Methods and devices for semi-persistent radar sensing in wireless communication systems

Abstract

Methods and devices in a wireless network enable semi-persistent radar sensing in wireless communication systems. A UE (110) receives (235) from the network (120) a semi-static radar resource configuration specifying multiple radar resource sets. The UE later receives (245) a command directing the UE to transmit and / or to monitor for receiving one or more radar signals using a selected radar resource set among the multiple radar resource sets.

Description

Patent Application Attorney Docket Number 0683-061-WO METHODS AND DEVICES FOR SEMI-PERSISTENT RADAR SENSING IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] This document generally describes methods and devices operating in wireless communication systems such as (but not limited to) the ones described in contemporaneous 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) technical specifications (TSs), known as 3GPP communication systems. BACKGROUND

[0002] Telecommunication technologies aspire to efficiently integrate wireless communications and radar sensing. Radar sensing relies on detecting reflected radar signal(s) and analyzing it / them to determine distance, angle, and radial velocity of tracked objects. Radars (i.e., devices emitting and / or detecting radar signals) are known to be used in military and air-traffic-control operations. Radar hardware may be present in a user equipment (UE) to replace or complement other sensors, such as a camera. Radar sensing provides an improved performance in certain environmental conditions, such as low light and fog, or with moving or overlapping objects. While it may be advantageous to use a radar, there are many challenges associated with operating the radar in UEs. One such challenge is related to the interference a radar may cause when using signals with frequencies similar to those used for wireless communications. Radar operations may decrease sensitivity of the UE or cause additional noise, which can obscure or distort wireless communication signals (especially received communication signals with less power) and therefore hinder the UE’s correctly decoding the wireless communication signals. In some cases, the radar operation may cause a UE to miss a phone call, exhibit poor call quality, or experience a longer delay in downloading information, thereby frustrating users.

[0003] Configuring, starting, and stopping a UE’s radar transmission and / or reception requires a substantial signaling overhead using time-frequency resources,Patent Application Attorney Docket Number 0683-061-WO available antennas, transmission power, processing capabilities, etc. for such control signaling. SUMMARY

[0004] Various embodiments described in this document reduce signaling overhead for a UE’s radar operation by using a semi-static UE radar resource configuration specifying multiple radar resource sets. A UE that has received such a configuration then receives a command to use one of the radar resource sets. The UE’s radar operation is based on a semi-persistent scheduling technique according to which the UE does not wait for directions regarding each radar transmission / reception but operates in a specified manner until prompted to stop or to change the current radar operation, or until a predetermined radar operation maximum period expires.

[0005] According to some embodiments, a network entity (NE) such as, a base station (BS), a unit of a distributed BS, or a core network (CN) device, conveys, to a UE, a radar resource configuration specifying at least two radar resource sets. The NE may provide the radar resource configuration using a radio resource control (RRC) message. The NE then sends a command (e.g., control signal) directing the UE to transmit or to monitor for receiving radar signals using a selected radar resource set among radar resource sets specified in the radar resource configuration. The NE may send the command using a downlink control information (DCI) message or a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE).

[0006] A radar resource set specifies one or more of a time allocation domain (e.g., a slot or a symbol index, a periodicity, and an offset of radar transmission within a frame or subframe or resource elements), a frequency domain allocation (e.g., a frequency band, a bandwidth part, a supplemental uplink indication to signal when a radar resource set employs a supplemental uplink as defined in 3GPP technical specifications, or a resource block), and / or a spatial allocation domain (e.g., antenna port(s) or combination of antenna ports to be used and / or an indication as to whether the one or more radar signals are directional or isotropic). Further radar-related parameters include a radar signal definition (e.g., radar modulation technique, radar waveform, and / or radar sequences), and / or onePatent Application Attorney Docket Number 0683-061-WO or more radar operating parameters (e.g., an indication as to whether a radar resource set is to be used for transmitting or for receiving radar signals, a radar transmit power, a period associated with the UE periodically transmitting and / or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals, or a radar operation duration limit after which the UE ceases transmitting and / or monitoring for radar signals absent an explicit stop radar command).

[0007] According to other embodiments, a UE connected to an NE receives a radar resource configuration specifying multiple radar resource sets, and then receives a command directing the UE to transmit and / or to monitor for receiving one or more radar signals using a selected radar resource set among the multiple radar resource sets.Patent Application Attorney Docket Number 0683-061-WO BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the description, explain these embodiments.

[0009] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a UE and a NE configured to perform radar sensing methods according to various embodiments.

[0010] Figure 2 is a signaling diagram illustrating messages and actions related to a radar sensing method with semi-static radar resource configuration according to an embodiment.

[0011] Figure 3 illustrates a scenario with semi-persistent radar use according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method performed by a NE according to an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method performed by a UE according to an embodiment.Patent Application Attorney Docket Number 0683-061-WO DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Methods and devices described in this section embody techniques related to configuring radar sensing in a UE such as to reduce signaling overhead. In this description, the term “monostatic radar sensing” (or shorter “monostatic radar”) refers to a target detection technique using collocated radar signal transmitter and radar (reflected) signal receiver (e.g., the radar signal transmitter and the radar signal receiver are mounted on the same UE). In contrast, the term “bistatic radar sensing” (or shorter “bistatic radar”) refers to a target detection technique using a radar signal transmitter and a radar signal receiver separated by a distance comparable to the expected target distance (e.g., only one of the radar transmitter and the radar receiver is mounted on the UE the other being located at the base station or another UE). Further, the term “multistatic radar sensing” (or shorter “multistatic radar”) refers to a target detection technique using three or more radar components (including at least one transmitter and at least one receiver).

[0015] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a UE 110 and a NE 120 configured to perform methods related to radar sensing in wireless communication systems according to various embodiments. The term “RADAR” was coined during the second world war as an acronym for radio assisted detection and ranging but has since entered English and other languages as a common noun no longer being capitalized.

[0016] The UE 110 is configured to exchange wireless messages 101 with the NE 120, and to emit and / or receive radar signals 102. Therefore, the UE 110 shows both radio frequency (RF) front end 111 and radar hardware 112 but these two components can be implemented using a single radio. UE’s antennas and RF front end 111 can be tuned to one or more frequency bands (e.g., subcarriers), for example, as defined by 3GPP technical specifications describing Long Term Evolution (LTE, also known as 4thgeneration, 4G) systems, 5thGeneration (5G also known as new radio, NR) systems, and 6thgeneration (6G) systems, and implemented by respective transceivers. Figure 1 shows the UE 110 having one transceiver 113 without specifying any radio access technology (RAT), but the UE may include plural transceivers, each of such transceivers being dedicated for one RAT (e.g., LTE / 4G, 5G / NR, 6G, etc.). Here, the term “transceiver” stands for a combination of transmitter and receiver of wireless (radio) communication signals.Patent Application Attorney Docket Number 0683-061-WO

[0017] The UE 110 further includes at least one processor 114 and a non-transitory computer-readable memory 116 that stores executable instructions causing the processor to operate various techniques related to radar sensing. The at least one processor 114 may include a general-purpose processor and / or a special-purpose processing unit. The processor 114 controls (i.e., processes, prepares, and / or interprets) signals, information and data related to radar sensing and wireless communication. The executable instructions may include radar-related software 118 and a communication manager 119.

[0018] The NE 120 may be a base station, a unit of a distributed BS, or a CN device in (wireless / radio) communication with the UE 110. NE’s antennas and RF front end 121 can be tuned to one or more frequency bands (e.g., subcarriers), for example, as defined by 3GPP TSs describing LTE / 4G systems, 5G systems, or 6G systems. Signals on these frequency bands are generated (if transmitted) or pre-processed (if received) by transceiver 122. The NE may use the communication hardware 121, 122 for radar signal transmission or reception. Alternatively, the NE might have separate hardware for radar (not shown) or the NE might not be configured for radar transmission or reception.

[0019] The NE 120 includes at least one processor 123 and a non-transitory computer-readable storage media 124 (e.g., a memory) that stores executable instructions and device data 125 (such as information about UE’s capabilities including radar capability). The at least one processor 123 may include a general-purpose processor and / or a special-purpose processing unit. The processor may control (i.e., process, prepare, and interpret) signals, information and data the NE 120 exchanges with the UE 110 and other network devices (UEs and / or NEs) not shown. The executable instructions may include a radar configuration manager 126 and a communication manager 127.

[0020] The NE 120 may also include an inter-base station interface 128, that is hardware and software enabling NE 120 to exchange communication with other network entities and a core network (CN) interface 129 enabling NE 120 to interact with CN functions and devices.

[0021] Figure 2 is a signaling diagram illustrating messages and actions of UE 110 and NE 120 related to radar sensing according to an embodiment. In this figure, time flows from top to bottom, that is, actions and events illustrated higher occur earlier than ones illustrated lower therein. First, the UE 110 sends 230 a UE radar capability messagePatent Application Attorney Docket Number 0683-061-WO to NE 120. This message is optional as suggested by the dashed line. The UE may convey its radar capability implicitly by indicating a type of hardware known to provide radar sensing during an initial access. It is also possible that radar capability is going to become a default feature in future devices, with a UE then informing the NE about absence of such a capability.

[0022] The NE 120 transmits 235 a semi-static UE radar resource configuration including multiple (i.e., at least two) radar resource sets to the UE 110. The NE 120 may use a radio resource control (RRC) message to convey the radar resource configuration to the UE 110. The term “semi-static” refers to a resource allocation (such as time domain allocation, frequency domain allocation, spatial domain allocation, etc.) that remains relatively constant, with no a priori intent to limit this radar resource configuration’s validity to a certain period of time. However, the radar resource configuration may be replaced or adjusted. This approach allows for some level of flexibility while maintaining a degree of stability in radar resource allocation.

[0023] A radar resource set specifies one or more of a time allocation domain (e.g., a slot or a symbol index, a periodicity, and an offset of radar transmission relative to the beginning of a frame or subframe), a frequency domain allocation (e.g., a frequency band, a bandwidth part), and a spatial domain allocation (e.g., antenna port(s) or combination of antenna ports to be used and / or an indication as to whether the one or more radar signals are directional or isotropic). Optionally, the radar resource set may also have associated a radar signal definition (e.g., radar modulation technique, radar waveform and / or sequences), and / or radar operating parameters (e.g., an indication as to whether the UE operates as a transmitter of radar signals, a receiver of radar signals or both a transmitter and a receiver, transmission power level, periodicity of each radar cycle, and / or duration or counter for the UE to stop radar use without receiving a command or control signal as later described). Note though that the radar signal definition and / or the radar operating parameters may be specified also via control signal triggering a UE to use a specific resource set for radar signals. Note though that the radar signal definition and / or the radar operating parameters may be determined by UE’s radar hardware and common to all radar resource sets. Using semi-static radar resource configuration reduces overhead signaling because on one hand, in contrast with dynamically configuring radar resources,Patent Application Attorney Docket Number 0683-061-WO the BS does not have to consider and transmit a radar resource configuration every time the UE’s radar is used. On the other hand, in contrast with statically configuring radar resources, the configured resource sets are not continuously reserved for radar, regardless of whether the UE currently uses the radar.

[0024] The radar signal carrier has typically (but it is not limited to) microwave frequencies, the signal being usually (but not necessarily) modulated. Thus, the carrier may be pulse modulated (i.e., a pulse lasting far shorter than the period between pulses) to allow a radar signal to be detected. A radar pulse may last few microseconds, long enough to ensure that the radar transmitter emits sufficient energy so that the reflected pulse is detectable by an intended receiver. Because the amount of energy directed to a distant target is the product of a peak transmitted power and the duration of the transmission, the pulse width constrains the maximum detection range of a target. Pulse width also constrains the range discrimination (i.e., the ability to distinguish between two targets that are close together) and dead zone at close ranges (due to inability to detect a reflection while transmitting a radar pulse).

[0025] Different radar resource sets may correspond to different antenna ports or combination of antenna ports and may depend on the type of radar sensing technique. In case of monostatic radar, it is likely that the radar transmission direction and incoming (reflected) radar signal direction coincide. In case of bistatic radar with the UE operating as receiver of the radar signal, it may be beneficial to use a combination of antenna ports because the direction of the arriving (reflected) radar signal may not be well known in advance. Similar considerations apply in case of multistatic radar with the UE operating as transmitter or as receiver, respectively.

[0026] The manner of using any radar resource set depends on the type of radar sensing: monostatic, bistatic, or multistatic radar sensing. In case of monostatic radar or multistatic radar with the UE both transmitting and detecting reflected radar signals, the radar resource set may include time-frequency-spatial domain resources for both transmitting the radar signal and for monitoring to receive the reflected radar signal(s). In case of bistatic radar or multistatic radar with the UE only receiving the radar signals, the radar resource set may include resources for reporting measurements related to the received radar signals. One of the operating parameters may be an indication as toPatent Application Attorney Docket Number 0683-061-WO whether the resources are to be used for transmitting, for receiving or for both transmitting and receiving radar signals. The radar resource configuration may include such an indication associated with a radar resource set, or the indication may alternatively be provided by the NE within the command (control signaling) directing the UE to use a specific resource set.

[0027] The radar resource configuration may also associate a radar signal definition to a radar resource set. The radar signal definition specifies one or more of radar modulation technique, radar waveform and or sequences. For example, the radar modulation technique may be orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) or orthogonal time frequency space modulation (OTFS). The radar signal is typically a train of pulses, that may be square, sinusoidal, triangular, etc. The train of pulses may be a sequence of on / off pulses enhanced to fine tune detection of reflected signals.

[0028] The UE may switch between different radar resource sets according to a set strategy (i.e., predetermined order, time interval of using a first radar resource set before switching to a second radar resource set, or an event that would trigger switching to another radar resource set). In terms of frequency domain allocation, the selected (i.e., NE-indicated) radar resource set may employ a supplemental uplink (i.e., a lower frequency than the normal uplink frequency, with the lower frequency extending / improving uplink coverage).

[0029] A radar operating parameter that may be provided via the radar resource configuration or via control signal triggering radar use is an “auto-stop” field indicating that radar use should stop after a predetermined time interval, when triggered (e.g., UE moves position / orientation, or changes velocity, over a threshold) or when an upper layer (application layer) instructs the UE (e.g., after a predetermined number of repetitions). In other words, a timer or counter or other event that may trigger the UE to stop using the radar is another radar operating parameter that may be associated with one or more of the radar resource sets in the radar resource configuration or specified via control signaling triggering the radar use.

[0030] Returning now to Figure 2, the NE 120 selects 240 a specific one among the multiple radar resource sets for the UE. This selection may be triggered by a UE request for a radar procedure (not shown, e.g., when visibility at the UE location is low) or by thePatent Application Attorney Docket Number 0683-061-WO NE’s assessment of the UE’s radar use associated with a provided service or benefit in a current environment (e.g., the UE using radar in response to an augmented reality application request). The NE 120 may select the specific radar resource set among the multiple radar resource sets such as to minimize potential interference of UE’s radar signal with other radar signals that the radar receiver may detect or potential interference with communication signals.

[0031] The NE 120 then transmits 245 a control signal to the UE, to trigger UE’s radar use (transmitting radar signals, monitoring for receiving radar signals, or both) employing the specific radar resource set. The control signal may be a Downlink Control Information (DCI) transmitted on the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or may be embedded in a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE).

[0032] Upon receiving the control signal, the UE performs 250 a semi-persistent radar transmission using the specific radar resource set indicated by the control signal. This semi-persistent UE radar transmission (or reception if the UE assists in bistatic radar processing) may continue until another control signal (e.g., DCI like 352 later described) dynamically stops it, until the radar use command is overridden (e.g., via another control signal 355), or after a predetermined radar use stop instruction. Unlike the periodic radar use that is repeated at a predetermined time interval, the aperiodic radar use means the UE transmits and / or monitors for receiving a radar signal one or more cycles but not periodically. In some embodiments, the aperiodic radar use causes the UE to transmit and / or monitor for receiving radar signal(s) for a predetermined duration (i.e., another radar operating parameter, which may be common for plural radar resource sets or specific to a radar resource set). In other embodiments, the aperiodic use causes the UE to transmit and / or monitor for receiving radar signals repeatedly until a radar-based task is completed. The NE may learn whether the radar-based task is completed by receiving task-related results or an explicit message from the UE.

[0033] A downlink control information (DCI) message transmitted on the PDCCH usually triggers an aperiodic radar use (just initiates radar use without need for a stop / cancelling command). The DCI indicates the specific one among the configured radar resource sets the UE is to use for radar sensing. The same DCI may include fields related to radar sensing and to wireless communications, such as physical uplink sharedPatent Application Attorney Docket Number 0683-061-WO (or control) channel PUSCH (PUCCH) transmissions. The DCI may be transmitted on a carrier other than the one or more carriers of the specific radar resource set.

[0034] A periodic radar use may be triggered by a MAC CE directing the UE to transmit radar signal periodically using a specific radar resource set until another (stop- radar) control signal is received or until the UE receives another radar control message overriding the current radar control message. Figure 3 illustrates a scenario exemplifying the use of semi-persistent radar scheduling according to an embodiment. In this figure (as in figure 2), time flows from top to bottom. Conversely, the aperiodic radar use may be triggered using a MAC CE and the periodic radar use may be triggered by a DCI.

[0035] The NE 120 transmits 335 (which is similar to 235 and may be performed using an RRC message) a UE radar resource configuration including multiple radar resource sets to the UE 110. The NE 120 then transmits 345 a MAC CE specifying radar resource set 1 (i.e., a specific radar resource set among the multiple radar resource sets) to the UE 110. In response, the UE 110 performs a semi-persistent radar transmission (similar to 250). That is, the UE transmits periodically (350a, 350b, 350c, …, 350n with a time interval between successive transmissions T) radar signals 102 using the radar resource set 1 to find the location of target 305 based on reflected radar signals 303 (i.e., the UE performs monostatic radar sensing). The time interval T (period) between successive radar transmissions may be a characteristic specified for the radar resource set 1 or it may have been conveyed by the NE 120 using the MAC CE. Note that transmitting radar signals is an illustration not a limitation; conversely, the UE may monitor periodically the radar resource set 1 for receiving radar signals. Also, the target 305 is depicted as extended to convey that it is available throughout the time interval shown.

[0036] The UE 110 stops periodically transmitting radar signals using the radar resource set 1 upon receiving 352 a control signal from NE 120. The NE 120 may later send 355 another radar command via a DCI message, this other command indicating radar resource set 2 (another radar resource set). In some embodiments, the NE may send 355 the radar command without sending 352 the control signal directing the UE to stop using the radar, or the NE may combine these two control signals. Therefore, the transmission of the control signal 352 and the other command 355 are optional (as suggested by using the dashed-lines). Upon receiving this DCI message (which may bePatent Application Attorney Docket Number 0683-061-WO instead of a DCI another MAC CE), the UE starts 360 using the radar resource set 2 for transmitting, receiving, or both transmitting and receiving radar signal(s). DCI indicates a radar resource set defined in the RRC signaling 335 that the UE 110 should be using for transmitting radar signals after this DCI. MAC CE similarly indicates a predefined (via RRC) radar resource set. The DCI may also include a grant for PDSCH and PUSCH for normal data transmission (i.e., a single DCI can grant semi-persistent radar sensing, and data transmission and / or reception). For the sake of illustration (not as a limitation), command 355 directs the UE 110 to operate as a radar receiver (i.e., the UE receives reflected radar signals 307) in a bistatic or multistatic radar system in which a different device transmits radar signals 306 for finding the location of a target 309. Note that target 309 might be the same target 305 located in a different position relative to the UE.

[0037] In case of bistatic or multistatic radar sensing, the UE radar resource configuration (which may be conveyed via RRC signaling such as in 235 and 335) may include a radar resource set (e.g., resource set 2 later indicated at 355) used for receiving the NE radar transmission and may also specify resources for the UE to provide 362 feedback on the radar measurements. A DCI or a MAC CE (such as 355) may trigger the UE to start monitoring the radar resource set to detect the radar transmission and then feedback the radar measurements to the NE. Fields currently defined for DCI Format 0_0 (e.g., frequency domain resource assignment, time domain resource assignment, modulation and coding scheme, UL / SUL indicator, etc.) and DCI Format 0_1 (e.g., in addition to the ones mentioned for DCI Format 0_0, carrier indicator, bandwidth part indicator, etc.) may be reused for indicating a radar resource set. Alternatively, an index may be employed to point to one of the radar resource sets defined via the radar resource configuration.

[0038] As already mentioned, a supplemental uplink (SUL) band may be specified for one of the radar resource sets included in the radar resource configuration (that may be conveyed using RRC signaling). The DCI may include a UL / SUL indicator regarding radar sensing resource, similar to current DCI Format 0_0 or 0_1 for PUSCH data transmission using UL or SUL.

[0039] Figure 4 is a wireless communication method 400 performed by a NE according to an embodiment. The NE may be a base station, a unit of a distributedPatent Application Attorney Docket Number 0683-061-WO base station, or a CN device (e.g., 120 in Figures 1, 2, and 3) in communication with a UE (e.g., 110 in Figures 1, 2, and 3). The method 400 includes transmitting 435, to the UE connected to the NE, a radar resource configuration specifying multiple radar resource sets. As discussed above, the NE may use an RRC message to convey the radar resource configuration, and a radar resource set may specify a time domain allocation, a frequency domain allocation, and / or a spatial domain allocation. Additionally, a radar resource configuration may include a radar signal definition and / or one or more radar operating parameters. The method 400 further includes transmitting 445, to the UE, a command directing the UE to transmit and / or to receive one or more radar signals using a specific radar resource set among the multiple radar resource sets. The command may also indicate a radar signal definition and / or radar operating parameters. The method may optionally (as suggested by using dashed-lines) include transmitting 452 (which corresponds to 352) to the UE a control signal directing the UE to stop using the selected radar resource set. Before, after, or instead of transmitting, to the UE, such a control signal, the NE may transmit another command similar to 445 (as suggested by the dashed arrows suggesting looping back in Figure 4).

[0040] Figure 5 is a wireless communication method 500 performed by a UE according to an embodiment. The method 500 includes receiving 535, from the NE, a radar resource configuration specifying multiple radar resource sets. The above- discussed one or more individual characteristics (a time domain allocation, a frequency domain allocation, a spatial domain allocation, and, optionally, a radar signal definition, and / or one or more radar operating parameters) may be specified for each one of the radar resource sets. The method 500 further includes receiving 545 a command directing the UE to transmit and / or to receive one or more radar signals using a selected radar resource set among the multiple radar resource sets. Although the UE may receive the command from the same NE that has conveyed the radar resource configuration, it is possible, due to the time elapsed between conveying the radar resource configuration and the receiving of the command, the UE has been handed over to another base station and thus receives the command from another NE. The UE may (optionally) then receive 555 (which is similar to 352) a control signal directing the UE to stop using the selected radar resource set. Also optionally, when the UE receives radar signals on the selected radarPatent Application Attorney Docket Number 0683-061-WO resource set, the UE may transmit 562 (which is similar to 362) feedback (e.g., a radar measurement report) related to at least one received radar signal.

[0041] According to first example, a wireless communication method performed by an NE includes (A) transmitting, to a UE, a radar resource configuration specifying multiple radar resource sets, and (B) transmitting, to the UE, a command directing the UE to transmit and / or to monitor for receiving one or more radar signals using a specific radar resource set among the multiple radar resource sets. According to the second example, in a wireless communication method as in the first example, the specific radar resource set pertains to a physical uplink shared channel, PUSCH. According to the third example, in the wireless communication methods as in the first or second example, the radar resource configuration specifies, for each of the multiple radar resource sets, at least one of: a time domain allocation, a frequency domain allocation, or a spatial domain allocation.

[0042] According to a fourth example, in the wireless communication method of the third example, the time domain allocation specifies at least one of a slot or a symbol index, a periodicity, an offset of radar signal within a frame or subframe, or resource elements. According to a fifth example, in the wireless communication method of the third or the fourth example, the frequency domain allocation specifies at least one of a frequency band, a bandwidth part, a supplemental uplink indication to signal when a radar resource set employs a supplemental uplink as defined in 3GPP technical specifications, or a resource block. Further, according to a sixth example, in the wireless communication method of any of the third the fourth or the fifth example, the spatial domain allocation specifies at least one of: an antenna port or combination of antenna ports, and an indication as to whether the one or more radar signals are directional or isotropic.

[0043] According to the seventh example, in any of the wireless communication method of first to sixth example, a radar signal definition is associated with at least one of the multiple radar resource sets. Here, the radar signal definition specifies at least one of a radar waveform, a radar modulation technique, or a radar sequence is associated with at least one of the multiple radar resource sets. According to an eight example, in the wireless communication method of seventh example, the transmitting of the radar resource configuration includes specifying the radar signal definition associated with the at least one of the multiple radar resource sets. According to the ninth example, in thePatent Application Attorney Docket Number 0683-061-WO wireless communication method of the seventh example, the transmitting of the command includes specifying the radar signal definition associated with the specific radar resource.

[0044] According to the tenth example, in a wireless communication method as in any of the first to the ninth example, one or more radar operating parameters are associated with at least one of the multiple radar resource sets. Here, the one or more radar operating parameters specifies at least one of: an indication as to whether a radar resource set is to be used for transmitting and / or for receiving radar signals, a radar transmit power level, a period associated with transmitting and / or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals, or a radar operation duration limit after which the UE ceases transmitting and / or monitoring for radar signals absent an explicit stop radar command. According to the eleventh example, in the wireless communication method of the tenth example, the transmitting of the radar resource configuration includes specifying the one or more operating parameters associated with the at least one of the multiple radar resource sets. According to the twelfth example, in the wireless communication method of the tenth example, the transmitting of the command includes specifying the one or more operating parameters associated with the specific radar resource.

[0045] According to the 13thexample, in the wireless communication method of any of the first to the twelfth examples, the transmitting of the radar resource configuration includes transmitting an RRC message conveying the radar resource configuration.

[0046] According to the 14thexample, in the wireless communication method of any of the first to the 13thexample, the command indicates that the UE is to periodically transmit and / or to periodically monitor for receiving the one or more radar signals using the specific radar resource set. According to the 15thexample, in the wireless communication method of the 14thexample, the command specifies a period between consecutively transmitting and / or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals. According to the 16thexample, in the wireless communication method of the 14thexample, for the specific radar resource set, the radar resource configuration specifies a period between consecutively transmitting and / or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals.

[0047] According to the 17thexample, in the wireless communication method of any of the first to the 13thexample, the command triggers the UE to aperiodically transmit and / or to monitor for receiving the one or more radar signals. According to the 18thPatent Application Attorney Docket Number 0683-061-WO example, in the wireless communication method of the 17thexample, the transmitting of the command includes specifying a condition for the UE to stop aperiodically transmitting and / or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals.

[0048] According to the 19thexample, in the wireless communication method of any of the first to the 18thexample, the transmitting of the command includes transmitting a downlink control information, DCI, that indicates the specific radar resource set. According to the 13thexample, in the wireless communication method of the 20thexample, the DCI is transmitted on another carrier than one or more carriers of the specific radar resource set.

[0049] According to the 21stexample, in the wireless communication method of any of the first to the 18thexample, the transmitting of the command includes transmitting a MAC CE embedding the command.

[0050] According to the 22ndexample, in the wireless communication method of any of the first to the 21stexample, the specific radar resource set specifies resources for the UE to transmit feedback related to radar signals received by the UE while monitoring the specific radar resource set.

[0051] According to the 23rdexample, the method of any of the first to 22ndexample further includes receiving, from the UE, a radar capability, wherein the radar resource configuration is based on the radar capability.

[0052] According to the 24thexample, the wireless communication method of any of the first to the 23rdexample further includes transmitting, to the UE, a control signal directing the UE to stop transmitting and or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals using the specific radar resource set.

[0053] According to the 25thexample, a wireless communication method performed by a UE connected to an NE includes (A) receiving, from the NE, a radar resource configuration specifying multiple radar resource sets, and (B) receiving a command directing the UE to transmit and / or to monitor for receiving one or more radar signals using a specific radar resource set among the multiple radar resource sets. According to the 26thexample, in the wireless communication method of the 25thexample, the specific radar resource set pertains to a physical uplink shared channel, PUSCH.

[0054] According to the 27thexample, in the wireless communication method of the 25thor 26thexample, each of the multiple radar resource sets includes at least one of: aPatent Application Attorney Docket Number 0683-061-WO time domain allocation, a frequency domain allocation, or a spatial domain allocation. According to the 28thexample, in the wireless communication method of the 27thexample, the time domain allocation specifies at least one of a slot or a symbol index, a periodicity and an offset of radar signal within a frame or subframe, or resource elements. According to the 29thexample, in the wireless communication method of the 27thor 28thexample, the frequency domain allocation specifies at least one of a frequency band, a bandwidth part, a supplemental uplink indication to signal when a radar resource set employs a supplemental uplink as defined in 3GPP technical specifications, or a resource block. According to the 30thexample, in the wireless communication method of any of the 27thto 29thexample, the spatial domain allocation specifies at least one of: (i) an antenna port or combination of antenna ports, and (ii) an indication as to whether the one or more radar signals are directional or isotropic.

[0055] According to the 31stexample, in the wireless communication method of any of the 25thto 30thexample, a radar signal definition is associated with at least one of the multiple radar resource sets, the radar signal definition specifying at least one of a radar waveform, a radar modulation technique, or a radar sequence is associated with at least one of the multiple radar resource sets. According to the 32ndexample, in the wireless communication method of the 31stexample, the transmitting of the radar resource configuration includes specifying the radar signal definition associated with the at least one of the multiple radar resource sets. According to the 33rdexample, in the wireless communication method of the 32ndexample, the transmitting of the command includes specifying the radar signal definition associated with the specific radar resource.

[0056] According to the 34thexample, in the wireless communication method of any of the 25thto 33rdexample, one or more radar operating parameters are associated with at least one of the multiple radar resource sets. Here, the one or more radar operating parameters specifies at least one of: (i) an indication as to whether a radar resource set is to be used for transmitting and / or for receiving radar signals, (ii) a radar transmit power level, (iii) a period associated with transmitting and / or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals, or (iv) a radar operation duration limit after which the UE ceases transmitting and / or monitoring for radar signals absent an explicit stop radar command. According to the 35thexample, in the wireless communication method of the 34thexample,Patent Application Attorney Docket Number 0683-061-WO the transmitting of the radar resource configuration includes specifying the one or more operating parameters associated with the at least one of the multiple radar resource sets. According to the 36thexample, in the wireless communication method of the 34thexample, the transmitting of the command includes specifying the one or more operating parameters associated with the specific radar resource.

[0057] According to the 37thexample, in the wireless communication method of any of the 25thto 36thexample, the receiving of the radar resource configuration includes receiving an RRC message conveying the radar resource configuration.

[0058] According to the 38thexample, in the wireless communication method of any of the 25thto 37thexample, the command indicates that the UE is to periodically transmit and / or to periodically monitor for receiving the one or more radar signals using the specific radar resource set. According to the 39thexample, in the wireless communication method of the 38thexample, the command specifies a period between consecutively transmitting and / or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals. According to the 40thexample, in the wireless communication method of the 38thexample, for the specific radar resource set, the radar resource configuration specifies a period between consecutively transmitting and / or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals.

[0059] According to the 41stexample, the wireless communication method of any of the 25thto 37thexample further includes upon receiving the command, aperiodically transmitting and / or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals. According to the 42ndexample, in the wireless communication method of the 41stexample, the receiving of the command includes retrieving a condition for the UE to stop aperiodically transmitting and / or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals.

[0060] According to the 43rdexample, in the wireless communication method of any of the 25thto 42ndexample, the receiving of the command includes receiving a DCI message including the command that indicates the specific radar resource set. According to the 44thexample, in the wireless communication method of the 43rdexample, the DCI is received on another carrier than one or more carriers of the specific radar resource set.

[0061] According to the 45thexample, in the wireless communication method of any of the 25thto 42ndexample, the receiving of the command includes receiving a MAC CE embedding the command.Patent Application Attorney Docket Number 0683-061-WO

[0062] According to the 46thexample, in the wireless communication method of any of the 25thto 45thexample, the specific radar resource set specifies resources for the UE to transmit feedback related to radar signals received by the UE while monitoring the specific radar resource set. According to the 47thexample, the wireless communication method of any of the 25thto 46thexample further includes transmitting, to the NE, a UE’s radar capability to assist the NE in generating the radar resource configuration.

[0063] According to the 48thexample, the wireless communication method of any of the 25thto 47thexample further includes receiving a control signal directing the UE to stop transmitting and or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals using the specific radar resource set.

[0064] According to the 49thexample, the wireless communication method of any of the 25thto the 48thexample further includes transmitting feedback related to at least one received radar signal.

[0065] According to a 50thexample, a wireless communication device includes a processor, a transceiver, and computer-readable storage media storing executable instructions for the processor to perform any one of the first to the 49thexample, using the transceiver.

[0066] The embodiment descriptions in this section refer to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. The detailed descriptions do not preclude other embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. The embodiments are not limited to the described configurations but may be extended to other arrangements.

[0067] Reference throughout this section to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0068] Numerical adjectives “first”, “second”, and “third” do not imply any order (are not ordinals) but are markers to distinguish separate instances of similar elements.Patent Application Attorney Docket Number 0683-061-WO References to the singular (e.g., “a” or “an”, “the”) should include the plural unless clearly indicated otherwise.

[0069] Although the features and elements of the present embodiments are described in the embodiments in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone without the other features and elements of the embodiments or in various combinations with or without other features and elements disclosed herein. The methods or flowcharts may be implemented in a computer program, software or firmware tangibly embodied in a computer-readable storage medium for execution by a specifically programmed computer or processor.

Claims

Patent Application Attorney Docket Number 0683-061-WO WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A wireless communication method (400) performed by a network entity (120), NE, the method comprising: transmitting (435), to a user equipment (110), UE, a semi-static radar resource configuration specifying multiple radar resource sets; and transmitting (445), to the UE, a command directing the UE to transmit and / or to monitor for receiving one or more radar signals (102) using a specific radar resource set among the multiple radar resource sets.

2. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the semi-static radar resource configuration specifies, for the specific radar resource set, at least one of: a time domain allocation, a frequency domain allocation, or a spatial domain allocation.

3. The wireless communication method of claim 2, wherein the semi-static radar resource configuration specifies the spatial domain allocation that includes an antenna port or combination of antenna ports and / or an indication as to whether the one or more radar signals are directional or isotropic.

4. The wireless communication method of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the semi-static radar resource configuration or the command specifies a radar signal definition associated with the specific radar resource set, the radar signal definition specifying at least one of a radar waveform, a radar modulation technique, or a radar sequence.

5. The wireless communication method of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the semi-static radar resource configuration or the command includes one or more radar operating parameters are associated with the specific radar resource set, the one or more radar operating parameters specifying at least one of:Patent Application Attorney Docket Number 0683-061-WO an indication as to whether a radar resource set is to be used for transmitting and / or for receiving radar signals, a radar transmit power level, a period associated with transmitting and / or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals, or a radar operation duration limit after which the UE ceases transmitting and / or monitoring for radar signals absent an explicit stop radar command.

6. The wireless communication method of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the command (i) indicates that the UE is to periodically transmit and / or to periodically monitor for receiving the one or more radar signals using the specific radar resource set, and (ii) specifies a period between consecutively transmitting and / or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals.

7. The wireless communication method of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the command triggers the UE to transmit and / or to monitor for receiving the one or more radar signals until a stop condition is met.

8. The method of any of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: receiving, from the UE, a radar capability, wherein the semi-static radar resource configuration is based on the radar capability.

9. A wireless communication method (500) performed by a user equipment (110), UE, connected to a network entity (120), NE, the method comprising: receiving (535), from the NE, a semi-static radar resource configuration specifying multiple radar resource sets; and receiving (545) a command directing the UE to transmit and / or to monitor for receiving one or more radar signals (102) using a specific radar resource set among the multiple radar resource sets.Patent Application Attorney Docket Number 0683-061-WO 10. The wireless communication method of claim 9, wherein the semi-static radar resource configuration specifies, for the specific radar resource set, at least one of: a time domain allocation, a frequency domain allocation, or a spatial domain allocation.

11. The wireless communication method of claim 10, wherein the semi-static radar resource configuration specifies the spatial domain allocation that includes an antenna port or combination of antenna ports, and / or an indication as to whether the one or more radar signals are directional or isotropic.

12. The wireless communication method of any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the semi-static radar resource configuration or the command specifies a radar signal definition associated with the specific radar resource set, the radar signal definition specifying at least one of a radar waveform, a radar modulation technique, or a radar sequence.

13. The wireless communication method of any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the semi-static radar resource configuration or the command includes one or more radar operating parameters are associated with the specific radar resource set, the one or more radar operating parameters specifying at least one of: an indication as to whether a radar resource set is to be used for transmitting and / or for receiving radar signals, a radar transmit power level, a period associated with transmitting and / or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals, or a radar operation duration limit after which the UE ceases transmitting and / or monitoring for radar signals absent an explicit stop radar command.Patent Application Attorney Docket Number 0683-061-WO 14. The wireless communication method of any of claims 9 to 13, wherein the command (i) indicates that the UE is to periodically transmit and / or to periodically monitor for receiving the one or more radar signals using the specific radar resource set, and (ii) specifies a period between consecutively transmitting and / or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals.

15. The wireless communication method of any of claims 9 to 14, further comprising: upon receiving the command, transmitting and / or monitoring for receiving the one or more radar signals until a stop condition is met.

16. The wireless communication method of any of claims 9 to 15, further comprising: transmitting feedback related to radar signals received while monitoring the specific radar resource set using resources for the feedback indicated via the specific radar resource set.

17. A wireless communication device (110, 120) comprising a processor (114, 123), a transceiver (113, 122), and computer-readable storage media (116, 124) storing executable instructions for the processor to perform any one of methods recited in claims 1-16, using the transceiver.

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