First network node, device, second network node and methods performed thereby, for handling sensing information

Abstract

A method performed by a first network node (111). The method is for handling sensing information. The first network node (111) operates in a first wireless communications network (101). The first network node (111) sends (302) a first indication indicating that a sensing procedure is to be performed in a location. The location comprises a second network node (112) or a device (130), operating in the first wireless communications network (101) or in a second wireless communications network (102). The first network node (111) obtains (304), responsive to the sent first indication, a second indication from at least one of the second network node (112) and the device (130). The second indication indicates first information to be excluded from second information obtained, or to be obtained, during the sensing procedure. Publ.

Description

[0001] FIRST NETWORK NODE, DEVICE, SECOND NETWORK NODE AND METHODS PERFORMED THEREBY, FOR HANDLING SENSING INFORMATION

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to a first network node and methods performed thereby for handling sensing information. The present disclosure also relates generally to a device and methods performed thereby, for handling the sensing information. The present disclosure further relates generally to a second network node and methods performed thereby, for handling the sensing information. The present disclosure also relates generally to a third network node and methods performed thereby, for handling the sensing information.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Devices within a wireless communications network may be e.g., User Equipments (UEs), wireless devices, stations (STAs), mobile terminals, wireless terminals, terminals, and / or Mobile Stations (MS). Devices may be enabled to communicate wirelessly in a cellular communications network or wireless communication network, sometimes also referred to as a cellular radio system, cellular system, or cellular network. The communication may be performed e.g., between two devices, between a device and a regular telephone and / or between a device and a server via a Radio Access Network (RAN) and possibly one or more core networks, comprised within the wireless communications network. Devices may further be referred to as mobile telephones, cellular telephones, laptops, or tablets with wireless capability, just to mention some further examples. The devices in the present context may be, for example, portable, pocket-storable, hand-held, computer-comprised, or vehicle-mounted mobile devices, enabled to communicate voice and / or data, via the RAN, with another entity, such as another terminal or a server.

[0006] The wireless communications network covers a geographical area which may be divided into cell areas, each cell area being served by a network node, which may be an access node such as a radio network node, radio node or a base station, e.g., a Radio Base Station (RBS), which sometimes may be referred to as e.g., gNB, evolved Node B (“eNB”), “eNodeB”, “NodeB”, “B node”, Transmission Point (TP), or Base Transceiver Station (BTS), depending on the technology and terminology used. The base stations may be of different classes such as e.g., Wide Area Base Stations, Medium Range Base Stations, Local Area Base Stations, Home Base Stations, pico base stations, etc... , based on transmission power and thereby also cell size. A cell is the geographical area where radio coverage may be provided by the base station or radio node at a base station site, or radio node site, respectively. One base station, situated on the base station site, may serve one or several cells. Further, each base station may support one or several communication technologies. The base stations communicate over the air interface operating on radio frequencies with the wireless devices within range of the base stations. The wireless communications network may also comprise network nodes which may serve receiving nodes, such as devices, with serving beams. In 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE), base stations, which may be referred to as eNodeBs or even eNBs, may be directly connected to one or more core networks. In the context of this disclosure, the expression Downlink (DL) may be used for the transmission path from the base station to the device. The expression Uplink (UL) may be used for the transmission path in the opposite direction i.e. , from the device to the base station.

[0007] The standardization organization 3GPP is currently in the process of specifying a New Radio Interface called NR or 5G-UTRA, as well as a Fifth Generation (5G) Packet Core Network, which may be referred to as Next Generation (NG) Core Network, abbreviated as NG-CN, NGC, 5G CN or 5G Core (5GC). NG may be understood to refer to the interface / reference point between the Radio Access Network (RAN) and the CN in 5G / NR. In a 5G System (5GS), a radio base station in NR may be referred to as a gNB or 5G Node B. An NR UE may be referred to as an nUE.

[0008] One of the main goals of NR is to provide more capacity for operators to serve ever increasing traffic demands and variety of applications. Because of this, NR may be able to operate on high frequencies, such as frequencies over 6 GHz, until 60 or even 100 GHz. The expansion towards higher frequencies is expected to continue into 6th Generation (6G) networks.

[0009] Operation in higher frequencies makes it possible to use smaller antenna elements, which may enable antenna arrays with many antenna elements. Such antenna arrays may facilitate beamforming, where multiple antenna elements may be used to form narrow beams and thereby compensate for the challenging propagation properties.

[0010] Furthermore, usage of these new frequencies may be understood to provide the potential for accurate sensing, e.g., based on radar-like technology.

[0011] Sensing may be understood as a procedure whereby reflections of transmitted signals may be received in a network and processed to yield spatial knowledge of the physical environment. Sensing may also be referred to herein as sensing procedure.

[0012] A sensing system may be understood as a system which may enable to perform such a procedure, transmitting signals, detecting the reflections, and processing them to yield spatial knowledge of the physical environment.

[0013] Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) is an emerging research area which is already standardized in IEEE 802.11 , discussed in 3GPP, and anticipated as a basic element in 6G. Sensing in an ISAC system may be done in radar or Channel State Information (CSI) based fashion. In the radar case, one or multiple pulses may be transmitted for the purpose of range and Doppler measurements. Even though the use of radar in Line-of-Sight (LoS) propagation environments may be very effective, its deployment in environments with strong Non Line-of-Sight (NLOS) characteristics becomes challenging. In contrast, CSI-based sensing has the potential to overcome some of these limitations by undertaking measurements of the CSI of the underlying channel between a transmitter and a receiver. In this approach, inference regarding the presence of a target, which is not a device, and / or any other quantity of interest may be done through the change of CSI at different time instances or with the appropriate processing of the CSI of one instance. In literature, this form of sensing may be called Device-Free-Sensing (DFS).

[0014] The introduction of ISAC in a communication network may be understood to give the ability to the network to produce real time information regarding its surrounding physical environment. This information may be public, such as the number of vehicles on a road, or private, such as the number of people inside a private apartment.

[0015] Figure 1 depicts a signalling diagram of a sensing procedure, according to existing methods, which may be considered herein. In this disclosure, focus is placed on the scenario where an application 11 may aim to undertake a sensing procedure in the physical space of interest or on the entities inside the physical space of interest via the existing Radio Access Network (RAN) 12 infrastructure. The application may reside in a device, e.g., a User Equipment (UE), a radio network node, e.g., a gNodeB, or in the cloud. It may be assumed that a sensing procedure may be controlled or orchestrated by the network via a generalized Sensing Central Unit (SCU) 13. The SCU 13 may reside in a radio network node, e.g., a gNodeB or in the cloud. Note that even though the SCU 13 may be part of the network it may use as sensing nodes both the radio network nodes, e.g., gNodeBs, and the UEs via the appropriate orchestration.

[0016] The role of the SCU 13, as depicted in Figure 1, may be understood to be to: at 1) receive a sensing request from external applications; at 2) verify that these applications have the right to obtaining sensing data from the physical space of interest, apply any required charging, and initiate an actual sensing procedure using the RAN 12; this may be understood to trigger the RAN 12 at 3) to perform the sensing execution on the environment 14. The SCU 13 may then, at 4), receive sensing data from the RAN 12; at 5) process and combine the received sensing data from the RAN for extracting the information of interest; and at 6) finally forward the processed sensing data to the application of that requested them. Steps 1-6 may be repeated until termination. Steps 3 and 4 may also be repeated until termination. Termination may be signalled by the application 11 at 7) to the SCU 13, and the SCU 13 may in turn signal the termination to the RAN 12 at 8).

[0017] Furthermore, in this disclosure, it may be assumed that the RAN may be able to execute actual sensing measurements using the existing: a) radio network nodes, e.g., gNodeBs; b) devices, e.g., UEs; and c) a combination of radio network nodes and devices. It may be noted that, for the cases of b) and c), even though a sensing measurement may involve devices, the measured data may be collected from the radio network nodes of the RAN either using UpLink (UL) sensing signals or via a feedback mechanism.

[0018] Existing methods to perform sensing in a communications network may affect the performance of telecommunications equipment in the area being sensed.

[0019] SUMMARY

[0020] As part of the development of embodiments herein, one or more problems with the existing technology will first be identified and discussed.

[0021] Any private information produced through a sensing procedure may need to be protected and handled with care. In an ISAC deployment, the environment that may be sensed may comprise: i) entities that may want to be sensed, may consent to be sensed, and may not pose any privacy restriction regarding the produced sensing data; ii) entities that may be concerned with their privacy and they may want to set specific constraints regarding the produced sensing data; and, iii) the rest of the objects that may not pose any privacy restriction. Privacy constrains may in some examples originate from e.g., legal obligations, such General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on data minimisation, or other privacy policies coming from other parts of the system or Operations, Administration and Maintenance (OAM) system. In the extreme case, the Privacy Concerned Entities (PCEs) may not consent to any form of sensing. Note that here the term entity may correspond to a target to be sensed, such as a telecommunications equipment, a building, a car, etc. or even a human.

[0022] PCEs may comprise entities, e.g., telecommunications equipment, whose performance may need to be shielded from interference due to the criticality of their usage, and / or they may need to be hidden to due to security concerns.

[0023] In an area that is sensed, usually there may be several PCEs that may not be able to inform the network about their privacy limitations. This may be the case for: 1) the PCEs that may be mobile and not equipped with a UE; and 2) the PCEs that may be equipped with UEs and that may not participate in the undertaken sensing procedure. For the later cases, this may be understood to hold for the UEs that may be: a) connected to the network, but they may not be asked to participate in the sensing procedure; b) connected to a different network; and c) in an idle state. Consequently, these types of UEs may be unaware of the undertaken sensing procedure. Thus, it may be concluded that mechanisms that protect the privacy of the unaware PCEs may be needed.

[0024] Furthermore, the unaware PCEs may additionally or alternatively want to avoid interference that may be cause by the sensing procedure.

[0025] Embodiments herein may address the problems of the existing methods just described. According to a first aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method performed by a first network node. The method is for handling sensing information. The first network node operates in a first wireless communications network. The first network node sends a first indication indicating that a sensing procedure is to be performed in a location. The location comprises a second network node or a device. The second network node or the device may be operating in the first wireless communications network or in a second wireless communications network. The first network node then obtains, responsive to the sent first indication, a second indication from at least one of the second network node and the device. The second indication indicates first information to be excluded from second information obtained, or to be obtained, during the sensing procedure.

[0026] According to a second aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method, performed by the device. The method is for handling the sensing information. The device operates in a wireless communications network, of the first wireless communications network or the second communications network. The device receives the first indication from at least one of the first network node operating in the first wireless communications network or the second network node operating in a second wireless communications network. One of the first wireless communications network and the second wireless communications network is the same as the wireless communications network wherein the device is operating. The first indication indicates that the sensing procedure is to be performed in the location. The location comprises the device. The device also sends the second indication to the first network node or the second network node. The second indication indicates the first information to be excluded from second information obtained, or to be obtained, during the sensing procedure.

[0027] According to a third aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method performed by a second network node. The method is for handling sensing information. The second network node operates in the second wireless communications network. The second network node receives the first indication from the first network node operating in the first wireless communications network. The first indication indicates that the sensing procedure is to be performed in the location. The location comprises at least a part of a coverage area of the second network node or the device operating in the second wireless communications network. The second network node sends the second indication. The second indication indicates the first information to be excluded from the second information obtained, or to be obtained, during the sensing procedure. The second network node sends the second indication to the first network node.

[0028] According to a fourth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method performed by a third network node. The method is for handling sensing information. The third network node operates in the first wireless communications network. The third network node sends an earlier indication to the first network node operating in the first wireless communications network. The earlier indication requests the second information obtained, or to be obtained, during the sensing procedure to be performed in the location. The location comprises the second network node or the device, operating in the first wireless communications network or in the second wireless communications network. The third network node then obtains, responsive to the sent earlier indication, at least one of: i) the second information obtained during the sensing procedure, and the second indication originated from at least one of the second network node and the device. The second indication indicates the first information to be excluded from the second information obtained, and ii) the second information, at least partially processed based on the second indication. .

[0029] According to a fifth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by the first network node. The first network node may be understood to be for handling the sensing information. The first network node is configured to operate in the first wireless communications network. The first network node is configured to send the first indication configured to indicate that the sensing procedure is to be performed in the location. The location comprises the second network node or the device, configured to operate in the first wireless communications network or in the second wireless communications network. The first network node is also configured to obtain, responsive to the first indication configured to be sent, the second indication from at least one of the second network node and the device. The second indication is configured to indicate the first information to be excluded from the second information configured to have been obtained, or configured to be obtained, during the sensing procedure.

[0030] According to a sixth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by the device. The device may be understood to be for handling the sensing information. The device is configured to operate in the wireless communications network, of the first wireless communications network or the second communications network. The device is configured to receive the first indication from at least one of the first network node configured to operate in the first wireless communications network or the second network node configured to operate in the second wireless communications network. One of the first wireless communications network and the second wireless communications network is configured to be the same as the wireless communications network wherein the device is configured to operate. The first indication is configured to indicate that the sensing procedure is to be performed in the location. The location comprises the device. The device is also configured to send the second indication to the first network node or the second network node. The second indication is configured to indicate the first information to be excluded from second information configured to have been obtained, or configured to be obtained, during the sensing procedure.

[0031] According to a seventh aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by the second network node. The second network node may be understood to be for handling the sensing information. The second network node is configured to operate in the second wireless communications network. The second network node is configured to receive the first indication from the first network node configured to operate in the first wireless communications network. The first indication is configured to indicate that the sensing procedure is to be performed in the location. The location comprises at least a part of the coverage area of the second network node or the device configured to operate in the second wireless communications network. The second network node is also configured to send the second indication configured to indicate the first information to be excluded from the second information configured to have been obtained, or configured to be obtained, during the sensing procedure to the first network node

[0032] According to an eighth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by the third network node. The third network node may be understood to be for handling the sensing information. The third network node is configured to operate in the first wireless communications network. The third network node is configured to send the earlier indication to the first network node configured to operate in the first wireless communications network. The earlier indication is configured to request the second information configured to have been obtained, or configured to be obtained, during the sensing procedure to be performed in the location. The location comprises the second network node or the device, configured to operate in the first wireless communications network or in the second wireless communications network. The third network node is also configured to obtain, responsive to the earlier indication configured to be sent, at least one of: i) the second information configured to be obtained during the sensing procedure, and the second indication configured to be originated from at least one of the second network node and the device, the second indication being configured to indicate first information to be excluded from the second information configured to be obtained, and b) the second information, configured to be at least partially processed based on the second indication.

[0033] By sending the first indication, at least one of the second network node and the device may be made aware of the sensing procedure. In other words, the first network node may announce the performance of the sensing procedure. The device may be or belong to a PCE. The objective of the announcement may be understood to be to notify, via the appropriate signalling, all the existing devices that may belong to PCEs, such as the device, that the sensing procedure is about to take place in the physical area where they may be positioned.

[0034] In some examples of embodiments herein, the devices of the PCEs may be connected to different RANs, e.g., providers, for example, by e.g., the device may be connected to the second network node operating in the second wireless communications network. The objective of sending the first indication to the second network node may be understood to be to inform the other RANs, e.g., the second network node, about the intention of the first network node to undertake the sensing measurement in via inter-RAN notification.

[0035] By the first network node sending the first indication, the first network node may provide a mechanism for the protection of the PCEs which may be equipped with the device, and may not participate in the sensing procedure, e.g., may not explicitly participate in the sensing procedure. More specifically, PCEs, e.g., the device, and / or the second network node may become aware of an upcoming sensing measurement that otherwise may neglect their existence.

[0036] By the first network node sending the first indication, the first network node may enable a PCE which may be equipped with the device, to protect its privacy and / or avoid interference with its performance during the sensing procedure in which it may not actively participate. This may be understood to be important as, in the absence of the appropriate mechanism, this entity may be understood to remain totally unaware of the ongoing sensing procedure and of the privacy dangers that this procedure may entail for it.

[0037] By obtaining the second indication, the first network node may be enabled to be notified about the privacy risk and / or risk of interference with its performance that the device of the PCE may have identified that the executed sensing measurement of the sensing phase may pose for it. The first network node may then be enabled to undertake the appropriate privacy protection processing for the device, that may be connected to itself and to the other RANs, and / or avoid causing interference on the performance of the device. This may in turn enable to enhance the privacy protection of the PCEs of interest and / or avoid interference with the performance of the device.

[0038] By the device receiving the first indication indicating that the sensing procedure is to be performed in the location comprising the device, the device may be enabled to then determine if the sensing procedure may pose a risk to its privacy and / or a risk of interference with its performance.

[0039] By the device sending the second indication to the first network node or the second network node, the device may be enabled to indicate the first information to be excluded from second information obtained, or to be obtained, during the sensing procedure, so that its privacy may be protected, and / or interference on its performance may be reduced or avoided.

[0040] By the second network node receiving the first indication from the first network node, the second network node may be enabled to announce in the second wireless communications network that the sensing procedure procedure is to be performed in the location comprising the device. The second network node may then be enabled to obtain the second information and send the second indication to the first network node, thereby enabling the first node to undertake the appropriate privacy protection processing for the device, and / or avoid causing interference on the performance of the device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Examples of embodiments herein are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, according to the following description.

[0042] Figure 1 is a schematic signaling diagram of a sensing architecture according to existing methods.

[0043] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating two non-limiting examples, in panels a) and b), of a wireless communications network, according to embodiments herein.

[0044] Figure 3 is a flowchart depicting a method in a first network node, according to embodiments herein.

[0045] Figure 4 is a flowchart depicting a method in a device, according to embodiments herein.

[0046] Figure 5 is a flowchart depicting a method in a second network node, according to embodiments herein.

[0047] Figure 6 is a flowchart depicting a method in a third network node, according to embodiments herein.

[0048] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of signaling in a wireless communications network, according to a non-limiting example of embodiments herein.

[0049] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of signaling in a wireless communications network, according to another non-limiting example of embodiments herein.

[0050] Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a first network node, according to embodiments herein.

[0051] Figure 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a device, according to embodiments herein.

[0052] Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a second network node, according to embodiments herein.

[0053] Figure 12 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a third network node, according to embodiments herein.

[0054] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Certain aspects of the present disclosure and their embodiments address the challenges identified in the Background and Summary sections with the existing methods and provide solutions to the challenges discussed.

[0056] Embodiments herein may be understood to relate to a privacy preserving mechanism against passive sensing. Embodiments herein may be understood to relate to, additionally or alternatively, avoidance of interference that may be caused by passive sensing.

[0057] Any sensing measurement poses a privacy risk for a PCE as long as this entity may be placed in the space where the measurement may be taking place. This may be understood to be because the measured data may reveal sensitive information about the PCE provided they may be possessed and processed by an unauthorized entity or application. In addition, even if the PCE may be supplied with a UE, in most of the cases, this UE may not be expected to participate in sensing measurements that may be out of its interest. Consequently, it may not be expected to be informed or to be aware of these sensing measurements.

[0058] In order to avoid this situation and minimize the privacy risks that it may entail for PCEs that may not participate in the sensing procedure, under the assumption that the PCE may be equipped with a UE, some embodiments herein may relate to a three phase Over-the-Air (OtA) mechanism which may be used for: a) informing the PCE about a coming sensing measurement; b) enabling the PCEs to monitor an executing sensing measurement; c) enabling the PCEs to provide to the RAN that executes the sensing procedure privacy limitation requests that may be used for the protection of their privacy; and d) processing, in the RAN level, that may enhance the privacy of PCEs.

[0059] In addition, the described mechanism may be tuned in order to be applicable in deployments where the UEs of the PCEs may be: a) devices connected to the RAN that may execute the sensing measurement; b) devices connected to a neighboring RAN (provider); c) devices in an idle state; or d) a combination of the previous three cases.

[0060] Embodiments herein may be understood to relate to additionally or alternatively avoidance of interference that may be caused by passive sensing.

[0061] Some of the embodiments contemplated will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which examples are shown. In this section, the embodiments herein will be illustrated in more detail by a number of exemplary embodiments. Other embodiments, however, are contained within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein. The disclosed subject matter should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments herein are not mutually exclusive. Components from one embodiment may be tacitly assumed to be present in another embodiment and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may be used in the other exemplary embodiments.

[0062] Several embodiments and examples are comprised herein. It should be noted that the embodiments and / or examples herein are not mutually exclusive. Components from one embodiment or example may be tacitly assumed to be present in another embodiment or example and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may be used in the other exemplary embodiments and / or examples.

[0063] Figure 2 depicts two non-limiting examples, in panel a) and panel b), respectively, of a first wireless communications network 101 and a second wireless communications network 102, in which embodiments herein may be implemented. Any of the first wireless communications network 101 and the second communications network 102 may be understood to be a wireless network, sometimes also referred to as a wireless communications system, cellular radio system, or cellular network. Any of the first wireless communications network 101 and the second communications network 102 may be a 5G system, 5G network, or Next Gen System or network, or a newer system, e.g., 6G, with similar functionality. In other examples, any of the first wireless communications network 101 and the second communications network 102 may additionally support other technologies such as, for example, Long-Term Evolution (LTE), e.g., LTE for machines (LTE-M), LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), LTE Half-Duplex Frequency Division Duplex (HD-FDD), LTE operating in an unlicensed band, such as LTE Licensed-Assisted Access (LAA), enhanced eLAA (eLAA), further enhanced LAA (feLAA) and / or MulteFire. Any of the first wireless communications network 101 and the second communications network 102 may support Machine Type Communication (MTC), enhanced MTC (eMTC), Internet of Things (loT) and / or NarrowBand loT (NB-loT). Yet in other examples, any of the first wireless communications network 101 and the second communications network 102 may, in addition, further support other technologies such as, for example Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) TDD, Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) network, GSM / Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN) network, Ultra-Mobile Broadband (UMB), EDGE network, network comprising of any combination of Radio Access Technologies (RATs) such as e.g. Multi-Standard Radio (MSR) base stations, multi-RAT base stations etc., any 3GPP cellular network, WiFi networks, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), or any cellular network or system. Thus, although terminology from 5G / NR and LTE may be used in this disclosure to exemplify embodiments herein, this should not be seen as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein to only the aforementioned system.

[0064] In embodiments herein, any reference to a / the wireless communications network 101, 102, may be understood to refer to ant of the first wireless communications network 101 and the second communications network 102.

[0065] Any of the first wireless communications network 101 and the second communications network 102 may comprise a plurality of network nodes, of which a first network node 111 , a second network node 112, a third network node 113 and another node 114 are depicted in the two non-limiting examples of Figure 2. It may be understood that there may be additional network nodes comprised in any of the first wireless communications network 101 and the second communications network 102. Particularly, the first network node 111 , the third network node 113 and the another node 114 may operate in the first wireless communications network 101 , whereas the second network node 102, in some embodiments, may operate in the first wireless communications network 101 and in other embodiments, may operate in the second wireless communications network 102. In both examples depicted in Figure 2, the second network node 112 is depicted as operating in the second wireless communications network 102. However this may be understood to be for illustrative purposes, and non-limiting.

[0066] The first network node 111 may be one of: a core network node, and a RAN node, e.g., radio network node, such as any of the first radio network node 141 and the second radio network node 142 described later.

[0067] The third network node 113 may be a radio network node, e.g., a gNodeB or a node in a cloud 115. The third network node 113 may be understood to be a network node having a capability to control or orchestrate a sensing procedure. The third network node 113 may use as sensing nodes both radio network nodes, e.g., gNodeBs, and the devices via an appropriate orchestration. In a non-limiting example of embodiments herein, the third network node 113 may be an SCU.

[0068] The second network node 112 may be understood to be another RAN node, that is, a third radio network node.

[0069] The another node 114 may be any of a core network node, another radio network node or a device, such as the device 130 described below. In some examples, the another node 114 may manage an application.

[0070] Any of the first radio network node 141, the second radio network node 142, the third radio network node and the another radio network node may be understood to be a transmission point such as a radio base station, for example a gNB, or any other network node with similar features capable of serving a user equipment, such as a wireless device or a machine type communication device, in the first wireless communications network 101 , in the case of the first radio network node 141 , the second radio network node 142 and and the another radio network node, and in some embodiments, the third radio network node, or the second wireless communications network 102, in the case of the third radio network node, for other embodiments. In some examples, any of the first radio network node 141, the second radio network node 142, the third radio network node and the another radio network node may be a distributed node, such as a virtual node in the cloud 115, as depicted for the third network node 113 and the and the another radio network node in the non-limiting example depicted in Figure b), and may perform its functions entirely on the cloud 115, or partially, in collaboration with a radio network node.

[0071] In some examples, all of the first network node 111 , the second network node 112, the third network node 113 and the another radio network node may be radio network nodes.

[0072] In other examples, the first network node 111 may be a core network node.

[0073] The first radio network node 141 may be understood to be a radio network node having a capability to transmit a signal to sense an entity, e.g., and object or an environment, that is, in a coverage area of the first radio network node 141 , and / or a capability to sense signals reflected by the entity, e.g., object, in response to the transmission of the sensing signal. That is, the first radio network node 141 may be understood to be a sensing node. The first radio network node 141 , that is, the sensing node or system, may refer to both the sensing transmitter and / or sensing receiver. In some examples, the sensing transmitter and sensing receiver may refer to the node, that is, manage the same logical entity. It may also be understood that in some cases, the coverage area of the first radio network node 141 may at least partially overlap with an area of coverage of another wireless communications network, such as the second wireless communications network 102.

[0074] In some examples, any of the first network node 111, the second network node 112, the another radio network node, and, in embodiments wherein it may operate in the first wireless communications network 101, the third network node 113 and the first radio network node 141 may be co-localized or be the same node, that is, manage or run the same logical entity. Such an example is depicted in panel a) of Figure 2 for the first network node 111 , the third network node 113 and the first radio network node 141 , and it may be understood to be non-limiting.

[0075] In the non-limiting example depicted in Figure 2 b), the first network node 111 and the first radio network node 141 are the same node, whereas the third network node 113 is a separate node in the cloud 115.

[0076] The wireless communications network 101 , 102 may cover a geographical area, which in some embodiments may be divided into cell areas, wherein each cell area may be served by a radio network node, although, one radio network node may serve one or several cells. In the example of Figure 2, only a first cell 121 served by the first radio network node 141 and a second cell 122 served by the second network node 112 are depicted. Other cells are not depicted to simplify the figure. Any of the first radio network node 141, the second radio network node 142, the third radio network node and the another radio network node may be of different classes, such as, e.g., macro base station, home base station or pico base station, based on transmission power and thereby also cell size. Any of the first radio network node 141 , the second radio network node 142, the third radio network node and the another radio network node may serve receiving nodes with serving beams. Any of the first radio network node 141, the second radio network node 142, the third radio network node and the another radio network node may support one or several communication technologies, and its name may depend on the technology and terminology used. Any of the first radio network node 141 , the second radio network node 142, the third radio network node and the another radio network node may be directly connected to one or more core networks, e.g., to one or more network nodes in the one or more core networks.

[0077] Any of the first wireless communications network 101 and the second communications network 102 may also comprise one or more devices, such as a device 130 depicted in Figure 2 as operating in the first wireless communications network 101. The device 130 may be also known as a e.g., user equipment (UE), wireless device, mobile terminal, wireless terminal and / or mobile station, mobile telephone, cellular telephone, or laptop with wireless capability, an Internet of Things (loT) device, or a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), just to mention some further examples. The device 130 in the present context may be, for example, portable, pocket-storable, hand-held, computer-comprised, or a vehicle-mounted mobile device, enabled to communicate voice and / or data, via a RAN, with another entity, such as a server, a laptop, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or a tablet, a Machine-to-Machine (M2M) device, an Internet of Things (loT) device, e.g., a sensor or a camera, a device equipped with a wireless interface, such as a printer or a file storage device, modem, Laptop Embedded Equipped (LEE), Laptop Mounted Equipment (LME), USB dongles, CPE or any other radio network unit capable of communicating over a radio link in the first wireless communications network 101 and / or the second wireless communications network 102. The device 130 may be wireless, i.e. , it may be enabled to communicate wirelessly in the first wireless communications network 101 and / or the second wireless communications network 102 and, in some particular examples, may be able support transmission using beamforming. The communication may be performed e.g., between two devices, between a device and a radio network node, and / or between a device and a server. The communication may be performed e.g., via a RAN and possibly one or more core networks, comprised, respectively, within the first wireless communications network 101 and / or the second wireless communications network 102.

[0078] It may be understood that any of the first wireless communications network 101 and the second communications network 102 may comprise additional radio network nodes and / or devices, than those depicted in Figure 2.

[0079] The first network node 111 may be configured to communicate with the second network node 112 over a first link 151 , e.g., a radio link, or a wired link. The first radio network node 141 may be configured to communicate with the device 130 over a second link 152, e.g., a radio link. The second network node 112 may be configured to communicate with the device 130 over a third link 153, e.g., a radio link. The second radio network node 142 may be configured to communicate within the first wireless communications network 101 with the first network node 111 over a fourth link 154, e.g., a radio link, or a wired link. The third network node 113 may be configured to communicate within the first wireless communications network 101 with the first network node 111 over a fifth link 155, e.g., a radio link, or a wired link. The another node 114 may be configured to communicate within the first wireless communications network 101 with the first network node 111 over a sixth link 156, e.g., a radio link, or a wired link.

[0080] Any of the first link 151, the fourth link 154, the fifth link 155 and / or the sixth link 156 may be a direct link or may be comprised of a plurality of individual links, wherein it may go via one or more computer systems or one or more core networks in the first wireless communications network 101 , and in the case of the first link 151 , also the second wireless communications network 102, which are not depicted in Figure 2, or it may go via an optional intermediate network. The intermediate network may be one of, or a combination of more than one of, a public, private or hosted network; the intermediate network, if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, the intermediate network may comprise two or more sub-networks, which is not shown in Figure 2.

[0081] In general, the usage of “first”, “second”, “third”, “fourth”, “fifth” and / or “sixth” herein may be understood to be an arbitrary way to denote different elements or entities, and may be understood to not confer a cumulative or chronological character to the nouns they modify.

[0082] Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and / or is implied from the context in which it is used. All references to a / an / the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any methods disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following or preceding another step and / or where it is implicit that a step must follow or precede another step. Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, wherever appropriate. Likewise, any advantage of any of the embodiments may apply to any other embodiments, and vice versa. Other objectives, features and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following description.

[0083] Some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other embodiments, however, are contained within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein, the disclosed subject matter should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0084] Embodiments of a method, performed by the first network node 111 , will now be described with reference to the flowchart depicted in Figure 3. The method may be understood to be computer-implemented. The method is for handling sensing information. The first network node 111 operates in the first wireless communications network 101 .

[0085] Several embodiments are comprised herein. In some embodiments all the actions may be performed. In some embodiments, some actions may be optional. In Figure 3, optional actions are indicated with dashed lines. It should be noted that the examples herein are not mutually exclusive. Components from one embodiment may be tacitly assumed to be present in another embodiment and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may be used in the other exemplary embodiments. One or more embodiments may be combined, where applicable. All possible combinations are not described to simplify the description.

[0086] Action 301

[0087] In this Action 301 , the first network node 111 may obtain an earlier indication from the third network node 113 operating in the first wireless communications network 101. The earlier indication may request information. The information requested, which may be referred to herein as “second information”, may be understood to be information obtained, or to be obtained, during a sensing procedure. As described earlier, a sensing procedure may be understood as a procedure whereby reflections or direct propagations of transmitted signals may be received in the first wireless communications network 101 and processed to yield spatial knowledge or other type of knowledge, for example, level of humidity, temperature, etc, of the physical environment or a physical entity inside the environment.

[0088] The third network node 113 may have sent the earlier indication in response to itself having received the request from e.g., an application. The application may reside in a device, e.g., a UE, a radio network node, e.g., a gNodeB, or in the cloud 115.

[0089] The sensing procedure may be to be performed in a location comprising the second network node 112 or the device 130. The second network node 112 or the device 130 may be operating in the first wireless communications network 101 or in the second wireless communications network 102.

[0090] The sensing procedure may be to be performed by the first radio network node 141. That is, the first radio network node 141 may transmit sensing signals and receive reflections of the transmitted sensing signals, from entities in the location.

[0091] As described earlier, the first network node 111 may be one of: i) a core network node, ii) the first radio network node 141 operating in the first wireless communications network 101 and performing the sensing procedure, and iii) the second radio network node 142 operating in the first wireless communications network 101 other than the first radio network node 141 performing the sensing procedure.

[0092] By in this Action 301 receiving the earlier indication, the first network node 111 may be triggered to initiate the sensing procedure, according to the information the third network node 113 may have indicated it may wish to receive, e.g., a particular area, time of the day, etc..

[0093] Action 302

[0094] In this Action 302, the first network node 111 sends a first indication indicating that a sensing procedure is to be performed in the location. The location comprises the second network node 112 or the device 130. The second network node 112 or the device 130 may be operating in the first wireless communications network 101 or in the second wireless communications network 102, as described in Figure 2.

[0095] By sending the first indication in this Action 302, at least one of the second network node 112 and the device 130 may be made aware of the sensing procedure by the sent first indication. In other words, in this Action 302, the first network node 111 may announce the performance of the sensing procedure. The device 130 may be or belong to a PCE. The objective of the announcement phase, in this Action 302, may be understood to be to notify, via the appropriate signaling, all the existing devices that may belong to PCEs, such as the device 130, that the sensing procedure is about to take place in the physical area where they may be positioned. It may be understood that there may be more devices belonging to more PCEs than the device 130. Hence, it may be understood that any reference herein to the device 130 may equally apply to any other device belonging to the same or other PCEs.

[0096] In some examples of embodiments herein, the devices of the PCEs may be connected to different RANs, e.g., providers, for example, by e.g., the device 130 being connected to the second network node 112 operating in the second wireless communications network 102. The objective of sending the first indication in this Action 302 to the second network node 112 may be understood to be to inform the other RANs, e.g., the second network node 112, about the intention of the first network node 111 to undertake the sensing measurement in via inter-RAN notification.

[0097] By the first network node 111 sending the first indication in this Action 302, the first network node 111 may provide a mechanism for the protection of the PCEs which may be equipped with the device 130, and may not participate in the sensing procedure. More specifically, through the disclosed mechanism, the PCEs, e.g., the device 130, and / or the second network node 112 may become aware of an upcoming sensing measurement that otherwise may neglect their existence.

[0098] The information that may need to be conveyed to the device 130 of a PCE, may be: 1) the frequency and temporal resources that may be used during the sensing procedure; 2) the determined two dimensional (2D) or three Dimensional (3D) space over which the sensing procedure may be scheduled to happen; and 3) all the information that may be required for device 130 of the PCE, to be able to estimate whether the transmitted sensing signal may pose a privacy risk for it, and / or a risk of interference with its performance.

[0099] According to the foregoing, in some embodiments, the first indication may further indicate one or more of: i) time and / or frequency resources to be used for the sensing procedure, ii) a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space wherein the sensing procedure may be going to be performed, iii) one or more first characteristics of the radio signals used for the sensing procedure, and iv) one or more second characteristics of the radio components used for the sensing procedure. From i), the device 130 of the PCE may be able to identify the starting point in time and the duration of the underlying sensing procedure as well as the used frequency. From ii) the device 130 of the PCE may identify if a sensing measurement may be relevant to the 2D or 3D space where it may be positioned. The information in iii) may include information about the sensing signaling, such as the exact waveform or used transmit power, transmitter (TX), receiver (RX) beamforming. In addition, the information in iii) may include the position of the involved nodes in the sensing measurement, e.g., the first radio network node 141. This information may be used by the device 130 of the PCE, for estimating whether the sensing signal that may impinge and may be reflected by it may be strong enough in the receiving nodes of the sensing setup such that it may provide information that may violate its privacy requirements and / or may be a risk of interference with its performance.

[0100] In embodiments herein, there may be implementation details of each phase of the mechanism of embodiments herein depending on the type of the involved devices of the PCEs, such as the device 130. In particular, the device 130 may be one of the UEs of the PCEs, which may be: 1) actively connected to the RAN undertaking the sensing operation, e.g., the radio network node 141 ; 2) connected to a different RAN, e.g., provider, such as the second network node 112 operating in the second wireless communications network 102; or 3) an idle state.

[0101] For the case the device 130 may be actively connected to the RAN performing the sensing measurement, e.g., the first radio network node 141 , the implementation of the announcement phase with the sending of the first indication in this Action 302 may be performed using the usual RAN signaling. In particular, the sending in this Action 302 of the first indication may be implemented using the Physical Downlink Control CHannel (PDCCH) using a Downlink Control Information (DCI) or a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) or Downlink Shared Channel (DL SCH) transmission on Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH). Preferably, the sending in this Action 302 of the first indication may be done using a broadcast / multicast transmission targeting multiple users. For example, multiple users may be grouped and assigned a special Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI). Users belonging to this group may then monitor for DCIs with this RNTI and in case of detection receive the scheduled transmission, e.g., on a Physical Multicast Channel (PMCH).

[0102] Apart from the devices of PCEs, e.g., the device 130, that may be connected to a RAN, there may be devices, e.g., the device 130 in some embodiments, which may be in an idle state and belong to PCEs. In order to notify these devices, e.g., the device 130, a paging approach may be adopted. In this approach, the idle devices, e.g., the device 130, may need to monitor any paging message from the existing RANs, both its serving RAN, the first wireless communications network 101 , and its neighboring RAN, the second wireless communications network 102. Upon the reception of a paging message by an idle device, e.g., the device 130, and given that the decoding of this message may indicate an upcoming sensing procedure, the device, e.g., the device 130, may enter an active mode and execute any of previous implementations of the disclosed mechanism of Figure 1 for its privacy protection and / or protection of its performance from interference. To avoid that the device 130 may need to monitor paging from all RANs, e.g., the first wireless communications network 101 and the second wireless communications network 102, RANs from the first wireless communications network 101 and the second wireless communications network 102 may be coordinated, e.g., via the first network node 111 and the second network node 112, and the first wireless communications network 101 , belonging to the RAN intending to execute sensing, via the first network node 111 , may inform its neighbor RANs such as the second network node 112 operating in the second wireless communications network 102, of the upcoming sensing operation. Each RAN may then use paging in its own RAN to inform devices, e.g., the device 130, about the upcoming sensing.

[0103] In an alternative approach, the previous method may be modified such that, after the sending of the first indication, all the devices of the PCEs, e.g., the device 130, that may have heard the sending of the first indication may reply with a flag that may indicate their privacy concerns along with their position in space. In this case, the first network node 111 may make sure that the area around the PCEs may not be sensed or, if it is sensed, the sensing measurement may be processed in a way that may consider the sensing requirements as indicated by the devices, e.g., the device 130, of the PCEs. The main advantage of this approach may be understood to be that the RAN, e.g., the first network node 111, may be in a better position to assess whether a sensing procedure may be a privacy risk for a PCE and / or a risk of interference with the performance of the device. This may be understood to be because the RAN, e.g., the first network node 111, may be expected to have a better awareness of the surrounding environment and the structure of the sensing deployment.

[0104] In some embodiments wherein, prior to the sending in this Action 302 of the first indication, the device 130 may be in idle state, the first indication may be comprised in a paging message, and the first indication may trigger the device 130 to enter into a connected state. The idle state may be, e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle state. The connected state may be, e.g., RRC connected state.

[0105] In some embodiments, the sending in this Action 302 of the first indication may be responsive to the obtained earlier indication.

[0106] In some embodiments, the sending in Action 302 of the first indication may be performed in at least one of licensed spectrum and unlicensed spectrum. For the case wherein the devices of the PCEs, e.g., the device 130, may be connected to different RANs, e.g., providers, there may be four ways to implement the announcement phase, that is, the sending of the first indication in this Action 302.

[0107] In the first way, a specific portion of unlicensed spectrum may be used for the sending of the first indication. In particular, the RAN that may be about to execute a sensing measurement may execute the sending of the first indication in this Action 302, via the first network node 111 , using unlicensed spectrum. The information that may need to be conveyed in the unlicensed spectrum may be the same as in the first case where the device 130 of the PCE may be connected to the RAN. Upon the completion of the sending of the first indication in Action 302 in the unlicensed spectrum, the interested devices, e.g., the device 130, may need to monitor the frequency and temporal resources where the sensing measurement may be undertaken in order to determine if they may need to participate in the collection of the privacy limitation requests phase. It may be noted that an example of the implementation of the announcement phase in Action 302 in the unlicensed spectrum may be New Radio-Unlicensed (NR-U) signaling.

[0108] Assuming the presence of different RANs, e.g., providers, such as the second wireless communications network 102 where the second network node 112 may operate, in the space where a sensing measurement may be about to happen, the second way of implementation of the sending of the first indication may assume the coordination of the existing RANs. In particular, the first network node 111 , e.g., the RAN that may be about to execute a sensing measurement, may inform the other RANs, e.g., the second network node 112, about its intention to undertake the sensing measurement in an additional embodiment called inter-RAN notification phase. In addition, during the inter-RAN phase, the first network node 111 may supply the other RANs, e.g., the second network node 112, with the same information that it may be planning to use during its own announcement for informing the devices of the PCE, e.g., the device 130, that may be connected to itself, as in Figure 2. The informed RANs may now be able to use this information for executing similar announcement phases as the one executed by the initiating RAN for informing the UEs of the PCEs that may be connected to it.

[0109] An alternative implementation of the mechanism of the previous paragraph may be found by using, e.g., licensed, dedicated spectrum, instead of unlicensed spectrum. More specifically, the operating principle of such embodiments may be understood to be the same as before with the exception that the sending of the first indication may be executed in a predefined, e.g., licensed, dedicated spectrum. For the smooth operation of such embodiments, this spectrum may need to be accessible by all UEs from all neighboring RANs. In this case, the resource allocation of the operations of the neighboring RANs during their operation to the commonly used spectrum may be assigned to the owner RAN of the spectrum or to the sensing RAN if the spectrum may be dedicated from a national authority for this purpose.

[0110] Finally, in another implementation, any combination of the previous embodiments be used for implementing the execution of the sending of the first indication.

[0111] By the first network node 111 sending the first indication in this Action 302, the first network node 111 may enable PCEs which may be equipped with devices, such as the device 130, to protect their privacy during a sensing procedure in which they may not actively participate and / or to protect their performance from interference. This may be understood to be important as, in the absence of the appropriate mechanism, these entities may be understood to remain totally unaware of the ongoing sensing procedure and of the privacy and / or interference dangers that this procedure may entail for them. It may be noted that, if the PCEs are not supplied with the device 130, nothing may be done to protect themselves apart from stating to the network off-line their privacy limitation. However, such a scenario may be understood to be out of the scope of this disclosure.

[0112] The sending in this Action 302 of the first indication may be understood to be a first step of an over the air (OtA) three-stage mechanism which may comprise: a) an announcement phase in this action 302 of the sensing procedure; b) a sensing phase in action 303; an c) a collection of privacy limitation requests phase in action 304. To this effect, according to embodiments herein the architecture of Figure 1 may be extended in order to include this three-phase mechanism that may take place during the interaction of the RAN with the surrounding environment.

[0113] Action 303

[0114] Once the announcement phases of the RANs, by the first network node 111 and the second network node 112, may be completed, the sensing phase of the initiating RAN, in embodiments herein, the first wireless communications network 101 , may be undertaken. In this phase, the following steps may be executed: 1) the participating radio nodes, such as the first radio network node 141 , e.g., gNodeBs, and / or devices, e.g., UEs, may exchange all the required control information that may be needed for setting up and undertaking the scheduled sensing; 2) the transmission and reception of the sensing signals by the involved nodes, such as the first radio network node 141, may be performed; and 3) the collection by the RAN, and in this Astion 303, the first network node 111 , of all raw, or compressed, sensing results from all involved nodes. In this Action 303, the first network node 111 may obtain the second information obtained during the sensing procedure. The second information may be understood as “sensing information”.

[0115] The obtaining in Action 303 of the second information may be performed in response to transmission, by one of the first network node 111 and the first radio network node 141 operating in the first wireless communications network 101, of one or more radio signals during the sensing procedure. The one or more radio signals may be understood to be sensing signals, that is, radio signals the transmission of which may result in reflections or direct propagations, e.g., from the device 130, that may be received in the first wireless communications network 101 and processed to yield spatial, or other type of information, knowledge of the physical environment.

[0116] It may be noted that, depending on the type of the scheduled sensing, the sensing results may have a different form. For example, in radar-based sensing, the sensing results may be in the form of a Doppler-Delay (DD) grid in a position of the receiving sensing node, e.g., the first radio network node 141.

[0117] Action 304

[0118] Once the announcement phases of the RANs may be completed, and before or after the sensing phase of the initiating RAN may take pace, all the interested devices, e.g., the device 130, from all RANs may monitor the predetermined frequency and temporal resources for determining if the undertaken, or to be performed, sensing measurement may pose a privacy risk for them and / or a risk of interference with the performance of the devices, e.g., the device 130. The devices, e.g., the device 130 in the other RANs may need to retune their local oscillator to the carrier frequency of the sensing RAN and by that may not be able to receive transmission in its own RAN, the other RAN may use this knowledge and abstain from scheduling devices during this time.

[0119] The devices of the PCEs, such as the device 130, which may be already aware of the coming sensing measurement from the announcement phase, may monitor the frequency and temporal resources, as determined from the announcement phase, for the reception of any sensing signal. Upon the reception of the sensing signal, they may assess whether this signal may compromise their privacy once it may be received from the receiving sensing node, e.g., the first radio network node 141. This assessment may be based on a comparison with a pre-defined threshold, or with the estimation of the received signal strength in the sensing receiver. The latter may be possible as long as the device 130 of the PCE may be aware of the position of the sensing receiver. If the assessment is that there is no risk for their privacy, the devices of the PCEs, such as the device 130, may need to take no further action and may remain silent during the collection of the privacy limitation requests phase in this Action 304. However, if the assessment is that there may be a privacy risk for them, then the devices of the PCEs, such as the device 130, may need to define their privacy limitations and convey them to the first network node 111 during the collection of the privacy limitation requests phase in this Action 304. An example of a privacy limitation may be the blinding of a specific region of the DD or beams as defined in the Global Coordinate System (GCS) of the network.

[0120] In this Action 304, the first network node 111 obtains, responsive to the sent first indication, a second indication from at least one of the second network node 112 and the device 130. The second indication indicates first information to be excluded from second information obtained, or to be obtained, during the sensing procedure.

[0121] In some embodiments, the collection of the privacy limitation requests phase in this Action 304 may be executed once the sensing phase may be completed Action 303. During the collection of the privacy limitation requests phase, the devices, e.g., the device 130, of the PCEs which may have identified that the executed sensing measurement of the sensing phase may pose a privacy risk for them, may notify the first network node 111 , about this risk.

[0122] In some embodiments, the obtaining in Action 303 of the second information may be performed after the obtaining in this Action 304 of the second indication. The obtaining in Action 303 of the second information may be performed in response to transmission, by one of the first network node 111 and the first radio network node 141 operating in the first wireless communications network 101, of the one or more radio signals during the sensing procedure. In such embodiments, the transmission of the one or more radio signals may be based on sensing excluding the first information. That is, on performing the sensing procedure excluding the first information.

[0123] That is, according to a first group of embodiments herein, the sensing procedure may be performed already taking into account the exclusion of the first information, e.g., avoiding to sense the device 130, thereby enabling to avoid causing interference on the performance of the device 130, whereas in a second group of embodiments, the sensing procedure may proceed as planned, and the first information may be excluded from the sensed information, after it may have been collected, but before it may be transferred, e.g., to the third network node 113 in the Action 306. The exclusion of the first information during sensing execution may be performed by e.g., physical or digital manipulation of beams to create exclusion zones.

[0124] Apart from the simple notification of the existing privacy risk, which may be conveyed by a simple flag, the devices, e.g., the device 130, may include more details regarding the privacy limitation that they may like to be considered by the first network node 111. For example, in radar-based sensing, the device 130 may provide its position to the first network node 111, along with its surrounding 2D or 3D space over which any target with its Doppler, range, and angular description may be hidden.

[0125] For the case the device 130 may be actively connected to the RAN performing the sensing measurement, e.g., the first radio network node 141 , the implementation of the collection of the privacy limitation requests phase, that is the obtaining of the second indication this Action 304, may be performed using the usual RAN signaling.

[0126] During the sensing phase, the interested UEs may need to monitor the corresponding signals where the sensing operation may be undertaken. In addition, the collection of the privacy limitation requests phase may be implemented using the Physical UL Shared Channel (PLISCH). The device 130 may not have valid dedicated UL resources, especially if the announcement may have been performed using a broadcast / multicast channel, in this case, the device 130 may request uplink resources using a scheduling request or random access or it may use a contention-based uplink.

[0127] The devices, e.g., the device 130 that may conclude that there may be a privacy risk for them during the sensing measurement and / or a risk of interference with their performance, may inform their serving RAN by executing parallel privacy limitation requests phases similar to the one that the first network node 111 , in the sensing RAN, may be undertaking for collecting the privacy limitations from its first wireless communications network 101. Once this may be completed, all the RAN e.g., the second network node 112, may forward the collected limitation to the first network node 111 , e.g., in the sensing RAN, in an additional phase called Inter-RAN privacy limitation collection phase.

[0128] In some embodiments, at least one of the sending in Action 302 of the first indication and the obtaining in this Action 304 of the second indication may be performed in at least one of licensed spectrum and unlicensed spectrum.

[0129] As discussed earlier in relation to the announcement phase, for the case where the devices of the PCEs, e.g., the device 130 may be connected to different RANs, e.g., providers, there may be four ways to implement the announcement phase, that is, the sending of the first indication in Action 302 and of the collection of the privacy limitation requests phase, that is the obtaining of the second indication in this Action 304.

[0130] In the first way, a specific portion of unlicensed spectrum may be used both for the sending of the first indication and the collection of the second indication. In particular, the RAN, e.g., the first radio network node 141, that may be about to execute a sensing measurement may execute the sending of the first indication in Action 302 using unlicensed spectrum. The information that may need to be conveyed in the unlicensed spectrum may be the same as in the first case where the devices of the PCEs, such as the device 130, may be connected to the RAN. Upon the completion of the sending of the first indication in Action 302 in the unlicensed spectrum, the interested devices, e.g., the device 130, may need to monitor the frequency and temporal resources where the sensing measurement may be undertaken in order to determine if they may need to participate in the collection of the privacy limitation requests phase. Finally, the devices, e.g., the device 130, that may need to convey their privacy limitation request may participate in the collection of the privacy limitation requests phase that again may be executed in the specified unlicensed spectrum during a predetermined time period. It may be noted that an example of the implementation of the announcement phase in Action 302 and of the collection of the privacy limitation requests phase in this Action 304 in the unlicensed spectrum may be New Radio-Unlicensed (NR-U) signaling.

[0131] Assuming the presence of different RANs, e.g., providers, such as the second network node 112 which may be operating in the second wireless communications network 102, in the space where a sensing measurement may be about to happen, the second way of implementation of the sending of the first indication and of the collection of the second indication may assume the coordination of the existing RANs. In particular, the first network node 111 , e.g., the RAN that may be about to execute a sensing measurement, may inform the other RANs, e.g., the second network node 112 about its intention to undertake a sensing measurement in an additional embodiment called inter-RAN notification phase. In addition, during the inter-RAN phase, the first network node 111 may supply the other RANs, e.g., the second network node 112, with the same information that may be planning to use during its own announcement for informing the devices of the PCE, e.g., the device 130, that may be connected to itself, as in Figure 2. The informed RANs may now be able to use this information for executing similar announcement phases as the one executed by the initiating RAN for informing the UEs of the PCEs that may be connected to it. Once the announcement phases of the RANs may be completed, the sensing phase of the initiating RAN may take pace. All the interested devices, e.g., the device 130, from all RANs may monitor the predetermined frequency and temporal resources for determining if the undertaken sensing measurement may pose a privacy risk for them. The devices, e.g., the device 130 in the other RANs may need to retune their local oscillator to the carrier frequency of the sensing RAN and by that may not be able to receive transmission in its own RAN, the other RAN may use this knowledge and abstain from scheduling devices during this time. The devices, e.g., the device 130 that may conclude that there may be a privacy risk for them during the sensing measurement may inform their serving RAN by executing parallel privacy limitation requests phases similar to the one that the first network node 111 , in the sensing RAN, may be undertaking for collecting the privacy limitations from its first wireless communications network 101. Once this may be completed, all the RAN e.g., the second network node 112 , may forward the collected limitation to the first network node 111 , e.g., in the sensing RAN, in an additional phase called Inter-RAN privacy limitation collection phase. In the next action, the first network node 111 , in the sensing RAN, may undertake the appropriate privacy protection processing for the devices of the PCEs, e.g., the device 130, that may be connected to itself and to the other RANs. An alternative implementation of the mechanism of the previous paragraph may be found by using, e.g., licensed, dedicated spectrum, instead of unlicensed spectrum. More specifically, the operating principle of such embodiments may be understood to be the same as before with the exception that the sending of the first indication and the collection of the second indication may be executed in a predefined, e.g., licensed, dedicated spectrum. For the smooth operation of such embodiments, this spectrum may need to be accessible by all UEs from all neighboring RANs. In this case, the resource allocation of the operations of the neighboring RANs during their operation to the commonly used spectrum may be assigned to the owner RAN of the spectrum or to the sensing RAN if the spectrum may be dedicated from a national authority for this purpose.

[0132] In an alternative approach, the use of the unlicensed spectrum or of the dedicated, e.g., licensed, spectrum and the coordination of neighboring RANs may be combined for the execution of the sending of the first indication and the obtaining of the second indication. More specifically, in one implementation the sending of the first indication may be performed using the unlicensed or dedicated licensed spectrum while the obtaining of the second indication may be performed using the coordination between RANs or vice versa. In another implementation, for some devices, e.g., the device 130, the sending of the first indication and the obtaining of the second indication may be performed may be performed by using unlicensed or licensed spectrum, while for other this may be performed through the coordination between the neighboring RANs. Finally, in another implementation, any combination of the previous embodiments be used for implementing the execution of the sending of the first indication and the obtaining of the second indication.

[0133] By obtaining the second indication in this Action 304, the first network node 111 may be enabled to be notified about the privacy risk that the devices, e.g., the device 130, of the PCEs may have identified that the executed sensing measurement of the sensing phase may pose for them and / or a risk of interference with their performance that the sensing procedure to be performed may pose for them. The first network node 111 in the sensing RAN, may then be enabled to undertake the appropriate privacy protection processing for the devices of the PCEs, e.g., the device 130, that may be connected to itself and to the other RANs in the next Action 305 and / or avoid causing interference on the performance of the device. This may in turn enable to enhance the privacy protection of the PCEs of interest and / or improve the performance of the device 130.

[0134] Action 305

[0135] In this Action 305, the first network node 111 may initiate processing the obtained second information based on the obtained second indication. That is, in this Action 305, the first network node 111, in the sensing RAN, may undertake the appropriate privacy protection processing for the devices of the PCEs, e.g., the device 130, that may be connected to itself and to the other RANs.

[0136] Initiating may be understood as beginning, in this case, the processing, by the first network node 111, or triggering or enabling another network node, e.g., the third network node 113 to perform the processing.

[0137] The processing of the obtained second information may comprise excluding, e.g., extracting or removing, the first information from the obtained second information. This may comprise, for example, applying privacy enhancing techniques such as obfuscation, anonymisation, minimisation etc. at the earliest possibility.

[0138] In this Action 305, the three-phase mechanism mentioned earlier may be supplemented with the appropriate processing, e.g., in the first network node 111 level, that may enable to enhance the privacy protection of the PCEs of interest.

[0139] In this Action 305, and provided that the first network node 111, may have collected all the measured sensing data and all the privacy limitation from the interested PCEs, the first network node 111 may undertake a processing, in the first network node 111 , which may in some examples continue in the third network node 113, which, by applying concurrently any required e.g., privacy, constraint, may hide all the required sensing information to preserve privacy of the concerned PCEs. For example, this processing may remove specific targets along with their description from the data that may be later transferred to the third network node 113, e.g., the SCU. In an alternative implementation, the removal of the sensitive information may be performed in third network node 113, e.g., the SCU, or jointly in the first network node 111 and the third network node 113, after the data transfer. However, the processing by the first network node 111 in the RAN level may be understood to have the potential to provide higher level of protection as the sensitive information may be removed from the measured raw data.

[0140] In accordance with the foregoing, in some embodiments, the first network node 111 may initiate the processing of the second information based on the obtained second indication, in this Action 305, by enabling the third network node 113 may perform the processing. In other embodiments, the first network node 111 may initiate the processing of the second information based on the obtained second indication, in this Action 305, by at least partially processing the second information based on the second indication. Yet in other embodiments, the first network node 111 may initiate the processing of the second information based on the obtained second indication, in this Action 305, by performing all the processing itself of the second information based on the second indication. Action 306

[0141] Once the processed sensing results may be ready, they may be transferred in this Action 306 to the third network node 113, towards the application that may have requested the information. In this Action 306, the first network node 111 may initiate providing at least one of: a) the second information, and the second indication, and b) the second information, at least partially processed by the first network node 111 based on the second indication.

[0142] Initiating may be understood as beginning, triggering or enabling.

[0143] Actions 301-306 may repeat multiple times until the sensing request in the earlier indication from the third network node 113, e.g., from the triggering application, may be satisfied. If the, e.g., the application is satisfied, it may proceed to the termination of its request by notifying the third network node 113, e.g., the SCU. The third network node 113 may in turn notify the first network node 111 of the termination of the ongoing sensing procedure. Otherwise, if the application is not satisfied, it may trigger the repetition of Actions 301-306 multiple times.

[0144] Embodiments of a method, performed by one of the device 130, referred to herein as the device 130, will now be described with reference to the flowchart depicted in Figure 4. It may be understood that a similar method may be performed by any of the other device 130 that may be or may belong to a PCE. The method may be understood to be computer- implemented. The method is for handling sensing information. The device 130 operates in the wireless communications network 101 , 102.

[0145] Several embodiments are comprised herein. In some embodiments all the actions may be performed. In some embodiments, some embodiments of the actions may be optional. It should be noted that the examples herein are not mutually exclusive. Components from one embodiment may be tacitly assumed to be present in another embodiment and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may be used in the other exemplary embodiments. One or more embodiments may be combined, where applicable. All possible combinations are not described to simplify the description. The detailed description of some of the following corresponds to the same references provided above, in relation to the actions described for the first network node 111 , and will thus not be repeated here. For example, the idle state may be RRC idle state.

[0146] Action 401

[0147] In this Action 401 , the device 130 receives the first indication from at least one of the first network node 111 operating in the first wireless communications network 101 or the second network node 112 operating in a second wireless communications network 102. One of the first wireless communications network 101 and the second wireless communications network 102 is the same as the wireless communications network 101 , 102 wherein the device 130 is operating. The first indication indicates that the sensing procedure is to be performed in the location. The location comprises the device 130.

[0148] The first indication may further indicate one or more of: i) the time and / or frequency resources to be used for the sensing procedure, ii) the two-dimensional or three-dimensional space wherein the sensing procedure may be to be performed, iii) the one or more first characteristics of the radio signals used for the sensing procedure, and iv) the one or more second characteristics of the radio components used for the sensing procedure.

[0149] At least one of the second network node 112 and the device 130 may be made aware of the sensing procedure by the first indication.

[0150] The first network node 111 may be one of: i) the core network node, ii) the first radio network node 141 operating in the first wireless communications network 101 and performing the sensing procedure, and iii) the second radio network node 142 operating in the first wireless communications network 101 other than the first radio network node 141 performing the sensing procedure.

[0151] In some embodiments, wherein prior to the receiving in this Action 401 of the first indication the device 130 may be in idle state, the first indication may be comprised in a paging message, and the first indication trigger the device 130 to enter into a connected state.

[0152] Action 402

[0153] In this Action 402, the device 130 may determine whether or not the first information is to be excluded from the sensing procedure.

[0154] Action 403

[0155] In this Action 403, the device 130 may monitor, based on the received first indication, the one or more radio signals used during the sensing procedure. The one or more radio signals may be understood to be the sensing radio one or more radio signals as transmitted by e.g., the first radio network node 141. The device 130 may monitor the one or more radio signals based on the first indication, that is, any of i) the time and / or frequency resources to be used for the sensing procedure, ii) the two-dimensional or three-dimensional space wherein the sensing procedure may be to be performed, iii) the one or more first characteristics of the radio signals used for the sensing procedure, and iv) the one or more second characteristics of the radio components used for the sensing procedure.

[0156] As explained earlier, the device 130, which may be already aware of the coming sensing measurement from the announcement phase, may monitor the frequency and temporal resources, as determined from the announcement phase, for the reception of any sensing signal. Action 404

[0157] In this Action 404, the device 130 may determine, based on the monitored one or more radio signals, whether or not the first information may have to be excluded from the second information. That is, the device 130 may determine whether the transmitted sensing signal may pose a privacy risk for it.

[0158] In some embodiments, upon the reception of the sensing signal, the device 130 may assess whether this signal may compromise its privacy once it may be received from the receiving sensing node, e.g., the first radio network node 141. This assessment may be based on a comparison with a pre-defined threshold, or with the estimation of the received signal strength in the sensing receiver. The latter may be possible as long as the device 130 of the PCE may be aware of the position of the sensing receiver. If the assessment is that there is no risk for its privacy, the device 130, may need to take no further action and may remain silent during the collection of the privacy limitation requests phase. However, if the assessment is that there may be a privacy risk for the device 130, then the device 130 may need to define its privacy limitations and convey them to the first network node 111 during the collection of the privacy limitation requests phase.

[0159] Action 405

[0160] In this Action 405, the device 130 sends the second indication to the first network node 111 or the second network node 112. The second indication indicates the first information to be excluded from second information obtained, or to be obtained, during the sensing procedure.

[0161] An example of the first information may be the blinding of a specific region of the DD or beams as defined in the GCS of the network. In some examples, such blinding may be achieved e.g., by beamforming, in other scenarios post-sensing processing may be required.

[0162] In some embodiments, the sending in this Action 405 of the second indication may be based on a result of the determining in Action 402 of whether or not the first information may have to be excluded from the sensing procedure.

[0163] In some embodiments, the sending in this Action 405 of the second indication may be based on a result of the determining in Action 404 of whether or not the first information may have to be excluded from the second information.

[0164] In some embodiments, at least one of the receiving in Action 401 of the first indication and the sending in Action 405 of the second indication may be performed in at least one of licensed spectrum and unlicensed spectrum.

[0165] Embodiments of a method, performed by the second network node 112, will now be described with reference to the flowchart depicted in Figure 5. The method may be understood to be computer-implemented. The method is for handling sensing information. The second network node 112 operates in the second wireless communications network 102.

[0166] Several embodiments are comprised herein. In some embodiments all the actions may be performed. In some embodiments, some embodiments of the actions may be optional. It should be noted that the examples herein are not mutually exclusive. Components from one embodiment may be tacitly assumed to be present in another embodiment and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may be used in the other exemplary embodiments. One or more embodiments may be combined, where applicable. All possible combinations are not described to simplify the description. The detailed description of some of the following corresponds to the same references provided above, in relation to the actions described for the first network node 111 , and will thus not be repeated here. For example, the idle state may be RRC idle state.

[0167] Action 501

[0168] In this Action 501, the second network node 112 receives the first indication from the first network node 111 operating in the first wireless communications network 101. The first indication indicates that the sensing procedure is to be performed in the location. The location comprises at least a part of a coverage area of the second network node 112 or the device 130 operating in the second wireless communications network 102.

[0169] The first indication may further indicate the one or more of: i) the time and / or frequency resources to be used for the sensing procedure, ii) the two-dimensional or three-dimensional space wherein the sensing procedure may be to be performed, iii) the one or more first characteristics of the radio signals used for the sensing procedure, and iv) the one or more second characteristics of the radio components used for the sensing procedure.

[0170] At least one of the second network node 112 and the device 130 may be made aware of the sensing procedure by the first indication.

[0171] The first network node 111 may be one of: i) the core network node, ii) the first radio network node 141 operating in the first wireless communications network 101 and performing the sensing procedure, and iii) the second radio network node 142 operating in the first wireless communications network 101 other than the first radio network node 141 performing the sensing procedure.

[0172] Action 502

[0173] In this Action 502, the second network node 112 may send the obtained first indication to the device 130. In such embodiments, the second network node 112 may serve the device 130.

[0174] In some embodiments, wherein prior to the receiving in this Action 501 of the first indication the device 130 may be in idle state, the first indication may be comprised in a paging message, and the sending in this Action 502 of the first indication to the device 130 may trigger the device 130 to enter into the connected state.

[0175] Action 503

[0176] In this Action 503, the second network node 112 may obtain a third indication from the device 130. The third indication may indicate at least a first subset of the first information to be excluded from second information.

[0177] It may be equally understood that in some embodiments, the first subset may be the same as the first information.

[0178] Action 504

[0179] In this Action 504, the second network node 112 may determine whether or not at least a second subset of the first information may have to be excluded from the sensing procedure.

[0180] It may be understood that in some embodiments, Action 503 may not be performed and the second subset may be the same as the first information.

[0181] Action 505

[0182] In this Action 505, the second network node 112 may monitor, based on the received first indication, the one or more radio signals using during the sensing procedure. That is, the second network node 112 may monitor the one or more radio signals transmitted by the first radio network node 141 to perform the sensing procedure.

[0183] Action 506

[0184] In this Action 506, the second network node 112 may determine, based on the monitored one or more radio signals in Action 505, whether or not at least the second subset of the first information may have to be excluded from the second information.

[0185] Action 507

[0186] In this Action 507, the second network node 112 sends the second indication. The second indication indicates the first information to be excluded from the second information obtained, or to be obtained, during the sensing procedure. The second network node 112 sends the second indication to the first network node 111.

[0187] In some embodiments, the second indication may comprise or may be based on the third indication obtained in Action 503.

[0188] In some embodiments, the sending in this Action 507 of the second indication may be based on a result of the determining in Action 504 of whether or not at least the second subset of the first information may have to be excluded from the sensing procedure.

[0189] In some embodiments, the sending in this Action 507 of the second indication may be based on a result of the determining in Action 506 of whether or not at least the second subset of the first information may have to be excluded from the second information. In some embodiments, at least one of the receiving in Action 501 of the first indication and the sending in this Action 507 of the second indication may be performed in at least one of a wired connection, licensed spectrum and unlicensed spectrum.

[0190] Embodiments of a method, performed by the third network node 113, will now be described with reference to the flowchart depicted in Figure 6. The method may be understood to be computer-implemented. The method is for handling sensing information. The third network node 113 operates in the first wireless communications network 101.

[0191] Several embodiments are comprised herein. In some embodiments all the actions may be performed. In some embodiments, some embodiments of the actions may be optional. It should be noted that the examples herein are not mutually exclusive. Components from one embodiment may be tacitly assumed to be present in another embodiment and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may be used in the other exemplary embodiments. One or more embodiments may be combined, where applicable. All possible combinations are not described to simplify the description. The detailed description of some of the following corresponds to the same references provided above, in relation to the actions described for the first network node 111 , and will thus not be repeated here. For example, the idle state may be RRC idle state.

[0192] Action 601

[0193] In this Action 601 , the third network node 113 may obtain a request to initiate the sensing procedure from the another node 114 operating in the first communications network 101.

[0194] The third network node 113 may be one of: i) the SCU, ii) a core network node, iii) the first radio network node 141 operating in the first wireless communications network 101 and performing the sensing procedure, and iv) the second radio network node 142 operating in the first wireless communications network 101 other than the first radio network node 141 performing the sensing procedure.

[0195] One task of the third network node 113, e.g., the SCU, may be understood to be to ensure the continued unhindered performance of PCEs, whose performance may need to be shielded from interference due to the criticality of their usage, and / or they may need to be hidden to due to security concerns.

[0196] Action 602

[0197] In this Action 602, the third network node 113 sends the earlier indication to the first network node 111 operating in the first wireless communications network 101. The earlier indication requests the second information obtained, or to be obtained, during the sensing procedure to be performed in the location. The location comprises the second network node 112 or the device 130, operating in the first wireless communications network 101 or in the second wireless communications network 102.

[0198] It may be understood that the earlier indication may not necessarily indicate the location and / or that the location comprises the second network node 112 or the device 130, operating in the first wireless communications network 101 or in the second wireless communications network 102.

[0199] The sending of the earlier indication in this Action 602 may be responsive to the obtained request in Action 601.

[0200] Action 603

[0201] A PCE equipped with the device 130 and participating explicitly in a sensing procedure, may inform the third network node 113, e.g., the SCU, about its privacy constraints or it may also take additional steps to protect its privacy using the appropriate feedback mechanism. Similarly, a non-moving PCE without a UE may protect its privacy if a priori it may inform the third network node 113, e.g., the SCU, about its privacy constraints by registering them to a database accessed by the third network node 113, e.g., the SCU.

[0202] However, in an area that is sensed, usually there may be several PCEs that may not be able to inform the SCU about their privacy limitations. This may be the case for: 1) the PCEs that may be mobile and not equipped with a UE; and 2) the PCEs that may be equipped with UEs and that may not participate in the undertaken sensing procedure. For the later cases, this may be understood to hold for the UEs that may be: a) connected to the network, but they may not be asked to participate in the sensing procedure; b) connected to a different network; and c) in an idle state. Consequently, these types of UEs may be unaware of the undertaken sensing procedure. Thus, it may be concluded that mechanisms that protect the privacy of the unaware PCEs may be needed.

[0203] In this Action 603, the third network node 113 obtains, responsive to the sent earlier indication, at least one of: i) the second information obtained during the sensing procedure, and the second indication originated from at least one of the second network node 112 and the device 130. The second indication indicates the first information to be excluded from the second information obtained, and ii) the second information, at least partially processed based on the second indication. That is, at least partially processed by the first network node 111.

[0204] In some embodiments, at least one of the following may apply. According to a first option, the obtaining in this Action 603 of the second information may be from the first network node 111 , responsive to the sent earlier indication. According to a second option, b) the obtaining in this Action 603 of the second indication may be from at least one of: a) the first network node 111, responsive to the sent earlier indication, b) at least one of the second network node 112 and the device 130, and c) a memory storage. According to a third option, the obtaining in this Action 603 of the second information may be performed in response to transmission, by one of the first network node 111 and the first radio network node 141 operating in the first wireless communications network 101 , of the one or more radio signals during the sensing procedure, and the transmission of the one or more radio signals may be based on sensing excluding the first information.

[0205] For example, the third network node 113 may have obtained the second indication from at least one of the second network node 112 and the device 130 earlier, stored in a memory, e.g., database, and then retrieved it from the memory responsive to the sent earlier indication, e.g., after sending the earlier indication.

[0206] Action 604

[0207] Another important task of the third network node 113, e.g., the SCU, may be understood to be to preserve the privacy of PCEs and not allow their data to be obtained by unauthorized initiating sensing applications. This may be understood to mean that the data that the third network node 113, e.g., the SCU, may later provide to the another node 114, e.g. the application that may trigger the sensing, may have to be processed in a way that may make the application unable to extract data that may violate the privacy constraints set by the PCEs. Note that this may be required to hold even in the case where the another node 114, e.g. the application, may apply additional processing to the provided data.

[0208] In this Action 604, the third network node 113 may process, based on the second indication, the at least one of the obtained second information, and the at least partially processed second information.

[0209] This Action 604 may be understood to be performed as described earlier in Action 305, for embodiments wherein the processing may be at least partially performed. In some examples, the third network node 113 may perform all the processing itself of the second information, based on the second indication.

[0210] Action 605

[0211] In this Action 605, the third network node 113 may initiate providing a fourth indication indicating the processed second information.

[0212] In some embodiments, the fourth indication may be output, e.g., sent, to the another node 114.

[0213] Figure 7 is a signalling diagram depicting a non-limiting example of the disclosed three phase mechanism for the protection of the privacy of PCE which may be equipped with the device 130, according to embodiments herein. In Figure 7, the first network node 111 is a RAN node, the third network node 113 is an SCU, the another node 114 manages an application, and the device 130 is located in an environment at the location wherein the sensing procedure is to be performed. It may be understood that in the following example depicted in Figure 7, any reference to the RAN may be understood to equally refer to the first network node 111 , any reference to the SCU may be understood to equally refer to the third network node 113, and reference to the environment or the UE or UEs may be understood to equally refer to the device 130. The disclosed mechanism may be understood to enable the protection of the PCEs which may be equipped with the device 130 and may not participate in the sensing procedure. As may be appreciated in comparison with Figure 1 , embodiments herein may provide an extension of the architecture of Figure 1 in order to include the three-phase mechanism that may take place during the interaction of the RAN with the surrounding environment. In addition, this mechanism may be also supplemented with the appropriate processing, as described earlier, in the RAN and / or SCU level that may enhance the privacy protection of the PCEs of interest. It may be noted that the interaction of the RAN with the environment may involve one or more networks nodes, UEs, a combination of network nodes and / or UEs in mono-static, bistatic, or multi-static setup. As shown in Figure 7, upon the initiation of a RAN sensing procedure by an application managed by the another node 114 through steps 1 and 2, the RAN may execute the disclosed three-stage mechanism which may include the: a) announcement phase in step 3.1 ; b) the sensing phase in step 3.2; and c) the collection of privacy limitation requests phase in step 3.3. At 1 , the another node 114 may send, according to Action 601 , a sensing request to the third network node 113. At 2, the first network node 111 may obtain the earlier indication from the third network node 113 requesting the second information, in agreement with Action 301 and Action 602. Next, the first network node 111 may, in agreement with Action 302 and Action 401 , send the first indication. The objective of the announcement phase, may be understood to be to notify, via the appropriate signaling, all the existing devices, such as the device 130, that belong to PCEs, that the sensing procedure is about to take place in the physical area where they may be positioned. During step 3.2, the sensing phase may be undertaken, and the second information may be obtained during the sensing procedure, in agreement with Action 303 and Action 403. In this phase, the following steps are executed: 1) the participating radio nodes, gNodeBs and / or UEs, may exchange all the required control information that may be needed for setting up and undertaking the scheduled sensing; 2) the transmission and reception of the sensing signals by the involved nodes; and 3) the collection by the RAN of all raw, or compressed, sensing results from all involved nodes. It may be noted that the UEs of the PCEs, such as the device 130, which may be already aware of the coming sensing measurement from the announcement phase, may monitor the frequency and temporal resources, as determined from the announcement phase, for the reception of any sensing signal. Upon the reception of sensing signal, they may assess whether this signal may compromise their privacy once it may be received from the receiving sensing node. This assessment may be based on a comparison with a pre-defined threshold, or with the estimation of the received signal strength in the sensing receiver. The latter may be possible as long as the device 130 may be aware of the position of the sensing receiver. If the assessment is that there is no risk for their privacy, the UEs of the PCEs, e.g., the device 130 may need to take no further action and may remain silent during the collection of the privacy limitation requests phase in step 3.3. However, if the assessment is that there may be a privacy risk for them, then the UEs of the PCEs, e.g., the device 130, may need to define their privacy limitations and convey them to the RAN during the collection of the privacy limitation requests phase in step 3.3, in agreement with Action 404, 405 and 304. Once the sensing phase may be completed in step 3.2, the collection of the privacy limitation requests phase in step 3.3 may be executed. During this phase, the UE, e.g., the device 130, of the PCEs which may have identified that the executed sensing measurement of step 3.2 may pose a privacy risk for them may notify the RAN about this risk in agreement with Action 404, 405 and 304. Apart from the simple notification of the existing privacy risk, which may be conveyed by a simple flag, the UEs may include more details regarding the privacy limitation that they may like to be considered by the RAN. For example, in radar-based sensing, the device 130 may provide its position to the RAN along with its surrounding 2D or 3D space over which any target with its Doppler, range, and angular description may need to be hidden. In step 3.4 and provided that the RAN may have collected all the measured sensing data and all the privacy limitation from the interested PCEs, it may undertake a processing, in the RAN according to Action 305 and SCU according to Action 604, which may hide all the required sensing information to preserve privacy of the concerned PCEs. For example, this processing may remove specific targets along with their description from the data that may according to Action 306 and Action 603 be transferred to the SCU. In an alternative implementation, the removal of the sensitive information may happen in SCU in step 5 according to Action 604 or jointly in the RAN and SCU in step 3.4 and 5 according to Action 305 and Action 604, after the data transfer, performed according to Action 306 and Action 603, during step 5. However, the processing in the RAN level according to Action 305 may have the potential to provide higher level of protection as the sensitive information may be removed from the measured raw data. In step 4, in some examples, the first network node 111 may send the sensing results in agreement with Action 306 and Action 603. Finally, the steps 2 to 5 may repeat multiple times until the sensing request from the triggering application may be satisfied by the sensing results provided by the third network node 113 according to Action 605. Once the processed sensing results may be ready, they may be transferred to the application in step 6. If the application is satisfied, it may proceed to the termination of its request in step 7 by notifying the SCU. The SCU in turn may notify the RAN of the termination of the ongoing sensing procedure in step 8. Otherwise, if the application is not satisfied, it may repeat the steps 1 to 6 multiple times.

[0214] Figure 8 is another signalling diagram depicting a non-limiting example of coordination of sensing RAN and a neighboring RAN, where the second network node 112 may operate, for the execution of the disclosed three phase privacy protection mechanism, according to embodiments herein. Assuming the presence of different RANs, e.g., providers, such as the second wireless communications network 102 where the second network node 112 may operate, in the space where the sensing measurement may be about to happen, the second way of implementation of the sending of the first indication may assume the coordination of the existing RANs. The same nodes as in Figure 7 are shown in Figure 8, with the difference that the neighboring RAN where the second network node 112 operates is depicted as well. Step 1 may be performed as described in Figure 7. Similarly, step 2.1 may be performed as described in Figure 7 for step 2. In particular, the first network node 111 , e.g., the RAN that may be about to execute the sensing measurement, may inform the other RANs, e.g., the second network node 112, about its intention to undertake the sensing measurement in the additional embodiment called inter-RAN notification phase, in agreement with Action 302 and Action 501. In addition, during the inter-RAN phase, the first network node 111 may supply the other RANs, e.g., the second network node 112, with the same information that it may be planning to use during its own announcement for informing the devices of the PCE, e.g., the device 130, that may be connected to itself, as in Figure 7. The informed RANs may now be able to use this information for executing similar announcement phases, in agreement with Action 502, as the one executed by the initiating RAN for informing the UEs of the PCEs that may be connected to it. Once the announcement phases of the RANs performed in step 3.1.1. and 3.1.2 in accordance with Action 302, Action 401 and Action 502, may be completed, the sensing phase of the initiating RAN may take pace in step 3.2, in agreement with Action 303 and Action 403. All the interested devices, e.g., the device 130, from all RANs may monitor the predetermined frequency and temporal resources for determining if the undertaken sensing measurement may pose a privacy risk for them. The devices, e.g., the device 130 in the other RANs may need to retune their local oscillator to the carrier frequency of the sensing RAN and by that may not be able to receive transmission in its own RAN, the other RAN may use this knowledge and abstain from scheduling devices during this time. The devices, e.g., the device 130 that may conclude that there may be a privacy risk for them during the sensing measurement may inform their serving RAN by executing parallel privacy limitation requests phases in step 3.3.2 in agreement with Action 503, similar to the one that the first network node 111 , in the sensing RAN, may be undertaking for collecting the privacy limitations from its first wireless communications network 101 in step 3.3.1 , in agreement with Action 304, Action 404 and Action 405. Once this may be completed, all the RAN e.g., the second network node 112, may forward the collected limitation to the first network node 111 , e.g., in the sensing RAN, in an additional phase called Inter-RAN privacy limitation collection phase, in agreement with Action 507 and Action 304. In the next step 3.4, the first network node 111 , in the sensing RAN, may undertake the appropriate privacy protection processing for the devices of the PCEs, e.g., the device 130, that may be connected to itself and to the other RANs, in agreement with Action 405. Steps 3.4-8 may be performed as described in Figure 7.

[0215] As a summarized overview of the foregoing, embodiments herein may be understood to relate to a method for improving the privacy of entities, which may be equipped with the device 130, during sensing measurements where the device 130 may not actively participate.

[0216] In some embodiments, the method may use a three phase mechanism, where, a) during the first phase, the announcement phase, the devices, e.g., the device 130, of the interested PCE, may be informed about an upcoming measurement and its technical description; b) during the second phase, the sensing phase, the devices, e.g., the device 130, of the PCEs may be able to monitor the impinging signal on them and determine whether this signal may pose a security risk on them; c) during the third phase, the collection of privacy limitation requests phase, the UEs of the PCEs may inform the RAN that undertakes the sensing measurement about their privacy limitation request.

[0217] In some embodiments, the devices, e.g., the device 130, of the PCE may be: a) devices connected to the RAN that may execute the sensing measurement, and / or, b) devices connected to a neighboring RAN, provider; and / or, c) devices in an idle state; and / or d) a combination of the previous three cases.

[0218] In some embodiments, the devices, e.g., the device 130, of the PCEs may belong to different RANs, providers, and the announcement and the collection of privacy limitation requests phase may be performed using dedicated licensed or unlicensed spectrum.

[0219] In some embodiments, the devices, e.g., the device 130, of the PCEs may belong to different RANs, providers, and the announcement and the collection of privacy limitation requests phases may be undertaken from the serving RAN for each device, e.g., the device 130, using inter-RAN coordination.

[0220] In some embodiments, the devices, e.g., the device 130, of the PCEs may belong to different RANs, providers, and the announcement and the collection of privacy limitation requests phase may be undertaken, with a combination of the last two embodiments.

[0221] In some embodiments, the processing, using the feedback provided by the devices, e.g., the device 130, of the PCEs during the privacy limitation requests phase, for the privacy protection enhancement of the PCEs may be performed in the RAN or Core Network (CN) level.

[0222] In some embodiments, the processing, using the feedback provided by the devices, e.g., the device 130, of the PCEs during the privacy limitation requests phase, for the privacy protection enhancement of the PCEs may be performed in the third network node 113, e.g., the SCU.

[0223] In some embodiments, the processing, using the feedback provided by the devices, e.g., the device 130, of the PCEs during the privacy limitation requests phase, for the privacy protection enhancement of the PCEs may be performed in both in the RAN level and in the third network node 113, e.g., SCU.

[0224] In some embodiments, the feedback provided by the devices, e.g., the device 130, of the PCEs during the privacy limitation requests phase may be used for improving the results of the undertaken sensing measurement.

[0225] Certain embodiments herein may provide one or more of the following technical advantage(s). Embodiments herein may be understood to provide a simple mechanism which may enable PCEs, supplied with a device, to improve their privacy during sensing measurements in which they may not actively participate. More specifically, through the disclosed mechanism, the PCEs may become aware of an upcoming sensing measurement that otherwise may neglect their existence. Furthermore, they may be given the opportunity to monitor the sensing measurement that may pose a privacy risk for them and / or be given an opportunity to manage the risk of interference with their performance. If any privacy risk is identified during such a measurement, via the disclosed mechanism, they may be given the opportunity to set a well defined privacy limitation that may be transferred to the RAN which may have executed the sensing measurement of interest. Based on the previous privacy limitations, the RAN and / or the SCU may be able to process the obtained sensing measured data in a way that may hide all the sensitive information of a PCE, or even the PCE itself, from the external application that may have initiated the sensing measurement. It may be noted that the provided privacy limitations may be used by the RAN and / or the SCU for improving the Quality of Service (QoS) of the sensing measurement of interest before they may be taken into account in the privacy protection processing. Also, it may be emphasized that the disclosed mechanism may be tuned such that it may be applicable when the UEs of the PCEs may be: 1) connected to the RAN that may execute the sensing measurement; 2) connected to another RAN than the one that may execute the sensing measurement; 3) in an idle state; and 4) a combination of the previous three cases. Additionally or alternatively, the PCEs may be given the opportunity to manage the sensing measurement that may pose a risk of interference with their performance, and protect the devices from such interference during the sensing procedure.

[0226] Figure 9 depicts an example of the arrangement that the first network node 111 may comprise to perform the method described in Figure 3, Figure 7 and / or Figure 8. The first network node 111 may be understood to be for handling the sensing information. The first network node 111 is configured to operate in the first wireless communications network 101.

[0227] Several embodiments are comprised herein. It should be noted that the examples herein are not mutually exclusive. One or more embodiments may be combined, where applicable. All possible combinations are not described to simplify the description. Components from one embodiment may be tacitly assumed to be present in another embodiment and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may be used in the other exemplary embodiments. The detailed description of some of the following corresponds to the same references provided above, in relation to the actions described for the first network node 111 , and will thus not be repeated here. For example, the in some embodiments, the idle state may be configured to be the RRC idle state.

[0228] The first network node 111 is configured to send the first indication configured to indicate that the sensing procedure is to be performed in the location. The location comprises the second network node 112 or the device 130, configured to operate in the first wireless communications network 101 or in the second wireless communications network 102.

[0229] The first network node 111 is also configured to obtain, responsive to the first indication configured to be sent, the second indication from at least one of the second network node 112 and the device 130. The second indication is configured to indicate the first information to be excluded from the second information configured to have been obtained, or configured to be obtained, during the sensing procedure.

[0230] In some embodiments, the first network node 111 may be further configured with at least one of the following two configurations.

[0231] In some embodiments, the first network node 111 may be further configured to obtain the second information configured to be obtained during the sensing procedure.

[0232] In some embodiments, the first network node 111 may be further configured to initiate processing the second information configured to be obtained based on the second indication configured to be obtained.

[0233] In some embodiments, the obtaining of the second information may be configured to be performed after the obtaining of the second indication. The obtaining of the second information may be configured to be performed in response to the transmission, by one of the first network node 111 and the first radio network node 141 configured to operate in the first wireless communications network 101 , of the one or more radio signals during the sensing procedure. The transmission of the one or more radio signals may be configured to be based on sensing excluding the first information.

[0234] In some embodiments, the first network node 111 may be further configured with the following two configurations.

[0235] In some embodiments, the first network node 111 may be further configured to obtain the earlier indication from the third network node 113 configured to operate in the first wireless communications network 101. The earlier indication may be configured to request the second information. The sending of the first indication may be configured to be responsive to the earlier indication configured to be obtained.

[0236] In some embodiments, the first network node 111 may be further configured to initiate providing to the third network node 113, responsive to the earlier indication configured to be obtained, at least one of: a) the second information, and the second indication, and b) the second information, at least partially processed by the first network node 111 based on the second indication.

[0237] In some embodiments, the first indication may be configured to be comprised in the paging message wherein prior to the sending of the first indication, the device 130 may be in idle state, and the first indication may be configured to trigger the device 130 to enter into the connected state.

[0238] In some embodiments, at least one of the following may apply: a) at least one of the sending of the first indication and the obtaining of the second indication may be configured to be performed in at least one of licensed spectrum and unlicensed spectrum, b) the first indication may be further configured to indicate one or more of: i) the time and / or frequency resources configured to be used for the sensing procedure, ii) the two-dimensional or three- dimensional space wherein the sensing procedure may be configured to be performed, iii) the one or more first characteristics of the radio signals configured to be used for the sensing procedure, and iv) the one or more second characteristics of the radio components configured to be used for the sensing procedure, c) the at least one of the second network node 112 and the device 130 may be made configured to be aware of the sensing procedure by the first indication configured to be sent, and d) the first network node 111 may be configured to be one of: i) the core network node, ii) the first radio network node 141 configured to operate in the first wireless communications network 101 and configured to perform the sensing procedure, and iii) the second radio network node 142 configured to operate in the first wireless communications network 101 other than the first radio network node 141 configured to perform the sensing procedure.

[0239] The embodiments herein in the first network node 111 may be implemented through one or more processors, such as a processing circuitry 901 in the first network node 111 depicted in Figure 9, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. A processor, as used herein, may be understood to be a hardware component. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the first network node 111. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the first network node 111.

[0240] The first network node 111 may further comprise a memory 902 comprising one or more memory units. The memory 902 is arranged to be used to store obtained information, store data, configurations, schedulings, and applications etc. to perform the methods herein when being executed in the first network node 111.

[0241] In some embodiments, the first network node 111 may receive information from, e.g., the second network node 112, the third network node 113, the first radio network node 141 , the second radio network node 142, the device 130, and / or another structure in the wireless communications network 101 , 102, through a receiving port 903. In some embodiments, the receiving port 903 may be, for example, connected to one or more antennas in first network node 111. In other embodiments, the first network node 111 may receive information from another structure in the wireless communications network 101, 102 through the receiving port

[0242] 903. Since the receiving port 903 may be in communication with the processing circuitry 901 , the receiving port 903 may then send the received information to the processing circuitry 901. The receiving port 903 may also be configured to receive other information.

[0243] The processing circuitry 901 in the first network node 111 may be further configured to transmit or send information to e.g., the second network node 112, the third network node 113, the first radio network node 141, the second radio network node 142, the device 130, and / or another structure in the wireless communications network 101, 102, through a sending port

[0244] 904, which may be in communication with the processing circuitry 901 , and the memory 902.

[0245] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the units comprised within the first network node 111 described above as being configured to perform different actions, may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and / or one or more processors configured with software and / or firmware, e.g., stored in memory, that, when executed by the one or more processors such as the processing circuitry 901 , perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC). The first network node 111 may be configured to perform any of the Actions described in relation to Figure 3, Figure 7 and / or Figure 8, e.g., by means of the processing circuitry 901 within the first network node 111, configured to perform any of such actions.

[0246] Also, in some embodiments, different units comprised within the first network node 111 may be configured to perform the different actions described above, implemented as one or more applications running on one or more processors such as the processing circuitry 901.

[0247] Thus, the methods according to the embodiments described herein for the first network node 111 may be respectively implemented by means of a computer program 905 product, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processing circuitry 901 , cause the at least one processing circuitry 901 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the first network node 111. The computer program 905 product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 906. The computer- readable storage medium 906, having stored thereon the computer program 905, may comprise instructions which, when executed on at least one processing circuitry 901 , cause the at least one processing circuitry 901 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the first network node 111. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium 906 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a CD ROM disc, or a memory stick. In other embodiments, the computer program 905 product may be stored on a carrier containing the computer program 905 just described, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or the computer-readable storage medium 906, as described above.

[0248] The first network node 111 may comprise a communication interface configured to facilitate, or an interface unit to facilitate, communications between the first network node 111 and other nodes or devices, e.g., the second network node 112, the third network node 113, the first radio network node 141, the second radio network node 142, the device 130, and / or another structure in the wireless communications network 101 , 102. The interface may, for example, include a transceiver configured to transmit and receive radio signals over an air interface in accordance with a suitable standard.

[0249] In other embodiments, the first network node 111 may comprise a radio circuitry 907, which may comprise e.g., the receiving port 903 and the sending port 904.

[0250] The radio circuitry 907 may be configured to set up and maintain at least a wireless connection with any of the devices in the plurality of first devices 110, such as the second network node 112, the third network node 113, the first radio network node 141, the second radio network node 142, the device 130, and / or another structure in the wireless communications network 101, 102. Circuitry may be understood herein as a hardware component. Hence, embodiments herein also relate to the first network node 111 operative to operate in the first wireless communications network 101. The first network node 111 may comprise the processing circuitry 901 and the memory 902, said memory 902 containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry 901 , whereby the first network node 111 is further operative to perform the actions described herein in relation to the first network node 111 , e.g., in Figure 3, Figure 7 and / or Figure 8.

[0251] Figure 10 depicts an example of the arrangement that the device 130 may comprise to perform the method described in Figure 4, Figure 7 and / or Figure 8. The device 130 may be understood to be for handling sensing information. The device 130 is configured to operate in the wireless communications network 101 , 102.

[0252] Several embodiments are comprised herein. It should be noted that the examples herein are not mutually exclusive. One or more embodiments may be combined, where applicable. All possible combinations are not described to simplify the description. Components from one embodiment may be tacitly assumed to be present in another embodiment and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may be used in the other exemplary embodiments. The detailed description of some of the following corresponds to the same references provided above, in relation to the actions described for the device 130, and will thus not be repeated here. For example, the in some embodiments, the idle state may be configured to be the RRC idle state.

[0253] The device 130 is configured to receive the first indication from at least one of the first network node 111 configured to operate in the first wireless communications network 101 or the second network node 112 configured to operate in the second wireless communications network 102. One of the first wireless communications network 101 and the second wireless communications network 102 is configured to be the same as the wireless communications network 101 , 102 wherein the device 130 is configured to operate. The first indication is configured to indicate that the sensing procedure is to be performed in the location. The location comprises the device 130.

[0254] The device 130 is also configured to send the second indication to the first network node 111 or the second network node 112. The second indication is configured to indicate the first information to be excluded from second information configured to have been obtained, or configured to be obtained, during the sensing procedure.

[0255] In some embodiments, the device 130 may be further configured to determine whether or not the first information may be to be excluded from the sensing procedure, and the sending of the second indication may be configured to be based on the result of the determining of whether or not the first information may be to be excluded from the sensing procedure. In some embodiments, the device 130 may be further configured with the following two configurations.

[0256] In some embodiments, the device 130 may be further configured to monitor, based on the first indication configured to be received, the one or more radio signals configured to be used during the sensing procedure.

[0257] In some embodiments, the device 130 may be further configured to determine, based on the one or more radio signals configured to be monitored, whether or not the first information may be to be excluded from the second information, and the sending of the second indication may be configured to be based on the result of the determining of whether or not the first information may be to be excluded from the second information.

[0258] In some embodiments, the first indication may be configured to be comprised in the paging message wherein prior to the receiving of the first indication the device may be in idle state, and the first indication may be configured to trigger the device 130 to enter into the connected state.

[0259] In some embodiments, at least one of the following may apply: a) at least one of the receiving of the first indication and the sending of the second indication may be configured to be performed in at least one of licensed spectrum and unlicensed spectrum, b) the first indication may be further configured to indicate one or more of: i) the time and / or frequency resources configured to be used for the sensing procedure, ii) the two-dimensional or three- dimensional space wherein the sensing procedure may be configured to be performed, iii) the one or more first characteristics of the radio signals configured to be used for the sensing procedure, and iv) the one or more second characteristics of the radio components configured to be used for the sensing procedure, c) the at least one of the second network node 112 and the device 130 may be made configured to be aware of the sensing procedure by the first indication, and d) the first network node 111 may be configured to be one of: i) the core network node, ii) the first radio network node 141 configured to operate in the first wireless communications network 101 and configured to perform the sensing procedure, and iii) the second radio network node 142 configured to operate in the first wireless communications network 101 other than the first radio network node 141 configured to perform the sensing procedure.

[0260] The embodiments herein in the device 130 may be implemented through one or more processors, such as a processing circuitry 1001 in the device 130 depicted in Figure 10, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. A processor, as used herein, may be understood to be a hardware component. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the device 130. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the device 130.

[0261] The device 130 may further comprise a memory 1002 comprising one or more memory units. The memory 1002 is arranged to be used to store obtained information, store data, configurations, schedulings, and applications etc. to perform the methods herein when being executed in the device 130.

[0262] In some embodiments, the device 130 may receive information from, e.g., the first network node 111 , the second network node 112, the third network node 113, the first radio network node 141, the second radio network node 142, the device 130, and / or another structure in the wireless communications network 101 , 102, through a receiving port 1003. In some embodiments, the receiving port 1003 may be, for example, connected to one or more antennas in device 130. In other embodiments, the device 130 may receive information from another structure in the wireless communications network 101 , 102 through the receiving port 1003. Since the receiving port 1003 may be in communication with the processing circuitry 1001 , the receiving port 1003 may then send the received information to the processing circuitry 1001. The receiving port 1003 may also be configured to receive other information.

[0263] The processing circuitry 1001 in the device 130 may be further configured to transmit or send information to e.g., the first network node 111, the second network node 112, the third network node 113, the first radio network node 141, the second radio network node 142, the device 130, and / or another structure in the wireless communications network 101 , 102, through a sending port 1004, which may be in communication with the processing circuitry 1001, and the memory 1002.

[0264] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the units comprised within the device 130 described above as being configured to perform different actions, may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and / or one or more processors configured with software and / or firmware, e.g., stored in memory, that, when executed by the one or more processors such as the processing circuitry 1001 , perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC).

[0265] The device 130 may be configured to perform any of the Actions described in relation to Figure 4, Figure 7 and / or Figure 8, e.g., by means of the processing circuitry 1001 within the device 130, configured to perform any of such actions. Also, in some embodiments, different units comprised within the device 130 may be configured to perform the different actions described above, implemented as one or more applications running on one or more processors such as the processing circuitry 1001.

[0266] Thus, the methods according to the embodiments described herein for the device 130 may be respectively implemented by means of a computer program 1005 product, comprising instructions, i.e. , software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processing circuitry 1001 , cause the at least one processing circuitry 1001 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the device 130. The computer program 1005 product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1006. The computer- readable storage medium 1006, having stored thereon the computer program 1005, may comprise instructions which, when executed on at least one processing circuitry 1001, cause the at least one processing circuitry 1001 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the device 130. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium 1006 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a CD ROM disc, or a memory stick. In other embodiments, the computer program 1005 product may be stored on a carrier containing the computer program 1005 just described, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or the computer-readable storage medium 1006, as described above.

[0267] The device 130 may comprise a communication interface configured to facilitate, or an interface unit to facilitate, communications between the device 130 and other nodes or devices, e.g., the first network node 111 , the second network node 112, the third network node 113, the first radio network node 141, the second radio network node 142, the device 130, and / or another structure in the wireless communications network 101 , 102. The interface may, for example, include a transceiver configured to transmit and receive radio signals over an air interface in accordance with a suitable standard.

[0268] In other embodiments, the device 130 may comprise a radio circuitry 1007, which may comprise e.g., the receiving port 1003 and the sending port 1004.

[0269] The radio circuitry 1007 may be configured to set up and maintain at least a wireless connection with the first network node 111 , the second network node 112, the third network node 113, the first radio network node 141 , the second radio network node 142, the device 130, and / or another structure in the wireless communications network 101 , 102. Circuitry may be understood herein as a hardware component.

[0270] Hence, embodiments herein also relate to the device 130 operative to operate in the wireless communications network 101 , 102. The device 130 may comprise the processing circuitry 1001 and the memory 1002, said memory 1002 containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry 1001 , whereby the device 130 is further operative to perform the actions described herein in relation to the device 130, e.g., in Figure 4, Figure 7 and / or Figure

[0271] 8.

[0272] Figure 11 depicts an example of the arrangement that the second network node 112 may comprise to perform the method described in Figure 5, Figure 7 and / or Figure 8. The second network node 112 may be understood to be for handling the sensing information. The second network node 112 is configured to operate in the second wireless communications network 102.

[0273] Several embodiments are comprised herein. It should be noted that the examples herein are not mutually exclusive. One or more embodiments may be combined, where applicable. All possible combinations are not described to simplify the description. Components from one embodiment may be tacitly assumed to be present in another embodiment and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may be used in the other exemplary embodiments. The detailed description of some of the following corresponds to the same references provided above, in relation to the actions described for the second network node 112, and will thus not be repeated here. For example, the in some embodiments, the idle state may be configured to be the RRC idle state.

[0274] The second network node 112 is configured to receive the first indication from the first network node 111 configured to operate in the first wireless communications network 101. The first indication is configured to indicate that the sensing procedure is to be performed in the location. The location comprises at least a part of the coverage area of the second network node 112 or the device 130 configured to operate in the second wireless communications network 102.

[0275] The second network node 112 is also configured to send the second indication configured to indicate the first information to be excluded from the second information configured to have been obtained, or configured to be obtained, during the sensing procedure to the first network node 111.

[0276] In some embodiments, the second network node 112 may be further configured with the following two configurations.

[0277] In some embodiments, the second network node 112 may be further configured to send the first indication configured to be obtained to the device 130.

[0278] In some embodiments, the second network node 112 may be further configured to obtain the third indication from the device 130. The third indication is configured to indicate at least the first subset of the first information to be excluded from second information. The second indication may be configured to comprise or may be configured to be based on the third indication. In some embodiments, the first indication may be configured to be comprised in the paging message wherein prior to the receiving of the first indication the device 130 may be in idle state, and the sending of the first indication to the device 130 may be configured to trigger the device 130 to enter into the connected state.

[0279] In some embodiments, the second network node 112 may be further configured to determine whether or not at least the second subset of the first information may be to be excluded from the sensing procedure, and wherein the sending of the second indication may be configured to be based on the result of the determining of whether or not at least the second subset of the first information the to be excluded from the sensing procedure.

[0280] In some embodiments, the second network node 112 may be further configured with the following two configurations.

[0281] In some embodiments, the second network node 112 may be further configured to monitor, based on the first indication configured to be received, the one or more radio signals using during the sensing procedure.

[0282] In some embodiments, the second network node 112 may be further configured to determine, based on the monitored one or more radio signals, whether or not at least the second subset of the first information may be to be excluded from the second information, and the sending of the second indication may be configured to be based on the result of the determining of whether or not at least the second subset of the first information the to be excluded from the second information.

[0283] In some embodiments, at least one of the following may apply: a) at least one of the receiving of the first indication and the sending of the second indication may be configured to be performed in at least one of the wired connection, licensed spectrum and unlicensed spectrum, b) the first indication may be further configured to indicate one or more of: i) the time and / or frequency resources configured to be used for the sensing procedure, ii) the two- dimensional or three-dimensional space wherein the sensing procedure may be configured to be performed, iii) the one or more first characteristics of the radio signals configured to be used for the sensing procedure, and iv) the one or more second characteristics of the radio components configured to be used for the sensing procedure, c) the at least one of the second network node 112 and the device 130 may be made configured to be aware of the sensing procedure by the first indication, and d) the first network node 111 may be configured to be one of: i) the core network node, ii) the first radio network node 141 configured to operate in the first wireless communications network 101 and configured to perform the sensing procedure, and iii) the second radio network node 142 configured to operate in the first wireless communications network 101 other than the first radio network node 141 configured to perform the sensing procedure. The embodiments herein in the second network node 112 may be implemented through one or more processors, such as a processing circuitry 1101 in the second network node 112 depicted in Figure 11 , together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. A processor, as used herein, may be understood to be a hardware component. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the second network node 112. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the second network node 112.

[0284] The second network node 112 may further comprise a memory 1102 comprising one or more memory units. The memory 1102 is arranged to be used to store obtained information, store data, configurations, schedulings, and applications etc. to perform the methods herein when being executed in the second network node 112. the first network node 111 , the second network node 112, the third network node 113, the first radio network node 141, the second radio network node 142, the device 130, and / or another structure in the wireless communications network 101 , 102ln some embodiments, the second network node 112 may receive information from, e.g., the first network node 111 , the third network node 113, the first radio network node 141, the second radio network node 142, the device 130, and / or another structure in the wireless communications network 101 , 102, through a receiving port 1103. In some embodiments, the receiving port 1103 may be, for example, connected to one or more antennas in second network node 112. In other embodiments, the second network node 112 may receive information from another structure in the wireless communications network 101 , 102 through the receiving port 1103. Since the receiving port 1103 may be in communication with the processing circuitry 1101 , the receiving port 1103 may then send the received information to the processing circuitry 1101. The receiving port 1103 may also be configured to receive other information.

[0285] The processing circuitry 1101 in the second network node 112 may be further configured to transmit or send information to e.g., the first network node 111, the third network node 113, the first radio network node 141, the second radio network node 142, the device 130, and / or another structure in the wireless communications network 101 , 102, through a sending port 1104, which may be in communication with the processing circuitry 1101 , and the memory 1102.

[0286] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the units comprised within the second network node 112 described above as being configured to perform different actions, may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and / or one or more processors configured with software and / or firmware, e.g., stored in memory, that, when executed by the one or more processors such as the processing circuitry 1101 , perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC).

[0287] The second network node 112 may be configured to perform any of the Actions described in relation to Figure 5, Figure 7 and / or Figure 8, e.g., by means of the processing circuitry 1101 within the second network node 112, configured to perform any of such actions.

[0288] Also, in some embodiments, different units comprised within the second network node 112 may be configured to perform the different actions described above, implemented as one or more applications running on one or more processors such as the processing circuitry 1101.

[0289] Thus, the methods according to the embodiments described herein for the second network node 112 may be respectively implemented by means of a computer program 1105 product, comprising instructions, i.e. , software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processing circuitry 1101 , cause the at least one processing circuitry 1101 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the second network node 112. The computer program 1105 product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1106. The computer-readable storage medium 1106, having stored thereon the computer program 1105, may comprise instructions which, when executed on at least one processing circuitry 1101 , cause the at least one processing circuitry 1101 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the second network node 112. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium 1106 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a CD ROM disc, or a memory stick. In other embodiments, the computer program 1105 product may be stored on a carrier containing the computer program 1105 just described, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or the computer-readable storage medium 1106, as described above.

[0290] The second network node 112 may comprise a communication interface configured to facilitate, or an interface unit to facilitate, communications between the second network node 112 and other nodes or devices, e.g., the first network node 111 , the third network node 113, the first radio network node 141, the second radio network node 142, the device 130, and / or another structure in the wireless communications network 101 , 102. The interface may, for example, include a transceiver configured to transmit and receive radio signals over an air interface in accordance with a suitable standard.

[0291] In other embodiments, the second network node 112 may comprise a radio circuitry 1107, which may comprise e.g., the receiving port 1103 and the sending port 1104.

[0292] The radio circuitry 1107 may be configured to set up and maintain at least a wireless connection with the first network node 111 , the third network node 113, the first radio network node 141, the second radio network node 142, the device 130, and / or another structure in the wireless communications network 101 , 102. Circuitry may be understood herein as a hardware component.

[0293] Hence, embodiments herein also relate to the second network node 112 operative to operate in the second communications network 102. The second network node 112 may comprise the processing circuitry 1101 and the memory 1102, said memory 1102 containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry 1101, whereby the second network node 112 is further operative to perform the actions described herein in relation to the second network node 112, e.g., in Figure 5, Figure 7 and / or Figure 8.

[0294] Figure 12 depicts an example of the arrangement that the third network node 113 may comprise to perform the method described in Figure 6, Figure 7 and / or Figure 8. The third network node 113 may be understood to be for handling the sensing information. The third network node 113 is configured to operate in the first wireless communications network 101.

[0295] Several embodiments are comprised herein. It should be noted that the examples herein are not mutually exclusive. One or more embodiments may be combined, where applicable. All possible combinations are not described to simplify the description. Components from one embodiment may be tacitly assumed to be present in another embodiment and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may be used in the other exemplary embodiments. The detailed description of some of the following corresponds to the same references provided above, in relation to the actions described for the first network node 111 , and will thus not be repeated here. For example, the in some embodiments, the idle state may be configured to be the RRC idle state.

[0296] The third network node 113 is configured to send the earlier indication to the first network node 111 configured to operate in the first wireless communications network 101. The earlier indication is configured to request the second information configured to have been obtained, or configured to be obtained, during the sensing procedure to be performed in the location. The location comprises the second network node 112 or the device 130, configured to operate in the first wireless communications network 101 or in the second wireless communications network 102.

[0297] The third network node 113 is also configured to obtain, responsive to the earlier indication configured to be sent, at least one of: i) the second information configured to be obtained during the sensing procedure, and the second indication configured to be originated from at least one of the second network node 112 and the device 130, the second indication being configured to indicate first information to be excluded from the second information configured to be obtained, and b) the second information, configured to be at least partially processed based on the second indication.

[0298] In some embodiments, the third network node 113 may be further configured with the following two configurations.

[0299] In some embodiments, the third network node 113 may be further configured to process, based on the second indication, the at least one of the second information configured to be obtained, and the second information configured to be at least partially processed.

[0300] In some embodiments, the third network node 113 may be further configured to initiate providing the fourth indication configured to indicate the second information configured to be processed.

[0301] In some embodiments, the third network node 113 may be further configured to obtain the request to initiate the sensing procedure from the another node 114 configured to operate in the first communications network 101, and the fourth indication may be configured to be output to the another node 114.

[0302] In some embodiments, at least one of the following may apply: a) the obtaining of the second information may be configured to be from the first network node 111, responsive to the earlier indication configured to be sent, b) the obtaining of the second indication may be configured to be from at least one of: i) the first network node 111, responsive to the earlier indication configured to be sent, ii) at least one of the second network node 112 and the device 130, and iii) the memory storage, and c) the obtaining of the second information may be configured to be performed in response to the transmission, by one of the first network node 111 and the first radio network node 141 configured to operate in the first wireless communications network 101 , of the one or more radio signals during the sensing procedure. The transmission of the one or more radio signals may be configured to be based on sensing excluding the first information.

[0303] In some embodiments, the third network node 113 may be configured to be one of: i) an SCU, ii) a core network node, iii) the first radio network node 141 configured to operate in the first wireless communications network 101 and configured to perform the sensing procedure, and iv) the second radio network node 142 configured to operate in the first wireless communications network 101 other than the first radio network node 141 configured to perform the sensing procedure.

[0304] The embodiments herein in the third network node 113 may be implemented through one or more processors, such as a processing circuitry 1201 in the third network node 113 depicted in Figure 12, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. A processor, as used herein, may be understood to be a hardware component. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the third network node 113. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the third network node 113.

[0305] The third network node 113 may further comprise a memory 1202 comprising one or more memory units. The memory 1202 is arranged to be used to store obtained information, store data, configurations, schedulings, and applications etc. to perform the methods herein when being executed in the third network node 113.

[0306] In some embodiments, the third network node 113 may receive information from, e.g., the first network node 111, the second network node 112, the first radio network node 141, the second radio network node 142, the device 130, and / or another structure in the wireless communications network 101 , 102, through a receiving port 1203. In some embodiments, the receiving port 1203 may be, for example, connected to one or more antennas in third network node 113. In other embodiments, the third network node 113 may receive information from another structure in the wireless communications network 101, 102 through the receiving port 1203. Since the receiving port 1203 may be in communication with the processing circuitry 1201 , the receiving port 1203 may then send the received information to the processing circuitry 1201. The receiving port 1203 may also be configured to receive other information.

[0307] The processing circuitry 1201 in the third network node 113 may be further configured to transmit or send information to e.g., the first network node 111, the second network node 112, the first radio network node 141, the second radio network node 142, the device 130, and / or another structure in the wireless communications network 101, 102, through a sending port 1204, which may be in communication with the processing circuitry 1201, and the memory 1202.

[0308] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the units comprised within the third network node 113 described above as being configured to perform different actions, may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and / or one or more processors configured with software and / or firmware, e.g., stored in memory, that, when executed by the one or more processors such as the processing circuitry 1201 , perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC). The third network node 113 may be configured to perform any of the Actions described in relation to Figure 6, Figure 7 and / or Figure 8, e.g., by means of the processing circuitry 1201 within the third network node 113, configured to perform any of such actions.

[0309] Also, in some embodiments, different units comprised within the third network node 113 may be configured to perform the different actions described above, implemented as one or more applications running on one or more processors such as the processing circuitry 1201.

[0310] Thus, the methods according to the embodiments described herein for the third network node 113 may be respectively implemented by means of a computer program 1205 product, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processing circuitry 1201 , cause the at least one processing circuitry 1201 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the third network node 113. The computer program 1205 product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1206. The computer- readable storage medium 1206, having stored thereon the computer program 1205, may comprise instructions which, when executed on at least one processing circuitry 1201 , cause the at least one processing circuitry 1201 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the third network node 113. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium 1206 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a CD ROM disc, or a memory stick. In other embodiments, the computer program 1205 product may be stored on a carrier containing the computer program 1205 just described, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or the computer-readable storage medium 1206, as described above.

[0311] The third network node 113 may comprise a communication interface configured to facilitate, or an interface unit to facilitate, communications between the third network node 113 and other nodes or devices, e.g., the first network node 111 , the second network node 112, the first radio network node 141, the second radio network node 142, the device 130, and / or another structure in the wireless communications network 101 , 102. The interface may, for example, include a transceiver configured to transmit and receive radio signals over an air interface in accordance with a suitable standard.

[0312] In other embodiments, the third network node 113 may comprise a radio circuitry 1207, which may comprise e.g., the receiving port 1203 and the sending port 1204.

[0313] The radio circuitry 1207 may be configured to set up and maintain at least a wireless connection with any of the devices in the plurality of first devices 110, such as the first network node 111 , the second network node 112, the first radio network node 141 , the second radio network node 142, the device 130, and / or another structure in the wireless communications network 101, 102. Circuitry may be understood herein as a hardware component.

[0314] Hence, embodiments herein also relate to the third network node 113 operative to operate in the first wireless communications network 101. The third network node 113 may comprise the processing circuitry 1201 and the memory 1202, said memory 1202 containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry 1201 , whereby the third network node 113 is further operative to perform the actions described herein in relation to the third network node 113, e.g., in Figure 6, Figure 7 and / or Figure 8.

[0315] When using the word "comprise" or “comprising”, it shall be interpreted as non- limiting, i.e. , meaning "consist at least of".

[0316] The embodiments herein are not limited to the above-described preferred embodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used. Therefore, the above embodiments should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0317] Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and / or is implied from the context in which it is used. All references to a / an / the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any methods disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following or preceding another step and / or where it is implicit that a step must follow or precede another step. Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, wherever appropriate. Likewise, any advantage of any of the embodiments may apply to any other embodiments, and vice versa. Other objectives, features and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following description.

[0318] As used herein, the expression “at least one of:” followed by a list of alternatives separated by commas, and wherein the last alternative is preceded by the “and” term, may be understood to mean that only one of the list of alternatives may apply, more than one of the list of alternatives may apply or all of the list of alternatives may apply. This expression may be understood to be equivalent to the expression “at least one of:” followed by a list of alternatives separated by commas, and wherein the last alternative is preceded by the “or” term.

[0319] Any of the terms processor and circuitry may be understood herein as a hardware component.

[0320] As used herein, the expression “in some embodiments” has been used to indicate that the features of the embodiment described may be combined with any other embodiment or example disclosed herein.

[0321] As used herein, the expression “in some examples” has been used to indicate that the features of the example described may be combined with any other embodiment or example disclosed herein.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method for handling sensing information, performed by a first network node (111) operating in a first wireless communications network (101), the method comprising:- sending (302) a first indication indicating that a sensing procedure is to be performed in a location, the location comprising a second network node (112) or a device (130), operating in the first wireless communications network (101) or in a second wireless communications network (102), and- obtaining (304), responsive to the sent first indication, a second indication from at least one of the second network node (112) and the device (130), the second indication indicating first information to be excluded from second information obtained, or to be obtained, during the sensing procedure.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one of:- obtaining (303) the second information obtained during the sensing procedure, and- initiating (305) processing the obtained second information based on the obtained second indication.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the obtaining (303) of the second information is performed after the obtaining (304) of the second indication, wherein the obtaining (303) of the second information is performed in response to transmission, by one of the first network node (111) and a first radio network node (141) operating in the first wireless communications network (101), of one or more radio signals during the sensing procedure, and wherein the transmission of the one or more radio signals is based on sensing excluding the first information.

4. The method according to any of claims 2-3, further comprising:- obtaining (301) an earlier indication from a third network node (113) operating in the first wireless communications network (101), the earlier indication requesting the second information, wherein the sending (302) of the first indication is responsive to the obtained earlier indication, and- initiating (306) providing the to the third network node (113), responsive to the obtained earlier indication, at least one of: a) the second information, and the second indication, and b) the second information, at least partially processed by the first network node (111) based on the second indication.

5. The method according to any of claims 1-4, wherein prior to the sending (302) of the first indication the device (130) is in idle state, wherein the first indication is comprised in a paging message, and wherein the first indication triggers the device (130) to enter into a connected state.

6. The method according to any of claims 1-5, wherein at least one of:- at least one of the sending (302) of the first indication and the obtaining (304) of the second indication is performed in at least one of licensed spectrum and unlicensed spectrum,- the first indication further indicates one or more of: i. time and / or frequency resources to be used for the sensing procedure, ii. a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space wherein the sensing procedure is to be performed, iii. one or more first characteristics of the radio signals used for the sensing procedure, and iv. one or more second characteristics of the radio components used for the sensing procedure,- the at least one of the second network node (112) and the device (130) are made aware of the sensing procedure by the sent first indication,- the first network node (111) is one of: i. a core network node, ii. a first radio network node (141) operating in the first wireless communications network (101) and performing the sensing procedure, and iii. a second radio network node (142) operating in the first wireless communications network (101) other than the first radio network node (141) performing the sensing procedure.

7. A method for handling sensing information, performed by a device (130) operating in a wireless communications network (101 , 102), the method comprising:- receiving (401) a first indication from at least one of a first network node (111) operating in the first wireless communications network (101) or a second network node (112) operating in a second wireless communications network (102), wherein one of the first wireless communications network (101) and the second wireless communications network (102) is the same as the wireless communications network (101, 102) wherein the device (130) is operating, the first indicationindicating that a sensing procedure is to be performed in a location, the location comprising the device (130), and- sending (405) a second indication to the first network node (111) or the second network node (112), the second indication indicating first information to be excluded from second information obtained, or to be obtained, during the sensing procedure.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising:- determining (402) whether or not the first information is to be excluded from the sensing procedure, and wherein the sending (405) of the second indication is based on a result of the determining (402) of whether or not the first information is to be excluded from the sensing procedure.

9. The method according to any of claims 7-8, further comprising:- monitoring (403), based on the received first indication, one or more radio signals used during the sensing procedure, and- determining (404), based on the monitored one or more radio signals, whether or not the first information is to be excluded from the second information, and wherein the sending (405) of the second indication is based on a result of the determining (404) of whether or not the first information is to be excluded from the second information.

10. The method according to any of claims 7-9, wherein prior to the receiving (401) of the first indication the device (130) is in idle state, wherein the first indication is comprised in a paging message, and wherein the first indication triggers the device (130) to enter into a connected state.11 . The method according to any of claims 7-10, wherein at least one of:- at least one of the receiving (401) of the first indication and the sending (405) of the second indication is performed in at least one of licensed spectrum and unlicensed spectrum,- the first indication further indicates one or more of: i. time and / or frequency resources to be used for the sensing procedure, ii. a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space wherein the sensing procedure is to be performed,iii. one or more first characteristics of the radio signals used for the sensing procedure, and iv. one or more second characteristics of the radio components used for the sensing procedure,- the at least one of the second network node (112) and the device (130) are made aware of the sensing procedure by the first indication,- the first network node (111) is one of: i. a core network node, ii. a first radio network node (141) operating in the first wireless communications network (101) and performing the sensing procedure, and iii. a second radio network node (142) operating in the first wireless communications network (101) other than the first radio network node (141) performing the sensing procedure.

12. A method for handling sensing information, performed by a second network node (112) operating in a second wireless communications network (102), the method comprising:- receiving (501) a first indication from a first network node (111) operating in a first wireless communications network (101), the first indication indicating that a sensing procedure is to be performed in a location, the location comprising at least a part of a coverage area of the second network node (112) or a device (130) operating in the second wireless communications network (102), and- sending (507) a second indication indicating first information to be excluded from second information obtained, or to be obtained, during the sensing procedure to the first network node (111).

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:- sending (502) the obtained first indication to the device (130), and- obtaining (503) a third indication from the device (130), the third indication indicating at least a first subset of the first information to be excluded from second information, and wherein the second indication comprises or is based on the third indication.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein prior to the receiving (501) of the first indication the device (130) is in idle state, wherein the first indication is comprised in apaging message, and wherein the sending (502) of the first indication to the device (130) triggers the device (130) to enter into a connected state.

15. The method according to any of claims 12-14, further comprising:- determining (504) whether or not at least a second subset of the first information is to be excluded from the sensing procedure, and wherein the sending (507) of the second indication is based on a result of the determining (504) of whether or not at least the second subset of the first information is to be excluded from the sensing procedure.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:- monitoring (505), based on the received first indication, one or more radio signals using during the sensing procedure, and- determining (506), based on the monitored one or more radio signals, whether or not at least the second subset of the first information is to be excluded from the second information, and wherein the sending (507) of the second indication is based on a result of the determining (506) of whether or not at least the second subset of the first information is to be excluded from the second information.

17. The method according to any of claims 12-16, wherein at least one of:- at least one of the receiving (501) of the first indication and the sending (507) of the second indication is performed in at least one of: a wired connection, licensed spectrum and unlicensed spectrum,- the first indication further indicates one or more of: i. time and / or frequency resources to be used for the sensing procedure, ii. a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space wherein the sensing procedure is to be performed, iii. one or more first characteristics of the radio signals used for the sensing procedure, and iv. one or more second characteristics of the radio components used for the sensing procedure,- at least one of the second network node (112) and the device (130) are made aware of the sensing procedure by the first indication,- the first network node (111) is one of: i. a core network node,ii. a first radio network node (141) operating in the first wireless communications network (101) and performing the sensing procedure, and iii. a second radio network node (142) operating in the first wireless communications network (101) other than the first radio network node (141) performing the sensing procedure.

18. A method for handling sensing information, performed by a third network node (113) operating in a first wireless communications network (101), the method comprising:- sending (602) an earlier indication to a first network node (111) operating in the first wireless communications network (101), the earlier indication requesting second information obtained, or to be obtained, during a sensing procedure to be performed in a location, the location comprising a second network node (112) or a device (130), operating in the first wireless communications network (101) or in a second wireless communications network (102), and- obtaining (603), responsive to the sent earlier indication, at least one of: i. the second information obtained during the sensing procedure, and a second indication originated from at least one of the second network node (112) and the device (130), the second indication indicating first information to be excluded from the second information obtained, and ii. the second information, at least partially processed based on the second indication.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:- processing (604), based on the second indication, the at least one of the obtained second information, and the at least partially processed second information, and- initiating (605) providing a fourth indication indicating the processed second information.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising:- obtaining (601) a request to initiate the sensing procedure from another node (114) operating in the first communications network (101), and wherein the fourth indication is output to the another node (114).

21. The method according to any of claims 18-20, wherein at least one of:a. the obtaining (603) of the second information is from the first network node (111), responsive to the sent earlier indication, b. the obtaining (603) of the second indication is from at least one of: a) the first network node (111), responsive to the sent earlier indication, b) at least one of the second network node (112) and the device (130), and c) a memory storage, and c. the obtaining (603) of the second information is performed in response to transmission, by one of the first network node (111) and a first radio network node (141) operating in the first wireless communications network (101), of one or more radio signals during the sensing procedure, and wherein the transmission of the one or more radio signals is based on sensing excluding the first information.

22. The method according to any of claims 18-21 , wherein the third network node (113) is one of: i. a Sensing Central Unit, ii. a core network node, iii. a first radio network node (141) operating in the first wireless communications network (101) and performing the sensing procedure, and iv. a second radio network node (142) operating in the first wireless communications network (101) other than the first radio network node (141) performing the sensing procedure.

23. A first network node (111), for handling sensing information, the first network node (111) being configured to operate in a first wireless communications network (101), the first network node (111) being further configured to:- send a first indication configured to indicate that a sensing procedure is to be performed in a location, the location comprising a second network node (112) or a device (130), configured to operate in the first wireless communications network (101) or in a second wireless communications network (102), and- obtain, responsive to the first indication configured to be sent, a second indication from at least one of the second network node (112) and the device (130), the second indication being configured to indicate first information to be excluded from second information configured to have been obtained, or configured to be obtained, during the sensing procedure.

24. The first network node (111) according to claim 23, being further configured to at least one of:- obtain the second information configured to be obtained during the sensing procedure, and- initiate processing the second information configured to be obtained based on the second indication configured to be obtained.

25. The first network node (111) according to claim 24, wherein the obtaining of the second information is configured to be performed after the obtaining of the second indication, wherein the obtaining of the second information is configured to be performed in response to transmission, by one of the first network node (111) and a first radio network node (141) configured to operate in the first wireless communications network (101), of one or more radio signals during the sensing procedure, and wherein the transmission of the one or more radio signals is configured to be based on sensing excluding the first information.

26. The first network node (111) according to any of claims 23-25, being further configured to:- obtain an earlier indication from a third network node (113) configured to operate in the first wireless communications network (101), the earlier indication being configured to request the second information, wherein the sending of the first indication is configured to be responsive to the earlier indication configured to be obtained, and- initiate providing to the third network node (113), responsive to the earlier indication configured to be obtained, at least one of: a) the second information, and the second indication, and b) the second information, at least partially processed by the first network node (111) based on the second indication.

27. The first network node (111) according to any of claims 23-26, wherein the first indication is configured to be comprised in a paging message wherein prior to the sending of the first indication, the device (130) is in idle state, and wherein the first indication is configured to trigger the device (130) to enter into a connected state.

28. The first network node (111) according to any of claims 23-27, wherein at least one of:- at least one of the sending of the first indication and the obtaining of the second indication is configured to be performed in at least one of licensed spectrum and unlicensed spectrum,- the first indication is further configured to indicate one or more of: i. time and / or frequency resources configured to be used for the sensing procedure, ii. a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space wherein the sensing procedure is configured to be performed, iii. one or more first characteristics of the radio signals configured to be used for the sensing procedure, and iv. one or more second characteristics of the radio components configured to be used for the sensing procedure,- the at least one of the second network node (112) and the device (130) are made configured to be aware of the sensing procedure by the first indication configured to be sent,- the first network node (111) is configured to be one of: i. a core network node, ii. a first radio network node (141) configured to operate in the first wireless communications network (101) and configured to perform the sensing procedure, and iii. a second radio network node (142) configured to operate in the first wireless communications network (101) other than the first radio network node (141) configured to perform the sensing procedure.

29. A device (130) for handling sensing information, the device (130) configured to operate in a wireless communications network (101 , 102), the device (130) being further configured to:- receive a first indication from at least one of a first network node (111) configured to operate in the first wireless communications network (101) or a second network node (112) configured to operate in a second wireless communications network (102), wherein one of the first wireless communications network (101) and the second wireless communications network (102) is configured to be the same as the wireless communications network (101 , 102) wherein the device (130) is configured to operate, the first indication being configured to indicate that a sensing procedure is to be performed in a location, the location comprising the device (130), and- send a second indication to the first network node (111) or the second network node (112), the second indication being configured to indicate first information to be excluded from second information configured to have been obtained, or configured to be obtained, during the sensing procedure.

30. The device (130) according to claim 29, being further configured to:- determine whether or not the first information is to be excluded from the sensing procedure, and wherein the sending of the second indication is configured to be based on a result of the determining of whether or not the first information is to be excluded from the sensing procedure.

31. The device (130) according to any of claims 29-30, being further configured to:- monitor, based on the first indication configured to be received, one or more radio signals configured to be used during the sensing procedure, and- determine, based on the one or more radio signals configured to be monitored, whether or not the first information is to be excluded from the second information, and wherein the sending of the second indication is configured to be based on a result of the determining of whether or not the first information is to be excluded from the second information.

32. The device (130) according to any of claims 29-31, wherein the first indication is configured to be comprised in a paging message wherein prior to the receiving of the first indication the device is in idle state, and wherein the first indication is configured to trigger the device (130) to enter into a connected state.

33. The device (130) according to any of claims 29-32, wherein at least one of:- at least one of the receiving of the first indication and the sending of the second indication is configured to be performed in at least one of licensed spectrum and unlicensed spectrum,- the first indication is configured to further indicate one or more of: i. time and / or frequency resources configured to be used for the sensing procedure, ii. a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space wherein the sensing procedure is configured to be performed, iii. one or more first characteristics of the radio signals configured to be used for the sensing procedure, andiv. one or more second characteristics of the radio components configured to be used for the sensing procedure,- the at least one of the second network node (112) and the device (130) are configured to be made aware of the sensing procedure by the first indication,- the first network node (111) is configured to be one of: i. a core network node, ii. a first radio network node (141) configured to operate in the first wireless communications network (101) and configured to perform the sensing procedure, and iii. a second radio network node (142) configured to operate in the first wireless communications network (101) other than the first radio network node (141) configured to perform the sensing procedure.

34. A second network node (112) for handling sensing information, the second network node (112) being configured to operate in a second wireless communications network (102), the second network node (112) being further configured to:- receive a first indication from a first network node (111) configured to operate in a first wireless communications network (101), the first indication being configured to indicate that a sensing procedure is to be performed in a location, the location comprising at least a part of a coverage area of the second network node (112) or a device (130) configured to operate in the second wireless communications network (102), and- send a second indication configured to indicate first information to be excluded from second information configured to have been obtained, or configured to be obtained, during the sensing procedure to the first network node (111).

35. The second network node (112) according to claim 34, being further configured to:- send the first indication configured to be obtained to the device (130), and- obtain a third indication from the device (130), the third indication being configured to indicate at least a first subset of the first information to be excluded from second information, and wherein the second indication is configured to comprise or is configured to be based on the third indication.

36. The second network node (112) according to claim 35, wherein the first indication is configured to be comprised in a paging message wherein prior to the receiving of the first indication the device (130) is in idle state, and wherein the sending of the firstindication to the device (130) is configured to trigger the device (130) to enter into a connected state.

37. The second network node (112) according to any of claims 34-36, being further configured to:- determine whether or not at least a second subset of the first information is to be excluded from the sensing procedure, and wherein the sending of the second indication is configured to be based on a result of the determining of whether or not at least the second subset of the first information is to be excluded from the sensing procedure.

38. The second network node (112) according to claim 37, being further configured to:- monitor, based on the first indication configured to be received, one or more radio signals using during the sensing procedure, and- determine, based on the monitored one or more radio signals, whether or not at least the second subset of the first information is to be excluded from the second information, and wherein the sending of the second indication is configured to be based on a result of the determining of whether or not at least the second subset of the first information is to be excluded from the second information.

39. The second network node (112) according to any of claims 34-38, wherein at least one of:- at least one of the receiving of the first indication and the sending of the second indication is configured to be performed in at least one of: a wired connection, licensed spectrum and unlicensed spectrum,- the first indication is configured to further indicate one or more of: i. time and / or frequency resources configured to be used for the sensing procedure, ii. a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space wherein the sensing procedure is configured to be performed, iii. one or more first characteristics of the radio signals configured to be used for the sensing procedure, and iv. one or more second characteristics of the radio components configured to be used for the sensing procedure,- at least one of the second network node (112) and the device (130) are configured to be made aware of the sensing procedure by the first indication,- the first network node (111) is configured to be one of: i. a core network node, ii. a first radio network node (141) configured to operate in the first wireless communications network (101) and configured to perform the sensing procedure, and iii. a second radio network node (142) configured to operate in the first wireless communications network (101) other than the first radio network node (141) configured to perform the sensing procedure.

40. A third network node (113), for handling sensing information, the third network node (113) being configured to operate in a first wireless communications network (101), the third network node (113) being further configured to:- send an earlier indication to a first network node (111) configured to operate in the first wireless communications network (101), the earlier indication being configured to request second information configured to have been obtained, or configured to be obtained, during a sensing procedure to be performed in a location, the location comprising a second network node (112) or a device (130), configured to operate in the first wireless communications network (101) or in a second wireless communications network (102), and- obtain, responsive to the earlier indication configured to be sent, at least one of: i. the second information configured to be obtained during the sensing procedure, and a second indication configured to be originated from at least one of the second network node (112) and the device (130), the second indication being configured to indicate first information to be excluded from the second information configured to be obtained, and ii. the second information, configured to be at least partially processed based on the second indication.

41. The third network node (113) according to claim 18, being further configured to:- process, based on the second indication, the at least one of the second information configured to be obtained, and the second information configured to be at least partially processed, and- initiate providing a fourth indication configured to indicate the second information configured to be processed.

42. The third network node (113) according to claim 19, being further configured to:- obtain a request to initiate the sensing procedure from another node (114) configured to operate in the first communications network (101), and wherein the fourth indication is configured to be output to the another node (114).

43. The third network node (113) according to any of claims 18-20, wherein at least one of: a. the obtaining of the second information is configured to be from the first network node (111), responsive to the earlier indication configured to be sent, b. the obtaining of the second indication is configured to be from at least one of: a) the first network node (111), responsive to the earlier indication configured to be sent, b) at least one of the second network node (112) and the device (130), and c) a memory storage, and c. the obtaining of the second information is configured to be performed in response to transmission, by one of the first network node (111) and a first radio network node (141) configured to operate in the first wireless communications network (101), of one or more radio signals during the sensing procedure, and wherein the transmission of the one or more radio signals is configured to be based on sensing excluding the first information.

44. The third network node (113) according to any of claims 18-21, wherein the third network node (113) is configured to be one of: i. a Sensing Central Unit, ii. a core network node, iii. a first radio network node (141) configured to operate in the first wireless communications network (101) and configured to perform the sensing procedure, and iv. a second radio network node (142) configured to operate in the first wireless communications network (101) other than the first radio network node (141) configured to perform the sensing procedure.

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