Network device and sensing operation control method performed by same

Abstract

With respect to ISAC technology applied to a mobile communication network, the present invention implements a network device for controlling and managing a sensing operation of each sensing entity, and a message transmission and reception method (sensing protocol) for controlling and managing the sensing operation of each sensing entity by the corresponding network device.

Description

Network device and method for controlling the sensing operation performed on the device

[0001] The present invention relates to ISAC (Integrated Sensing and Communication) technology applied to a mobile communication network.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Application No. 10-2024-0027347, filed February 26, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

[0003] The most widely used positioning technology for measuring the location of a terminal is the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), known as GPS.

[0004] While GNSS provides accurate positioning information, its coverage is generally limited to outdoor areas with satellite visibility. This has led to the development of Assisted GNSS (A-GNSS), which leverages mobile communication networks to improve positioning accuracy.

[0005] As positioning technology has developed in conjunction with mobile communication networks, standards for positioning services have been established in 4G (LTE), and further positioning standards have been added / established in 5G (NR).

[0006] When explaining the positioning technology applied to 5G, it is possible to measure / position the location of a terminal based on the transmission and reception operation of reference signals (DL: PRS, UL: SRS) for positioning.

[0007] That is, according to existing positioning technology, base station / terminal capability to transmit and receive positioning reference signals, PRS or SRS, is essential.

[0008] Therefore, in the existing positioning technology, location measurement / positioning is possible for terminals such as smartphones and tablets because they have the capability to receive PRS or transmit SRS, but location measurement / positioning is not possible for most objects and structures such as walls that do not have the capability to transmit and receive positioning reference signals.

[0009] In this regard, discussions have begun on technologies that can support location measurement / positioning even for objects that do not have the capability to transmit and receive positioning reference signals, and this is the case with Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) technology.

[0010] ISAC technology is a technology that expands from the concept of Positioning, which simply measures location, to include the operation of sensing surrounding objects and the environment based on the concept of Sensing, and can support positioning of objects that do not have the capability to transmit and receive positioning reference signals.

[0011] However, the current ISAC technology only defines the concept of the technology, and there is no specific discussion or definition of how to control and manage the sensing operation.

[0012] Accordingly, the present invention proposes a specific technical configuration for controlling and managing sensing operations in ISAC technology applied to mobile communication networks.

[0013] The purpose of the present invention is to implement a specific technical configuration for controlling and managing sensing operations in ISAC technology applied to a mobile communication network.

[0014] A network device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to control and manage a sensing operation of a sensing entity in relation to a specific technology in which a device transmitting and receiving a signal serving a mobile communication operates as a sensing entity for measuring a radio wave of the signal.

[0015] A network device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a memory including a command; and a processor that controls and manages a sensing operation of the sensing entity in relation to a specific technology in which a device for transmitting and receiving a signal serviced in mobile communication operates as a sensing entity for measuring a radio wave of the signal by executing the command.

[0016] Specifically, the Sensing Entity includes at least one of a base station and a terminal, and the processor can request Sensing Capability for the base station or the terminal through interworking with at least one of a Location Management Function (LMF) and an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), and receive and manage Sensing Capability information transmitted from the base station or the terminal according to the request.

[0017] Specifically, the Sensing Entity includes at least one of a base station and a terminal, and the processor can control a change in the Sensing mode for the base station or the terminal through interworking with at least one of an LMF and an AMF, and receive and manage Sensing mode setting information transmitted from the base station or the terminal according to the control.

[0018] Specifically, the Sensing Entity includes at least one of a base station and a terminal, and the processor can request sensing data from the base station or the terminal through linkage with at least one of an LMF and an AMF, and receive and manage sensing data measured by radio waves from the base station or the terminal by operating as a Sensing Entity in a preset Sensing mode according to the request.

[0019] Specifically, the Sensing mode operating as the Sensing Entity may include at least one of a first mode in which a base station transmits a Sensing signal and another base station measures the propagation of the Sensing signal to generate Sensing data, a second mode in which a base station transmits a Sensing signal and the base station itself measures the propagation of the Sensing signal to generate Sensing data, a third mode in which a base station transmits a Sensing signal and a terminal measures the propagation of the Sensing signal to generate Sensing data, a fourth mode in which a terminal transmits a Sensing signal and the base station measures the propagation of the Sensing signal to generate Sensing data, a fifth mode in which a terminal transmits a Sensing signal and another terminal measures the propagation of the Sensing signal to generate Sensing data, and a sixth mode in which a terminal transmits a Sensing signal and the terminal itself measures the propagation of the Sensing signal to generate Sensing data.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a terminal device includes: a memory including a command; and a processor that, by executing the command, when at least one of a sensing mode change control and a sensing data request is received, which operates as a sensing entity for measuring a radio wave of a signal provided in a mobile communication, sets a sensing mode according to the received control or operates in the set sensing mode according to the received request, and returns and provides sensing data obtained by measuring the radio wave.

[0021] A method for controlling a sensing operation performed in a network device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes, in relation to a specific technology in which a device for transmitting and receiving a signal serving a mobile communication operates as a sensing entity for measuring a radio wave of the signal, a step of controlling and managing the sensing operation of the sensing entity; a step of storing and managing at least one of information according to the control and management of the sensing entity and sensing data acquired from the sensing entity.

[0022] Specifically, the Sensing Entity includes at least one of a base station and a terminal, and the controlling and managing step may request Sensing Capability from the base station or terminal through linkage with at least one of an LMF and an AMF, and receive and manage Sensing Capability information transmitted from the base station or terminal according to the request.

[0023] Specifically, the Sensing Entity includes at least one of a base station and a terminal, and the controlling and managing step may control a change in the Sensing mode through linkage with at least one of an LMF and an AMF for the base station or the terminal, or may request Sensing data and receive and manage Sensing mode setting information transmitted from the base station or the terminal according to the control, or may receive and manage Sensing data obtained by measuring radio waves by operating as a Sensing Entity of a preset Sensing mode from the base station or the terminal according to the request.

[0024] According to embodiments of the present invention, in the ISAC technology applied to a mobile communication network, the effect of specifying an ISAC application scenario in a mobile communication network is derived by implementing a specific technical configuration regarding how to control and manage the sensing operation of each sensing entity.

[0025] Figure 1 is an example diagram explaining a positioning technology / system applied to an existing mobile communication network.

[0026] FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the ISAC technology / system applied to the mobile communication network of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a drawing explaining the configuration / function of a network device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4 is a drawing illustrating an example of a sensing mode supported by ISAC technology.

[0029] FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart showing a Sensing Capability management scenario according to a Sensing operation control method performed in a network device of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart showing a sensing mode and data management scenario according to a sensing operation control method performed in a network device of the present invention.

[0031] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0032] The present invention relates to ISAC (Integrated Sensing and Communication) technology applied to a mobile communication network.

[0033] The most widely used positioning technology for measuring the location of a terminal is the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), known as GPS.

[0034] While GNSS provides accurate positioning information, its coverage is generally limited to outdoor areas with satellite visibility. This has led to the development of Assisted GNSS (A-GNSS), which leverages mobile communication networks to improve positioning accuracy.

[0035] As positioning technology has developed in conjunction with mobile communication networks, standards for positioning services have been established in 4G (LTE), and further positioning standards have been added / established in 5G (NR).

[0036] When explaining the positioning technology applied to 5G, it is possible to measure / position the location of a terminal based on the transmission and reception operation of reference signals (DL: PRS, UL: SRS) for positioning.

[0037] Figure 1 is an example diagram explaining the positioning technology / system applied to 5G.

[0038] In 5G, the Location Management Function (LMF) is defined as a Network Function (NF) that manages location information for terminals, and the location information of terminals is managed through the LMF of the 5G core and the following protocol.

[0039] - NR positioning protocol A (NRPPa): Positioning information transfer protocol based on the NG-C (next generation control plane interface) interface between NG-RAN and LMF.

[0040] - LTE positioning protocol (LPP): A protocol in which LMF manages LTE UE location information through AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function).

[0041] - Radio resource control (RRC): Manages the location information of NR UEs through radio resource control.

[0042] According to the 5G Positioning technology described with reference to Fig. 1, base station / terminal capability to transmit and receive PRS or SRS, which are positioning reference signals, is essential.

[0043] Accordingly, in the positioning technology applied to 5G, location measurement / positioning is possible for terminals such as smartphones and tablets because they have the capability to receive PRS or transmit SRS, but location measurement / positioning is not possible for most objects, walls, and other structures that do not have the capability to transmit and receive positioning reference signals.

[0044] In this regard, discussions have begun on technologies that can support location measurement / positioning even for objects that do not have the capability to transmit and receive positioning reference signals, and this is the case with Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) technology.

[0045] ISAC technology is a technology that expands from the concept of Positioning, which simply measures location, to include the operation of sensing surrounding objects and the environment based on the concept of Sensing, and can support positioning of objects that do not have the capability to transmit and receive positioning reference signals.

[0046] However, the current ISAC technology only defines the concept of the technology, and there is no specific discussion or definition on how to control and manage sensing operations to support positioning of objects that do not have the capability to transmit and receive positioning reference signals.

[0047] Accordingly, the present invention proposes a specific technical configuration for controlling and managing sensing operations in ISAC technology applied to mobile communication networks.

[0048] More specifically, the present invention, assuming ISAC technology applied to a mobile communication network (e.g., 5G, 6G, etc.), seeks to implement a network device for controlling and managing the sensing operation of each sensing entity, and a message transmission and reception method (hereinafter, “Sensing Protocol”) for the network device to control and manage the sensing operation of each sensing entity.

[0049] At this time, the Sensing Entity refers to an entity that is a device that transmits and receives signals served by mobile communication and can measure radio waves of signals served by mobile communication according to ISAC technology, and may be, for example, a base station (BS) or a terminal (UE: User Equipment).

[0050] Before going into a detailed description, the present invention will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 2. According to the present invention, in an ISAC technology / system applied to a mobile communication network (e.g., 5G, 6G, etc.), the network device (100) proposed in the present invention can be implemented as an NF located at the core of the mobile communication network (e.g., 5G, 6G, etc.), more specifically, as an NF of the control plane.

[0051] In the following description and drawings, the network device proposed in the present invention will be referred to as SMF (Sensing Management Function, 100).

[0052] And, according to the present invention, in the ISAC technology / system applied to a mobile communication network (e.g., 5G, 6G, etc.), the SMF (100) proposes / implements a message transmission / reception method, i.e., SP (Sensing Protocol), for controlling and managing the sensing operation of each Sensing Entity.

[0053] In this way, the following functions can be performed through the newly proposed / implemented SMF (100) and SP of the present invention.

[0054] - Sensing mode management of BS or UE

[0055] - Management of sensing data acquired from BS or UE

[0056] - Management of Sensing Capability of BS or UE

[0057] - Scheduling management and resource allocation for bi-static sensing

[0058] - Mono-static Sensing Transmission Power TRP Control

[0059] In particular, the present invention is characterized by the implementation of, among the tactical functions, a Sensing mode management function of a BS or UE, a Sensing data management function acquired from a BS or UE, and a Sensing Capability management function of a BS or UE.

[0060] Hereinafter, the configuration / function of a network device, aka SMF (100), according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0061] The SMF (100) of the present invention relates to a specific technology in which a device for transmitting and receiving a signal provided in mobile communication operates as a sensing entity for measuring the radio wave of the signal.

[0062] The SMF (100) of the present invention is a network device configured to control and manage the sensing operation of the Sensing Entity, and may be an NF located in the core of a mobile communication network (e.g., 5G, 6G, etc.), more specifically, an NF of a control plane.

[0063] At this time, the specific technology refers to ISAC technology.

[0064] And, as explained above, a Sensing Entity is a device that transmits and receives signals served by mobile communications and is an entity that can measure the radio waves of signals served by mobile communications according to ISAC technology. For example, a base station (BS) and a user equipment (UE) may correspond to this.

[0065] More specifically described below, as illustrated in FIG. 3, an SMF (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention may have a configuration including a memory (not shown) including a command, and a processor (hereinafter, a control unit (110), DB (120)) that controls and manages the sensing operation of the sensing entity in relation to the ISAC technology in which a device transmitting and receiving a signal provided as a service in mobile communication, i.e., a base station (BS) / terminal (UE), operates as a sensing entity for measuring the radio wave of the signal by executing the command.

[0066] The control unit (110) performs various procedures for controlling and managing the sensing operation of each sensing entity, assuming ISAC technology applied to a mobile communication network (e.g., 5G, 6G, etc.), and specifically, performs the functions of managing the sensing mode of a base station (BS) or terminal (UE) as a sensing entity, managing sensing data acquired from the base station (BS) or terminal (UE), and managing the sensing capability of the base station (BS) or terminal (UE).

[0067] That is, the SMF (100, particularly the control unit (110)) of the present invention can control and manage the sensing operation of each sensing entity through message transmission and reception between the UE, NG-RAN (ng-eNB, gNB), AMF, and LMF based on the SP (interface defined for ISAC operation) proposed / defined in the present invention.

[0068] Below, we will describe a specific embodiment of controlling and managing the sensing operation of a Sensing Entity.

[0069] According to an example, the control unit (110) may request Sensing Capability from a base station (BS) or a terminal (UE) through linkage with at least one of an LMF and an AMF, and may receive Sensing Capability information transmitted from the base station (BS) or the terminal (UE) according to this request and store and manage it in a DB (120).

[0070] For example, the control unit (110) can transmit a message requesting location information to the LMF for a base station (BS) and a terminal (UE) that require Sensing Capability confirmation / management, and receive the corresponding location information through a response message.

[0071] And the control unit (110) can transmit a message requesting Sensing Capability to the AMF that manages the base station (BS) and terminal (UE) based on the location information previously received and confirmed.

[0072] In this way, the AMF can check the Access status of the corresponding base station (BS) and terminal (UE), and if it is in the Access status, it can receive Sensing Capability information of the base station (BS) and terminal (UE) through request / response message transmission and reception with the corresponding base station (BS), and can transmit this to the SMF (100, particularly the control unit (110)) of the present invention.

[0073] In this way, the SMF (100, particularly the control unit (110)) of the present invention can request Sensing Capability through linkage with the LMF and AMF for the base station (BS) and terminal (UE) that require Sensing Capability confirmation / management, and can receive Sensing Capability information transmitted from the base station (BS) and terminal (UE) according to this request.

[0074] In this way, the SMF (100, particularly the control unit (110)) of the present invention can implement the Sensing Capability management function of the Sensing Entity (BS or UE) by requesting / receiving Sensing Capability information for each base station (BS) and each terminal (UE) at the time when confirmation / management is required for each object requiring Sensing Capability confirmation / management, and storing / managing the information.

[0075] To explain another example, the control unit (110) controls the change of the sensing mode through linkage with at least one of the LMF and the AMF for the base station (BS) or the terminal (UE), and receives the sensing mode setting information transmitted from the base station (BS) and the terminal (UE) according to this control and stores and manages it in the DB (120).

[0076] For example, the control unit (110) can determine the base station (BS) and terminal (UE) that require a sensing mode change based on information managed in the DB (120) (e.g., sensing capability, sensing mode setting information, etc.).

[0077] Accordingly, the control unit (110) can transmit a message requesting location information to the LMF for the base station (BS) and terminal (UE) of which a sensing mode change is required, and receive the corresponding location information through a response message.

[0078] And the control unit (110) can transmit a message for controlling a change in the sensing mode through the AMF that manages the base station (BS) and terminal (UE) based on the location information previously received and confirmed.

[0079] In this case, each base station (BS) and terminal (UE) receiving the message will change the sensing mode according to the message, and will perform the ISAC operation of generating (storing) sensing data by measuring radio waves as a sensing entity of the changed / set sensing mode.

[0080] At this time, each base station (BS) and terminal (UE) can reply with sensing mode setting information that changes / sets the sensing mode.

[0081] Accordingly, the SMF (100, particularly the control unit (110)) of the present invention can receive the Sensing mode setting information returned after changing and setting the Sensing mode at the base station (BS) and terminal (UE) according to the control through the AMF.

[0082] In this way, the SMF (100, particularly the control unit (110)) of the present invention controls the change of the sensing mode through linkage with the LMF and the AMF for the base station (BS) and the terminal (UE) that require the change of the sensing mode, and can receive and transmit the sensing mode setting information transmitted from the base station (BS) and the terminal (UE) according to this control.

[0083] In this manner, the SMF (100, particularly the control unit (110)) of the present invention can implement a sensing mode management function of a sensing entity (BS or UE) by changing / controlling the sensing mode for each base station (BS) and each terminal (UE) at a time when change / management is required for each object requiring a sensing mode change, and storing / managing sensing mode setting information accordingly.

[0084] In the present invention, the sensing mode in which the base station (BS) and each terminal (UE) operate as a sensing entity may include at least one of the following first to sixth modes, depending on the signal propagation measurement topology.

[0085] Mode 1: Depending on the measurement topology, a mode in which a base station transmits a sensing signal and another base station measures the propagation of the sensing signal to generate sensing data.

[0086] Second mode: A mode in which a base station transmits a sensing signal and the base station itself measures the propagation of the sensing signal to generate sensing data.

[0087] Third mode: A mode in which the base station transmits a sensing signal and the terminal measures the radio waves of the sensing signal to generate sensing data.

[0088] Mode 4: A mode in which a terminal transmits a sensing signal and a base station measures the radio waves of the sensing signal to generate sensing data.

[0089] Mode 5: A mode in which a terminal transmits a sensing signal and another terminal measures the propagation of the sensing signal to generate sensing data.

[0090] 6th mode: A mode in which a terminal transmits a sensing signal and the terminal itself measures the radio waves of the sensing signal to generate sensing data.

[0091] In this regard, FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating an example of a sensing mode supported by ISAC technology.

[0092] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the BS->BS Bi-static case ①, in which another BS receives / measures the radio waves (radio waves reflected by the target) of the sensing signal transmitted by the BS based on the sensing target, corresponds to the first mode described in the present invention.

[0093] And, the BS Mono-static case ②, in which the BS itself receives / measures the radio waves of the Sensing signal transmitted by the BS (radio waves reflected by the target), corresponds to the second mode described in the present invention.

[0094] The BS->UE Bi-static case of ③, in which the UE receives / measures the radio waves of the Sensing signal transmitted by the BS (radio waves reflected by the target), corresponds to the third mode described in the present invention, and the UE->BS Bi-static case of ④, in which the BS receives / measures the radio waves of the Sensing signal transmitted by the UE (radio waves reflected by the target), corresponds to the fourth mode described in the present invention.

[0095] The UE->UE Bi-static case of ⑤, in which another UE receives / measures the radio waves of the Sensing signal transmitted by the UE (radio waves reflected by the target), corresponds to the fifth mode described in the present invention, and the UE Mono-static case of ⑥, in which the UE itself receives / measures the radio waves of the Sensing signal transmitted by the UE (radio waves reflected by the target), corresponds to the sixth mode described in the present invention.

[0096] Again, to explain another embodiment of controlling and managing the sensing operation of the Sensing Entity, the control unit (110) may request sensing data from a base station (BS) or a terminal (UE) through linkage with at least one of an LMF and an AMF, and may receive sensing data measured by operating as a Sensing Entity in a preset Sensing mode from the base station (BS) or terminal (UE) according to the request, and store and manage the data in the DB (120).

[0097] For example, the control unit (110) can confirm a base station (BS) and a terminal (UE) capable of collecting sensing data based on information managed in the DB (120) (e.g., Sensing Capability, Sensing mode setting information, etc.), and then transmit a message requesting location information to the LMF for the corresponding base station (BS) and terminal (UE) and receive the location information through a response message.

[0098] And the control unit (110) can transmit a message requesting sensing data to the base station (BS) and terminal (UE) through the AMF that manages them based on the location information previously received and confirmed.

[0099] In this way, each base station (BS) and terminal (UE) that receives a message requesting sensing data can, during the ISAC operation that generates (stores) sensing data by measuring radio waves, operate as a sensing entity of the sensing mode in which it is operating (set), and transmit the sensing data in response to the request message.

[0100] Accordingly, the SMF (100, particularly the control unit (110)) of the present invention can receive sensing data transmitted through AMF from the corresponding base station (BS) or terminal (UE) according to the request.

[0101] In this way, the SMF (100, particularly the control unit (110)) of the present invention can request sensing data from a base station (BS) and a terminal (UE) that are to collect sensing data through linkage with the LMF and the AMF, and receive sensing data in response from the base station (BS) and the terminal (UE) according to this request.

[0102] In this way, the SMF (100, particularly the control unit (110)) of the present invention can implement a sensing data management function of a sensing entity (BS or UE) by requesting / receiving sensing data for each base station (BS) and each terminal (UE) operating as a sensing entity and collecting / managing the data.

[0103] As another example, the control unit (110) may request sensing data together with a message for controlling a sensing mode change through AMF for a base station (BS) and a terminal (UE) that require a tactical sensing mode change.

[0104] In this case, the SMF (100, particularly the control unit (110)) of the present invention controls the change of the Sensing mode and requests Sensing data through interworking with the LMF and AMF for the base station (BS) and terminal (UE) that require a change of the Sensing mode, and receives, stores, and manages the Sensing mode setting information / Sensing data transmitted from the base station (BS) and terminal (UE) according to the control / request, thereby implementing the Sensing mode management and Sensing data management functions of the Sensing Entity (BS or UE).

[0105] As described above, according to the present invention, in the ISAC technology applied to a mobile communication network, a network device for controlling and managing the sensing operation of each sensing entity, and a message transmission and reception method (Sensing Protocol) for the network device to control and manage the sensing operation of each sensing entity are implemented, thereby realizing a specific technical configuration for how the sensing operation of each sensing entity is to be controlled and managed.

[0106] Accordingly, according to the present invention, the effect of specifying an ISAC application scenario in a mobile communication network is derived through the realization of a specific technical configuration for controlling and managing the sensing operation of each sensing entity.

[0107] Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to expect the effects of improving resource efficiency by determining whether to transmit / transmit a sensing signal or sensing data according to the sensing capability of a sensing entity (BS / UE), and the effects of improving the accuracy of sensing data by storing / managing the sensing data in a single entity.

[0108] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the operation flow of the sensing operation control method performed in the network device (aka, SMF (100)) of the present invention will be specifically described.

[0109] For convenience of explanation, the SMF (100) will be referred to as the subject of the sensing operation control method according to the present invention, and the gNB and UE will be referred to as the sensing entity.

[0110] First, referring to FIG. 5, a Sensing Capability management scenario according to the Sensing operation control method of the present invention will be described.

[0111] According to the sensing operation control method according to the present invention, the SMF (100) can start sensing capability management at a time when sensing capability confirmation / management is required.

[0112] According to the sensing operation control method according to the present invention, the SMF (100) can transmit a message requesting location information to the LMF (40) for the gNB (20) and UE (10) of which Sensing Capability confirmation / management is required, and receive the corresponding location information through a response message (S1, S2).

[0113] And according to the sensing operation control method according to the present invention, the SMF (100) can transmit a message requesting Sensing Capability to the AMF (30) managing the gNB (20) and UE (10) based on the previously received and confirmed location information (S3).

[0114] In this way, the AMF (30) checks the Access status of the corresponding gNB (20) and UE (10), and if it is the Access status (S4), it can receive Sensing Capability information of the gNB (20) and UE (10) through sending and receiving request / response messages with the corresponding gNB (20) (S5, S6, S7, S8), and can transmit the Sensing Capability information of the gNB (20) and UE (10) confirmed from this response message to the SMF of the present invention (S9, S10).

[0115] In this way, according to the sensing operation control method according to the present invention, the SMF (100) requests the sensing capability for the gNB (20) and the UE (10) that require sensing capability confirmation / management through linkage with the LMF (40) and the AMF (30), and receives the sensing capability information transmitted from the gNB (20) and the UE (10) according to this request and stores and manages it in the DB (120) (S10, S11).

[0116] Next, referring to FIG. 6, the sensing mode and data management scenario according to the sensing operation control method of the present invention will be described.

[0117] According to the sensing operation control method according to the present invention, the SMF (100) can start a sensing mode change / data acquisition procedure at a time when the sensing mode is changed or when sensing data acquisition is required, based on a DB (120) in which management information (e.g., sensing capability, sensing mode setting information, etc.) of an ISAC-operable UE / gNB is stored.

[0118] According to the sensing operation control method according to the present invention, the SMF (100) can transmit a message requesting location information to the LMF (40) for the gNB (20) and UE (10) of the target that require sensing mode change / data acquisition, and receive the corresponding location information through a response message (S21, S22).

[0119] And according to the sensing operation control method according to the present invention, the SMF (100) can control the change of the sensing mode and transmit a message requesting sensing data to the AMF (30) that manages the gNB (20) and UE (10) based on the previously received and confirmed location information (S23).

[0120] In this case, the AMF (30) transmits a Sensing mode change message to the gNB (20) and UE (10) (S24, S25), and the gNB (20) and UE (10) change the Sensing mode according to the message and operate as a Sensing Entity of the changed / set Sensing mode to perform an ISAC operation to generate (save) Sensing data that measures radio waves (S26), and the Sensing data accordingly can be returned together with Sensing mode setting information (S27, S28).

[0121] Accordingly, AMF (30) can transmit sensing mode setting information and each sensing data transmitted from gNB (20) and UE (10) to SMF (100) of the present invention (S29).

[0122] In this way, according to the sensing operation control method according to the present invention, the SMF (100) controls the sensing mode change and requests sensing data for the gNB (20) and UE (10) that require sensing mode change / data acquisition through linkage with the LMF (40) and AMF (30), and receives sensing mode setting information / sensing data transmitted from the gNB (20) and UE (10) according to this control / request and stores and manages it in the DB (120) (S29, S30).

[0123] In this regard, the present invention also proposes a terminal device for supporting the tactical sensing motion control method.

[0124] The terminal device (10) of the present invention may be configured with a memory (not shown) including a command; a processor (not shown) that, by executing the command, when at least one of a sensing mode change control and a sensing data request is received, which operates as a sensing entity for measuring a radio wave of a signal provided in mobile communication, sets a sensing mode according to the received control, or operates in the set sensing mode according to the received request, and provides sensing data by measuring the radio wave in response.

[0125] Accordingly, as described with reference to the aforementioned FIG. 6, the terminal device (10, UE) of the present invention, when receiving a message of a Sensing mode change / data request transmitted from the SMF (100) of the present invention, performs an ISAC operation by changing / setting the Sensing mode according to the received message (S26), and provides the Sensing data measured through this to be transmitted to the SMF (100) in response (S28).

[0126] As described above, according to the present invention, in the ISAC technology applied to a mobile communication network, a network device for controlling and managing the sensing operation of each sensing entity, and a message transmission and reception method (Sensing Protocol) for the network device to control and manage the sensing operation of each sensing entity are implemented, thereby realizing a specific technical configuration for how the sensing operation of each sensing entity is to be controlled and managed.

[0127] Accordingly, according to the present invention, the effect of specifying an ISAC application scenario in a mobile communication network is derived through the realization of a specific technical configuration for controlling and managing the sensing operation of each sensing entity.

[0128] Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to expect the effects of improving resource efficiency by determining whether to transmit / transmit a sensing signal or sensing data according to the sensing capability of a sensing entity (BS / UE), and the effects of improving the accuracy of sensing data by storing / managing the sensing data in a single entity.

[0129] A sensing motion control method according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in the form of program commands that can be executed through various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program commands, data files, data structures, etc., either singly or in combination. The program commands recorded on the medium may be those specially designed and configured for the present invention or may be those known to and usable by those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, magneto-optical media such as floptical disks, and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program commands, such as ROMs, RAMs, and flash memories. Examples of program commands include not only machine language codes generated by a compiler, but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc. The above hardware devices may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the present invention, and vice versa.

[0130] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it will be understood that the technical idea of ​​the present invention extends to a range in which various modifications or changes can be made by anyone having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the following claims.

Claims

1. A network device characterized in that it is configured to control and manage the sensing operation of the sensing entity in relation to a specific technology in which a device transmitting and receiving a signal provided in a mobile communication service operates as a sensing entity for measuring the radio wave of the signal.

2. For network devices, memory containing instructions; and A network device characterized in that it includes a processor for controlling and managing the sensing operation of the Sensing Entity in relation to a specific technology in which a device for transmitting and receiving a signal serviced in mobile communication operates as a Sensing Entity for measuring the radio wave of the signal by executing the above command.

3. In paragraph 1, The above Sensing Entity includes at least one of a base station and a terminal, The above processor, For the above base station or terminal, request Sensing Capability through interworking with at least one of LMF (Location Management Function) and AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function). A network device characterized in that it receives and manages Sensing Capability information transmitted from the base station or terminal according to the above request.

4. In paragraph 1, The above Sensing Entity includes at least one of a base station and a terminal, The above processor, For the above base station or terminal, control the change of the sensing mode through interworking with at least one of LMF and AMF. A network device characterized in that it receives and manages sensing mode setting information transmitted from the base station or terminal according to the above control.

5. In paragraph 1, The above Sensing Entity includes at least one of a base station and a terminal, The above processor, For the above base station or terminal, request sensing data through linkage with at least one of LMF and AMF. A network device characterized in that it receives and manages sensing data measured by radio waves by operating as a sensing entity in a preset sensing mode from the base station or terminal according to the above request.

6. In paragraph 4, The Sensing mode that operates as the above Sensing Entity is: According to the measurement topology, a first mode in which a base station transmits a sensing signal and another base station measures the propagation of the sensing signal to generate sensing data; A second mode in which a base station transmits a sensing signal and the base station itself measures the propagation of the sensing signal to generate sensing data; A third mode in which the base station transmits a sensing signal and the terminal measures the radio waves of the sensing signal to generate sensing data; A fourth mode in which the terminal transmits a sensing signal and the base station measures the radio waves of the sensing signal to generate sensing data; A fifth mode in which a terminal transmits a sensing signal and another terminal measures the propagation of the sensing signal to generate sensing data; A network device characterized in that the terminal transmits a sensing signal and includes at least one of the sixth modes in which the terminal itself measures the propagation of the sensing signal to generate sensing data.

7. In the terminal device, memory containing instructions; and A terminal device characterized in that it comprises a processor, which, when at least one of a sensing mode change control and a sensing data request is received by executing the above command and operates as a sensing entity for measuring a radio wave of a signal provided in a mobile communication, sets the sensing mode according to the received control or operates in the set sensing mode according to the received request and provides sensing data by measuring the radio wave in response.

8. In a method for controlling sensing operations performed in a network device, A step of controlling and managing the sensing operation of the Sensing Entity in relation to a specific technology in which a device transmitting and receiving a signal provided in a mobile communication service operates as a Sensing Entity for measuring the radio wave of the signal; A sensing operation control method characterized by including a step of storing and managing at least one of information according to control and management of the sensing entity and sensing data acquired from the sensing entity.

9. In paragraph 8, The above Sensing Entity includes at least one of a base station and a terminal, The above control and management steps are: For the above base station or terminal, request Sensing Capability through interworking with at least one of LMF and AMF. A sensing operation control method characterized by receiving and managing sensing capability information transmitted from the base station or terminal according to the above request.

10. In paragraph 8, The above Sensing Entity includes at least one of a base station and a terminal, The above control and management steps are: For the above base station or terminal, control the change of the sensing mode or request sensing data through interworking with at least one of LMF and AMF. Receive and manage Sensing mode setting information transmitted from the base station or terminal according to the above control, or A sensing operation control method characterized in that it receives and manages sensing data measured by radio waves by operating as a sensing entity in a preset sensing mode from the base station or terminal according to the above request.

Images