Methods and apparatuses for sensing in a communication network

Abstract

A method (300) performed by a first network node in a radio access technology, RAT, communication network, the method comprising: determining (302) spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object based on a measurement of a signal derived from a first signal transmitted by a RAT-independent radar sensor.

Description

[0001] METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR SENSING IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] Embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatuses for sensing in a radio access technology communication network.

[0004] Background

[0005] RAT-dependent sensing

[0006] The system architectures groups (SA1 and SA2) of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) have defined study items to identify use cases and architectural enhancements that will enable integrated sensing and communications (ISAC) in radio access technology (RAT) communication networks (also referred to as joint communication and sensing (JCAS)). According to ISAC, sensing capabilities are included in the communication network such that both communication and sensing functionalities are integrated into the same transmission / reception nodes. Further information can be found in “Feasibility Study on Integrated Sensing and Communication”, 3GPP Technical Report 22.837, Release 19; and 3GPP RP-223114, “Study on Integrated Sensing and Communication for NR Rel-19”, 3GPP Work Item Description.

[0007] ISAC can be used to sense passive objects. A passive object is an object which does not have any means to connect to the RAT. Thus, in general, a passive object is any object whose presence / position / speed is desired to be known by the network, but with which the network cannot communicate through a communication link.

[0008] In most cases, a passive object is either moving or can be expected to move over a period of time (e.g., it has the ability to move). Examples of passive objects are cars without a sim card, people without a mobile phone (e.g., vulnerable road users), animals, etc. At any given time, the passive object may not be moving, but it can change its position over some period of time (e.g., a person who is not moving or a sleeping animal). The passive object is therefore differentiated from other objects in the environment such as walls, building and other static objects belonging to the environment.

[0009] Sensing within a communication network can be performed with a monostatic, bi-static or multi-static configuration. Examples of these sensing configurations are illustrated in Figures 1A, 1 B and 1C where they are deployed using cellular base stations. A signal is transmitted, and an object is sensed by measuring a reflection of the signal off the object.

[0010] A monostatic configuration is a sensing configuration in which the transmitter and the receiver are co-located in the same node. Fig. 1A depicts a monostatic configuration in which the transmitter sensing antenna array (denoted TX-s) and the receiver sensing antenna array (denoted RX-s) are co-located at the same base station.

[0011] A bi-static configuration is a sensing configuration in which the transmitter is located in a first node at a first location, and the receiver is located in a second node at a different location to the first. Fig. 1 B depicts a bi-static configuration in which the TX-s is located at a different base station to the RX-s.

[0012] A multi-static configuration is a sensing configuration in which several transmitters and several receivers are present and they are all located at different nodes. Fig. 1C depicts a multi-static configuration comprising multiple base stations providing multiple sites for TX-s and multiple sites for RX-s.

[0013] Figure 2 illustrates the New Radio (NR) architecture applicable to positioning of a user equipment (UE) 206. Positioning functionality is provided by the location management function (LMF) 202. The LMF 202 is a location node in the core network that manages different location services for target UEs such as positioning (e.g., determining the geographic position of the UE based on downlink and uplink location measuring radio signals) and the delivery of assistance data to UEs. Interactions between the LMF 202 and the gNodeB 204 are supported by the NRPPa protocol. Interactions between the gNodeB 204 and a device (e.g., the UE 206) are supported via the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol.

[0014] NR supports the following Radio Access Technology positioning methods.

[0015] (i) Downlink Time Difference of Arrival

[0016] The downlink (DL) Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) positioning method makes use of the DL Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD) of downlink signals received from multiple Transmission Points (TPs) at the UE. The DL TDOA positioning method may optionally also make use of the DL Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) of downlink signals. The UE measures the DL RSTD (and optionally DL PRS RSRP) of the received signals using assistance data received from the positioning server, and the resulting measurements are used along with other configuration information to locate the UE in relation to the neighbouring TPs.

[0017] (ii) Multi-RTT

[0018] The Multi Round-Trip Time (Multi-RTT) positioning method makes use of the UE Rx-Tx measurements and DL PRS RSRP of downlink signals received from multiple Transmission and Reception Points (TRPs) and measured by the UE. It also makes use of the measured gNB Rx-Tx measurements and uplink (UL) Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) RSRP at multiple TRPs of uplink signals transmitted by the UE.

[0019] (iii) Uplink Time Difference of Arrival

[0020] The UL TDOA positioning method makes use of the UL TDOA (and optionally UL SRS-RSRP) at multiple Reception Points (RPs) of uplink signals transmitted by the UE. The RPs measure the UL TDOA (and optionally UL SRS-RSRP) of the received signals using assistance data received from the positioning server, and the resulting measurements are used along with other configuration information to estimate the location of the UE.

[0021] (iv) Downlink Angle of Departure

[0022] The DL Angle of Departure (AoD) positioning method makes use of the measured DL PRS RSRP of downlink signals received at the UE from multiple TPs. The UE measures the DL PRS RSRP of the received signals using assistance data received from the positioning server, and the resulting measurements are used along with other configuration information to locate the UE in relation to the neighbouring TPs.

[0023] (v) Uplink Angle of Arrival

[0024] The UL Angle of Arrival (AoA) positioning method makes use of the measured azimuth and zenith of arrival at multiple RPs of uplink signals transmitted by the UE. The RPs measure A- AoA and Z-AoA of the received signals using assistance data received from the positioning server, and the resulting measurements are used along with other configuration information to estimate the location of the UE.

[0025] (vi) NR Enhanced Cell ID

[0026] NR Enhanced Cell ID (NR-ECID) positioning refers to techniques which use additional UE measurements and / or NR radio resource and other measurements to improve the UE location estimate.

[0027] RAT-independent Sensing Sensing can also be performed in a RAT-independent manner using radar. Radar is a radiolocation system that uses radio waves to determine the distance (ranging), angle (azimuth / elevation), and / or radial velocity of objects relative to the radar. The object could, for example, be a passive object as described above, or an active object such as a UE. Radar represents a fundamentally important use of the electromagnetic spectrum. Radar sensors are used for a variety of purposes, including air traffic control, geophysical monitoring of Earth resources from space, automotive safety, severe weather tracking, and surveillance for defence and security.

[0028] Radar can be performed by a standalone transmitter / receiver node (e.g., a network node or a UE) that is used only for sensing and not for communication (referred to as a radar sensor). The radar sensor uses different signals to the signals used within a RAT communication network for communication purposes. For example, pulse shaped radar signals and continuous wave radar signals are different to the sinusoidal reference signal used for communication.

[0029] The specific radar transmitter / receiver configurations can also be provided to active objects such as a target UE(s) or any assistant UE(s) to aid with sensing, e.g., by performing the measurements of the radar signal.

[0030] As part of beyond 5G / 6G architecture for ISAC, the architectural solution for network sensing is currently being investigated. The 5G / 6G RAT-based sensing within the ISAC framework may not be adequate to cover all locations. It is therefore expected that different radar-based sensors will continue to operate on a very large number of frequency bands, including millimeter wave frequencies, reserved specifically for standalone radar sensors (further information can be found in H. Griffiths et al., "Radar Spectrum Engineering and Management: Technical and Regulatory Issues" in Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 103, no. 1 , pp. 85-102, Jan. 2015). However, the radar frequency allocations are interleaved, or in some cases shared, with the equivalent communications bands, which is one of the main causes of interferences and causes challenges for both technologies.

[0031] Summary

[0032] Future generations of radio communications may incorporate high-data-rate communications and high-resolution radar sensing capabilities operating in the millimeter-wave and higher frequencies using ISAC / JCAS framework, as discussed in V. Petrov et al., “On Unified Vehicular Communications and Radar Sensing in Millimeter-Wave and Low Terahertz Bands” in IEEE Wireless Communications, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 146-153, June 2019. However, it has not yet been determined how these technologies can be used together without causing interference or other challenges.

[0033] Certain aspects of this disclosure may provide solutions to these or other challenges.

[0034] It is proposed herein to integrate RAT-independent radar sensing within the RAT communication network to enhance network sensing capabilities. In particular, the RAT communication network may be configured to use signals transmitted by RAT-independent radar sensors for sensing purposes. Network nodes (e.g., within the core network) enable successful integration of the RAT-independent and RAT-dependent technologies by managing the configuration and measurement of radar signals, and processing the signal measurements, e.g., to determine spatial information.

[0035] According to a first aspect, there is provided a method performed by a first network node in a RAT communication network. The method comprises determining spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object based on a measurement of a signal derived from a first signal transmitted by a RAT-independent radar sensor.

[0036] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method performed by a RAT-independent radar sensor for enabling determination of spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object. The method comprises performing a measurement of a signal derived from a first signal; and transmitting the measurement to a first network node in a RAT communication network.

[0037] According to a third aspect, there is provided a method performed by a RAT-independent radar sensor for enabling determination of spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object. The method comprises receiving, from a third network node in a RAT communication network, a recommended transmission characteristic for transmission by the RAT-independent radar sensor of a first signal for providing the spatial and / or movement information. The method further comprises determining a selected transmission characteristic for transmitting the first signal based on one or more of: the recommended transmission characteristic; a radio resource condition; and a network load capacity; and transmitting the first signal according to the selected transmission characteristic.

[0038] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a method performed by a second network node in a RAT communication network node, for enabling determination of spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object. The method comprises performing a measurement of a signal derived from a first signal transmitted by a RAT-independent radar sensor; and transmitting the measurement to a first network node in the RAT communication network.

[0039] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a method performed by a third network node for managing spatial sensing in a RAT communication network. The method comprises receiving, from a RAT-independent radar sensor, information about the RAT-independent radar sensor.

[0040] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a first network node. The first network node is adapted to determine spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object based on a measurement of a signal derived from a first signal transmitted by a RAT- independent radar sensor.

[0041] According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a first network node. The first network node comprises processing circuitry and a memory. The memory contains instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the first network node is operable to determine spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object based on a measurement of a signal derived from a first signal transmitted by a RAT-independent radar sensor.

[0042] According to an eighth aspect, there is provided a RAT-independent radar sensor adapted to perform a method for enabling determination of spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object by: performing a measurement of a signal derived from a first signal; and transmitting the measurement to a first network node in a RAT communication network.

[0043] According to a ninth aspect, there is provided a RAT-independent radar sensor comprising processing and a memory. The memory contains instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the RAT-independent radar sensor is operable to perform a method for enabling determination of spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object by: performing a measurement of a signal derived from a first signal; and transmitting the measurement to a first network node in a RAT communication network.

[0044] According to a tenth aspect, there is provided a RAT-independent radar sensor adapted to perform a method for enabling determination of spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object by: receiving, from a third network node in a RAT communication network, a recommended transmission characteristic for transmission by the RAT-independent radar sensor of a first signal for providing the spatial and / or movement information; determining a selected transmission characteristic for transmitting the first signal based on one or more of: the recommended transmission characteristic; a radio resource condition; and a network load capacity; and transmitting the first signal according to the selected transmission characteristic.

[0045] According to an eleventh aspect, there is provided a RAT-independent radar sensor comprising processing circuitry and a memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the RAT-independent radar sensor is operable to perform a method for enabling determination of spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object by: receiving, from a third network node in a RAT communication network, a recommended transmission characteristic for transmission by the RAT-independent radar sensor of a first signal for providing the spatial and / or movement information; determining a selected transmission characteristic for transmitting the first signal based on one or more of: the recommended transmission characteristic; a radio resource condition; and a network load capacity; and transmitting the first signal according to the selected transmission characteristic.

[0046] According to a twelfth aspect, there is provided a second network node. The second network node is adapted to perform a method for enabling determination of spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object by: performing a measurement of a signal derived from a first signal transmitted by a RAT-independent radar sensor; and transmitting the measurement to a first network node in the RAT communication network.

[0047] According to a thirteenth aspect, there is provided a second network node. The second network node comprises processing circuitry and a memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the first network node is operable to perform a method for enabling determination of spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object by: performing a measurement of a signal derived from a first signal transmitted by a RAT-independent radar sensor; and transmitting the measurement to a first network node in the RAT communication network.

[0048] According to a fourteenth aspect, there is provided a third network node for managing spatial sensing in a RAT communication network. The third network node is adapted to receive, from a RAT-independent radar sensor, information about the RAT-independent radar sensor.

[0049] According to a fifteenth aspect, there is provided a third network node for managing spatial sensing in a RAT communication network. The third network node comprises processing circuitry and a memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the third network node is operable to: receive, from a RAT-independent radar sensor, information about the RAT-independent radar sensor.

[0050] According to a sixteenth aspect, there is provided a computer program, comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out a method according to any of the first, second, third, fourth, and / or fifth aspects.

[0051] Thus, the techniques disclosed herein enable the use of radar sensors within a RAT communication network to provide valuable information for e.g., vehicle positioning and situational awareness. This information is made available to the network, thereby allowing for enhanced hybrid positioning solutions. Moreover, the disclosed techniques help to reduce interferences caused mutually by standalone radar and RAT communications, e.g., due to closeness or overlapping frequency bands at which both technologies can operate.

[0052] According to the techniques described herein, RAT-independent radar sensors may be used within the RAT communication network to provide either a standalone radar-based sensing service, or a fusion of radar-based sensing and RAT-based sensing, e.g., to improve location results in positioning reports.

[0053] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0054] For a better understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and to show how it may be put into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0055] Fig. 1A is a schematic illustrating a monostatic radar sensing configuration;

[0056] Fig. 1 B is a schematic illustrating a bi-static radar sensing configuration;

[0057] Fig. 1C is a schematic illustrating a multi-static radar sensing configuration;

[0058] Fig. 2 is a schematic illustrating NR architecture applicable to positioning;

[0059] Fig. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method performed by a first network node in a RAT communication network according to some embodiments;

[0060] Fig. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method performed by a RAT-independent radar sensor according to some embodiments;

[0061] Fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method performed by a RAT-independent radar sensor according to some embodiments;

[0062] Fig. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method performed by a second network node in a RAT communication network node according to some embodiments; Fig. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method performed by a third network node for managing spatial sensing in a RAT communication network according to some embodiments;

[0063] Fig. 8 is a signalling diagram illustrating sensing techniques according to some embodiments;

[0064] Fig. 9 is a schematic illustrating an example of how an SeMF and an SPF could be incorporated into 3GPP positioning architecture according to some embodiments;

[0065] Fig. 10 is a schematic illustrating an example of the role of the SeMF according to some embodiments;

[0066] Fig. 11 is a schematic illustrating an example of the role of the SPF according to some embodiments;

[0067] Fig. 12 shows an example of a communication system in accordance with some embodiments;

[0068] Fig. 13 shows a network node in accordance with some embodiments;

[0069] Fig. 14 shows a network node in accordance with some embodiments;

[0070] Fig. 15 shows a UE in accordance with some embodiments;

[0071] Fig. 16 is a block diagram of a RAT-independent radar sensor in accordance with some embodiments;

[0072] Fig. 17 is a block diagram of a first network node in accordance with some embodiments;

[0073] Fig. 18 is a block diagram of a RAT-independent radar sensor in accordance with some embodiments;

[0074] Fig. 19 is a block diagram of a RAT-independent radar sensor in accordance with some embodiments;

[0075] Fig. 20 is a block diagram of a second network node in accordance with some embodiments;

[0076] Fig. 21 is a block diagram of a third network node in accordance with some embodiments; and

[0077] Fig. 22 shows a communication diagram of a host communicating via a network node with a UE over a partially wireless connection in accordance with some embodiments.

[0078] Detailed Description

[0079] Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and / or is implied from the context in which it is used. All references to a / an / the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any methods disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following or preceding another step and / or where it is implicit that a step must follow or precede another step. Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, wherever appropriate. Likewise, any advantage of any of the embodiments may apply to any other embodiments, and vice versa. Other objectives, features and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following description.

[0080] The following sets forth specific details, such as particular embodiments or examples for purposes of explanation and not limitation. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other examples may be employed apart from these specific details. In some instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods, nodes, interfaces, circuits, and devices are omitted so as not obscure the description with unnecessary detail. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the functions described may be implemented in one or more nodes using hardware circuitry (e.g., analog and / or discrete logic gates interconnected to perform a specialized function, ASICs, PLAs, etc.) and / or using software programs and data in conjunction with one or more digital microprocessors or general-purpose computers. Nodes that communicate using the air interface also have suitable radio communications circuitry. Moreover, where appropriate the technology can additionally be considered to be embodied entirely within any form of computer-readable memory, such as solid-state memory, magnetic disk, or optical disk containing an appropriate set of computer instructions that would cause a processor to carry out the techniques described herein.

[0081] Hardware implementation may include or encompass, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, a reduced instruction set processor, hardware (e.g., digital or analogue) circuitry including but not limited to application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC) and / or field programmable gate array(s) (FPGA(s)), and (where appropriate) state machines capable of performing such functions.

[0082] Particular embodiments are described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other embodiments, however, are contained within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein. The disclosed subject matter should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0083] The steps of any methods disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following or preceding another step and / or where it is implicit that a step must follow or precede another step. Herein, the term “RAT-independent sensor” (e.g., a RAT-independent radar sensor) refers to a sensor that performs sensing using RAT-independent signals. That is to say, the signals are used for sensing only, and not for communication. A radar sensor is an example of a RAT- independent sensor because it uses dedicated signals for sensing that are not used for communication of data. For example, pulse-shaped radar signals and continuous-wave radar signals are different to the sinusoidal reference signals used for communication purposes.

[0084] The term “RAT-dependent sensor” is a sensor that performs sensing using RAT-dependent signals, i.e., signals that are part of the RAT communication network / can be used for communication. The RAT-dependent sensor could be a UE or any other network node that is configured to communicate within a RAT communication network.

[0085] A network node that is configured to communicate within a RAT communication network is referred to herein as a Radio Access Network (RAN) node. A RAN node may include, for example, any one or more of: a base station, a gNB, a gNB-Centralized Unit (gNB-CU), a gNB- Distributed Unit (gNB-DU), a 6G base station, and a core network node.

[0086] The term “sensing” may refer to detecting or measuring spatial and / or movement information associated with an object. Spatial and / or movement information may comprise information relating to or comprising any one or more of the following properties of a target object: its position / location, its speed, its direction of travel, and its velocity, its acceleration. For example, the spatial and / or movement may comprise Doppler measurements, which can be used to determine the speed or velocity of a target object.

[0087] The terms “sensor” and “sensing unit” may be used interchangeably.

[0088] Sensing terminology is to be understood as follows:

[0089] • A sensing consumer is an entity that receives a sensing result. Usually, an application or network function that has requested the sensing also receives the results, but it may not be the case in every scenario.

[0090] • A sensing requester is an entity that requests sensing. This may be the same entity as the sensing consumer.

[0091] • Sensing information can be any information describing sensing measurements, its metadata, partially processed data or sensing results.

[0092] • A RAT-dependent sensing unit is a radio unit or radio node capable of at least one of: transmitting radio signals for sensing, receiving radio signals for sensing, processing of radio signals for sensing, performing sensing measurements, etc. A sensing unit may be equipped with or connected to one or more internal or external antennas or antenna panels directly or via one or more external devices (e.g., Rx amplifier, Low Noise Amplifier, LNA, directional coupler, antenna sharing combiner or coupler, Rx filter, Tx filter, Rx / Tx filter, etc.) or may share antennas with other nodes (e.g., with BS or gNB, UE). The sharing may be, e.g., via antenna sharing combiner or coupler. A sensing unit may be a standalone node, may be integrated into a BS or another radio node (including UE), may be co-located with another radio node, or may be co-sited with another radio node sharing the radio facilities at the same site. Examples of sensing units include a standalone sensing unit, a transmission point (TP), a reception point (RP), a transmission and reception point (TRP), a functional block or unit for sensing, a base station (BS), a gNB, a radio network node, and a UE.

[0093] • A sensing client is an entity that interacts with a 3GPP defined node for the purpose of obtaining location information for a certain area, or for one or more UEs. The Sensing Client may reside in the UE. Similar to location service client (LCS), sensing client can be external or within a UE or an application which requires sensing result from an area or from a specific object. The object may be an object that can be connected (i.e., an active object e.g., with sim card cellular connectivity) or a passive object (without any connectivity, e.g., no sim card).

[0094] • A sensing server is an entity which is able to produce the sensing outcome (final result) based upon the obtained raw measurements or baseband processed results or from other external sensors.

[0095] As described above, it is proposed herein to incorporate radar-based sensing within a RAN- based sensing system (e.g., within 5G, 6G, or any other communication network) to improve sensing measurements relative to existing sensing protocols. To achieve this goal, in some embodiments it is proposed to introduce a new control function (or new functionality to an existing control function), referred to herein as a sensing management function (SeMF), and a new aggregation and processing function (or new functionality to an existing network function), referred to herein as a sensing processing function (SPF).

[0096] Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method 300 performed by a first network node in a RAT communication network according to some embodiments. The first network node may be a core network node. The first network node may be a processing function, e.g., an SPF. The method 300 comprises determining 302 spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object based on a measurement of a signal derived from a first signal transmitted by a RAT-independent radar sensor. The target object may be a passive object or an active object.

[0097] The spatial and / or movement information may comprise or relate to one or more of: a Doppler measurement for the target object; a speed of the target object, a velocity of the target object, an acceleration of the target object, and a direction of travel of the target object. Doppler measurements may be used to determine the target object’s speed / velocity.

[0098] The spatial and / or movement information may comprise a relative position of the target object, e.g., a position of the target object relative to a position of the RAT-independent radar sensor.

[0099] The spatial and / or movement information may comprise an absolute position of the target object. Determining the absolute position of the target object may be further based on one or more of: an absolute position of the RAT-independent radar sensor; a speed of the RAT- independent radar sensor; a velocity of the RAT-independent radar sensor; an acceleration of the RAT-independent radar sensor; and a direction of travel of the RAT-independent radar sensor.

[0100] The signal derived from the first signal may comprise a reflection of the first signal off the target object. The reflection of the first signal may be measured by the same RAT-independent radar sensor that transmitted the first signal (e.g., a mono-static configuration); or a different RAT- independent radar sensor to the RAT-independent radar sensor that transmitted the first signal (e.g., a bi-static or multi-static configuration). In some embodiments, the reflection of the first signal may be measured by a second network node. The second network node may be a RAT-dependent sensor (e.g., a UE or a RAN node). The second network node may be configured for ISAC.

[0101] The signal derived from the first signal may comprise the first signal, e.g., the first signal transmitted by the RAT-independent radar sensor may be measured directly. For example, the target object may perform a measurement of the first signal transmitted by the RAT- independent radar sensor.

[0102] In some embodiments, determining 302 the spatial and / or movement information may be further based on a measurement of a second signal transmitted by an ISAC device in the RAT communication network. Thus, the spatial and / or movement information may be based on both at least one RAT-independent signal (the first signal) and at least one RAT-dependent signal (the second signal). In these embodiments, the method 300 corresponds to a hybrid sensing technique (i.e., a fusion of RAT-dependent sensing and RAT-independent radar sensing). Conversely, in alternative embodiments, the spatial and / or movement information may be determined based on measurement(s) of signal(s) derived from RAT-independent radar signal(s), in which case the method 300 corresponds to a standalone radar-based sensing technique.

[0103] Determining 302 the spatial and / or movement information may be further based on one or more of: a round trip time measurement; a time difference on arrival measurement; a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), measurement; an angle of arrival measurement; an angle of departure measurement; and a carrier phase measurement.

[0104] The method 300 of Fig. 3 may further comprise, prior to determining the spatial and / or movement information, receiving the measurement of the signal derived from the first signal. The measurement may be received as raw data or as processed data.

[0105] The measurement of the signal derived from the first signal may be received from the RAT- independent radar sensor (e.g., if the RAT-independent radar sensor measured the reflection of the first signal) or a different RAT-independent radar sensor. Alternatively, the measurement of the signal derived from the first signal may be received from a second network node. The second network node may be a RAT-dependent sensor, e.g., a UE or a RAN node. The second network node may be configured for ISAC. The RAT-independent radar sensor (that transmitted the first signal) may be located at the second network node.

[0106] In some embodiments, the measurement of the signal derived from the first signal may be received from the target object. For example, the first signal may be transmitted by the RAT- independent radar sensor and measured directly by the target object, which may transmit the measurement of the first signal to the first network node (e.g., the SPF).

[0107] Determining 302 the spatial and / or movement information may be further based on an indication of the quality of the measurement of the signal derived from the first signal. The indication of the quality of the measurement may be determined by the SPF or received together with the indication of a quality of the measurement. The indication of the quality of the measurement may be received from a second network node (e.g., UE or RAN node). The indication of the quality of the measurement may comprise one or more of: an indicated value of high or low signal strength, a level of pathloss, a line of sight or non-line of sight path between the transmitter and receiver, and a confidence level on the obtained measurement value accuracy.

[0108] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method 400 performed by a RAT-independent radar sensor according to some embodiments. As described previously, RAT-independent indicates that the sensing is RAT-independent (i.e., the sensing is performed with RAT-independent signals). The RAT-independent radar sensor may be located at or comprised in a network node, e.g., a UE or a RAN node. For example, the RAT-independent radar sensor may be located at a second network node configured for ISAC. The second network node may be a RAN node or UE.

[0109] The method 400 is for enabling determination of spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object. The spatial and / or movement information may comprise or relate to one or more of: a Doppler measurement for the target object; a relative position of the target object; an absolute position of the target object, a speed of the target object, a velocity of the target object, an acceleration of the target object, and a direction of travel of the target object.

[0110] The method 400 comprises performing 402 a measurement of a signal derived from a first signal; and transmitting 404 the measurement to a first network node in a RAT communication network. The first network node may be an SPF.

[0111] The signal derived from the first signal may comprise a reflection of the first signal off the target object. The first signal may have been transmitted by the RAT-independent sensor that is performing the method 400 of Fig. 4. Thus, the method 400 of Fig. 4 may further comprise (prior to performing the measurement) transmitting the first signal. In other words, the first signal may be transmitted and measured (after reflection) by the same RAT-independent sensor (a monostatic configuration). Alternatively, the first signal may have been transmitted by a different RAT-independent sensor (e.g., the RAT-independent sensor described with reference to Fig. 5).

[0112] In embodiments in which the first signal is transmitted by the RAT-independent radar sensor, the method 400 may further comprise, prior to transmitting the first signal, transmitting information about the RAT-independent radar sensor. The information about the RAT- independent radar sensor may comprise one or both of: a location of the RAT-independent radar sensor; and a capability of the RAT-independent radar sensor for signal transmission. The capability of the RAT-independent radar sensor for signal transmission may comprise one or more of: a first transmission periodicity; a first transmission time; a first transmission frequency; a first transmission signal waveform; and a first transmission power.

[0113] The RAT communication network may comprise a third network node. The third network node may be a SeMF, e.g., the SeMF described with reference to Fig. 7. The information about the RAT-independent radar sensor may be transmitted to the third network node.

[0114] The method 400 may further comprise, prior to transmitting the first signal, receiving a unique identifier for the RAT-independent radar sensor. The unique identifier may be received from the third network node (e.g., SeMF). The unique identifier may be for the purpose of integrating radar measurements with RAT-based sensing (e.g., ISAC).

[0115] The method 400 may further comprise, prior to transmitting the first signal, receiving a recommended transmission characteristic for transmission of the first signal. The recommended transmission characteristic for transmission of the first signal may comprise one or more of: a second transmission periodicity; a second transmission time; a second transmission frequency; a second transmission signal waveform; and a second transmission power. The recommended transmission characteristic may be received from the third network node (e.g., the SeMF).

[0116] The first signal may be transmitted according to a selected transmission characteristic. In embodiments in which the first signal is transmitted by the RAT-independent radar sensor, the method 400 may further comprise: prior to transmitting the first signal, determining the selected transmission characteristic based on one or more of: the recommended transmission characteristic; a radio resource condition; and a network load capacity. The selected transmission characteristic may comprise one or more of: a third transmission periodicity; a third transmission time; a third transmission frequency; a third transmission signal waveform; and a third transmission power. For example, the selected transmission characteristic may differ from the recommended transmission characteristic because the recommended transmission characteristic may be deemed too optimistic with respect to the network’s load conditions. Thus, the RAT-independent radar sensor (or the network node comprising the RAT-independent radar sensor) may configure / transmit the first signal based on the actual radio resources conditions and load capacity. For example, the RAT-independent radar sensor may, based on the capacity of the physical layer, transmit and / or measure the first signal with a different periodicity or a different number of reports compared to that recommended by the SeMF. Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method 500 performed by a RAT-independent radar sensor according to some embodiments. Optionally, the RAT-independent radar sensor may also perform the method 400 of Fig. 4 (or any of the individual steps therein).

[0117] The method 500 of Fig. 5 is for enabling determination of spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object. The spatial and / or movement information may comprise or relate to one or more of: a Doppler measurement for the target object; a relative position of the target object; an absolute position of the target object, a speed of the target object, a velocity of the target object, an acceleration of the target object, and a direction of travel of the target object.

[0118] The method 500 may comprise receiving 502, from a third network node in a RAT communication network, a recommended transmission characteristic for transmission by the RAT-independent radar sensor of a first signal for providing the spatial and / or movement information. The third network node may be an SeMF. The recommended transmission characteristic for transmission of the first signal may comprise one or more of: a second transmission periodicity; a second transmission time; a second transmission frequency; a second transmission signal waveform; and a second transmission power.

[0119] The method 500 may comprise determining 504 a selected transmission characteristic for transmitting the first signal based on one or more of: the recommended transmission characteristic; a radio resource condition; and a network load capacity. The selected transmission characteristic may comprise one or more of: a third transmission periodicity; a third transmission time; a third transmission frequency; a third transmission signal waveform; and a third transmission power. As noted with reference to Fig. 4, the selected transmission characteristic may differ from the recommended transmission characteristic because, for example, the recommended transmission characteristic may be deemed too optimistic with respect to the network’s load conditions. Thus, RAT-independent radar sensor (or the network node comprising the RAT-independent radar sensor) may configure / transmit the first signal based on the actual radio resources conditions and load capacity. For example, the RAT- independent radar sensor may, based on the capacity of the physical layer, transmit and / or measure the first signal with a different periodicity or a different number of reports compared to that suggested by the SeMF.

[0120] The method 500 may comprise transmitting 506 the first signal according to the selected transmission characteristic. Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method 600 performed by a second network node in a RAT communication network node according to some embodiments. The method is for enabling determination of spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object. The second network node may be a UE or a RAN node. The second network node may be configured for ISAC. The second network node may be a RAT-dependent sensor (i.e., a RAT- dependent sensing unit).

[0121] The method 600 comprises performing 602 a measurement of a signal derived from a first signal transmitted by a RAT-independent radar sensor. The signal derived from the first signal may comprise a reflection of the first signal off the target object.

[0122] The method 600 further comprises transmitting 604 the measurement to a first network node in the RAT communication network. The first network node may be an SPF.

[0123] The method 600 may further comprise transmitting, to the first network node, an indication of a quality of the measurement. The indication of the quality of the measurement may comprise one or more of: an indicated value of high or low signal strength, a level of pathloss, a line of sight or non-line of sight path between the transmitter and receiver, and a confidence level on the obtained measurement value accuracy.

[0124] The method 600 may comprise, prior to performing the measurement of the signal derived from the first signal, receiving assistance data for performing the measurement. The assistance data may comprise one or more of: a unique identifier for the RAT-independent radar sensor; a location of the RAT-independent radar sensor; a capability of the RAT- independent radar sensor; a selected transmission characteristic for transmission by the RAT- independent radar sensor of the first signal; and the measurement to be performed. The selected transmission characteristic may comprise one or more of: a third transmission periodicity; a third transmission time; a third transmission frequency; a third transmission signal waveform; and a third transmission power. The assistance data may be received from a third network node, e.g., from an SeMF.

[0125] Figure 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method 700 performed by a third network node for managing spatial sensing in a RAT communication network according to some embodiments. The third network node may be a Sensing Management Function. The third network node may be comprised in a Location Management Function, or it may be a separate entity to the LMF. The third network node may be a core network node. In some embodiments, the method 700 may comprise receiving a sensing request. For example, the sensing request may comprise a request to determine spatial and / or movement information for a specific object or for a list of objects in a given area. The reception of such a request may trigger the method 700 of Fig. 7.

[0126] The method 700 may comprise receiving 702, from a RAT-independent radar sensor, information about the RAT-independent radar sensor. The information about the RAT- independent radar sensor may comprise one or both of: a location of the RAT-independent radar sensor; and a capability of the RAT-independent radar sensor for signal transmission. The capability of the RAT-independent radar sensor for signal transmission may comprise one or more of: a first transmission periodicity; a first transmission time; a first transmission frequency; a first transmission signal waveform; and a first transmission power.

[0127] The method 700 may further comprise determining, based on the information about the RAT- independent radar sensor, a recommended transmission characteristic for transmission by the RAT-independent radar sensor of a first signal for providing spatial and / or movement information. Alternatively, the method 700 may comprise receiving, from an operation administration and maintenance (OAM) node, a recommended transmission characteristic for transmission by the RAT-independent radar sensor of a first signal for providing spatial and / or movement information. The method 700 may comprise receiving an area of coverage of the RAT-independent radar sensor (e.g., in terms of longitude and latitude grids).

[0128] In some embodiments, the third network node (e.g., SeMF) may receive an indication of the transmission characteristics that the RAT-independent radar sensor (or the RAN node at which the RAT-independent sensor is located) can support in advance, and the recommended characteristic for transmission (e.g., a transmission configuration) for the RAT-independent radar sensor may be determined based on this indication. In some embodiments, the third network node may receive a minimum and / or maximum periodicity and / or bandwidth that the RAT-independent radar sensor (or the RAN node at which the RAT-independent sensor is located) can transmit. In these embodiments, the recommended characteristic may comprise a request to transmit with the minimum periodicity or with the maximum periodicity, depending on the application need (e.g., the sensing use case requirements).

[0129] The recommended transmission characteristic for transmission of the first signal may comprise one or more of: a second transmission periodicity; a second transmission time; a second transmission frequency; a second transmission signal waveform; and a second transmission power. The method 700 may comprise transmitting, to the RAT-independent radar sensor, the recommended transmission characteristic.

[0130] The method 700 may comprise receiving an indication of a selected transmission characteristic for the transmission by the RAT-independent radar sensor of the first signal. In these embodiments, the method may further comprise transmitting, to a second network node, assistance data for performing radar measurements with the first signal. The assistance data may comprise the selected transmission characteristic for transmission by the RAT- independent radar sensor of the first signal. The assistance data may further comprise one or more of: a unique identifier for the RAT-independent radar sensor; a location of the RAT- independent radar sensor; a capability of the RAT-independent radar sensor; and the radar measurements to be performed. The second network node may be one or more of: a network node configured for ISAC; a RAT-dependent sensor; a UE; and a RAN node.

[0131] The method 700 may comprise determining, based on the selected transmission characteristic for transmission by the RAT-independent radar sensor of the first signal, that the first signal interferes with a sensing signal transmitted by an Integrated Sensing and Communication device in the RAT communication network. The method 700 may further comprise, responsive to determining that the first signal interferes with the sensing signal, transmitting a command to alter transmission by the RAT-independent radar sensor of the first signal. The command may comprise a command to disable or lower a radar transmission power for transmission by the RAT-independent radar sensor of the first signal. The command may comprise a command to alter a beam orientation for transmission by the RAT-independent radar sensor of the first signal.

[0132] In some embodiments, after receiving the information about the RAT-independent radar sensor, the method 700 further comprises transmitting, to the RAT-independent radar sensor, a unique identifier for the RAT-independent radar sensor.

[0133] Figure 8 is a signalling diagram illustrating sensing techniques according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The signalling diagram illustrates signalling between a radar sensor 802; one or more sensing units 804; a sensing management function 806; and a sensing processing function 808. The radar sensor 802 (i.e., a RAT-independent radar sensor) may be configured to perform the method 400 described with reference to Fig. 4 and / or the method 500 described with reference to Fig. 5. The sensing unit(s) 804 may comprise, for example, one or more RAT-independent sensors, such as further radar sensors, and / or one or more RAT-dependent sensors, such as a RAN node and / or a UE. The sensing unit(s) 804 may be configured to perform the method 600 described with reference to Fig. 6. The SeMF 806 may be configured to perform the method 700 of Fig. 7, and the SPF 808 may be configured to perform the method 300 of Fig. 3.

[0134] According to the example implementation depicted in Fig. 8, the radar sensor 802 provides, in signal 812, the radar’s location and the radar’s signal transmission capabilities to the SeMF 806. Optionally, the radar sensor 802 may also transmit to the SeMF 806 a configuration for the radar’s signal transmission such as the periodicity, time, frequency, waveform, and / or transmission power. Signal 812 may be transmitted via a standard interface or (although not shown in Fig. 8) via an Operation Administration and Maintenance node.

[0135] Subsequently, in signal 814, the SeMF 806 transmits (and thus assigns) a radar ID (e.g., a unique ID) to the radar sensor 802. The radar ID may be used for the purpose of integrating radar measurements with RAT-based (e.g., cellular) sensing. The SeMF may also, in signal 814, provide radar signal transmission characteristic(s) to the radar sensor 802, such as the time, periodicity and / or frequency of the radar’s signal transmission; the area of coverage of the radar sensor 802 (e.g., in terms of longitude / latitude grids); transmission power; and / or a waveform. This signalling configuration for the radar sensor 802 (i.e., the radar ID and / or the signal transmission characteristics) may be provided by means of a protocol between the SeMF 806 and the radar sensor 802.

[0136] The SeMF 908 may also provide (at signal 814) any of the following: a sensing pattern (e.g., ON / OFF commands for the transmission or reception of reference signals); an indication of the direction in which sensing is to be performed; an indication of the mode in which to operate, such as mono-static, bi-static, or multi-static; and instruction as to which set of measurements are to be performed by the radar sensors.

[0137] In some embodiments, an OAM node may provide the configuration for the radar sensor 802 to the SeMF 806. The SeMF 806 may be part of the LMF, or it may be a separate entity.

[0138] The steps represented by signals 812 and 814 may be performed for a plurality of different radar sensors.

[0139] The SeMF may, in signal 816, provide assistance data for radar measurements to other sensing unit(s) 804. The assistance data enables the sensing unit(s) 804 to perform measurements of the radar signals transmitted by the radar sensor 802 (e.g., for sensing). For example, the sensing units 804 may perform measurements of a downlink signal transmitted by a radar sensor 802 according to the method 600 of Fig. 6. The assistance data may comprise one or more of: radar transmission occasions for the radar sensor 802; the radar ID; the location of the radar sensor 802; the time / frequency / periodicity configurations for the radar transmissions; the measurements to be performed by the sensing unit 804; and the waveform type.

[0140] For example, the SeMF 806 may transmit an indication that a radar sensor identified as radar ID 1 is to transmit at time t1 and frequency f1. This indication may be transmitted as part of assistance data. A UE (for example) may then listen at time t1 and frequency f1 so as to perform the sensing measurement and report the measurement report to the network (e.g., to the SPF 808).

[0141] At step 818, the radar sensor 802 transmits radar signal(s) and performs measurement(s), e.g., of the reflected radar signal from a target object.

[0142] When the target object is an active object (e.g., a UE / mobile phone, a connected car, etc), and the objective is to sense the active object, then the position of the object may be estimated based on measurements of the range (from which the Doppler shift is calculated over time), angle and doppler shift of the radar transmitter and receiver relative to a radar reference point. The radar reference point may serve as a reference for the measurements. For example, for the range measurements, the reference point is a physical point with (x,y,z) coordinates at the radar transmitter / receiver. For angular measurements, the reference point corresponds to lines laying on the horizontal and vertical antenna arrays for measuring angles in azimuth and elevation, respectively. The position of the active object may be estimated by collecting a certain number of measurements from the active object’s radar receivers. The active object’s radar measurements may include: the radar ID; angular values; location values; range from the radar system reference point; carrier phase measurements; and / or Doppler shift. In some embodiments, in an additional step not shown in Fig. 8, the active object may request assistance data from the SeMF 806. The SeMF 806 may then provide assistance data to the active object to report its radar measurements (e.g., signal 816).

[0143] The measurements obtained in step 818 are provided to the SPF 808 in signal 820, e.g., in a measurement report. The measurements may be sent by the radar sensor 802 (e.g., by a RAN node at which the radar sensor 802 is located). Signal 820 may be sent via other network nodes, such as a RAN node. If measurements of the radar signals are performed by the sensing units 804, then these measurements are transmitted to the SPF 808, as shown in signal 822.

[0144] The SPF 808 may determine spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object based on the collected measurement(s). For example, the SPF 808 may apply a location determination algorithm based on the collected measurements e.g., using databases of the estimated position's references points. The SPF 808 may combine a plurality of measurements from different sensors to calculate the spatial and / or movement information.

[0145] For example, vehicular radar sensor-based measurements (which perform sensing in a monostatic sensing setting) can be used to obtain a relative position of a target object with respect to the position of the radar sensor. In some application scenarios, only relative position is required, and the relative position may be calculated at the SPF 808 based on the relative radar measurements. The relative position estimation may be enhanced if other entities participate in sensing of the same target and the SPF combines all available measurements to calculate the relative position.

[0146] The relative position may be calculated based on a measurement or a set of different measurements and one of the positioning methods such as RTT, range, TDOA, RSRP, AoA / AoD, or carrier phase measurements.

[0147] The absolute position of the radar sensor 802 may be known at the SeMF 806 and / or the SPF 808. In this case, the radar-based measurements, allowing to estimate relative positions of the sensed targets, are used to estimate an absolute position of the target by the SPF 808. If the absolute positions of the radar sensors are not known at the SeMF 806 or the SPF 808, they may be obtained using an existing (RAT-based) positioning procedure. The radar-based measurements are used in combination to estimate the absolute position of the target. Furthermore, in addition to the radar’s absolute position, the radar’s velocity may be used to calculate the target object’s relative and absolute positions.

[0148] The SPF 808 may use the radar measurements (e.g., those collected in signal 822) to enhance a RAT-based positioning procedure (e.g., the Cell ID (CID) positioning method defined in 3GPP Technical Specification 38.305 version 17.6.0). Thus, the RAT-independent radar measurements may be used to complement RAT-dependent sensing measurements. In some embodiments, the radar measurements and the RAT-based positioning measurements may be signalled together from a RAT-dependent sensing unit 804. An example ASN.1 code where the SeMF 806 transmits (signal 816) assistance data to other sensing units 804 comprising a configuration to perform the radar measurements is provided below. The IE RadarAssistance may be used by the SeMF 806 to provide Sensing Unit receivers to enable Radar sensing measurements. This may include the radar location, radar time / frequency, bandwidth, type of measurements that can be obtained, etc.

[0149] Further, the radar measurements may be prioritized over RAT-dependent (cellular) measurements to preserve RAT-dependent resources for communication purposes. However, the sensing units (or the SeMF) may prioritize one of RAT-dependent resources and RAT- independent resources over the other if sensing measurement response time is critical (short), (depending on which of the RAT-dependent resources and the RAT-independent resources are faster). For example, if sensing measurement response time is critical, the sensing unit (or the SeMF) may prioritise RAT-dependent measurements over RAT-independent measurements responsive to identifying that the RAT-dependent measurements are faster than the RAT-independent measurements. Alternatively, it may be identified that the RAT- independent measurements are faster than the RAT-dependent measurements. In these instances, if the sensing measurement response time is critical, the sensing unit (or the SeMF) may prioritise RAT-independent measurements over the RAT-dependent measurements.

[0150] — ASN1START

[0151] RadarAssistance SEQUENCE { radarlD INTEGER (0..32767) , radarLatitude BIT STRING (SIZE (26) ) , radarLongitude BIT STRING (SIZE (27) ) , radarAltitude BIT STRING (SIZE (15) ) , startTxTime UTC,

[0152] _ frequency _ Carrier Frequency bandwidth _ ENUMERATED {mHz5, mHzlO} periodcity ENUMERATED (ms64, msl28, ms256, ms512... }, txPower INTEGER (0..100) , measurementsRequired BIT STRING (angle (O) , rssp (l) , rsrq(2) , doppler(3) , carrierphase (4) } (SIZE (8) ) ,

[0153] _ prioritiseNonSensorMeasurements _ ENUMERATED { TRUE } _ OPTIONAL , priori tiseRadarMeasurements _ ENUMERATED { TRUE } _ OPTIONAL

[0154] }

[0155] — ASN1ST0P

[0156] Further the SeMF 806 may disable (stop) or lower the radar transmission power or change the beam orientation (antenna orientation and / or tilt) if the radar signal interferences with a RAT- dependent sensing signal. For example, the command may be as shown below.

[0157] — ASN1 START

[0158] RadarConfiguration : := SEQUENCE { radarlD INTEGER (0 . . 32767 ) ,

[0159] 1

[0160] — ASN1ST0P

[0161] The radar and RAT-based system may negotiate as to which common source is to be used for synchronization such as Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), cellular signal (gNB), and identifying and using Line of Sight between a base station and radar as a reference path for synchronization.

[0162] Figure 9 illustrates an example of how an SeMF 908 and an SPF 910 could be incorporated into 3GPP positioning architecture according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 9 shows the SeMF 908 and SPF 910 incorporated into the schematic of Fig. 2.

[0163] The SeMF 908 may be configured to perform the method 700 of Fig. 7. The SPF may be configured to perform the method 300 of Fig. 3.

[0164] The SeMF 908 may be configured to extract information, such as information about which network nodes (e.g., gNBs, sensing units, etc.) could and / or should enable the sensing function. If requests come from multiple sources, the SeMF 908 may enable the reuse of sensing information. It should be able to orchestrate collection of measurements from multiple gNBs towards the SPF 910. The SeMF 908 may also provide sensing configuration (e.g., patterns for transmission or reception of reference signals for sensing) to the radio nodes (e.g., gNBs, sensing nodes, etc.), or collaborate with the radio nodes (e.g., gNBs, sensing nodes, etc.), to configure or coordinate transmissions and / or receptions of the necessary radio signals, avoid interference, etc.

[0165] Sensing data when produced by radio sensing units (e.g., integrated in RAN nodes such as gNBs) may comprise reported sensing events, radio measurements, raw radio sample data which may not be useful for external applications. The raw data may be processed or converted into processed data (which may also include sensing events) to provide a more meaningful interpretation.

[0166] Figure 10 is a schematic illustrating an example of the role of the SeMF (i.e., the sensing control function). The SeMF 1008 is configured to receive a sensing request 1010. Based on the sensing request 1010, the SeMF provides sensing configurations 1012, 1014, 1016 to sensing units 1002, 1004 and 1006 respectively. The sensing configurations 1012, 1014, 1016 define patterns for transmission or reception of reference signals for sensing, where 0 implies OFF and 1 implies ON.

[0167] Figure 11 is a schematic illustrating an example of the role of the SPF (the aggregation and processing function). The SPF 1108 is configured to receive raw data or measurement data 1112, 1114 and 1116 from the sensing units 1002, 1004 and 1006. The SPF 1108 is further configured to process the received data 1112, 1114 and 1116 and provide processed data 1118. The processed data 1118 could be spatial and / or movement information, such as an object’s position / location, speed and / or direction of movement.

[0168] Figure 12 shows an example of a communication system 1200 in accordance with some embodiments.

[0169] In the example, the communication system 1200 includes a telecommunication network 1202 that includes an access network 1204, such as a radio access network (RAN), and a core network 1206, which includes one or more core network nodes 1208. The access network 1204 includes one or more access network nodes, such as network nodes 1210a and 1210b (one or more of which may be generally referred to as network nodes 1210), or any other similar 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) access nodes or non-3GPP access points. Moreover, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, a network node is not necessarily limited to an implementation in which a radio portion and a baseband portion are supplied and integrated by a single vendor. Thus, it will be understood that network nodes include disaggregated implementations or portions thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the telecommunication network 1202 includes one or more Open-RAN (ORAN) network nodes. An ORAN network node is a node in the telecommunication network 1202 that supports an ORAN specification (e.g., a specification published by the O-RAN Alliance, or any similar organization) and may operate alone or together with other nodes to implement one or more functionalities of any node in the telecommunication network 1202, including one or more network nodes 1210 and / or core network nodes 1208.

[0170] Examples of an ORAN network node include an open radio unit (0-Rll), an open distributed unit (O-DU), an open central unit (O-CU), including an O-CU control plane (O-CU-CP) or an O-CU user plane (O-CU-UP), a RAN intelligent controller (near-real time or non-real time) hosting software or software plug-ins, such as a near-real time control application (e.g., xApp) or a non-real time control application (e.g., rApp), or any combination thereof (the adjective “open” designating support of an ORAN specification). The network node may support a specification by, for example, supporting an interface defined by the ORAN specification, such as an A1 , F1 , W1 , E1 , E2, X2, Xn interface, an open fronthaul user plane interface, or an open fronthaul management plane interface. Moreover, an ORAN access node may be a logical node in a physical node. Furthermore, an ORAN network node may be implemented in a virtualization environment (described further below) in which one or more network functions are virtualized. For example, the virtualization environment may include an O-Cloud computing platform orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an 0-2 interface defined by the O-RAN Alliance or comparable technologies. The network nodes 1210 facilitate direct or indirect connection of user equipment (UE), such as by connecting UEs 1212a, 1212b, 1212c, and 1212d (one or more of which may be generally referred to as UEs 1212) to the core network 1206 over one or more wireless connections.

[0171] Example wireless communications over a wireless connection include transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and / or other types of signals suitable for conveying information without the use of wires, cables, or other material conductors. Moreover, in different embodiments, the communication system 1200 may include any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, UEs, and / or any other components or systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and / or signals whether via wired or wireless connections. The communication system 1200 may include and / or interface with any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, radio network, and / or other similar type of system.

[0172] The UEs 1212A, 1212B may be any of a wide variety of communication devices, including wireless devices arranged, configured, and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with the network nodes 1210 and other communication devices. Similarly, the network nodes 1210 are arranged, capable, configured, and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with the UEs 1212A, 1212B and / or with other network nodes or equipment in the telecommunication network 1202 to enable and / or provide network access, such as wireless network access, and / or to perform other functions, such as administration in the telecommunication network 1202.

[0173] In the depicted example, the core network 1206 connects the network nodes 1210 to one or more hosts, such as host 1216. These connections may be direct or indirect via one or more intermediary networks or devices. In other examples, network nodes may be directly coupled to hosts. The core network 1206 includes one more core network nodes (e.g., core network node 1208) that are structured with hardware and software components. Features of these components may be substantially similar to those described with respect to the UEs, network nodes, and / or hosts, such that the descriptions thereof are generally applicable to the corresponding components of the core network node 1208. Example core network nodes include functions of one or more of a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Authentication Server Function (ALISF), Subscription Identifier De-concealing function (SIDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP), Network Exposure Function (NEF), and / or a User Plane Function (UPF).

[0174] The host 1216 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider other than an operator or provider of the access network 1204 and / or the telecommunication network 1202, and may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The host 1216 may host a variety of applications to provide one or more services. Examples of such applications include the provision of live and / or pre-recorded audio / video content, data collection services, for example, retrieving and compiling data on various ambient conditions detected by a plurality of UEs, analytics functionality, social media, functions for controlling or otherwise interacting with remote devices, functions for an alarm and surveillance center, or any other such function performed by a server.

[0175] As a whole, the communication system 1200 of Figure 12 enables connectivity between the UEs, network nodes, and hosts. In that sense, the communication system may be configured to operate according to predefined rules or procedures, such as specific standards that include, but are not limited to: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); Long Term Evolution (LTE), and / or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G standards, or any applicable future generation standard (e.g., 6G); wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards (WiFi); and / or any other appropriate wireless communication standard, such as the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Bluetooth, Z- Wave, Near Field Communication (NFC) ZigBee, LiFi, and / or any low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) standards such as LoRa and Sigfox.

[0176] In some examples, the telecommunication network 1202 is a cellular network that implements 3GPP standardized features. Accordingly, the telecommunications network 1202 may support network slicing to provide different logical networks to different devices that are connected to the telecommunication network 1202. For example, the telecommunications network 1202 may provide Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) services to some UEs, while providing Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) services to other UEs, and / or Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC) / Massive loT services to yet further UEs.

[0177] In some examples, the UEs 1212 are configured to transmit and / or receive information without direct human interaction. For instance, a UE may be designed to transmit information to the access network 1204 on a predetermined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to requests from the access network 1204. Additionally, a UE may be configured for operating in single- or multi-RAT or multi-standard mode. For example, a UE may operate with any one or combination of Wi-Fi, NR (New Radio) and LTE, i.e. being configured for multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC), such as E-UTRAN (Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) New Radio - Dual Connectivity (EN-DC).

[0178] In the example illustrated in Figure 12, the hub 1214 communicates with the access network 1204 to facilitate indirect communication between one or more UEs (e.g., UE 1212c and / or 1212d) and network nodes (e.g., network node 1210b). In some examples, the hub 1214 may be a controller, router, a content source and analytics node, or any of the other communication devices described herein regarding UEs. For example, the hub 1214 may be a broadband router enabling access to the core network 1206 for the UEs. As another example, the hub 1214 may be a controller that sends commands or instructions to one or more actuators in the UEs. Commands or instructions may be received from the UEs, network nodes 1210, or by executable code, script, process, or other instructions in the hub 1214. As another example, the hub 1214 may be a data collector that acts as temporary storage for UE data and, in some embodiments, may perform analysis or other processing of the data. As another example, the hub 1214 may be a content source. For example, for a UE that is a VR headset, display, loudspeaker or other media delivery device, the hub 1214 may retrieve VR assets, video, audio, or other media or data related to sensory information via a network node, which the hub 1214 then provides to the UE either directly, after performing local processing, and / or after adding additional local content. In still another example, the hub 1214 acts as a proxy server or orchestrator for the UEs, in particular if one or more of the UEs are low energy loT devices.

[0179] The hub 1214 may have a constant / persistent or intermittent connection to the network node 1210b. The hub 1214 may also allow for a different communication scheme and / or schedule between the hub 1214 and UEs (e.g., UE 1212c and / or 1212d), and between the hub 1214 and the core network 1206. In other examples, the hub 1214 is connected to the core network 1206 and / or one or more UEs via a wired connection. Moreover, the hub 1214 may be configured to connect to an M2M service provider over the access network 1204 and / or to another UE over a direct connection. In some scenarios, UEs may establish a wireless connection with the network nodes 1210 while still connected via the hub 1214 via a wired or wireless connection. In some embodiments, the hub 1214 may be a dedicated hub - that is, a hub whose primary function is to route communications to / from the UEs from / to the network node 1210b. In other embodiments, the hub 1214 may be a non-dedicated hub - that is, a device which is capable of operating to route communications between the UEs and network node 1210b, but which is additionally capable of operating as a communication start and / or end point for certain data channels.

[0180] Figure 13 shows a network node 1300 in accordance with some embodiments. As used herein, network node refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a UE and / or with other network nodes or equipment, in a telecommunication network. Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs) and NR NodeBs (gNBs)), O-RAN nodes or components of an O-RAN node (e.g., O-RU, O-DU, O-CU).

[0181] Base stations may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, their transmit power level) and so, depending on the provided amount of coverage, may be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. A base station may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. A network node may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralized digital units, distributed units (e.g., in an O-RAN access node) and / or remote radio units (RRUs), sometimes referred to as Remote Radio Heads (RRHs). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS).

[0182] Other examples of network nodes include multiple transmission point (multi-TRP) 5G access nodes, multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, multi-cell / multlSACt coordination entities (MCEs), Operation and Maintenance (O&M) nodes, Operations Support System (OSS) nodes, Self-Organizing Network (SON) nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., Evolved Serving Mobile Location Centers (E-SMLCs)), and / or Minimization of Drive Tests (MDTs).

[0183] The network node 1300 includes processing circuitry 1302, a memory 1304, a communication interface 1306, and a power source 1308, and / or any other component, or any combination thereof. The network node 1300 may be composed of multiple physically separate components (e.g., a NodeB component and a RNC component, or a BTS component and a BSC component, etc.), which may each have their own respective components. In certain scenarios in which the network node 1300 comprises multiple separate components (e.g., BTS and BSC components), one or more of the separate components may be shared among several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeBs. In such a scenario, each unique NodeB and RNC pair, may in some instances be considered a single separate network node. In some embodiments, the network node 1300 may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate memory 1304 for different RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., a same antenna 1310 may be shared by different RATs). The network node 1300 may also include multiple sets of the various illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into network node 1300, for example GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, Zigbee, Z-wave, LoRaWAN, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or Bluetooth wireless technologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chip or set of chips and other components within network node 1300.

[0184] The processing circuitry 1302 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and / or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other network node 1300 components, such as the memory 1304, network node 1300 functionality. For example, the processing circuitry 1302 may be configured to cause the network node to perform the method described with reference to Figure 6. The network node 1300 may correspond to the sensing unit 804 described with reference to Figure 8 and / or any of the sensing units 1002, 1004, 1006 of Figures 10 and 11. The network node 1300 may correspond to the second network node 2000 of Fig. 20.

[0185] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 1302 includes a system on a chip (SOC). In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 1302 includes one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 1312 and baseband processing circuitry 1314. In some embodiments, the radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 1312 and the baseband processing circuitry 1314 may be on separate chips (or sets of chips), boards, or units, such as radio units and digital units. In alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry 1312 and baseband processing circuitry 1314 may be on the same chip or set of chips, boards, or units. The memory 1304 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer-readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device-readable and / or computer-executable memory devices that store information, data, and / or instructions that may be used by the processing circuitry 1302. The memory 1304 may store any suitable instructions, data, or information, including a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, and / or other instructions capable of being executed by the processing circuitry 1302 and utilized by the network node 1300. The memory 1304 may be used to store any calculations made by the processing circuitry 1302 and / or any data received via the communication interface 1306. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 1302 and memory 1304 is integrated.

[0186] The communication interface 1306 is used in wired or wireless communication of signaling and / or data between a network node, access network, and / or UE. As illustrated, the communication interface 1306 comprises port(s) / terminal(s) 1316 to send and receive data, for example to and from a network over a wired connection. The communication interface 1306 also includes radio front-end circuitry 1318 that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, the antenna 1310. Radio front-end circuitry 1318 comprises filters 1320 and amplifiers 1322. The radio front-end circuitry 1318 may be connected to an antenna 1310 and processing circuitry 1302. The radio front-end circuitry may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 1310 and processing circuitry 1302. The radio front-end circuitry 1318 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or UEs via a wireless connection. The radio front-end circuitry 1318 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters 1320 and / or amplifiers 1322. The radio signal may then be transmitted via the antenna 1310. Similarly, when receiving data, the antenna 1310 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by the radio front-end circuitry 1318. The digital data may be passed to the processing circuitry 1302. In other embodiments, the communication interface may comprise different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0187] In certain alternative embodiments, the network node 1300 does not include separate radio front-end circuitry 1318, instead, the processing circuitry 1302 includes radio front-end circuitry and is connected to the antenna 1310. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of the RF transceiver circuitry 1312 is part of the communication interface 1306. In still other embodiments, the communication interface 1306 includes one or more ports or terminals 1316, the radio front-end circuitry 1318, and the RF transceiver circuitry 1312, as part of a radio unit (not shown), and the communication interface 1306 communicates with the baseband processing circuitry 1314, which is part of a digital unit (not shown).

[0188] The antenna 1310 may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays, configured to send and / or receive wireless signals. The antenna 1310 may be coupled to the radio front-end circuitry 1318 and may be any type of antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data and / or signals wirelessly. In certain embodiments, the antenna 1310 is separate from the network node 1300 and connectable to the network node 1300 through an interface or port.

[0189] The antenna 1310, communication interface 1306, and / or the processing circuitry 1302 may be configured to perform any receiving operations and / or certain obtaining operations described herein as being performed by the network node. Any information, data and / or signals may be received from a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment. Similarly, the antenna 1310, the communication interface 1306, and / or the processing circuitry 1302 may be configured to perform any transmitting operations described herein as being performed by the network node. Any information, data and / or signals may be transmitted to a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment.

[0190] The power source 1308 provides power to the various components of network node 1300 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). The power source 1308 may further comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry to supply the components of the network node 1300 with power for performing the functionality described herein. For example, the network node 1300 may be connectable to an external power source (e.g., the power grid, an electricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source supplies power to power circuitry of the power source 1308. As a further example, the power source 1308 may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry. The battery may provide backup power should the external power source fail.

[0191] Embodiments of the network node 1300 may include additional components beyond those shown in Figure 13 for providing certain aspects of the network node’s functionality, including any of the functionality described herein and / or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, the network node 1300 may include user interface equipment to allow input of information into the network node 1300 and to allow output of information from the network node 1300. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for the network node 1300.

[0192] Figure 14 shows a network node 1400 in accordance with some embodiments. As used herein, network node refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a UE and / or with other network nodes or equipment, in a telecommunication network. The network node 1400 may be operable as a core network node, a core network function or, more generally, a core network entity, such as the core network node 1208 described above with respect to Figure 12). Examples of network nodes in this context include core network entities such as one or more of a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Authentication Server Function (ALISF), Subscription Identifier De-concealing function (SIDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP), Network Exposure Function (NEF), Policy Control Function (PCF) and / or a User Plane Function (UPF).

[0193] The network node 1400 includes processing circuitry 1402, a memory 1404, a communication interface 1406, and a power source 1408, and / or any other component, or any combination thereof. The network node 1400 may be composed of multiple physically separate components, which may each have their own respective components. In certain scenarios in which the network node 1400 comprises multiple separate components, one or more of the separate components may be shared among several network nodes.

[0194] The processing circuitry 1402 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and / or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other network node 1400 components, such as the memory 1404, network node 1400 functionality. For example, the processing circuitry 1402 may be configured to cause the network node 1400 to perform the methods as described with reference to Figures 3 and 7. The network node 1400 may correspond to the SeMF 806 and the SPF 808 described with reference to Figure 8. The network node 1400 may correspond to the SeMF 908 and / or the SPF 910 described with reference to Figure 9. The network node 1400 may correspond to the SeMF 1008 of Figure 10 and / or the SPF 1108 of Figure 11. The network node 1400 may correspond to the first network node 1700 of Fig. 17 and / or the third network node 2100 of Fig. 21. The memory 1404 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer-readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device-readable and / or computer-executable memory devices that store information, data, and / or instructions that may be used by the processing circuitry 1402. The memory 1404 may store any suitable instructions, data, or information, including a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, and / or other instructions capable of being executed by the processing circuitry 1402 and utilized by the network node 1400. The memory 1404 may be used to store any calculations made by the processing circuitry 1402 and / or any data received via the communication interface 1406. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 1402 and memory 1404 is integrated.

[0195] The communication interface 1406 is used in wired or wireless communication of signaling and / or data between a network node, access network, and / or UE.

[0196] The power source 1408 provides power to the various components of network node 1400 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). The power source 1408 may further comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry to supply the components of the network node 1400 with power for performing the functionality described herein. For example, the network node 1400 may be connectable to an external power source (e.g., the power grid, an electricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source supplies power to power circuitry of the power source 1408. As a further example, the power source 1408 may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry. The battery may provide backup power should the external power source fail.

[0197] Embodiments of the network node 1400 may include additional components beyond those shown in Figure 14 for providing certain aspects of the network node’s functionality, including any of the functionality described herein and / or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, the network node 1400 may include user interface equipment to allow input of information into the network node 1400 and to allow output of information from the network node 1400. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for the network node 1400.

[0198] Figure 15 shows a UE 1500 in accordance with some embodiments. As used herein, a UE refers to a device capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with network nodes and / or other UEs. Examples of a UE include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, mobile phone, cell phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phone, wireless local loop phone, desktop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless camera, gaming console or device, music storage device, playback appliance, wearable terminal device, wireless endpoint, mobile station, tablet, laptop, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), smart device, wireless customer-premise equipment (CPE), vehicle, vehicle-mounted or vehicle embedded / integrated wireless device, etc. Other examples include any UE identified by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including a narrow band internet of things (NB-loT) UE, a machine type communication (MTC) UE, and / or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE.

[0199] A UE may support device-to-device (D2D) communication, for example by implementing a 3GPP standard for sidelink communication, Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), orvehicle-to-everything (V2X). In other examples, a UE may not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and / or operates the relevant device. Instead, a UE may represent a device that is intended for sale to, or operation by, a human user but which may not, or which may not initially, be associated with a specific human user (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller). Alternatively, a UE may represent a device that is not intended for sale to, or operation by, an end user but which may be associated with or operated for the benefit of a user (e.g., a smart power meter).

[0200] The UE 1500 includes processing circuitry 1502 that is operatively coupled via a bus 1504 to an input / output interface 1506, a power source 1508, a memory 1510, a communication interface 1512, and / or any other component, or any combination thereof. Certain UEs may utilize all or a subset of the components shown in Figure 15. The level of integration between the components may vary from one UE to another UE. Further, certain UEs may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

[0201] The processing circuitry 1502 is configured to process instructions and data and may be configured to implement any sequential state machine operative to execute instructions stored as machine-readable computer programs in the memory 1510. The processing circuitry 1502 may be implemented as one or more hardware-implemented state machines (e.g., in discrete logic, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.); programmable logic together with appropriate firmware; one or more stored computer programs, general-purpose processors, such as a microprocessor or digital signal processor (DSP), together with appropriate software; or any combination of the above. For example, the processing circuitry 1502 may include multiple central processing units (CPUs). The processing circuitry 1502 may be operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other UE 1500 components, such as the memory 1510, UE 1500 functionality. For example, the processing circuitry 1502 may be configured to cause the UE 1502 to perform the methods as described with reference to Figure 6. The UE 1500 may correspond to a sensing unit(s) 804 as described with reference to Figure 8 and / or any of the sensing units 1002, 1004, 1006 of Figures 10 and 11 . The UE 1500 may correspond to the second network node 2000 of Fig. 20.

[0202] In the example, the input / output interface 1506 may be configured to provide an interface or interfaces to an input device, output device, or one or more input and / or output devices. Examples of an output device include a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smartcard, another output device, or any combination thereof. An input device may allow a user to capture information into the UE 1500. Examples of an input device include a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a web camera, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a directional pad, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, a smartcard, and the like. The presence-sensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor to sense input from a user. A sensor may be, for instance, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, a biometric sensor, etc., or any combination thereof. An output device may use the same type of interface port as an input device. For example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port may be used to provide an input device and an output device.

[0203] In some embodiments, the power source 1508 is structured as a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources, such as an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet), photovoltaic device, or power cell, may be used. The power source 1508 may further include power circuitry for delivering power from the power source 1508 itself, and / or an external power source, to the various parts of the UE 1500 via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable. Delivering power may be, for example, for charging of the power source 1508. Power circuitry may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to the power from the power source 1508 to make the power suitable for the respective components of the UE 1500 to which power is supplied. The memory 1510 may be or be configured to include memory such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, flash drives, and so forth. In one example, the memory 1510 includes one or more application programs 1514, such as an operating system, web browser application, a widget, gadget engine, or other application, and corresponding data 1516. The memory 1510 may store, for use by the UE 1500, any of a variety of various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

[0204] The memory 1510 may be configured to include a number of physical drive units, such as redundant array of independent disks (RAID), flash memory, USB flash drive, external hard disk drive, thumb drive, pen drive, key drive, high-density digital versatile disc (HD-DVD) optical disc drive, internal hard disk drive, Blu-Ray optical disc drive, holographic digital data storage (HDDS) optical disc drive, external mini-dual in-line memory module (DIMM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), external micro-DIMM SDRAM, smartcard memory such as tamper resistant module in the form of a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) including one or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs), such as a USIM and / or ISIM, other memory, or any combination thereof. The UICC may for example be an embedded UICC (eUlCC), integrated UICC (iUICC) or a removable UICC commonly known as ‘SIM card.’ The memory 1510 may allow the UE 1500 to access instructions, application programs and the like, stored on transitory or non-transitory memory media, to off-load data, or to upload data. An article of manufacture, such as one utilizing a communication system may be tangibly embodied as or in the memory 1510, which may be or comprise a device-readable storage medium.

[0205] The processing circuitry 1502 may be configured to communicate with an access network or other network using the communication interface 1512. The communication interface 1512 may comprise one or more communication subsystems and may include or be communicatively coupled to an antenna 1522. The communication interface 1512 may include one or more transceivers used to communicate, such as by communicating with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communication (e.g., another UE or a network node in an access network). Each transceiver may include a transmitter 1518 and / or a receiver 1520 appropriate to provide network communications (e.g., optical, electrical, frequency allocations, and so forth). Moreover, the transmitter 1518 and receiver 1520 may be coupled to one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 1522) and may share circuit components, software or firmware, or alternatively be implemented separately.

[0206] In some embodiments, communication functions of the communication interface 1512 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication, LPWAN communication, data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communications such as Bluetooth, near-field communication, location-based communication such as the use of the global positioning system (GPS) to determine a location, another like communication function, or any combination thereof. Communications may be implemented in according to one or more communication protocols and / or standards, such as IEEE 802.11 , Code Division Multiplexing Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), GSM, LTE, New Radio (NR), UMTS, WiMax, Ethernet, transmission control protocol / internet protocol (TCP / IP), synchronous optical networking (SONET), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), QUIC, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and so forth.

[0207] Regardless of the type of sensor, a UE may provide an output of data captured by its sensors, through its communication interface 1512, via a wireless connection to a network node. Data captured by sensors of a UE can be communicated through a wireless connection to a network node via another UE. The output may be periodic (e.g., once every 15 minutes if it reports the sensed temperature), random (e.g., to even out the load from reporting from several sensors), in response to a triggering event (e.g., when moisture is detected an alert is sent), in response to a request (e.g., a user initiated request), or a continuous stream (e.g., a live video feed of a patient).

[0208] As another example, a UE comprises an actuator, a motor, or a switch, related to a communication interface configured to receive wireless input from a network node via a wireless connection. In response to the received wireless input the states of the actuator, the motor, or the switch may change. For example, the UE may comprise a motor that adjusts the control surfaces or rotors of a drone in flight according to the received input or controls a robotic arm performing a medical procedure according to the received input.

[0209] A UE, when in the form of an Internet of Things (loT) device, may be a device for use in one or more application domains, these domains comprising, but not limited to, city wearable technology, extended industrial application and healthcare. Non-limiting examples of such an loT device are devices which are or which are embedded in: a connected refrigerator or freezer, a TV, a connected lighting device, an electricity meter, a robot vacuum cleaner, a voice controlled smart speaker, a home security camera, a motion detector, a thermostat, a smoke detector, a door / window sensor, a flood / moisture sensor, an electrical door lock, a connected doorbell, an air conditioning system like a heat pump, an autonomous vehicle, a surveillance system, a weather monitoring device, a vehicle parking monitoring device, an electric vehicle charging station, a smart watch, a fitness tracker, a head-mounted display for Augmented Reality (AR) or Virtual Reality (VR), a wearable for tactile augmentation or sensory enhancement, a water sprinkler, an animal- or item-tracking device, a sensor for monitoring a plant or animal, an industrial robot, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and any kind of medical device, like a heart rate monitor or a remote controlled surgical robot. A UE in the form of an loT device comprises circuitry and / or software in dependence on the intended application of the loT device in addition to other components as described in relation to the UE 1500 shown in Figure 15.

[0210] As yet another specific example, in an loT scenario, a UE may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and / or measurements, and transmits the results of such monitoring and / or measurements to another UE and / or a network node. The UE may in this case be an M2M device, which may in a 3GPP context be referred to as an MTC device. As one particular example, the UE may implement the 3GPP NB-loT standard. In other scenarios, a UE may represent a vehicle, such as a car, a bus, a truck, a ship and an airplane, or other equipment that is capable of monitoring and / or reporting on its operational status or other functions associated with its operation.

[0211] In practice, any number of UEs may be used together with respect to a single use case. For example, a first UE might be or be integrated in a drone and provide the drone’s speed information (obtained through a speed sensor) to a second UE that is a remote controller operating the drone. When the user makes changes from the remote controller, the first UE may adjust the throttle on the drone (e.g. by controlling an actuator) to increase or decrease the drone’s speed. The first and / or the second UE can also include more than one of the functionalities described above. For example, a UE might comprise the sensor and the actuator, and handle communication of data for both the speed sensor and the actuators.

[0212] Figure 16 illustrates a RAT-independent radar sensor 1600 comprising processing circuitry (or logic) 1601. The processing circuitry 1601 controls the operation of the RAT-independent radar sensor 1600 and can implement the method described herein in relation to a RAT- independent radar sensor 1600. The processing circuitry 1601 can comprise one or more processors, processing units, multi-core processors or modules that are configured or programmed to control the RAT-independent radar sensor 1600 in the manner described herein. In particular implementations, the processing circuitry 1601 can comprise a plurality of software and / or hardware modules that are each configured to perform, or are for performing, individual or multiple steps of the method described herein in relation to the RAT-independent radar sensor 1600. It will be appreciated that the RAT-independent radar sensor 1600 may comprise one or more virtual machines running different software and / or processes. The RAT- independent radar sensor 1600 may therefore comprise, or be implemented in or as one or more servers, switches and / or storage devices and / or may comprise cloud computing infrastructure that runs the software and / or processes.

[0213] Briefly, the processing circuitry 1601 of the RAT-independent radar sensor 1600 is configured to perform the method 400 of Fig. 4 and / or the method 500 of Fig. 5. The RAT-independent radar sensor 1600 may correspond to the radar sensor 802 of Figure 8, and / or any of the sensing units 1002, 1004, 1006 of Figures 10 and 11. The RAT-independent radar sensor 1600 may correspond to the RAT-independent radar sensor 1800 of Fig. 18 or the RAT- independent radar sensor 1900 of Fig. 19.

[0214] In some embodiments, the RAT-independent radar sensor 1600 may optionally comprise a communications interface 1602. For example, the RAT-independent radar sensor 1600 may be part of (or located at) a RAN node or a UE. The communications interface 1602 of the RAT-independent radar sensor 1600 can be for use in communicating with other nodes, such as other virtual nodes. For example, the communications interface 1602 of the RAT- independent radar sensor 1600 can be configured to transmit to and / or receive from other nodes requests, resources, information, data, signals, or similar. The processing circuitry 1601 of RAT-independent radar sensor 1600 may be configured to control the communications interface 1602 of the RAT-independent radar sensor 1600 to transmit to and / or receive from other nodes requests, resources, information, data, signals, or similar. The communications interface 1602 can use any suitable communication technology. However, importantly, the RAT-independent radar sensor 1600 is configured to perform sensing in a RAT-independent manner.

[0215] Optionally, the RAT-independent radar sensor 1600 may comprise a memory 1603. In some embodiments, the memory 1603 of the RAT-independent radar sensor 1600 can be configured to store program code that can be executed by the processing circuitry 1601 of the RAT- independent radar sensor 1600 to perform the method described herein in relation to the RAT- independent radar sensor 1600. Alternatively or in addition, the memory 1603 of the RAT- independent radar sensor 1600, can be configured to store any requests, resources, information, data, signals, or similar that are described herein. The processing circuitry 1601 of the RAT-independent radar sensor 1600 may be configured to control the memory 1603 of the RAT-independent radar sensor 1600 to store any requests, resources, information, data, signals, or similar that are described herein. The RAT-independent radar sensor 1600 may be configured operate in the manner described herein in respect of a RAT-independent radar sensor.

[0216] Fig. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a first network node 1700 according to some embodiments. The first network node 1700 comprises a determining module 1702 configured to determine spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object based on a measurement of a signal derived from a first signal transmitted by a RAT-independent radar sensor. The first network node 1700 may operate in the manner described herein in respect of a first network node or an SPF.

[0217] Fig. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a RAT-independent radar sensor 1800 according to some embodiments. The RAT-independent radar sensor 1800 comprises a measurement performing module 1802 configured to perform a measurement of a signal derived from a first signal; and a transmitting module 1804 configured to transmit the measurement to a first network node in a RAT communication network. The RAT-independent radar sensor 1800 may operate in the manner described herein in respect of a RAT-independent radar sensor.

[0218] Fig. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a RAT-independent radar sensor 1900 according to some embodiments. The RAT-independent radar sensor 1900 comprises a receiving module 1902 configured to receive, from a third network node in a RAT communication network, a recommended transmission characteristic for transmission by the RAT-independent radar sensor of a first signal for providing the spatial and / or movement information. The RAT- independent radar sensor 1900 further comprises a determining module 1904 configured to determine a selected transmission characteristic for transmitting the first signal based on one or more of: the recommended transmission characteristic; a radio resource condition; and a network load capacity. The RAT-independent radar sensor 1900 further comprises a transmitting module 1906 configured to transmit the first signal according to the selected transmission characteristic. The RAT-independent radar sensor 1900 may operate in the manner described herein in respect of a RAT-independent radar sensor.

[0219] Fig. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a second network node 2000 according to some embodiments. The second network node 2000 comprises a measurement performing module 2002 configured to perform a measurement of a signal derived from a first signal transmitted by a RAT-independent radar sensor. The second network node 2000 further comprises a transmitting module 2004 configured to transmit the measurement to a first network node in the RAT communication network. The second network node 2000 may operate in the manner described herein in respect of a second network node or a sensing unit (e.g., a UE or RAN node such as a gNB).

[0220] Fig. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a third network node 2100 according to some embodiments. The third network node 2100 is for managing spatial sensing in a RAT communication network. The third network node 2100 comprises a receiving module 2102 configured to receive, from a RAT-independent radar sensor, information about the RAT- independent radar sensor. The third network node 2100 may operate in the manner described herein in respect of a third network node or an SeMF or LMF.

[0221] Figure 22 shows a communication diagram of a host 2202 communicating via a network node 2204 with a UE 2206 over a partially wireless connection in accordance with some embodiments. Example implementations, in accordance with various embodiments, of the UE (such as a UE 1512A, 1512B of Figure 15 and / or UE 1800 of Figure 18), network node (such as network node 1510A, 1510B of Figure 15 and / or network node 1700 of Figure 17), and host (such as host 1516 of Figure 15 and / or host 2202 of Figure 22) discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to Figure 22.

[0222] Embodiments of host 2202 include hardware, such as a communication interface, processing circuitry, and memory. The host 2202 also includes software, which is stored in or accessible by the host 2202 and executable by the processing circuitry. The software includes a host application that may be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as the UE 2206 connecting via an over-the-top (OTT) connection 2250 extending between the UE 2206 and host 2202. In providing the service to the remote user, a host application may provide user data which is transmitted using the OTT connection 2250.

[0223] The network node 2204 includes hardware enabling it to communicate with the host 2202 and UE 2206. The connection 2260 may be direct or pass through a core network (like core network 1506 of Figure 15) and / or one or more other intermediate networks, such as one or more public, private, or hosted networks. For example, an intermediate network may be a backbone network or the Internet.

[0224] The UE 2206 includes hardware and software, which is stored in or accessible by UE 2206 and executable by the UE’s processing circuitry. The software includes a client application, such as a web browser or operator-specific “app” that may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via UE 2206 with the support of the host 2202. In the host 2202, an executing host application may communicate with the executing client application via the OTT connection 2250 terminating at the UE 2206 and host 2202. In providing the service to the user, the UE's client application may receive request data from the host's host application and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection 2250 may transfer both the request data and the user data. The UE's client application may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides to the host application through the OTT connection 2250.

[0225] The OTT connection 2250 may extend via a connection 2260 between the host 2202 and the network node 2204 and via a wireless connection 2270 between the network node 2204 and the UE 2206 to provide the connection between the host 2202 and the UE 2206. The connection 2260 and wireless connection 2270, over which the OTT connection 2250 may be provided, have been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between the host 2202 and the UE 2206 via the network node 2204, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices.

[0226] As an example of transmitting data via the OTT connection 2250, in step 2208, the host 2202 provides user data, which may be performed by executing a host application. In some embodiments, the user data is associated with a particular human user interacting with the UE 2206. In other embodiments, the user data is associated with a UE 2206 that shares data with the host 2202 without explicit human interaction. In step 2210, the host 2202 initiates a transmission carrying the user data towards the UE 2206. The host 2202 may initiate the transmission responsive to a request transmitted by the UE 2206. The request may be caused by human interaction with the UE 2206 or by operation of the client application executing on the UE 2206. The transmission may pass via the network node 2204, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. Accordingly, in step 2212, the network node 2204 transmits to the UE 2206 the user data that was carried in the transmission that the host 2202 initiated, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 2214, the UE 2206 receives the user data carried in the transmission, which may be performed by a client application executed on the UE 2206 associated with the host application executed by the host 2202.

[0227] In some examples, the UE 2206 executes a client application which provides user data to the host 2202. The user data may be provided in reaction or response to the data received from the host 2202. Accordingly, in step 2216, the UE 2206 may provide user data, which may be performed by executing the client application. In providing the user data, the client application may further consider user input received from the user via an input / output interface of the UE 2206. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided, the UE 2206 initiates, in step 2218, transmission of the user data towards the host 2202 via the network node 2204. In step 2220, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the network node 2204 receives user data from the UE 2206 and initiates transmission of the received user data towards the host 2202. In step 2222, the host 2202 receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the UE 2206.

[0228] One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to the UE 2206 using the OTT connection 2250, in which the wireless connection 2270 forms the last segment.

[0229] In an example scenario, factory status information may be collected and analyzed by the host 2202. As another example, the host 2202 may process audio and video data which may have been retrieved from a UE for use in creating maps. As another example, the host 2202 may collect and analyze real-time data to assist in controlling vehicle congestion (e.g., controlling traffic lights). As another example, the host 2202 may store surveillance video uploaded by a UE. As another example, the host 2202 may store or control access to media content such as video, audio, VR or AR which it can broadcast, multicast or unicast to UEs. As other examples, the host 2202 may be used for energy pricing, remote control of non-time critical electrical load to balance power generation needs, location services, presentation services (such as compiling diagrams etc. from data collected from remote devices), or any other function of collecting, retrieving, storing, analyzing and / or transmitting data.

[0230] In some examples, a measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency and other factors on which the one or more embodiments improve. There may further be an optional network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 2250 between the host 2202 and UE 2206, in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and / or the network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection may be implemented in software and hardware of the host 2202 and / or UE 2206. In some embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association with other devices through which the OTT connection 2250 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above, or supplying values of other physical quantities from which software may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of the OTT connection 2250 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not directly alter the operation of the network node 2204. Such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary UE signaling that facilitates measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like, by the host 2202. The measurements may be implemented in that software causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or ‘dummy’ messages, using the OTT connection 2250 while monitoring propagation times, errors, etc.

[0231] There is provided a computer program product, embodied on a non-transitory machine- readable medium, comprising instructions which are executable by processing circuitry to cause the processing circuitry to perform at least part of the method described herein. There is provided a computer program product comprising a carrier containing instructions for causing processing circuitry to perform at least part of the method described herein. In some embodiments, the carrier can be any one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, an electrical signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer- readable storage medium.

[0232] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim, “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality, and a single processor or other unit may fulfil the functions of several units recited in the claims. Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed so as to limit their scope.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method (300) performed by a first network node in a radio access technology, RAT, communication network, the method comprising: determining (302) spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object based on a measurement of a signal derived from a first signal transmitted by a RAT- independent radar sensor.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the signal derived from the first signal comprises a reflection of the first signal off the target object.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the signal derived from the first signal comprises the first signal.

4. The method of any preceding claim, wherein determining the spatial and / or movement information is further based on a measurement of a second signal transmitted by an Integrated Sensing and Communication, ISAC, device in the RAT communication network.

5. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the spatial and / or movement information comprises a relative position of the target object or an absolute position of the target object.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein determining the absolute position of the target object is further based on one or more of: an absolute position of the RAT-independent radar sensor; a speed of the RAT-independent radar sensor; a velocity of the RAT- independent radar sensor; an acceleration of the RAT-independent radar sensor; and a direction of travel of the RAT-independent radar sensor.

7. The method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the spatial and / or movement information comprises one or more of: a Doppler measurement of the target object; a speed of the target object, a velocity of the target object, an acceleration of the target object, and a direction of travel of the target object.

8. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the method further comprises: prior to determining the spatial and / or movement information, receiving the measurement of the signal derived from the first signal.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the measurement of the signal derived from the first signal is received from the RAT-independent radar sensor.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the measurement of the signal derived from the first signal is received from a second network node configured for Integrated Sensing and Communication, ISAC.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second network node is a Radio Access Network, RAN, node or a user equipment, UE.

12. The method of claim 10 or 11 , wherein the RAT-independent radar sensor is located at the second network node.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the measurement of the signal derived from the first signal is received from the target object.

14. The method of any of claims 8-13, wherein determining the spatial and / or movement information is further based on an indication of the quality of the measurement.

15. A method (400) performed by a radio access technology, RAT, independent radar sensor for enabling determination of spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object, the method comprising: performing (402) a measurement of a signal derived from a first signal; and transmitting (404) the measurement to a first network node in a RAT communication network.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the signal derived from the first signal comprises a reflection of the first signal off the target object.

17. The method of claim 15 or 16, wherein the method further comprises: transmitting the first signal.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the method further comprises: prior to transmitting the first signal, transmitting information about the RAT- independent radar sensor.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the information about the RAT-independent radar sensor comprises one or both of: a location of the RAT-independent radar sensor; and a capability of the RAT-independent radar sensor for signal transmission.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the capability of the RAT-independent radar sensor for signal transmission comprises one or more of: a first transmission periodicity; a first transmission time; a first transmission frequency; a first transmission signal waveform; and a first transmission power.

21. The method of any of claims 17-20, wherein the method further comprises: prior to transmitting the first signal, receiving a unique identifier for the RAT- independent radar sensor.

22. The method of any of claims 17-21, wherein the method further comprises: prior to transmitting the first signal, receiving a recommended transmission characteristic for transmission of the first signal.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the recommended transmission characteristic for transmission of the first signal comprises one or more of: a second transmission periodicity; a second transmission time; a second transmission frequency; a second transmission signal waveform; and a second transmission power.

24. The method of any of claims 22-23, wherein the first signal is transmitted according to a selected transmission characteristic, wherein the method further comprises: prior to transmitting the first signal, determining the selected transmission characteristic based on one or more of: the recommended transmission characteristic; a radio resource condition; and a network load capacity.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the selected transmission characteristic comprises one or more of: a third transmission periodicity; a third transmission time; a third transmission frequency; a third transmission signal waveform; and a third transmission power.

26. The method of any of claims 15-25, wherein the RAT-independent radar sensor is located at a second network node configured for Integrated Sensing and Communication, ISAC.

27. The method of any of claims 15-26, wherein the spatial and / or movement information comprises or relates to one or more of: a Doppler measurement for the target object; a relative position of the target object; an absolute position of the target object, a speed of the target object, a velocity of the target object, an acceleration of the target object, and a direction of travel of the target object.

28. A method (500) performed by a radio access technology, RAT, independent radar sensor for enabling determination of spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object, the method comprising: receiving (502), from a third network node in a RAT communication network, a recommended transmission characteristic for transmission by the RAT-independent radar sensor of a first signal for providing the spatial and / or movement information; determining (504) a selected transmission characteristic for transmitting the first signal based on one or more of: the recommended transmission characteristic; a radio resource condition; and a network load capacity; and transmitting (506) the first signal according to the selected transmission characteristic.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the recommended transmission characteristic for transmission of the first signal comprises one or more of: a second transmission periodicity; a second transmission time; a second transmission frequency; a second transmission signal waveform; and a second transmission power.

30. The method of claim 28 or 29, wherein the selected transmission characteristic comprises one or more of: a third transmission periodicity; a third transmission time; a third transmission frequency; a third transmission signal waveform; and a third transmission power.

31. A method (600) performed by a second network node in a radio access technology, RAT, communication network node, for enabling determination of spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object, the method comprising: performing (602) a measurement of a signal derived from a first signal transmitted by a RAT-independent radar sensor; and transmitting (604) the measurement to a first network node in the RAT communication network.

32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the signal derived from the first signal comprises a reflection of the first signal off the target object.

33. The method of any of claims 31-32, wherein the method further comprises transmitting, to the first network node, an indication of a quality of the measurement.

34. The method of any of claims 31-33, wherein the method further comprises: prior to performing the measurement of the signal derived from the first signal, receiving assistance data for performing the measurement.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the assistance data comprises one or more of: a unique identifier for the RAT-independent radar sensor; a location of the RAT- independent radar sensor; a capability of the RAT-independent radar sensor; a selected transmission characteristic for transmission by the RAT-independent radar sensor of the first signal; and the measurement to be performed.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the selected transmission characteristic comprises one or more of: a third transmission periodicity; a third transmission time; a third transmission frequency; a third transmission signal waveform; and a third transmission power.

37. A method (700) performed by a third network node for managing spatial sensing in a radio access technology, RAT, communication network, the method comprising: receiving (702), from a RAT-independent radar sensor, information about the RAT-independent radar sensor.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the information about the RAT-independent radar sensor comprises one or both of: a location of the RAT-independent radar sensor; and a capability of the RAT-independent radar sensor for signal transmission.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the capability of the RAT-independent radar sensor for signal transmission comprises one or more of: a first transmission periodicity; a first transmission time; a first transmission frequency; a first transmission signal waveform; and a first transmission power.

40. The method of any of claims 38-39, wherein the method further comprises:determining, based on the information about the RAT-independent radar sensor, a recommended transmission characteristic for transmission by the RAT- independent radar sensor of a first signal for providing spatial and / or movement information.

41. The method of any of claims 38-39, wherein the method further comprises: receiving, from an operation administration and maintenance, OAM, node, a recommended transmission characteristic for transmission by the RAT-independent radar sensor of a first signal for providing spatial and / or movement information and / or an area of coverage of the RAT-independent radar sensor.

42. The method of claim 40 or 41 , wherein the recommended transmission characteristic for transmission of the first signal comprises one or more of: a second transmission periodicity; a second transmission time; a second transmission frequency; a second transmission signal waveform; and a second transmission power.

43. The method of any of claims 40-42, wherein the method further comprises: transmitting, to the RAT-independent radar sensor, the recommended transmission characteristic.

44. The method of any of claims 40-43, further comprising: receiving an indication of a selected transmission characteristic for the transmission by the RAT-independent radar sensor of the first signal.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the method further comprises: transmitting, to a second network node, assistance data for performing radar measurements with the first signal, wherein the assistance data comprises the selected transmission characteristic for transmission by the RAT-independent radar sensor of the first signal.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the assistance data further comprises one or more of: a unique identifier for the RAT-independent radar sensor; a location of the RAT- independent radar sensor; a capability of the RAT-independent radar sensor; and the radar measurements to be performed.

47. The method of any of claims 44-46, wherein the method further comprises: determining, based on the selected transmission characteristic for transmission by the RAT-independent radar sensor of the first signal, that the first signal interfereswith a sensing signal transmitted by an Integrated Sensing and Communication, ISAC, device in the RAT communication network.

48. The method of claim 47, further comprising: responsive to determining that the first signal interferes with the sensing signal, transmitting a command to alter transmission by the RAT-independent radar sensor of the first signal.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the command comprises a command to disable or lower a radar transmission power for transmission by the RAT-independent radar sensor of the first signal.

50. The method of claim 48 or 49, wherein the command comprises a command to alter a beam orientation for transmission by the RAT-independent radar sensor of the first signal.51 . The method of any of claims 37-50, wherein the method further comprises: after receiving the information about the RAT-independent radar sensor, transmitting, to the RAT-independent radar sensor, a unique identifier for the RAT- independent radar sensor.

52. A first network node (808, 910, 1108, 1208, 1400, 1700) in a radio access technology, RAT, communication network, the first network node comprising processing circuitry and a memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the first network node is operable to: determine spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object based on a measurement of a signal derived from a first signal transmitted by a RAT- independent radar sensor.

53. The first network node as claimed in claim 52 wherein the memory further contains instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the first network node is operable to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 14.

54. A radio access technology, RAT, independent radar sensor (802, 1002, 1004, 1006, 1600, 1800) comprising processing circuitry and a memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the RAT-independentradar sensor is operable to perform a method for enabling determination of spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object by: performing a measurement of a signal derived from a first signal; and transmitting the measurement to a first network node in a RAT communication network.

55. The RAT-independent radar sensor as claimed in claim 54 wherein the memory further contains instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the RAT- independent radar sensor is operable to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 27.

56. A radio access technology, RAT, independent radar sensor (802, 1002, 1004, 1006, 1600, 1900) comprising processing circuitry and a memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the RAT-independent radar sensor is operable to perform a method for enabling determination of spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object by: receiving, from a third network node in a RAT communication network, a recommended transmission characteristic for transmission by the RAT-independent radar sensor of a first signal for providing the spatial and / or movement information; determining a selected transmission characteristic for transmitting the first signal based on one or more of: the recommended transmission characteristic; a radio resource condition; and a network load capacity; and transmitting the first signal according to the selected transmission characteristic.

57. The RAT-independent radar sensor as claimed in claim 56 wherein the memory further contains instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the RAT- independent radar sensor is operable to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 30.

58. A second network node (804, 1002, 1004, 1006, 1300, 1500, 2000) in a radio access technology, RAT, communication network, the second network node comprising processing circuitry and a memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the first network node is operable to perform a method for enabling determination of spatial and / or movement information associated with a target object by:performing a measurement of a signal derived from a first signal transmitted by a RAT-independent radar sensor; and transmitting the measurement to a first network node in the RAT communication network.

59. The second network node as claimed in claim 58 wherein the memory further contains instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the second network node is operable to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 36.

60. A third network node (806, 908, 1008, 1208, 1400, 2100) for managing spatial sensing in a radio access technology, RAT, communication network, the third network node comprising processing circuitry and a memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the third network node is operable to: receive, from a RAT-independent radar sensor, information about the RAT- independent radar sensor.

61. The third network node as claimed in claim 60 wherein the memory further contains instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the third network node is operable to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 38 to 51.

62. A computer program, comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out a method according to any of claims 1 to 51.

63. A carrier containing the computer program according to claim 62, wherein the carrier comprises one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal or computer readable storage medium.

64. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform the method according to any of claims 1 to 51.

65. A computer program product comprising non transitory computer readable media having stored thereon a computer program according to claim 62.

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