In some example embodiments, selecting sensing devices comprises selecting the radio access network node based on at least one of the following: a radio access network node identified by an identifier of the radio access network node included in the sensing request; and a radio access network node in the vicinity of a sensing area defined in the sensing request.

[0009] Execution of the instructions may further cause the apparatus to perform at least: controlling session admission in which a determination is made regarding whether the respective the radio access network node and / or the user equipment is / are able to meet defined requirements. Further, execution of the instructions may cause the apparatus to perform at least: triggering paging of a selected user equipment selected as one of said sensing devices, in the event that said user equipment in an idle state. Moreover, execution of the instructions may further cause the apparatus to perform at least: selecting an alternative user equipment in the event that a paging failing indication is received in response to said paging.

[0010] In a second aspect, this specification describes a radio access network node of a wireless communication system, the radio access network node comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, wherein execution of the instructions causes the radio access network node to perform at least: receiving, from a control module of the wireless communication system, a session establishment request to establish a sensingsession for a sensing service, wherein said session establishment request defines sensing devices involved in the sensing service, said devices comprising one or more network nodes including said radio access network node and one or more user equipments, wherein said radio access network node is used for one of transmission and reception of sensing signals and the one or more user equipments are used for the other of transmission and reception of sensing signals, and wherein said session establishment request further defines a sensing configuration for the radio access network node to be a transmitter or receiver of sensing signals, an identifier of the user equipment(s) and a sensing configuration for the user equipment(s) to be a receiver or transmitter of sensing signals; configuring a sensing procedure in accordance with said sensing establishment request; and providing sensing data collected during the sensing procedure to the control module, wherein the sensing data is collected by the one of the radio access network node(s) and the user equipment(s) used for reception of sensing signals.

[0011] Execution of the instructions may further cause the radio access network node to perform at least: controlling session admission in which a determination is made regarding whether the respective radio access network node(s) and / or the user equipment(s) is / are able to meet defined requirements of said sensing system.

[0012] Execution of the instructions may further causes the radio access network node to perform at least: collecting sensing data collected during the sensing procedure in the event that the sensing system is configured such that the radio access network node is used to receive sensing data.

[0013] Execution of the instructions may further cause the radio access network node to perform at least: receiving sensing data collected by said user equipment(s) during the sensing procedure in the event that the sensing system is configured such that the user equipment(s) are used to receive sensing data.

[0014] Execution of the instructions may further cause the radio access network node to perform at least: sending a paging request to one or more of said user equipment(s), in the event that the respective user equipment in an idle sate. Said paging request may include one or more paging causes of said paging request which indicates how said user equipment is involved in the requested sensing session (e.g. uplink transmit sensing, downlink receive sensing, sidelink transmit sensing, sidelink receive sensing, sidelink transmit and receive sensing).

[0015] In a third aspect, this specification describes a user equipment comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, wherein execution of the instructions causes the user equipment to perform at least: receiving a sensing configuration message from a radio access network node of a wireless communication system, wherein said session configuration message defines a sensing system comprising one or more radio access network nodes and one or more user equipments, wherein said radio access network node(s) are used for one of transmission and reception of sensing signals and the user equipment(s) are used for the other of transmission and reception of sensing signals; and configuring a sensing procedure in accordance with the sensing configuration message.

[0016] Execution of the instructions may further cause the user equipment to perform at least: collecting sensing data during said sensing procedure and providing some or all of said sensing data to one of said one or more radio access network nodes in the event that the sensing system is configured such that the respective one of said one or more radio access network nodes is used to receive sensing data from the user equipment.

[0017] Execution of the instructions may further cause the user equipment to perform at least: collecting sensing data during said sensing procedure and providing some or all of said sensing data to control module (e.g. a sensing management function (SeMF)) in the event that the sensing system is configured such that the control module is used to receive sensing data from the user equipment.

[0018] Execution of the instructions may further cause the user equipment to perform at least: transmitting signals for use in generating sensing data in the event that the sensing system is configured such that the radio access network node is used to generate sensing data based on signals transmitted by the user equipment.

[0019] Execution of the instructions may further cause the user equipment to perform at least: receiving a paging request for the radio access network node; and joining said sensing procedure by establishing or resuming a connection to the radio access network node in response to said paging request. Said paging request may include details one or more causes of said paging request which indicates how said user equipment is involved in the requested sensing session.

[0020] In a fourth aspect, this specification describes a network node of a wireless communication system, the network node comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, wherein execution of the instructions causes the apparatus toperform at least: initiating a paging request if a user equipment involved in a sensing session is in an idle state; sending a paging request to one or more radio access nodes for paging said user equipment; and including a paging cause of said paging request which indicates how said user equipment is involved in said sensing session. The network node may be an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0021] In a fifth aspect, this specification describes a method comprising: receiving, from a sensing client of a wireless communication system, a sensing service request for a sensing service; selecting a sensing method for the sensing service based, at least in part, on sensing information included in the sensing request; selecting sensing devices involved in the sensing service based on the selected sensing method, wherein said sensing devices include one or more radio access network nodes that are used for one of transmission and reception of sensing signals and one or more user equipments that are used for the other of transmission and reception of sensing signals; transmitting, to the radio access network node(s), a sensing session establishment request to establish a sensing session for the sensing service, the sensing session establishment request comprising a sensing configuration for the radio access network node to be a transmitter or receiver of sensing signals, an identifier of the user equipment and a sensing configuration for the user equipment to be a receiver or transmitter of sensing signals; and receiving a response to the session establishment request, the response comprising an indication of success or failure to establish the sensing session for the sensing service. The method may be implemented at a sensing management function (SeMF).

[0022] Some example embodiments further comprise receiving sensing data from one of the one or more radio access network node, wherein the sensing data is collected by the one or more radio access network nodes and the user equipment that are used for reception of sensing signals.

[0023] Some example embodiments further comprise providing sensing output data to the sensing client in response to said sensing request, wherein the sensing output data is based, at least in part, on the sensing data received from the radio access network node. Providing sensing output data to the sensing client may further comprise processing the collected sensing data to generate said sensing output data.

[0024] In some example embodiments, selecting sensing devices comprises selecting the user equipment based on at least one of the following: a user equipment defined in the sensingrequest; a user equipment in the vicinity of a sensing area defined in the sensing request; and a user equipment connected to the selected radio access network node.

[0025] In some example embodiments, selecting sensing devices comprises selecting the radio access network node based on at least one of the following: a radio access network node identified by an identifier of the radio access network node included in the sensing request; and a radio access network node in the vicinity of a sensing area defined in the sensing request.

[0026] Some example embodiments further comprise controlling session admission in which a determination is made regarding whether the respective the radio access network node and / or the user equipment is / are able to meet defined requirements.

[0027] In a sixth aspect, this specification describes a method comprising: receiving, from a control module of the wireless communication system, a session establishment request to establish a sensing session for a sensing service, wherein said session establishment request defines sensing devices involved in the sensing service, said devices comprising one or more network nodes including said radio access network node and one or more user equipments, wherein said radio access network node is used for one of transmission and reception of sensing signals and the one or more user equipments are used for the other of transmission and reception of sensing signals, and wherein said session establishment request further defines a sensing configuration for the radio access network node to be a transmitter or receiver of sensing signals, an identifier of the user equipment(s) and a sensing configuration for the user equipment(s) to be a receiver or transmitter of sensing signals; configuring a sensing procedure in accordance with said sensing establishment request; and providing sensing data collected during the sensing procedure to the control module, wherein the sensing data is collected by the one of the radio access network node(s) and the user equipment(s) used for reception of sensing signals. The method may be implemented at a RAN node.

[0028] Some example embodiments further comprise controlling session admission in which a determination is made regarding whether the respective radio access network node(s) and / or the user equipment(s) is / are able to meet defined requirements of said sensing system.

[0029] Some example embodiments further comprise collecting sensing data collected during the sensing procedure in the event that the sensing system is configured such that the radio access network node is used to receive sensing data.

[0030] Some example embodiments further comprise receiving sensing data collected by said user equipment(s) during the sensing procedure in the event that the sensing system is configured such that the user equipment(s) are used to receive sensing data.

[0031] Some example embodiments further comprise sending a paging request to one or more of said user equipment(s), in the event that the respective user equipment in an idle sate. Said paging request may include one or more paging causes of said paging request which indicates how said user equipment is involved in the requested sensing session (e.g. uplink transmit sensing, downlink receive sensing, sidelink transmit sensing, sidelink receive sensing, sidelink transmit and receive sensing).

[0032] In a seventh aspect, this specification describes a method comprising: receiving a sensing configuration message from a radio access network node of a wireless communication system, wherein said session configuration message defines a sensing system comprising one or more radio access network nodes and one or more user equipments, wherein said radio access network node(s) are used for one of transmission and reception of sensing signals and the user equipment(s) are used for the other of transmission and reception of sensing signals; and configuring a sensing procedure in accordance with the sensing configuration message. The method may be implemented at a user equipment.

[0033] Some example embodiments further comprise collecting sensing data during said sensing procedure and providing some or all of said sensing data to one of said one or more radio access network nodes in the event that the sensing system is configured such that the respective one of said one or more radio access network nodes is used to receive sensing data from the user equipment.

[0034] Some example embodiments further comprise collecting sensing data during said sensing procedure and providing some or all of said sensing data to control module (e.g. a sensing management function (SeMF)) in the event that the sensing system is configured such that the control module is used to receive sensing data from the user equipment.

[0035] Some example embodiments further comprise transmitting signals for use in generating sensing data in the event that the sensing system is configured such that the radioaccess network node is used to generate sensing data based on signals transmitted by the user equipment.

[0036] Some example embodiments further comprise receiving a paging request for the radio access network node; and joining said sensing procedure by establishing or resuming a connection to the radio access network node in response to said paging request. Said paging request may include details one or more causes of said paging request which indicates how said user equipment is involved in the requested sensing session.

[0037] In an eighth aspect, this specification describes a method (implemented at a network node, such as an AMF, of a wireless communication system), the method comprising: initiating a paging request if a user equipment involved in a sensing session is in an idle state; sending a paging request (from the network node) to one or more radio access nodes for paging said user equipment; and including a paging cause of said paging request which indicates how said user equipment is involved in said sensing session.

[0038] In a ninth aspect, this specification describes computer-readable instructions which, when executed by a computing apparatus, cause the computing apparatus to perform (at least) any method as described herein (including the methods of the fifth to eighth aspects described above).

[0039] In a tenth aspect, this specification describes a computer-readable medium (such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium) comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing (at least) any method as described herein (including the methods of the fifth to eighth aspects described above).

[0040] In an eleventh aspect, this specification describes an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform (at least) any method as described herein (including the methods of the fifth to eighth aspects described above).

[0041] In a twelfth aspect, this specification describes an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform (at least) any method as described herein (including the method of the fifth to eighth aspects described above).

[0042] In an thirteenth aspect, this specification describes a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to: receive, from a sensing client of a wireless communication system, a sensing service request for a sensingservice; select a sensing method for the sensing service based, at least in part, on sensing information included in the sensing request; select sensing devices involved in the sensing service based on the selected sensing method, wherein said sensing devices include one or more radio access network nodes that are used for one of transmission and reception of sensing signals and one or more user equipments that are used for the other of transmission and reception of sensing signals; transmit, to the radio access network node(s), a sensing session establishment request to establish a sensing session for the sensing service, the sensing session establishment request comprising a sensing configuration for the radio access network node to be a transmitter or receiver of sensing signals, an identifier of the user equipment and a sensing configuration for the user equipment to be a receiver or transmitter of sensing signals; and receive a response to the session establishment request, the response comprising an indication of success or failure to establish the sensing session for the sensing service.

[0043] In a fourteenth aspect, this specification describes a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to: receive, from a control module of the wireless communication system, a session establishment request to establish a sensing session for a sensing service, wherein said session establishment request defines sensing devices involved in the sensing service, said devices comprising one or more network nodes including said radio access network node and one or more user equipments, wherein said radio access network node is used for one of transmission and reception of sensing signals and the one or more user equipments are used for the other of transmission and reception of sensing signals, and wherein said session establishment request further defines a sensing configuration for the radio access network node to be a transmitter or receiver of sensing signals, an identifier of the user equipment(s) and a sensing configuration for the user equipment(s) to be a receiver or transmitter of sensing signals; configure a sensing procedure in accordance with said sensing establishment request; and provide sensing data collected during the sensing procedure to the control module, wherein the sensing data is collected by the one of the radio access network node(s) and the user equipment(s) used for reception of sensing signals.

[0044] In a fifteenth aspect, this specification describes a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to: receive a sensing configuration message from a radio access network node of a wireless communication system, wherein said session configuration message defines a sensing system comprising oneor more radio access network nodes and one or more user equipments, wherein said radio access network node(s) are used for one of transmission and reception of sensing signals and the user equipment(s) are used for the other of transmission and reception of sensing signals; and configure a sensing procedure in accordance with the sensing configuration message.

[0045] In a sixteenth aspect, this specification describes an input of a SeMF (or some other means) for receiving, from a sensing client of a wireless communication system, a sensing service request for a sensing service; a control module (or some other means) for selecting a sensing method for the sensing service based, at least in part, on sensing information included in the sensing request; the control module (or some other means) for selecting sensing devices involved in the sensing service based on the selected sensing method, wherein said sensing devices include one or more radio access network nodes that are used for one of transmission and reception of sensing signals and one or more user equipments that are used for the other of transmission and reception of sensing signals; an output (or some other means) for transmitting, to the radio access network node(s), a sensing session establishment request to establish a sensing session for the sensing service, the sensing session establishment request comprising a sensing configuration for the radio access network node to be a transmitter or receiver of sensing signals, an identifier of the user equipment and a sensing configuration for the user equipment to be a receiver or transmitter of sensing signals; and the input (or some other means) for receiving a response to the session establishment request, the response comprising an indication of success or failure to establish the sensing session for the sensing service.

[0046] In a seventeenth aspect, this specification describes an input of a RAN node (or some other means) for receiving, from a control module of the wireless communication system, a session establishment request to establish a sensing session for a sensing service, wherein said session establishment request defines sensing devices involved in the sensing service, said devices comprising one or more network nodes including said radio access network node and one or more user equipments, wherein said radio access network node is used for one of transmission and reception of sensing signals and the one or more user equipments are used for the other of transmission and reception of sensing signals, and wherein said session establishment request further defines a sensing configuration for the radio access network node to be a transmitter or receiver of sensing signals, an identifier of the user equipment(s) and a sensing configuration for the user equipment(s) to be a receiver or transmitter of sensing signals; a control module (or some other means) for configuring a sensing procedurein accordance with said sensing establishment request; and an output (or some other means) for providing sensing data collected during the sensing procedure to the control module, wherein the sensing data is collected by the one of the radio access network node(s) and the user equipment(s) used for reception of sensing signals.

[0047] In a eighteenth aspect, this specification describes an input of a UE (or some other means) for receiving a sensing configuration message from a radio access network node of a wireless communication system, wherein said session configuration message defines a sensing system comprising one or more radio access network nodes and one or more user equipments, wherein said radio access network node(s) are used for one of transmission and reception of sensing signals and the user equipment(s) are used for the other of transmission and reception of sensing signals; and a control module (or some other means) for configuring a sensing procedure in accordance with the sensing configuration message. Brief description of the drawings

[0048] Example embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the following schematic drawings, in which:

[0049] FIG.1 is a block diagram showing a sensing system in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0050] FIG.2 is a block diagram showing a sensing system in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0051] FIG.3 is a block diagram showing a system in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0052] FIG.4 is a block diagram showing a system in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0053] FIGS.5 to 7 are flowcharts showing methods or processes in accordance with example embodiments;

[0054] FIGS.8 to 12 show message flow sequences in accordance with example embodiments;

[0055] FIG.13 is a flowchart showing a method or process in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0056] FIGS.14 and 15 show message flow sequences in accordance with example embodiments;

[0057] FIG.16 is a schematic diagram of components of one or more of the example embodiments described previously; and

[0058] FIG.17 shows tangible media for storing computer-readable code which when run by a computer may perform methods according to example embodiments described herein. Detailed description

[0059] The scope of protection sought for various embodiments of the invention is set out by the independent claims. The embodiments and features, if any, described in the specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the invention.

[0060] In the description and drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0061] The present specification relates to sensing in a wireless communication system, for example to obtain awareness of a scene surrounding a sensing device. This may, for example, include the capability to perform one or more of the following: • detection, localization and / or tracking of objects; • forming images; and / or • extracting features for recognition / classification purposes, etc.

[0062] The integration of sensing and communication (ISAC) as described herein may potentially achieve both relatively high-data rate communications and relatively high- resolution object detection using at least some of the same hardware and spectrum resources. This may be advantageous, for example, in improving sensing accuracy for scenarios or situations where existing sensing techniques may not perform well (e.g. non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions, requirement for high velocity resolution etc), to enhance spectrum efficiency by sharing communication and sensing spectrum band, and / or to reduce hardware cost by combining sensing and communication equipment / hardware.

[0063] Example scenarios in which integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) services could be used include (but are not limited to) the following: • Intrusion detection (e.g. intruder detection in a smart home, pedestrian / animal intrusion detection on a highway etc.) • Support for autonomous driving (e.g. sensing assisted automotive manoeuvring and navigation, sensing for parking space determination etc.) • Support for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight (e.g. UAV flight trajectory tracing, network assisted sensing to avoid UAV collision)• Support for automated guided vehicle (AGV) / autonomous mobile robots (AMR) in factories (e.g. AGV detection and tracking in factories), AMR collision avoidance in smart factories etc.) • Environment / weather monitoring (e.g. rain, pollution, flooding) • Health monitoring (e.g. fall detection, contactless sleep monitoring service) • Extended reality (XR) applications.

[0064] FIG.1 is a block diagram showing a sensing system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, in accordance with an example embodiment. The sensing system 10 comprises an object 12, a radio access node 14 (such as a gNB) and a user equipment (UE) 16. The radio access node 14 sends out a sensing signal for a sensing operation (thereby acting as a sensing transmitter). The UE 16 receives the sensing signal for a sensing operation (thereby acting as a sensing receiver). The sensing signal received at the UE 16 may, for example, be reflected, deflect, refracted or otherwise modified by the object 12.

[0065] FIG.2 is a block diagram showing a sensing system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 20, in accordance with an example embodiment. The sensing system 20 comprises an object 22, a user equipment (UE) 24 and a radio access node (such as a gNB) 26. The UE 26 sends out a sensing signal for a sensing operation (thereby acting as a sensing transmitter). The radio access node 24 receives the sensing signal for a sensing operation (thereby acting as a sensing receiver). The sensing signal received at the radio access node 26 may, for example, be reflected, deflected, refracted or otherwise modified by the object 12.

[0066] The sensing systems 10 and 20 may comprise the same components, but with different configuration. Thus, for example, the RAN nodes 14 and 26 may be the same and the UEs 16 and 24 may be the same.

[0067] The sensing systems 10 and 20 are both bistatic sensing systems (with one transmitter and one receiver, different to the transmitter). The principles described herein are also applicable to multi-static systems (e.g., systems having a plurality of sensing receivers).

[0068] In the sensing systems 10 and 20, the sensing measurement data (or sensing data / sensing measurement information) include data derived from radio signals (e.g.3GPP, non-3GPP, WiFi, radar, Lidars, etc.) impacted (e.g. reflected, refracted, diffracted) by an object or environment of interest for sensing purposes (e.g. the objects 12 or 22), and optionally processed (e.g. within a 5G / 6G system, external server, application server, edgeserver, etc.). While sensing output(s) includes processed sensing data e.g. requested by a service consumer (or sensing client).

[0069] Radio access node (RAN)-based sensing as described herein can be used in the context of a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) as well as in the context of a Standalone Non-Public Network (SNPM).

[0070] FIG.3 is a block diagram showing a system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 30, in accordance with an example embodiment. The system 30 shows an example use of the principles described herein.

[0071] The system 30 comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 32 that has a planned flight path defined by a three-dimensional zone 34. The UAV 32 is in communication with a radio access network node 36. The system 30 may use the principles described herein to track the location of the UAV 32 and / or to track whether other objects are located within the zone 34. For example, a second UAV 38 is shown outside the zone 34, but could represent a collision risk if it were to enter the zone 34.

[0072] FIG.4 is a block diagram showing a system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 40, in accordance with an example embodiment. The system 40 comprises one or more control modules 42, a sensing client 44, a radio access network nodes (RAN nodes) 46 and a user equipment (UE) 48. As discussed further below, the sensing client 44 may be a user device (e.g. a UE), an application function (AF) or a network exposure function (NEF) of a 5G or similar system.

[0073] The control module(s) 42 are provided to configure, coordinate and enable sensing. The control module(s) 42 may be comprise a Sensing Management Function (SeMF) as discussed in detail below.

[0074] The control module(s) 42 may receive different types of sensing requests from the sensing client 44, select a sensing method, select sensing devices (e.g. RAN nodes and / or UEs) to be involved in the sensing, and the sensing roles of the respective sensing devices.

[0075] The control module(s) 42 interact with the RAN node 46 and transmit the determined configurations, negotiating them if required.

[0076] The RAN node 46 (e.g. a base station, or dedicated or independent RAN entity) may validate and realize the sensing configurations received from the control modules 42. The RAN node 46 may also conduct sensing admission control on sensing resources for transmitting (Tx) and / or receiving (Rx) sensing signal(s) and update / select the sensing configuration, which is then provided to the control modules 42.

[0077] Thus, the control module(s) 42 may be provided to configure, coordinate and enable UE-assisted sensing. The control module(s) 42 may include features of existing wireless communication systems, such as a 5G communication system. As discussed in detail below, the control module(s) 42 may comprises a Sensing Management Function (SeMF).

[0078] A number of example implementations are discussed in detail below. In those examples, the following functionalities are introduced.

[0079] The control module(s) 42 may include a Sensing Management Function (SeMF). The SeMF may implement one or more of the following functions: • Determining the method and the configuration of a bi-static (or multi-static) sensing method for RAN and UE to perform jointly a sensing operation, for instance UEs with transmitter sensing role and / or UEs with receiver sensing role. • Performing sensing admission control for UE(s) bi-static (or multi-static) sensing, providing uplink (UL) (in case a UE has sensing transmitter role) and / or downlink (DL) resources (in case a UE has a sensing receiver role) to support a sensing operation. The admission control for UE(s) decides whether the identified RAN entities can allocate sensing sources for UE(s) to conduct the requested sensing service (e.g., Sensing requirements) and determines the Sensing Resources Configuration. The sensing resources configuration can be either reference signals / pilots and / or user (data) and control plane resources, depending on the approach / scheme that a bi-static method with both RAN and UE is realized. • Transmitting sensing session establishment to UEs including one or more of: o Sensing Transmitter configuration of the involved BS(s) and respective sensing receiver configuration of the involved UE(s) o Sensing receiver configuration of the involved BS(s) and respective sensing transmitter configuration of the involved UE(s) o Sensing resources configuration for Ues and / or BSs o Sensing reporting configuration of Ues and / or BSs • Establishing and release UE-assisted sensing session(s).

[0080] The control module(s) 42 may include an Access Mobility Function (AMF). The AMF may perform one or more of:• Pausing a sensing session establishment request sent from SeMF if selected UE(s) are in RRC / CM-IDLE. • Triggering paging for the selected UE to be involved in the sensing operation.

[0081] The RAN node 46 may be a base station (BS) or some other RAN entity with sensing capabilities (e.g. dedicated units / elements to receive or transmit sensing signals, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces with integrated sensing capabilities or used to aid the ISAC). The RAN node 46 may perform one or more of: • In case the selected UE is in the RRC idle or inactive mode, upon being triggered by AMF, performing paging for the selected UE to wake up for participate in sensing and perform sensing. • Receiving a sensing session establishment request for bi-static (or multi-static) sensing with UE assistance and transmit the sensing session establishment response. • Determining and configuring sensing configuration of indicated UE(s), according to UE radio capability on sensing. • Conducting sensing admission control for the UE(s) that participate in the sensing session and determining UEs sensing resources configuration for transmitting (Tx) or receiving (Rx) sensing signal. • Transmitting to the UEs configuration for the bi-static (or multi-static) UE-assisted sensing. • Transmitting sensing signals as a sensing transmitter in case of bi-static (or multi-static) sensing method with UE as a sensing receiver. • Receiving sensing signals as a sensing receiver in case of bi-static (or multi-static) sensing method with UE as a sensing transmitter. • In case of a sensing receiver as part of bi-static (or multi-static) sensing method with UE, reporting measured sensing data to SeMF.

[0082] The UE 48 may perform one or more of: • Receiving sensing session and resources configuration • Applying sensing configuration provided by the RAN node (BS) and / or the SeMF• Transmitting a sensing session establishment response message to the RAN node (e.g., via the Uu interface) and / or SeMF (e.g., via the NG interface) indicating its acceptance(success) or failure to provide / support / establish requested sensing operation with sensing transmitter role and / or sensing receiver role. The failure cause may be determined in case of a failure indication. • Transmitting sensing signals according to received configuration (perform sensing with transmitter sensing role) • Receiving sensing signals according to received configuration (perform sensing with receiver Sensing role) • Reporting measured sensing data to the SeMF and / or BS in case that the UE has the sensing receiver role. • For UE in the RRC idle or inactive mode, upon receiving paging for sensing, connecting to the network to perform sensing.

[0083] FIG.5 is a flowchart showing a method or process indicated generally by the reference numeral 50, in accordance with an example embodiment. The method or process 50 may be implemented at the control module 42 (e.g., at a sensing management module) of the system 40 described above.

[0084] The method or process 50 starts at operation 51, where a sensing service request is received (e.g. at the control module 42) from a sensing client of a wireless communication system (such as the sensing client 44). The sensing service request includes information related to a sensing service, requested by the sensing client, to be provided by the sensing management function. Example information that might be included in a sensing service request include at least one of: a sensing service type for the sensing service; sensing requirements for the sensing service; sensing quality of service for the sensing service; and a sensing area for the sensing service.

[0085] At operation 52, a sensing method is selected based, at least in part, on the information related to the sensing service (e.g. as included in the operation 51).

[0086] At operation 53, sensing devices involved in the sensing service are selected based on the sensing method selected in operation 52. The sensing devices include one or more radio access network nodes (e.g. the RAN node 46) that is / are used for one of transmission andreception of sensing signals and one or more user equipments (e.g. the UE 48) that is / are used for the other of transmission and reception of sensing signals.

[0087] In the operation 53, the user equipment may be selected, for example, based on at least one of the following: a user equipment defined in the sensing request; a user equipment in the vicinity of a sensing area defined in the sensing request; and a user equipment connected to the selected network node.

[0088] In the operation 53, the network node may be selected, for example, based on at least one of the following: a network node defined in the sensing request; and a network node in the vicinity of a sensing area defined in the sensing request.

[0089] Of course, the operations 52 and 53 may be implemented in a different order, or at the same time.

[0090] At operation 54, a sensing session establishment request is transmitted to the selected radio access network node. The request may comprise a sensing configuration for the radio access network node, an identifier of the user equipment and a sensing configuration for the user equipment.

[0091] At operation 55, a response to the session establishment request is received (from the network node). The response comprises an indication of success or failure to provide the sensing service.

[0092] At this stage, a system such as the system 40 is defined. That system may now be used to obtain sensing data.

[0093] At operation 56, sensing data is received from the network node, wherein the sensing data is collected by the one of the network node and the user equipment used for reception of sensing signals.

[0094] At operation 57, the sensing output data is provided to the sensing client in response to the sensing request received in the operation 51. The sensing output data is based, at least in part, on the sensing data received from the network node in the operation 56 (but may be processed in some way to generate the sensing output data).

[0095] FIG.6 is a flowchart showing a method or process, indicated generally by the reference numeral 60, in accordance with an example embodiment. The method or process 60 may be implemented at the RAN node 46 of the system 40 described above.

[0096] The method or process 60 starts at operation 62, where a session establishment request is received from a control module of a wireless communication system. The request may be received at the RAN node 46 of the system 40 from the control module 42. The session establishment request defines sensing devices involved in a sensing service, said devices comprising one or more network nodes and one or more user equipments. As discussed above, the network node(s) (e.g., the RAN node 46) is / are used for one of transmission and reception of sensing signals and the user equipment(s) is / are used for the other of transmission and reception of sensing signals. The session establishment request further defines a sensing configuration for the radio access network node, an identifier of the user equipment and a sensing configuration for the user equipment.

[0097] At operation 64, a sensing procedure is configured in accordance with the sensing establishment request.

[0098] At operation 66, sensing is implemented and, at operation 68, sensing data collected during the sensing procedure is provided to the control module. The sensing data is collected by the one of the network node and the user equipment used for reception of sensing signals.

[0099] FIG.7 is a flowchart showing an method or process, indicated generally by the reference numeral 70, in accordance with an example embodiment. The method or process 70 may be implemented at the UE 48 of the system 40 described above.

[0100] The method or process 70 starts at operation 72, where a sensing configuration message is received from a radio access network node (e.g. the RAN node 46) of a wireless communication system. The session configuration message defines a sensing system comprising one or more network nodes and one or more user equipment. The network nodes is / are used for one of transmission and reception of sensing signals and the user equipment is / are used for the other of transmission and reception of sensing signals.

[0101] At operation 74, a sensing procedure is configured in accordance with the sensing configuration messages exchanged with the network node.

[0102] At operation 76, sensing is implemented and, at operation 78, sensing data collected during the sensing procedure is provided to the control module. The sensing data is collected by the one of the network node and the user equipment used for reception of sensing signals.

[0103] For example, the UE 48 may collect sensing data during said sensing procedure and providing some or all of said sensing data to the network node in the event that the sensingsystem is configured such that the network node is used to receive sensing data from the user equipment.

[0104] Alternatively, signals may be transmitted (by the UE 48) for use in generating sensing data in the event that the sensing system is configured such that the network node is used to generate sensing data based on signals transmitted by the user equipment.

[0105] FIG.8 shows a message flow sequence, indicated generally by the reference numeral 80, in accordance with an example embodiment. The message sequence 80 shows messages between an Application Function (AF) 81, a network exposure function (NEF) 82, a Sensing Management Function (SeMF) 83, an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 84, a radio access network (RAN) node 85 and a user equipment 86. The message flow sequence 80 is implemented as part of a 5G wireless communication system, but it should be noted that the principles of the message sequence 80 could be applied to other communication systems.

[0106] The method or process 80 shows a procedure to perform bi-static sensing between RAN (Tx) and specific UEs (Rx) selected by the network. In particular, the procedure considers the case that the selected UE is already in RRC / CM-CONNECTED mode, when a sensing session is being established upon a sensing service request transmitted by a sensing client.

[0107] The method or process 80 starts at step 1, where a sensing client (e.g. AF 81) sends a request to a 5GC. The AF 81 sends this request either directly to SeMF 83 or via NEF 82. The information elements that are provided in this sensing request depend on the scenario and the application and may include one or more of sensing QoS, sensing type, sensing requirements (e.g. application-level sensing area, subscriber information for sensing service).

[0108] If the sensing service request is directly sent to SeMF 83, the SeMF derives the NW- level sensing area from the application-level sensing area included in the request message. Alternatively, if the sensing service request is intercepted by NEF 82, the NEF derives the NW-level sensing area from the application-level sensing area included in the request message. In the case that the NW-level sensing area is derived by NEF 82, the NEF includes it in the sensing service request message and forwards it to the SeMF 83. If there is no conversion from application-level sensing area to NW-level sensing area then the application- level Sensing Area is considered as the NW-level sensing.

[0109] In step 2 of the method or process 80, the SeMF 83, according to the inputs of the sensing request message, determines the appropriate sensing method and involved entities. Inthis case, one or more BSs (RAN nodes) are selected as Sensing transmitter (Tx) and one or more UEs are selected as sensing receiver (Rx).

[0110] The selection of UEs could take many different forms. For example: • The SeMF 83 may select UE(s) requested by AF 81 if the AF indicates specific UE(s) in the Sensing Service Request (e.g., subscriber information). • The SeMF 83 may select UE(s) in the vicinity of the NW-level sensing area requested by AF. In this case, SeMF invokes location services to obtain UE location information nearby the sensing target area. The SeMF determines a list of UEs that are connected to a cell that is part of the NW level sensing area. Then, the UE location information can be obtained by the following options: o The SeMF may request a location management function (LMF) to provide individual UE’s location information either via the GMLC or directly and / or via another NF. o The SeMF may subscribe the UE mobility event reporting service from AMF and obtain UE presence information in the Area of Interest as defined in TS 23.501. From the area of interest, the SeMF determines whether the UE is located inside or around the determined NW-level sensing area. • The SeMF 83 may select UE(s) connected in the selected BS(s). The UE information connected to the selected BS(s) is obtained by AMF or OAM. • The SeMF 83 may check if the selected UE(s) supports sensing functionality, having a Sensing receiver role.

[0111] In step 3 of the method or process 80, the SeMF 83 checks whether each selected BS has the available resources according to the sensing requirements (e.g., duration, update rate) and required sensing QoS (e.g., sensing accuracy, sensing resolution, sensing latency and other KPIs / parameters that have been defined in 3GPP SA122.837 TR). At this stage, the SeMF may determine physical radio resources that should be used for bi-static sensing procedure between RAN node (Tx) and UE (Rx).

[0112] In step 4, according to the outputs of step 3, the SeMF 83 also determines the sensing session configuration that could be used by the RAN node and the UE to configure appropriately and / or optimize sensing transmission and reception, including sensing sessionduration, timing and NW-level sensing area (if requested), information for the sensing, type of sensing service (Request or Subscription), etc.

[0113] The SeMF may also determine the sensing reporting configuration, i.e., whether control plane-based reporting or user plane (e.g., to or via dedicated server) will be used to transfer the sensing measurements (or sensing data) from the UE(Rx) to SeMF. Optionally resources and configurations used for Reporting can be defined.

[0114] The SeMF may send a sensing session establishment request to the one or more BSs (via the AMF) that are involved, including one or more of the following: • Sensing session ID, generated by the SeMF to facilitate the coordination and handling of the sensing operations about the specific sensing service request. • BS ID (e.g., Global gNB ID or 6G Node B ID), the Cell ID (e.g., NR CGI or 6G Cell Global ID) with transmitter sensing role • UE(s) ID (e.g., SUPI, SUCI) with receiver sensing role • Sensing configuration used for BS as transmitter and UE as receiver • Sensing QoS • Radio resources of BS and UE(s) for the sensing procedure • Sensing reporting configuration • Although not shown in FIG.8, one or more of the above information (e.g. BS ID or UE ID) may be updated by the SeMF during the sensing session (sensing session update request), based on the target objects mobility pattern or due to UEs entering / leaving the NW-level sensing area.

[0115] At step 6, if the UE sensing capability is not checked in step 2 above, the RAN node 85 checks UE radio capability of the selected UE(s) if the UE supports Sensing receiver functionality.

[0116] At step 7, the RAN node 85 transmits to the one or more UE(s) their sensing receiver configuration, as has been received by the Sensing Session Establishment Request and / or determined locally at the BS. The RRC messages could be used (e.g., RRC Reconfiguration) to transmit Sensing receiver Configuration and also to respective response by the UE of successful or not. Under the same RAN node or BS, different UEs could be configured with same or different sensing receiver configuration.

[0117] At step 8, the UE 86 checks if the received sensing receiver configuration is compliant with its sensing capability. The UE may additionally check privacy and / or other constraints if not already done in previous steps. Upon validating the received sensing receiver configuration, the UE 86 applies it to the corresponding protocol layer, e.g., NAS, physical layer, MAC, etc.

[0118] At step 9, the UE 86 transmits a response of sensing receiver configuration to acknowledge or reject the received configuration. A failure cause is included in the response message in case the received configuration is not valid and rejected. If RRC reconfiguration procedure is used, the UE 86 initiates to re-establish an RRC connection if the received configuration is not valid (as in the existing RRC specification).

[0119] At step 10, the RAN node 85 transmits the sensing session establishment response (or sensing session update response) indicating the success or failure to provide the requested sensing operation and the failure cause in case of a failure indication is provided.

[0120] In optional step (step 11), the SeMF 83 instructs the RAN node 85 to initiate the sensing process described by the sensing session ID and target IDs of BS and UE. This step may be needed, for instance, if it is required to start the sensing operations performed by multiple RAN nodes and UEs in coordinated manner. If SeMF had updated UE / RAN information for the sensing session as mentioned in step 5 and 8, then the SeMF may further inform the new RAN to initiate sensing or update the existing RAN (e.g., with new UE ID information).

[0121] In step 12, the RAN node 85 transmits reference signals / pilots or Physical Downlink Channel for user data with frequency, time and spatial (i.e., transmitter (Tx) antenna) resources required to satisfy sensing QoS. UE attempts to receive and measure sensing signal transmitted from the RAN node in accordance with the Sensing receiver configuration provided in Step 7.

[0122] In step 13, the UE 86 reports measured sensing data to SeMF via RAN / AMF including the sensing session ID (according to the Sensing Reporting configuration). UEs can request resources by the BS for the reporting or RAN node (e.g., the BS) has already allocated resources with the configuration at step 7.

[0123] In step 14, the SeMF 83, based on the received inputs from the one or more UEs, processes the collected measurements (or sensing data as defined, for example, in TR 22.837, see below) and determines the sensing output (or sensing result as defined, for example, inTR 22.837, see below). The 3GPP sensing data may be data derived from 3GPP radio signals impacted (e.g. reflected, refracted, diffracted) by an object or environment of interest for sensing purposes, and optionally processed within the 5G system. The sensing result may be processed 3GPP sensing data requested by a service consumer.

[0124] Step 15 iterates steps 9 to 12 if additional measured sensing data is needed.

[0125] In step 16, the SeMF 83 provides the sensing output to the requesting sensing client e.g., to an AF 81 directly or via the NEF 82.

[0126] Step 17 iterates steps 9 to 14 if a sensing result is provided periodically.

[0127] In step 18, upon sensing results are provided as requested by AF, the SeMF 83 sends a sensing session release request to the RAN 85 via AMF 84 with the corresponding Sensing session ID.

[0128] In step 19, the RAN node 85 transmits the UE reconfiguration message to releases sensing receiver configuration from UE.

[0129] In step 20, the UE 86 checks if the received UE reconfiguration message to release the Sensing receiver configuration is valid. Upon validation, UE releases the Sensing receiver configuration.

[0130] In step 21, the UE 86 transmits a response of sensing receiver configuration release to acknowledge or reject the configuration release request. In case the received release request is invalid, the UE reports a failure cause in the response message.

[0131] In step 22, the RAN 85 releases sensing transmitter configuration and replies sensing session release response to SeMF 83 via AMF 84.

[0132] In another embodiment, the SeMF 83 can provide to the involved UEs with receiver Sensing role, the respective sensing configuration using NAS messages, LPP messages or new protocol messages defined between UE and SeMF in a manner transparent to the UEs.

[0133] FIG.9 shows a message flow sequence, indicated generally by the reference numeral 90, in accordance with an example embodiment. The message sequence 90 shows messages between an Application Function (AF) 91, a network exposure function (NEF) 92, a Sensing Management Function (SeMF) 93, an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 94, a radio access network (RAN) node 95 and a user equipment (UE) 96. The message flow sequence 90 is implemented as part of a 5G wireless communication system, but it should be noted that the principles of the message sequence 90 could be applied to other communication systems.

[0134] The method or process 90 is an alternative to the method or process 80 (showing a procedure to perform bi-static sensing between RAN (Tx) and specific UEs (Rx) selected by the network) in which the RAN is responsible for session admission control.

[0135] Steps 1 to 2 of the method or process 90 are the same as steps 1 and 2 of the method or process 80.

[0136] In step 3, the SeMF 93 sends a sensing session establishment request to the one or more BSs 95 (via the AMF 94) that are involved, including one or more of the following: • Sensing Session ID, generated by the SeMF to facilitate the coordination and handling of the sensing operations about the specific sensing service request. • BS ID (e.g., Global gNB ID or 6G Node B ID), the Cell ID (e.g., NR CGI or 6G Cell Global ID) • Sensing configuration used for BS as transmitter and UE as receiver • Sensing QoS • UE ID (e.g., SUPI, SUCI) • Although not shown in the figure, one or more of the above information (e.g. BS ID or UE ID) may be updated by the SeMF during the sensing session (Sensing Session Update Request), based on the target objects mobility pattern or due to UEs entering / leaving the NW-level sensing area.

[0137] In step 4, the RAN node 95 checks the available radio resources to be assigned for one or more UEs as sensing receiver, according to the sensing requirements (e.g., duration, update rate) and required sensing QoS (e.g., sensing accuracy, sensing resolution, sensing latency). In this step, the RAN node 95 determines physical radio resources that should be used for bi-static sensing procedure between RAN (Tx) and UE (Rx).

[0138] In step 5, if the UE sensing capability is not checked in step 2 above, the RAN node 95 checks UE radio capability of the selected UE(s) if UE supports Sensing receiver functionality.

[0139] In step 6, if supported, the RAN node 95 provides sensing receiver configuration for UE. The RAN node transmits to the one or more UE(s) their sensing receiver configuration, as has been received by the sensing session establishment request and / or as determined locally at the BS. RRC messages could be used (e.g., RRC Reconfiguration) to transmit sensing receiver configuration and also respective response by the UE of successful or not.Alternatively, under the same RAN node or BS, different UEs can be configured with same or different sensing receiver configuration.

[0140] In step 7, the UE 96 checks whether the received sensing receiver configuration is compliant with its sensing capability. The UE may additionally check privacy and / or other constraints if not already done in previous steps. Upon validating the received sensing receiver configuration, the UE applies it to the corresponding protocol layer, e.g., NAS, physical layer, MAC, etc.

[0141] In step 8, the UE 96 transmits a response of sensing receiver configuration to acknowledge or reject the received configuration. A failure cause is included in the response message in case the received configuration is not valid and rejected. In the event that RRC Reconfiguration procedure is used, the UE initiates to re-establish an RRC connection if the received configuration is not valid (as in the existing RRC specification).

[0142] In step 9, the RAN node 95 transmits the sensing session establishment response indicating the success or failure to provide the requested sensing operation and the failure cause in case of a failure indication is provided. The RAN node may, for example, include information about the sensing resource configuration, e.g., selected resources.

[0143] In step 10, according to the outputs of step 7, the SeMF 93 may update or determine the sensing session configuration that could be used by the RAN node 95 and UE 96 to configure appropriately and / or optimize sensing transmission and reception, including sensing session duration, timing and NW-level sensing area (if requested), information for the sensing, type of sensing service (request or subscription), etc. The SeMF 94 may, for example, also determine the sensing reporting configuration, if not already provided already, i.e., whether control plane-based reporting or user plane (e.g., to or via dedicated server) will be used to transfer the sensing measurements (i.e., sensing data) from the UE(Rx) to SeMF. Optionally resources and configurations used for reporting can be defined. The sensing reporting configuration or any other updated configuration for the BS(s) with transmitter sensing role and / or the UE(s) with receiver Sensing role may be provided in the transmitted message at step 9.

[0144] Step 11 to 22 are the same as the corresponding steps of the method or process 80 described above.

[0145] FIG.10 shows a message flow sequence, indicated generally by the reference numeral 100, in accordance with an example embodiment. The message sequence 100 shows messages between an Application Function (AF) 101, a network exposure function (NEF)102, a Sensing Management Function (SeMF) 103, an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 104, a radio access network (RAN) node 105 and a user equipment 106. The message flow sequence 100 is implemented as part of a 5G wireless communication system, but it should be noted that the principles of the message sequence 100 could be applied to other communication systems.

[0146] The method or process 100 shows a procedure to perform bi-static sensing between UE (Tx) and RAN (Rx) selected by the network in the case of RRC connected UE(s).

[0147] Step 1 is the same as step 1 of the method or process 80.

[0148] In step 2, the SeMF 103, according to the inputs of the sensing request message, determines the appropriate sensing method and involved entities. In this case, one or more RAN nodes / BSs 105 as sensing receivers and one or more UE(s) 106 as sensing transmitter are selected. For example: • The SeMF 103 may select UE(s) if requested by AF 101 directly or indirectly (e.g. subscriber information). • The SeMF 103 may selects UE(s) in the vicinity of the NW-level sensing area requested by AF 101. In this case, the SeMF asks a location management function (LMF) to obtain UE location information nearby the sensing target area. • The SeMF 103 may select UE(s) connected in the selected BS(s). The UE information connected to the selected BS(s) is obtained by AMF or OAM. • The SeMF 103 may check if the selected UE(s) supports sensing functionality as Sensing transmitter. • If there is no conversion from application-level sensing area to NW-level sensing area then the Application-level Sensing Area may be considered as the NW-level sensing.

[0149] In step 3, the SeMF 103 checks whether each selected BS has the available resources according to the sensing requirements (e.g., duration, update rate) and required sensing QoS (e.g., sensing accuracy, sensing resolution, sensing latency), thereby implementing sensing admission control. At this stage, the SeMF determines physical radio resources that should be used for bi-static sensing procedure between RAN (Rx) and UE (Tx).

[0150] Step 4 is the same as the corresponding step of the method or process 80.

[0151] In step 5, the SeMF 103 sends a sensing session establishment request to the one or more BSs 105 (via the AMF 104) that are involved, including one or more of the following:• Sensing session ID, generated by the SeMF to facilitate the coordination and handling of the sensing operations about the specific sensing service request. • BS ID (e.g., Global gNB ID or 6G Node B ID), the Cell ID (e.g., NR CGI or 6G Cell Global ID) • Sensing configuration used for BS as receiver and UE as transmitter • Sensing QoS • UE ID (e.g., SUPI, SUCI) • Radio resources of BS and UE(s) for the sensing procedure • Sensing reporting configuration • Although not shown in the figure, one or more of the above information (e.g. BS ID or UE ID) may be updated by the SeMF during the sensing session (Sensing Session Update Request), based on the target objects mobility pattern or due to UEs entering / leaving the NW-level sensing area.

[0152] In step 6, if the UE sensing capability is not checked in Step 2, the RAN node checks UE radio capability of the selected UE(s) if UE supports Sensing transmitter functionality.

[0153] In step 7, the RAN node 105 transmits to the one or more UE(s) their sensing transmitter configuration, as has been received by the sensing session establishment request and / or determined locally at the BS / RAN. RRC messages could be used (e.g., RRC Reconfiguration) to transmit sensing transmitter Configuration and also respective response by the UE of successful or not. Under the same RAN or BS, different UEs could be configured with same or different sensing transmitter configuration.

[0154] In step 8, the UE checks if the received sensing transmitter configuration is compliant with its sensing capability. The UE may additionally check privacy and / or other constraints if not already done in previous steps. Upon validating the received sensing transmitter configuration, the UE applies it to the corresponding protocol layer, e.g., NAS, physical layer, MAC, etc.

[0155] In step 9, the UE 106 transmits a response of sensing transmitter configuration to acknowledge or reject the received configuration. A failure cause is included in the response message in case the received configuration is not valid and rejected. If RRC reconfiguration procedure is used, the UE may initiate to re-establish an RRC connection if the received configuration is not valid (as in the existing RRC specification).

[0156] The steps 10 to 11 are the same as the corresponding steps in method or process 80.

[0157] In step 12, the UE 106 transmits reference signals / pilots or Physical Uplink Channel for user data with frequency, time and spatial (i.e., transmit antenna) resources required to satisfy sensing QoS. The RAN node 105 attempts to receive and measure sensing signal transmitted from UE in accordance with the sensing receiver configuration provided in step 5.

[0158] In step 13, the RAN node 105 reports measured sensing data to SeMF 103 via AMF 104 including the sensing session ID, according to the received sensing reporting configuration.

[0159] In step 14, the SeMF 103 based on the received inputs from the one or more RAN nodes 105 processes the collected measurements (or sensing data) and determines the sensing output (or sensing result).

[0160] The steps 15 to 18 are the same as the corresponding steps in the method or process 80.

[0161] In step 19, the RAN node 105 transmits the UE reconfiguration message to release sensing transmitter configuration from UE.

[0162] In step 20, the UE 106 checks if the received UE reconfiguration message to release the Sensing transmitter configuration is valid. Upon validation, the UE releases the sensing transmitter configuration.

[0163] In step 21, the UE 106 transmits a response of sensing transmitter configuration release to acknowledge or reject the configuration release request. In case the received release request is invalid, the UE reports a failure cause in the response message.

[0164] In step 22, the RAN node 105 releases sensing receiver configuration and replies with a sensing session release response to SeMF 103 via AMF 104.

[0165] FIG.11 shows a message flow sequence, indicated generally by the reference numeral 110, in accordance with an example embodiment. The message sequence 110 shows messages between an Application Function (AF) 111, a network exposure function (NEF) 112, a Sensing Management Function (SeMF) 113, an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 114, a radio access network (RAN) node 115 and a user equipment 116. The message flow sequence 110 is implemented as part of a 5G wireless communication system, but it should be noted that the principles of the message sequence 110 could be applied to other communication systems.

[0166] The method or process 110 is an alternative to the method or process 100 (showing a procedure to perform bi-static sensing between UE (Tx) and RAN (Rx) selected by the network) in which the RAN node is responsible for session admission control.

[0167] Steps 1 to 2 of the method or process 110 are the same as the corresponding steps of the method or process 100 described above.

[0168] In step 3, the SeMF 113 sends a sensing session establishment request to the one or more RAN nodes / BSs 115 (via the AMF 114) that are involved, including one or more of the following: • Sensing Session ID, generated by the SeMF to facilitate the coordination and handling of the sensing operations about the specific sensing service request. • BS ID (e.g., Global gNB ID or 6G Node B ID), the Cell ID (e.g., NR CGI or 6G Cell Global ID) • Sensing configuration used for BS as receiver and UE as transmitter • Sensing QoS • UE ID (e.g., SUPI, SUCI) • Although not shown in the figures, one or more of the above information (e.g. BS ID or UE ID) may be updated by the SeMF during the sensing session (Sensing Session Update Request), based on the target objects mobility pattern or due to UEs entering / leaving the NW-level sensing area.

[0169] In step 4, the RAN node 115 checks the available radio resources to be assigned for one or more UEs as sensing transmitter, according to the sensing requirements (e.g., duration, update rate) and required sensing QoS (e.g., sensing accuracy, sensing resolution, sensing latency). At this phase, RAN node determines physical radio resources that should be used for bi-static sensing procedure between RAN (Rx) and UE (Tx).

[0170] In step 5, if UE sensing capability is not checked in step 2, the RAN 115 checks UE radio capability of the selected UE(s) if the UE supports sensing transmitter functionality.

[0171] In step 6, the RAN node 115 transmits to the one or more UE(s) 116 their sensing transmitter configuration, as has been received by the sensing session establishment request and / or determined locally at the BS / RAN node 115. RRC messages could be used (e.g., RRC Reconfiguration) to transmit Sensing transmitter Configuration and also respective responseby the UE of successful or not. Under the same RAN node or BS, different UEs may be configured with same or different Sensing transmitter configuration.

[0172] In step 7, the UE 116 checks if the received sensing transmitter configuration is compliant with its sensing capability. The UE additionally checks privacy and other constraints if not already done in previous steps. Upon validating the received sensing transmitter configuration, UE applies it to the corresponding protocol layer, e.g., NAS, physical layer, MAC, etc.

[0173] In step 8, the UE 116 transmits a response of sensing transmitter configuration to acknowledge or reject the received configuration. A failure cause is included in the response message in case the received configuration is not valid and rejected. If RRC reconfiguration procedure is used, the UE initiates to re-establish an RRC connection if the received configuration is not valid (as in the existing RRC specification).

[0174] The steps 9 and 10 are the same as the corresponding steps in the method or process 90. The step 11 to 22 are the same as the corresponding steps in the method or process 100.

[0175] FIG.12 shows a message flow sequence, indicated generally by the reference numeral 120, in accordance with an example embodiment. The message sequence 120 shows messages between an Application Function (AF) 121, a network exposure function (NEF) 122, a Sensing Management Function (SeMF) 123, an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 124, a radio access network (RAN) node 125 and a user equipment 126. The message flow sequence 120 is implemented as part of a 5G wireless communication system, but it should be noted that the principles of the message sequence 120 could be applied to other communication systems.

[0176] The method or process 120 is a variant of the method or process 80 (showing a procedure to perform bi-static sensing between RAN (Tx) and specific UEs (Rx) selected by the network) in the case of CM / RRC-idle or CM-connected / RRC inactive mode UEs.

[0177] The method or process 120 illustrates a procedure showing how an idle mode UE can be involved with the sensing operation as a sensing receiver in case the admission control for sensing is performed at SeMF. Step 1 is the same as the corresponding step in the method or process 80. The steps of the method or process 120 that are different to the steps of the method or process 80 are described below.

[0178] In step 2, the SeMF 123, according to the inputs of the sensing request message, determines the appropriate sensing method and involved entities. In this case, one or moreRAN nodes / BSs 125 as Sensing transmitter and one or more UEs 126 as sensing receiver are selected. For example: • The SeMF 123 may select UE(s) requested by AF 121 if the AF indicates specific UE(s) in the sensing service request (e.g., subscriber information). • The SeMF 123 may check if the selected UE(s) supports sensing functionality as Sensing receiver. • If the NW-level sensing area is provided, the SeMF 123 may select AMF handling UE mobility management in the NW-level sensing area.

[0179] In step 3, the SeMF 123 checks whether each selected RAN / BS 125 has the available resources according to the sensing requirements (e.g., duration, update rate) and required sensing QoS (e.g., sensing accuracy, sensing resolution, sensing latency). At this phase, the SeMF determines physical radio resources that should be used for bi-static sensing procedure between RAN (Tx) and UE (Rx).

[0180] In step 4, according to the outputs of step 3,the SeMF also determines the sensing session configuration that could be used by the RAN node and UE to configure appropriately and / or optimize sensing transmission and reception, including sensing method, sensing QoS parameters, sensing session duration, timing and location NW-level sensing area (if requested) information for the sensing, type of Sensing service: Request or Subscription, etc.

[0181] In step 5, the SeMF 123 sends a sensing session establishment request (as in the method or process 80).

[0182] In step 6, upon receiving the sensing session establishment request, the AMF 124 checks if the UE selected by SeMF is in CM-CONNECTED or CM-IDLE. If the UE 125 is in CM-CONNECTED, the AMF 124 forwards the sensing session establishment request as in the method or process 80.

[0183] In step 7, if the UE is in CM-IDLE, the AMF 124 triggers paging and sends NGAP PAGING message to RAN(s) within the TA list for the target paging UE. Each RAN node, upon receiving the NGAP PAGING message, sends RRC paging message over the cells in the TA list.

[0184] In step 8, upon receiving the RRC paging message, the 126 UE checks if its UE ID is included in a sensing operation. If included, UE decides if UE joins the sensing procedure in accordance with UE sensing capability (e.g., sensing transmitter or receiver capability). If the UE decides to join the sensing procedure, the UE performs connection establishment andenters CM-CONNECTED / RRC_CONNEDTED. When UE requests connection establishment, UE includes an establishment cause for sensing in Step 8a. The establishment cause for sensing is further forwarded from RAN to AMF via the Initial UE message. Otherwise, UE does not respond to the paging message and stays in CM-IDLE / RRC_IDLE.

[0185] FIG.13 is a flowchart showing a method or process, indicated generally by the reference numeral 130, in accordance with an example embodiment. The method or process 130 shows how a state of a UE (e.g. UE 126) may be checked at an AMF (e.g. AMF 124).

[0186] At operation 131 of the method or process 130, a session establishment request is received from an SeMF (e.g. SeMF 123). At operation 132, the UE ID is extracted from the session establishment request received in the operation 131.

[0187] At operation 133, the UE state is checked. If connected, the method or process moves to operation 134, where the sensing session establishment request is forwarded to the relevant RAN(S) to perform sensing. If idle, the method or process moves to operation 135, where paging is triggered, as discussed above.

[0188] FIG.14 shows a message flow sequence, indicated generally by the reference numeral 140, in accordance with an example embodiment. The message sequence 140 shows messages between an Application Function (AF) 141, a network exposure function (NEF) 142, a Sensing Management Function (SeMF) 143, an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 144, a radio access network (RAN) node 145 and a user equipment 146. The message flow sequence 140 is implemented as part of a 5G wireless communication system, but it should be noted that the principles of the message sequence 140 could be applied to other communication systems.

[0189] In the message sequence 140, the RAN node 145 is being used as a transmitter and the UE 146 (in idle mode) is being used as a receiver; accordingly, the message sequence 140 is similar to that of the message sequence 120.

[0190] The message sequence 140 additionally shows steps required where no paging response is received from the selected UE 146 (see steps 8 to 11). The steps that have previously been described are not repeated.

[0191] In step 8, upon attempting paging (re)transmission in pre-determined instances, the AMF 144 determines that paging is failed for the selected UE 146.

[0192] In step 9, paging failure is indicated to the SeMF 143 with the failed UE ID (e.g. SUPI / SUCI).

[0193] In step 10, the SeMF 143 updates its sensing configuration e.g., selects another candidate UE and determines the configuration for the new candidate UE.

[0194] FIG.15 shows a message flow sequence, indicated generally by the reference numeral 150, in accordance with an example embodiment. The message sequence 150 shows messages between an Application Function (AF) 151, a network exposure function (NEF) 152, a Sensing Management Function (SeMF) 153, an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 154, a radio access network (RAN) node 155 and a user equipment 156. The message flow sequence 150 is implemented as part of a 5G wireless communication system, but it should be noted that the principles of the message sequence 150 could be applied to other communication systems.

[0195] In the message sequence 150, the selected UE 156 is in RRC_INACTIVE. The message sequence 150 relates to bi-static RAN (Tx) and UE (Rx) sensing with sensing admission control at the SeMF 153 as in the message sequence 120 described above. The different steps from the message sequence 120 are as follows: • In step 6, the RAN node 155 checks the RRC state of the selected UE. • In step 7, if the selected UE is in RRC_INACTIVE, RAN paging is sent to the UE 156. In addition, the serving RAN requests to the neighbour RAN(s) over Xn to transmit the RAN paging message.

[0196] It should be noted that the various steps described in the message sequences above may be applicable to different scenarios (e.g. where the UE is a sensing transmitter and the RAN node is a sensing receiver or vice versa, and with sensing admission control being performed in different modules).

[0197] In another embodiment, the measurements of the conducted sensing operation (or sensing data) that are collected at the UEs with receiver role and BS with receiver role and provided to the SeMF can include signal arrivals each characterized by power, delay, angles of departure and arrival, doppler shift etc.

[0198] In some embodiments, the procedures and signalling introduced above for bi-static sensing methods are also applicable for multi-static sensing methods (i.e. systems with multiple receivers e.g., UEs with Sensing receiver role).

[0199] In some embodiments, combinations of mono-static, bistatic and multi-static methods with UEs and RAN nodes / BSs could be used in the context of the same sensing session. SeMF or RAN entity or any other NF can decide the combination of methods that can be used for each sensing service / operation.

[0200] In some embodiments, the RAN node (e.g. base station) that is configured as a sensing transmitter can select the one or more UEs configured to act as receiver(s) to participate in the sensing procedure and determine their respective sensing configuration.

[0201] In some embodiments, the role of the SeMF or functionalities of the SeMF can be placed at the RAN domain. In some embodiments the role and the functionalities of the SeMF presented in the various embodiments are undertaken by the LMF.

[0202] In some embodiments, the admission control procedure at the RAN node / BS and / or SeMF may also include privacy checks.

[0203] Implementation of some of the example embodiments described herein may require extensions to existing 3GPP standards. The following is an example of how the RRC Paging message, NGAP PAGING message and XnAP RAN PAGING message may be extend in some example implementations. In summary, a new paging cause for sensing is introduced in the existing paging message. The changes are shown underlined. – Paging The Paging message is used for the notification of one or more UEs. Signalling radio bearer: N / A RLC-SAP: TM Logical channel: PCCH Direction: Network to UE Paging message -- ASN1STARTnonCriticalExtension Paging-v1700-IEs OPTIONALPagingRecord field descriptions accessType Indicates whether the Paging message is originated due to the PDU sessions from the non-3GPP access. pagingRecordList If the network includes pagingRecordList-v1700, it includes the same number of entries, and listed in the same order, as in pagingRecordList (i.e. without suffix). pagingCause Indicates whether the Paging message is originated due to IMS voice or performing any of sensing methods (i.e., for UE to perform sensing either to transmit or receive a sensing signal over Uu or sidelink). If this field is present, it implies that the corresponding paging entry is for IMS voice or sensing. If upper layers indicate the support of paging cause and if this field is not present but pagingRecordList-v1700 is present, it implies that the corresponding paging entry is for a service other than IMS voice. Otherwise, paging cause is undetermined. 9.2.4.1 PAGING This message is sent by the AMF and is used to page a UE in one or several tracking areas. Direction: AMF ® NG-RAN nodeIE / Group Presen Ran IE type Semantics Criticality Assigned Name ce ge and description Criticality referenc e Message Type M 9.3.1.1 YES ignore UE Paging M 9.3.3.18 YES ignore Identity Paging DRX O 9.3.1.90 YES ignore TAI List for 1 YES ignore Paging >TAI List for 1..< - Paging Item max noof TAIf orPa ging > >>TAI M 9.3.3.11 - Paging Priority O 9.3.1.78 YES ignore UE Radio O 9.3.1.68 YES ignore Capability for Paging Paging Origin O 9.3.3.22 YES ignore Assistance O 9.3.1.69 YES ignore Data for Paging NB-IoT O 9.3.1.138 YES ignore Paging eDRX InformationNB-IoT O 9.3.1.139 If this IE is YES ignore Paging DRX present, the Paging DRX IE is ignored. Enhanced O 9.3.1.140 YES ignore Coverage Restriction WUS O 9.3.1.143 YES ignore Assistance Information E-UTRA O 9.3.1.154 YES ignore Paging eDRX Information CE-mode-B O 9.3.1.155 YES ignore Restricted NR Paging O 9.3.1.227 YES ignore eDRX InformationPaging Cause O ENUME YES ignore RATED (voice, uplinkTx Sensing, downlink TxSensin g, sidelinkT xSensing , sidelink RxSensi ng, sidelink RxTxSen sing, …) PEIPS O 9.3.1.232 YES ignore Assistance Information Range bound Explanation maxnoofTAIforPaging Maximum no. of TAIs for paging. Value is 16. • 9.1.1.7 RAN PAGING This message is sent by the NG-RAN node1 to NG-RAN node2 to page a UE. Direction: NG-RAN node1 ® NG-RAN node2.IE / Group Presen Rang IE type Semantics Criticali Assigne Name ce e and description ty d reference Criticali ty Message Type M 9.2.3.1 YES reject CHOICE UE M YES reject Identity Index Value >Length-10 >>Index M BIT Coded as – Length-10 STRING specified in (SIZE(10) TS 38.304 )

[0033] and TS 36.304

[0034] . UE RAN M 9.2.3.43 YES ignore Paging Identity Paging DRX M 9.2.3.66 Includes the YES ignore RAN paging cycle as defined in TS 36.304

[0034] and 38.304

[0033] . RAN Paging M 9.2.3.38 YES reject Area Paging Priority O 9.2.3.44 YES ignore Assistance O 9.2.3.41 YES ignore Data for RAN PagingUE Radio O 9.2.3.91 YES ignore Capability for Paging Extended UE O 9.2.3.141 Coded as YES ignore Identity Index specified in Value TS 36.304

[0034] and 38.304

[0033] . E-UTRA O 9.2.3.142 YES ignore Paging eDRX Information UE specific O 9.2.3.143 Includes the YES ignore DRX UE specific paging cycle as defined in TS 36.304

[0034] and 38.304

[0033] . NR Paging O 9.2.3.161 YES ignore eDRX Information NR Paging O 9.2.3.162 YES ignore eDRX Information for RRC INACTIVEPaging Cause O ENUMER YES ignore ATED (voice, uplinkTxS ensing, downlink RxSensing , sidelinkTx Sensing, sidelinkRx Sensing, sidelinkRx TxSensing , …) PEIPS O 9.2.3.166 YES ignore Assistance Information – RRCSetupRequest The RRCSetupRequest message is used to request the establishment of an RRC connection. Signalling radio bearer: SRB0 RLC-SAP: TM Logical channel: CCCH Direction: UE to Network RRCSetupRequest message -- ASN1STARTRRCSetupRequest-IEs field descriptions establishmentCause Provides the establishment cause for the RRCSetupRequest in accordance with the information received from upper layers. gNB is not expected to reject an RRCSetupRequest due to unknown cause value being used by the UE. ue-Identity UE identity included to facilitate contention resolution by lower layers. InitialUE-Identity field descriptions ng-5G-S-TMSI-Part1 The rightmost 39 bits of 5G-S-TMSI. randomValue Integer value in the range 0 to 239– 1. – RRCResumeRequest The RRCResumeRequest message is used to request the resumption of a suspended RRC connection or perform an RNA update. Signalling radio bearer: SRB0 RLC-SAP: TM Logical channel: CCCH Direction: UE to Network RRCResumeRequest message -- ASN1STARTrrcResumeRequest RRCResumeRequest-IEsRRCResumeRequest-IEs field descriptions resumeCause Provides the resume cause for the RRC connection resume request as provided by the upper layers or RRC. The network is not expected to reject an RRCResumeRequest due to unknown cause value being used by the UE. resumeIdentity UE identity to facilitate UE context retrieval at gNB. resumeMAC-I Authentication token to facilitate UE authentication at gNB. The 16 least significant bits of the MAC-I calculated using the AS security configuration as specified in 5.3.13.3.– ResumeCause The IE ResumeCause is used to indicate the resume cause in RRCResumeRequest and RRCResumeRequest1. ResumeCause information element -- ASN1STARTthe example embodiments described previously, which hereafter are referred to generically as a processing system 300. The processing system 300 may, for example, be the apparatus referred to in the claims below.

[0205] The processing system 300 may have a processor 302, a memory 304 closely coupled to the processor and comprised of a RAM 314 and a ROM 312, and, optionally, a user input 310 and a display 318. The processing system 300 may comprise one or more network / apparatus interfaces 308 for connection to a network / apparatus, e.g. a modem which may be wired or wireless. The network / apparatus interface 308 may also operate as a connection to other apparatus such as device / apparatus which is not network side apparatus. Thus, direct connection between devices / apparatus without network participation is possible.

[0206] The processor 302 is connected to each of the other components in order to control operation thereof.

[0207] The memory 304 may comprise a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The ROM 312 of the memory 304 stores, amongst other things, an operating system 315 and may store software applications 316. The RAM 314 of the memory 304 is used by the processor 302 for the temporary storage of data. The operating system 315 may contain code which, when executed by the processor implements aspects of the methods, processes and sequences 50 to 150 described above. Note that in the case of small device / apparatus the memory can be most suitable for small size usage i.e. not always a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD) is used.

[0208] The processor 302 may take any suitable form. For instance, it may be a microcontroller, a plurality of microcontrollers, a processor, or a plurality of processors.

[0209] The processing system 300 may be a standalone computer, a server, a console, or a network thereof. The processing system 300 and needed structural parts may be all inside device / apparatus such as IoT device / apparatus i.e. embedded to very small size.

[0210] In some example embodiments, the processing system 300 may also be associated with external software applications. These may be applications stored on a remote server device and / or apparatus and may run partly or exclusively on the remote server device and / or apparatus. These applications may be termed cloud-hosted applications. The processing system 300 may be in communication with the remote server device / apparatus in order to utilize the software application stored there.

[0211] FIG.17 shows a tangible media, in the form of a removable memory unit 365, storing computer-readable code which when run by a computer may perform methods according to example embodiments described above. The removable memory unit 365 may be a memory stick, e.g. a USB memory stick, having internal memory 366 storing the computer-readable code. The internal memory 366 may be accessed by a computer system via a connector 367. Of course, other forms of tangible storage media may be used, as will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skilled in the art. Tangible media can be any device / apparatus capable of storing data / information which data / information can be exchanged between devices / apparatus / network.

[0212] Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in software, hardware, application logic or a combination of software, hardware and application logic. The software, application logic and / or hardware may reside on memory, or any computer media. In an example embodiment, the application logic, software or an instruction set is maintained onany one of various conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, a “memory” or “computer-readable medium” may be any non-transitory media or means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer.

[0213] Reference to, where relevant, “computer-readable medium”, “computer program product”, “tangibly embodied computer program” etc., or a “processor” or “processing circuitry” etc. should be understood to encompass not only computers having differing architectures such as single / multi-processor architectures and sequencers / parallel architectures, but also specialised circuits such as field programmable gate arrays FPGA, application specify circuits ASIC, signal processing devices / apparatus and other devices / apparatus. References to computer program, instructions, code etc. should be understood to express software for a programmable processor firmware such as the programmable content of a hardware device / apparatus as instructions for a processor or configured or configuration settings for a fixed function device / apparatus, gate array, programmable logic device / apparatus, etc.

[0214] If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed in a different order and / or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the above- described functions may be optional or may be combined. Similarly, it will also be appreciated that the flow diagrams and sequences of Figures 5 to 15 are examples only and that various operations depicted therein may be omitted, reordered and / or combined.

[0215] It will be appreciated that the above described example embodiments are purely illustrative and are not limiting on the scope of the invention. Other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reading the present specification.

[0216] Moreover, the disclosure of the present application should be understood to include any novel features or any novel combination of features either explicitly or implicitly disclosed herein or any generalization thereof and during the prosecution of the present application or of any application derived therefrom, new claims may be formulated to cover any such features and / or combination of such features.

[0217] Although various aspects of the invention are set out in the independent claims, other aspects of the invention comprise other combinations of features from the described exampleembodiments and / or the dependent claims with the features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinations explicitly set out in the claims.

[0218] It is also noted herein that while the above describes various examples, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications which may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. An apparatus for a wireless communication network, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, wherein execution of the instructions causes the apparatus to perform at least: receiving, from a sensing client of a wireless communication system, a sensing service request for a sensing service; selecting a sensing method for the sensing service based, at least in part, on sensing information included in the sensing request; selecting sensing devices involved in the sensing service based on the selected sensing method, wherein said sensing devices include one or more radio access network nodes that are used for one of transmission and reception of sensing signals and one or more user equipments that are used for the other of transmission and reception of sensing signals; transmitting, to the radio access network node(s), a sensing session establishment request to establish a sensing session for the sensing service, the sensing session establishment request comprising a sensing configuration for the radio access network node to be a transmitter or receiver of sensing signals, an identifier of the user equipment and a sensing configuration for the user equipment to be a receiver or transmitter of sensing signals; and receiving a response to the session establishment request, the response comprising an indication of success or failure to establish the sensing session for the sensing service.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the apparatus to perform at least: receiving sensing data from one of the one or more radio access network node, wherein the sensing data is collected by the one or more radio access network nodes and the user equipment that are used for reception of sensing signals.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the apparatus to perform at least:providing sensing output data to the sensing client in response to said sensing request, wherein the sensing output data is based, at least in part, on the sensing data received from the radio access network node.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein providing sensing output data to the sensing client further comprises processing the collected sensing data to generate said sensing output data.

5. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein selecting sensing devices comprises selecting the user equipment based on at least one of the following: a user equipment defined in the sensing request; a user equipment in the vicinity of a sensing area defined in the sensing request; and a user equipment connected to the selected radio access network node.

6. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein selecting sensing devices comprises selecting the radio access network node based on at least one of the following: a radio access network node identified by an identifier of the radio access network node included in the sensing request; and a radio access network node in the vicinity of a sensing area defined in the sensing request.

7. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the apparatus to perform at least: controlling session admission in which a determination is made regarding whether the respective the radio access network node and / or the user equipment is / are able to meet defined requirements.

8. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the apparatus to perform at least: triggering paging of a selected user equipment selected as one of said sensing devices, in the event that said user equipment in an idle state.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the apparatus to perform at least: selecting an alternative user equipment in the event that a paging failing indication is received in response to said paging.

10. A radio access network node of a wireless communication system, the radio access network node comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, wherein execution of the instructions causes the radio access network node to perform at least: receiving, from a control module of the wireless communication system, a session establishment request to establish a sensing session for a sensing service, wherein said session establishment request defines sensing devices involved in the sensing service, said devices comprising one or more network nodes including said radio access network node and one or more user equipments, wherein said radio access network node is used for one of transmission and reception of sensing signals and the one or more user equipments are used for the other of transmission and reception of sensing signals, and wherein said session establishment request further defines a sensing configuration for the radio access network node to be a transmitter or receiver of sensing signals, an identifier of the user equipment(s) and a sensing configuration for the user equipment(s) to be a receiver or transmitter of sensing signals; configuring a sensing procedure in accordance with said sensing establishment request; andproviding sensing data collected during the sensing procedure to the control module, wherein the sensing data is collected by the one of the radio access network node(s) and the user equipment(s) used for reception of sensing signals.

11. The radio access network node as claimed in claim 10, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the radio access network node to perform at least: controlling session admission in which a determination is made regarding whether the respective radio access network node(s) and / or the user equipment(s) is / are able to meet defined requirements of said sensing system.

12. The radio access network node as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the radio access network node to perform at least: collecting sensing data collected during the sensing procedure in the event that the sensing system is configured such that the radio access network node is used to receive sensing data.

13. The radio access network node as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the radio access network node to perform at least: receiving sensing data collected by said user equipment(s) during the sensing procedure in the event that the sensing system is configured such that the user equipment(s) are used to receive sensing data.

14. The radio access network node as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the radio access network node to perform at least: sending a paging request to one or more of said user equipment(s), in the event that the respective user equipment in an idle sate.

15. The radio access network node as claimed in claim 14, wherein said paging request includes a paging cause of said paging request which indicates how said user equipment is involved in the requested sensing session.

16. A user equipment comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, wherein execution of the instructions causes the user equipment to perform at least: receiving a sensing configuration message from a radio access network node of a wireless communication system, wherein said session configuration message defines a sensing system comprising one or more radio access network nodes and one or more user equipments, wherein said radio access network node(s) are used for one of transmission and reception of sensing signals and the user equipment(s) are used for the other of transmission and reception of sensing signals; and configuring a sensing procedure in accordance with the sensing configuration message.

17. The user equipment as claimed in claim 16, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the user equipment to perform at least: collecting sensing data during said sensing procedure and providing some or all of said sensing data to one of said one or more radio access network nodes in the event that the sensing system is configured such that the respective one of said one or more radio access network nodes is used to receive sensing data from the user equipment.

18. The user equipment as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the user equipment to perform at least: collecting sensing data during said sensing procedure and providing some or all of said sensing data to control module in the event that the sensing system is configured such that the control module is used to receive sensing data from the user equipment.

19. The user equipment as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the user equipment to perform at least: transmitting signals for use in generating sensing data in the event that the sensing system is configured such that the radio access network node is used to generate sensing data based on signals transmitted by the user equipment.

20. The user equipment as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the user equipment to perform at least: receiving a paging request for the radio access network node; and joining said sensing procedure by establishing or resuming a connection to the radio access network node in response to said paging request.

21. The user equipment as claimed in claim 20, wherein said paging request includes details one or more causes of said paging request which indicates how said user equipment is involved in the requested sensing session.

22. A network node of a wireless communication system, the network node comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, wherein execution of the instructions causes the apparatus to perform at least: initiating a paging request if a user equipment involved in a sensing session is in an idle state; sending a paging request to one or more radio access nodes for paging said user equipment; and including a paging cause of said paging request which indicates how said user equipment is involved in said sensing session.

23. A method comprising:receiving, from a sensing client of a wireless communication system, a sensing service request for a sensing service; selecting a sensing method for the sensing service based, at least in part, on sensing information included in the sensing request; selecting sensing devices involved in the sensing service based on the selected sensing method, wherein said sensing devices include one or more radio access network nodes that are used for one of transmission and reception of sensing signals and one or more user equipments that are used for the other of transmission and reception of sensing signals; transmitting, to the radio access network node(s), a sensing session establishment request to establish a sensing session for the sensing service, the sensing session establishment request comprising a sensing configuration for the radio access network node to be a transmitter or receiver of sensing signals, an identifier of the user equipment and a sensing configuration for the user equipment to be a receiver or transmitter of sensing signals; and receiving a response to the session establishment request, the response comprising an indication of success or failure to establish the sensing session for the sensing service. receiving sensing data from one of the one or more radio access network node, wherein the sensing data is collected by the one or more radio access network nodes and the user equipment that are used for reception of sensing signals.

24. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the apparatus to perform at least: providing sensing output data to the sensing client in response to said sensing request, wherein the sensing output data is based, at least in part, on the sensing data received from the radio access network node.

25. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein providing sensing output data to the sensing client further comprises processing the collected sensing data to generate said sensing output data.

26. The method as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 25, wherein selecting sensing devices comprises selecting the user equipment based on at least one of the following: a user equipment defined in the sensing request; a user equipment in the vicinity of a sensing area defined in the sensing request; and a user equipment connected to the selected radio access network node.

27. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 26, wherein selecting sensing devices comprises selecting the radio access network node based on at least one of the following: a radio access network node identified by an identifier of the radio access network node included in the sensing request; and a radio access network node in the vicinity of a sensing area defined in the sensing request.

28. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 27, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the apparatus to perform at least: controlling session admission in which a determination is made regarding whether the respective the radio access network node and / or the user equipment is / are able to meet defined requirements.

29. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 28, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the apparatus to perform at least: triggering paging of a selected user equipment selected as one of said sensing devices, in the event that said user equipment in an idle state.

30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the apparatus to perform at least:selecting an alternative user equipment in the event that a paging failing indication is received in response to said paging.

31. A method of a radio access network node, the method comprising: receiving, from a control module of the wireless communication system, a session establishment request to establish a sensing session for a sensing service, wherein said session establishment request defines sensing devices involved in the sensing service, said devices comprising one or more network nodes including said radio access network node and one or more user equipments, wherein said radio access network node is used for one of transmission and reception of sensing signals and the one or more user equipments are used for the other of transmission and reception of sensing signals, and wherein said session establishment request further defines a sensing configuration for the radio access network node to be a transmitter or receiver of sensing signals, an identifier of the user equipment(s) and a sensing configuration for the user equipment(s) to be a receiver or transmitter of sensing signals; configuring a sensing procedure in accordance with said sensing establishment request; and providing sensing data collected during the sensing procedure to the control module, wherein the sensing data is collected by the one of the radio access network node(s) and the user equipment(s) used for reception of sensing signals.

32. The method as claimed in claim 31, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the radio access network node to perform at least: controlling session admission in which a determination is made regarding whether the respective radio access network node(s) and / or the user equipment(s) is / are able to meet defined requirements of said sensing system.

33. The method as claimed in claim 31 or claim 32, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the radio access network node to perform at least:collecting sensing data collected during the sensing procedure in the event that the sensing system is configured such that the radio access network node is used to receive sensing data.

34. The method as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the radio access network node to perform at least: receiving sensing data collected by said user equipment(s) during the sensing procedure in the event that the sensing system is configured such that the user equipment(s) are used to receive sensing data.

35. The method as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 34, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the radio access network node to perform at least: sending a paging request to one or more of said user equipment(s), in the event that the respective user equipment in an idle sate.

36. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein said paging request includes a paging cause of said paging request which indicates how said user equipment is involved in the requested sensing session.

37. A method of a user equipment, the method comprising: receiving a sensing configuration message from a radio access network node of a wireless communication system, wherein said session configuration message defines a sensing system comprising one or more radio access network nodes and one or more user equipments, wherein said radio access network node(s) are used for one of transmission and reception of sensing signals and the user equipment(s) are used for the other of transmission and reception of sensing signals; and configuring a sensing procedure in accordance with the sensing configuration message.

38. The method as claimed in claim 37, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the user equipment to perform at least: collecting sensing data during said sensing procedure and providing some or all of said sensing data to one of said one or more radio access network nodes in the event that the sensing system is configured such that the respective one of said one or more radio access network nodes is used to receive sensing data from the user equipment.

39. The method as claimed in claim 37 or claim 38, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the user equipment to perform at least: collecting sensing data during said sensing procedure and providing some or all of said sensing data to control module in the event that the sensing system is configured such that the control module is used to receive sensing data from the user equipment.

40. The method as claimed in any one of claims 37 to 38, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the user equipment to perform at least: transmitting signals for use in generating sensing data in the event that the sensing system is configured such that the radio access network node is used to generate sensing data based on signals transmitted by the user equipment.

41. The method as claimed in any one of claims 37 to 40, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the user equipment to perform at least: receiving a paging request for the radio access network node; and joining said sensing procedure by establishing or resuming a connection to the radio access network node in response to said paging request.

42. The method as claimed in claim 41, wherein said paging request includes details one or more causes of said paging request which indicates how said user equipment is involved in the requested sensing session.

43. A computer program comprising instructions, wherein when the computer program is executed by an apparatus, the apparatus is caused to perform the method of any one of claims 23 to 30.

44. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 23 to 30.

45. A computer program comprising instructions, wherein when the computer program is executed by at least one processor of a radio access network node, the apparatus is caused to perform the method of any one of claims 31 to 36.

46. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus of a radio access network node, cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 31 to 36.

47. A computer program comprising instructions, wherein when the computer program is executed by a user equipment, the user equipment is caused to perform the method of any one of claims 37 to 42.

48. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment, cause the user equipment to perform the method of any one of claims 37 to 42.

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