Integrated sensing and communication in a distributed multiple-input multiple-output network

Abstract

There is provided techniques for ISAC in a D-MIMO network. The method is performed by a centralized network device. The method comprises selecting an ISAC mode of operation for network nodes under control of the centralized network device in the D-MIMO network. The ISAC mode of operation defines ISAC configurations and ISAC coordination for the network nodes to apply when performing the ISAC in an ISAC area in the D-MIMO network. The ISAC mode of operation is selected based on different types of ISAC information about the D-MIMO network. The different types of ISAC information at least pertain to synchronization capabilities between the network nodes for performing the ISAC in the ISAC area, and capabilities of the network nodes to provide coverage in the ISAC area. restrictions on interference in the ISAC area. The method comprises providing information of the ISAC configurations and the ISAC coordination to the network nodes.

Description

[0001] INTEGRATED SENSING AND COMMUNICATION IN A

[0002] DISTRIBUTED MULTIPLE-INPUT MULTIPLE-OUTPUT NETWORK

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] Embodiments presented herein relate to a method, a centralized network device, a computer program, and a computer program product for for integrated sensing and communication in a distributed multipleinput multiple-output network.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication is one of the technologies used in advanced telecommunication systems, such as the fifth generation telecommunication system (5GS). A network node, such as a gNB, equipped with many, e.g., 64 or more, antennas is capable of providing large array gains and / or performs spatial multiplexing of many users, such as pieces of user equipment (UEs), on the same time-frequency resources. Particularly, the spectral efficiency can be increased or, equivalently, the required power to satisfy a quality-of-service requirement can be decreased as the number of antennas increases.

[0007] Further, MIMO communication can be utilized either in a centralized or distributed deployment. In a centralized deployment, the network nodes will be equipped with even higher number of antennas than previously mentioned. In a distributed deployment, also referred to as distributed MIMO (D-MIMO), multiple access points, possibly with different capabilities but all capable of MIMO communication, will serve the UEs in a cooperative wave. In further detail, unlike conventional communication systems based on MIMO communication where multiple antennas are concentrated at a single location (i.e., at one and the same network node), D-MIMO introduces a network architecture where antennas are distributed across multiple, often geographically separated, network nodes within the network. Such a distributed arrangement facilitates a new level of spatial diversity and cooperative communication among the distributed antennas.

[0008] The spatial diversity offered by D-MIMO communication helps to, e.g., bypass blockages, leading to improved reliability and robustness of the communication link between the gNB and the UEs, especially at high frequencies. Moreover, by spreading antennas across different locations, D-MIMO communication offers inherent advantages in terms of interference management, providing more effective strategies for minimizing co-channel interference and enhancing the overall spectral efficiency of the system. The cooperative nature of D-MIMO communication enables the network to adapt more dynamically to varying channel conditions, ensuring efficient use of resources and mitigating the impact of fading and other impairments. For decades, wireless telecommunications have coexisted with radar technology, and most of the efforts so far have been concentrated on interference management so that the two technologies can coexist as smoothly as possible without causing interference to one another. This has caused additional costs for infrastructure and inefficiencies in spectrum usage. With 5GS and beyond, the telecommunication system has access to a wide bandwidth and large antenna arrays, which are the key requirements for sensing functionalities.

[0009] Further in this respect, key frequency bands as used for high resolution sensing are merging with the millimeter wave (mmw) communication bands. For instance, some of the popular frequency bands like K (18 GHz-26.5GHz) and Ka (26.5 GHz - 40 GHz) as used for radar are close to popular mmw communication bands. Also, the possibility to use of sub-THz bands (such as 100-300 GHz) in sixth generation telecommunication systems (6GS) makes it possible to perform accurate sensing using different wireless network nodes, e.g., gNBs. These factors open up opportunities for integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), sometimes also referred to as integrated communication and sensing systems, or joint communication and sensing systems.

[0010] In more detail, one objective with ISAC is to share the spectrum more efficiently and / or reuse the existing wireless network infrastructure for sensing. In other words, ISAC refers to the introduction of sensing capability as part of wireless communication networks. Here, sensing refers to radar-like functionalities, i.e. , the ability to detect the presence, and to track the movement, and other characteristics of (connected or unconnected) objects under the coverage of the wireless network. Compared to the deployment of a separate network for sensing functionality, one main benefit of ISAC is that the sensing capability can be introduced on large scale at a relatively low incremental cost by reusing the infrastructure that is deployed for communication purposes. With ISAC, there are essentially resources to be shared between the sensing and communication functionalities, i.e., the more resources that are spent on communication, the less resources are available for sensing and vice versa. Such shared resources may be in time, frequency and / or space domains.

[0011] In general, sensing methods can be divided into two categories; mono-static sensing on the one hand, and bistatic and multi-static sensing on the other hand. For mono-static sensing, the transmission of the sensing signal and the reception of the reflected signal (i.e., after reflection by the object to be sensed) are handled by the same node. For bistatic and multi-static sensing, the transmission and the reception can be handled by different collaborating communication devices (such as two gNBs, two UEs, or one gNB and one UE). The most common type of multi-static sensing is bi-static sensing where a second communication device receives the reflections of the sensing signal transmitted by a first communication device.

[0012] Mono-static sensing typically requires full duplex capability at the sensing-capable communication device. This is intuitively because in a typical sensing scenario the sensing range may be in the order of few to hundreds of meters and, thereby, the reflected wave may be received within a fraction of a microseconds which is shorter than in typical data communication systems with larger time scales (in the order of tens of microseconds). With a bi-static (or, in general multi-static) sensing, on the other hand, the signal is transmitted and received by different communication devices. Multi-static sensing requires tight coordination and timing synchronization between the communication device participating in the sensing process (i.e., transmitting or sending the signals used for the sensing).

[0013] Further, two different types of ISAC can be considered, namely, synchronous ISAC on the one hand and asynchronous ISAC on the other hand. With asynchronous ISAC, the time is divided into separated sensing and communicating intervals, i.e., the communication and sensing occur in different time slots. Here, the less often a sensing procedure is performed the more time can be utilized for communication and vice versa. That is, with asynchronous ISAC, there are time intervals fully dedicated for communication functionalities and other time intervals used fully dedicated for sensing. With synchronous ISAC, on the other hand, communication and sensing occur in the same time slots and frequency resources. Synchronous ISAC therefore also requires a tradeoff to be made with respect to coverage in the spatial domain, i.e., how much energy to be transmitted in a given direction for communication purposes and how much energy to be transmitted towards the region under inspection for sensing. For synchronous ISAC, full-duplex can be used with some antenna elements dedicated for receiving signals for sensing and some antenna elements used for transmission of communication signals (or, other combinations of the transmissions and reception for the communication and sensing signals). Here, either dedicated sensing signals can be used (i.e., transmitted and received), or one only regular communication signals can be used, assuming that echoes (as produced by reflections by the object to be sensed) of theses regular communication signals are used for sensing.

[0014] Some challenges of ISAC are interference management and the availability of line-of-sight (LOS) connections. Particularly, the sensing performance depends on the presence of LOS links. Networks utilizing D-MIMO communication (hereinafter referred to as D-MOMO networks) offer the presence of multiple multi-antenna network nodes, which increases the probability of finding LOS links. For the same reason, D-MIMO networks also provide multiple views of an object to be sensed, which improves the sensing quality. Further, the distributed characteristics of the network nodes in a D-MIMO network gives broader options for resource, e.g., time, frequency, energy, allocation between the sensing and communication signals.

[0015] However, it can be challenging to coordinate ISAC between different network nodes in a D-MIMO network.

[0016] SUMMARY

[0017] An object of embodiments herein is to address the above issues with respect to difficulties with coordinating ISAC between different network nodes in a D-MIMO network.

[0018] A particular object of embodiments herein is therefore to provide coordinated ISAC in a D-MIMO network.

[0019] According to a first aspect there is presented a method for ISAC in a D-MIMO network. The method is performed by a centralized network device. The method comprises selecting an ISAC mode of operation for network nodes under control of the centralized network device in the D-MIMO network. The ISAC mode of operation defines ISAC configurations and ISAC coordination for the network nodes to apply when performing the ISAC in an ISAC area in the D-MIMO network. The ISAC mode of operation is selected based on different types of ISAC information about the D-MIMO network. The different types of ISAC information at least pertain to synchronization capabilities between the network nodes for performing the ISAC in the ISAC area, and capabilities of the network nodes to provide coverage in the ISAC area, restrictions on interference in the ISAC area. The method comprises providing information of the ISAC configurations and the ISAC coordination to the network nodes.

[0020] According to a second aspect there is presented a centralized network device for ISAC in a D-MIMO network. The centralized network device comprises processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the centralized network device to select an ISAC mode of operation for network nodes under control of the centralized network device in the D-MIMO network. The ISAC mode of operation defines ISAC configurations and ISAC coordination for the network nodes to apply when performing the ISAC in an ISAC area in the D-MIMO network. The ISAC mode of operation is selected based on different types of ISAC information about the D-MIMO network. The different types of ISAC information at least pertain to synchronization capabilities between the network nodes for performing the ISAC in the ISAC area, and capabilities of the network nodes to provide coverage in the ISAC area, restrictions on interference in the ISAC area. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the centralized network device to provide information of the ISAC configurations and the ISAC coordination to the network nodes.

[0021] According to a third aspect there is presented a centralized network device for ISAC in a D-MIMO network. The centralized network device comprises a select module configured to select an ISAC mode of operation for network nodes under control of the centralized network device in the D-MIMO network. The ISAC mode of operation defines ISAC configurations and ISAC coordination for the network nodes to apply when performing the ISAC in an ISAC area in the D-MIMO network. The ISAC mode of operation is selected based on different types of ISAC information about the D-MIMO network. The different types of ISAC information at least pertain to synchronization capabilities between the network nodes for performing the ISAC in the ISAC area, and capabilities of the network nodes to provide coverage in the ISAC area, restrictions on interference in the ISAC area. The centralized network device comprises a provide module configured to provide information of the ISAC configurations and the ISAC coordination to the network nodes.

[0022] According to a fourth aspect there is presented a computer program for ISAC in a D-MIMO network. The computer program comprises computer code which, when run on processing circuitry of a centralized network device, causes the centralized network device to perform actions. One action comprises the centralized network device to select an ISAC mode of operation for network nodes under control of the centralized network device in the D-MIMO network. The ISAC mode of operation defines ISAC configurations and ISAC coordination for the network nodes to apply when performing the ISAC in an ISAC area in the D-MIMO network. The ISAC mode of operation is selected based on different types of ISAC information about the D-MIMO network. The different types of ISAC information at least pertain to synchronization capabilities between the network nodes for performing the ISAC in the ISAC area, and capabilities of the network nodes to provide coverage in the ISAC area, restrictions on interference in the ISAC area. One action comprises the centralized network device to provide information of the ISAC configurations and the ISAC coordination to the network nodes.

[0023] According to a fifth aspect there is presented a computer program product comprising a computer program according to the fourth aspect and a computer readable storage medium on which the computer program is stored. The computer readable storage medium could be a non-transitory computer readable storage medium.

[0024] Advantageously, these aspects provide coordinated ISAC in a D-MIMO network. Advantageously, these aspects enable proper ISAC with high accuracy and resolution in D-MIMO networks.

[0025] Advantageously, determining the appropriate modes of operations and configurations for the network nodes limits the (self-)interferences and provides the centralized network device with multiple views on the object to be sensed. In turn, this improves the sensing quality.

[0026] Advantageously, these aspects enable the centralized network device to analyze the coverage areas for both communication and sensing and adapt the backhaul and fronthaul communication of the network nodes as well as overhead signaling for coordination and synchronization between the network nodes in the D-MIMO network.

[0027] Other objectives, features and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, from the attached dependent claims as well as from the drawings.

[0028] Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a / an / the element, apparatus, component, means, module, step, etc." are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, module, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

[0029] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The inventive concept is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Figs. 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams illustrating a communication network according to embodiments;

[0032] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a network node with beamforming capabilities according to an embodiment;

[0033] Fig. 4 is a flowchart of methods according to embodiments;

[0034] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing structural units of a centralized network device according to an embodiment;

[0035] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing functional modules of a centralized network device according to an embodiment; and Fig. 7 shows one example of a computer program product comprising computer readable storage medium according to an embodiment.

[0036] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The inventive concept will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the inventive concept are shown. This inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description. Any step or feature illustrated by dashed lines should be regarded as optional.

[0038] Some D-MIMO network architectures define network nodes (or gNBs) comprising multiple component parts or nodes: a centralized network device (CU), one or more distributed units (DUs), and one or more radio units (RUs). The protocol layer stack of the network node is divided between the CU, the DUs and the RUs, with one or more lower layers of the stack implemented in the RUs, and one or more higher layers of the stack implemented in the CU and / or DUs. The CU is coupled to the DUs via a fronthaul higher layer split (HLS) network; the CU / DUs are connected to the RUs via a fronthaul lower-layer split (LLS) network. The DU may be combined with the CU in some embodiments, where a combined DU / CU may be referred to as a CU or simply a baseband unit. A communication link for communication of user data messages or packets between the RU and the baseband unit, CU, or DU is referred to as a fronthaul network or interface.

[0039] Fig. 1 shows an example of a D-MIMO network 100a suitable for ISAC. The D-MIMO network 100a comprises one or more centralized network devices 140a, 140b. In general terms, the centralized network devices 140a, 140b are configured to control the long-term performance of network nodes 110a-1 , 110a-2, 11 Ob-1 , 120a-1 , 120a-2, 120a-3, 120a-4. Examples of different types of network nodes will be disclosed below. The areas in which each of the network nodes are capable of transmitting and receiving signals for communication and / or sensing are schematically illustrated as ellipsoids with one network node in the center of each such ellipsoid, although it is noted that the coverage areas might have different shapes, and might even be different for communication compared to sensing, depending on the capabilities, such as beamforming capabilities, of the network nodes, etc. Each of the centralized network devices 140a, 140b is associated with its own set of network nodes. In the illustrative example of Fig. 1 , centralized network device 140a is associated with network nodes 110a-1 , 110a-2, 120a-1 , 120a-2, 120a-3, 120a-4 and centralized network device 140b is associated with network node 11 Ob-1. In this respect, network nodes 110a-1 and 110a-2 are under (direct) control of the centralized network device 140a, whereas network nodes 120a-1 , 120a-2, 120a-3, and 120a-4 are under control of the centralized network device 140a via another network node (i.e., via either network node 110a- 1 or 110a- 2). This is further illustrated in Fig. 2 which shows operative connections 150, 160, 170 between the centralized network devices 140a, 140b and the network nodes 110a-1, 110a-2, 120a-1 , 120a-2, 120a- 3, 120a-4 in a D-MIMO network 100b being identical to the D-MIMO network 100a in Fig. 1. With further reference to Fig. 2, there might further be operative connections 180 between the centralized network devices 140a, 140b for high-level information exchange between them. Hereinafter, the suffixes “-1”, “- 2”, “-3”, and “-4” (as in 110a-1 , 120a-1 , 120a-3, etc.) will be dropped when collectively referring to network nodes under control of the centralized network device 140a.

[0040] In general terms, and as disclosed above, there could be different types of network nodes 110a, 120a. In some examples, the network nodes 110a, 110b, 120a are any, or any combination, of: DUs, RUs, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) nodes, fixed wireless access (FWA) nodes. Each DU may control the operation of a number of RUs. Hence, in some examples the network nodes 110a, 100b are DUs whilst the network nodes 120a are RUs. In general, the D-MIMO networks 100a, 100b may be densified with different IAB nodes, repeaters (e.g., network-controlled repeaters (NCRs) or intelligent reflecting surfaces (I RSs)), FWA nodes, etc. which can be considered as DUs or RUs, depending on their capabilities and dependencies to their parent network nodes. In Fig. 3 is illustrated an example of a network node 110a-1 capable of performing beamforming in a set of beams 210a, 210b, ..., 21 ON.

[0041] The presence of multiple cooperative network nodes 110a, 110b, 120a gives the chance to obtain multiple views on objects to be sensed and also improves the LOS probability. This, in turn, improve the sensing quality. Also, the spatial diversity offered by D-MIMO networks 100a, 100b gives broader chance for resource allocation for the sensing, communication and ISAC functionalities. However, as noted above, it can be challenging to coordinate ISAC between different network nodes 110a, 120a in a D-MIMO network 100a, 100b.

[0042] In Fig. 1 is also indicated an ISAC area 130. In general terms, the ISAC area 130 can be defined as an intersection of areas defined by different types of ISAC information. More particularly, the ISAC area 130 can defined as an intersection of different areas in the D-MIMO network 100a, 100b, where each of the different areas is defined by a respective different type of ISAC information about the D-MIMO network 100a, 100b. The different types of ISAC information at least pertain to: synchronization capabilities between the network nodes 110a, 120a for performing the ISAC in the ISAC area 130, capabilities of the network nodes 110a, 120a to provide coverage in the ISAC area 130, restrictions on interference in the ISAC area 130.

[0043] The ISAC area 130 might be defined by an intersection of three different areas. Here, a first area of the different areas can be defined by any area in the D-MIMO network 100a, 100b served by network nodes 110a, 120a having inter-network node synchronization capabilities for performing the ISAC that are higher than a first threshold value. Further, a second area of the different areas can defined by any area in the D-MIMO network 100a, 100b where capabilities of the network nodes 110a, 120a to provide coverage for sensing are higher than a second threshold value. Still further, a third area of the different areas can be defined by any area in the D-MIMO network 100a, 100b where restrictions on interference are lower than a third threshold value.

[0044] It is here understood that there can be more than one ISAC area 130, each with its own size, shape, location, etc.

[0045] At least some of the herein disclosed embodiments are based on developing technologies for coordinated ISAC in D-MIMO networks. Particularly, the centralized network device 140a configures the network nodes 110a, 120a for ISAC in the D-MIMO network 100a, 100b based on different types of ISAC information about the D-MIMO network 100a, 100b. Examples of ISAC information will be disclosed below.

[0046] At least some of the herein disclosed embodiments are further based on the centralized network device 140a providing the network nodes 110a, 120a with recommendations on the appropriate modes of operation that yields accurate ISAC in the D-MIMO network 100a, 100b but with low signaling overhead.

[0047] The embodiments disclosed herein in particular relate to techniques for ISAC in a D-MIMO network 100a, 100b. In order to obtain such techniques, there is provided a centralized network device 140a, a method performed by the centralized network device 140a, a computer program product comprising code, for example in the form of a computer program, that when run on a centralized network device 140a, causes the centralized network device 140a to perform the method.

[0048] Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating embodiments of methods for ISAC in a D-MIMO network 100a, 100b.

[0049] The methods are performed by the centralized network device 140a. The methods are advantageously provided as computer programs 720. S106: The centralized network device 140a selects an ISAC mode of operation for network nodes 110a, 120a under control of the centralized network device 140a in the D-MIMO network 100a, 100b.

[0050] The ISAC mode of operation defines ISAC configurations and ISAC coordination for the network nodes 110a, 120a to apply when performing the ISAC in an ISAC area 130 in the D-MIMO network 100a, 100b.

[0051] The ISAC mode of operation is selected based on different types of ISAC information about the D-MIMO network 100a, 100b. Different types of ISAC information have already been disclosed above and apply here as well.

[0052] S108: The centralized network device 140a provides information of the ISAC configurations and the ISAC coordination to the network nodes 110a, 120a.

[0053] Embodiments relating to further details of ISAC in a D-MIMO network 100a, 100b as performed by the centralized network device 140a will now be disclosed with continued reference to Fig. 4.

[0054] In some aspects, the centralized network device 140a receives capability reports about the network nodes 110a, 120a under its control. Therefore, in some embodiments, the centralized network device 140a is configured to perform (optional) step S102.

[0055] S102: The centralized network device 140a receives capability reports about the network nodes 110a, 120a.

[0056] The ISAC mode of operation can then further be selected based on information in the capability reports.

[0057] In some examples, the capability reports comprise information about one or more of: the capability of the network nodes 110a, 120a to operate in a communication only mode, in a sensing only mode, and / or in an ISAC mode, transmit power and / or power allocation capabilities of the network nodes 110a, 120a, geographical positions of the network nodes 110a, 120a, directions and / or coordinates of antenna arrays, or panels, at the network nodes 110a, 120a, the number of antennas arrays, or panels, at the network nodes 110a, 120a, sensing and / or communication coverage area of the network nodes 110a, 120a, ON / OFF capabilities of the network nodes 110a, 120a, transmit / receive and / or ON / OFF switching capabilities of the network nodes 110a, 120a, transmit / receive and / or ON / OFF switching delays of the network nodes 110a, 120a, (self)-interference cancelation capabilities of the network nodes 110a, 120a, beamforming capabilities (such as beam widths, gain, number of beams) of the network nodes 110a, 120a, polarization capabilities of the network nodes 110a, 120a, backhaul / fronthaul capacities, or types, available at the network nodes 110a, 120a, signal processing capabilities of the network nodes 110a, 120a, time division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing, space division multiplexing capabilities of the network nodes 110a, 120a, etc.

[0058] The transmit power and / or power allocation capabilities may be related to the communication, the sensing and / or the ICAS functionalities of the network nodes 110a, 120a. The acceptable range of selfinterference may be related to the communication-to-sensing (C2S) and / or sensing-to-communication (S2C) (self-)interference. In some examples, the capability reports are received using radio resource control (RRC) signaling, medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) signaling, uplink control information (UCI) signaling, or the like. The centralized network device 140a may receive the capability reports directly from one or more of the network nodes 110a, 120a, from an Operations, Administration and Maintenance (0AM) system, etc. For instance, a DU may report the capabilities of all RUs under its control to the centralized network device 140a.

[0059] As disclosed above, the centralized network device 140a in step S106 selects an ISAC mode of operation for the network nodes 110a, 120a under its control. Further aspects of this ISAC mode of operation will be disclosed next.

[0060] In some embodiments, the ISAC mode of operation pertains to at least one of transmission and reception for any of: communication only, sensing only, ISAC. In further detail, the ISAC mode of operation could be any of: communication only, sensing only, ISAC, conditional communication only, conditional sensing only, and / or conditional ISAC. Also, for each of these modes of operations, the network nodes 110a, 120a may be considered in a Tx / Rx, Tx-only or a Rx-only ISAC mode of operation (where Tx is short for transmit and Rx is short for receive). Here, with a conditional ISAC mode of operation the centralized network device 140a might provide recommendations for the modes of operation of a given network node 110a, 120a given that some specific criteria are satisfied by the given network node 110a, 120a (or any other network node under its control, such as an RU under the control of a DU). Hence, in some embodiments, selecting the ISAC mode of operation with respect to communication only, sensing only, and / or ISAC is conditional on at least one criterion being satisfied. For instance, the centralized network device 140a may set requirements to be satisfied by a DU while gives the DU flexibility to configure itself as well as the RUs under its control. In some examples, the at least one criterion pertains to received interference in the network nodes 110a, 120a, and the at least one criterion is satisfied when the received interference is below an interference threshold. In some examples, the at least one criterion pertains to a maximum transmission power of the network nodes 110a, 120a, and the at least one criterion is satisfied when the maximum transmit power is below a power threshold. In some examples, the at least one criterion pertains to a minimum set of communication and / or sensing functionalities of the network nodes 110a, 120a, and the at least one criterion is satisfied when the minimum set of communication and / or sensing functionalities is above a functionality threshold. In some examples, the at least one criterion pertains to a given area in which the ISAC can be performed by the network nodes 110a, 120a, and the at least one criterion is satisfied when the given area coincides with, or at least partly overlaps with, a target ISAC area 130. That is, here the centralized network device 140a may give the network nodes 110a, 120a some flexibility to select their appropriate configurations to fulfil the selected ISAC mode of operation as long as the network nodes 110a, 120a satisfy some requirements as provided by the centralized network device 140a. In turn, as will be disclosed in further detail below, the network nodes 110a, 120a may provide feedback information to the centralized network device 140a about the configurations used by the network nodes 110a, 120a.

[0061] Further aspects of how the ISAC mode of operation can be selected will be disclosed next.

[0062] In some embodiments, the ISAC mode of operation is further selected based on any, or any combination, of: the average number of user equipment to which the network nodes 110a, 120a provide coverage, data traffic load of the network nodes 110a, 120a, uplink / downlink configurations of the network nodes 110a, 120a, time division duplex pattern used in the D-MIMO network 100a, 100b, beamforming capabilities of the network nodes 110a, 120a, self-interference cancellation capabilities of the network nodes 110a, 120a, backhaul and fronthaul resources available at the network nodes 110a, 120a, signal processing capabilities at the network nodes 110a, 120a, time information for when ISAC is to be performed. In this respect, the ISAC mode of operation may be selected based on the position of the UEs to be served by one or more of the network nodes 110a, 120a or a prediction of the moving trajectory of the UEs. In some examples, the ISAC mode of operation may be selected based on the sensing and / or communication coverage area of each of the network nodes 110a, 120a. In some examples, the ISAC mode of operation may be selected based on the data traffic and sensing requirements in different time periods of a day, week, month, etc. For instance, consider a scenario where part of the D-MIMO network 100a, 100b provides network coverage for a highway. Depending on the time of the day and / or the number / speed of the vehicles, different sensing and / or communication requirements may be considered. For instance, in the morning, there could be a large number of vehicles with a low speed of travel, while during the night there could be only few vehicles with high speeds of travel. Therefore, diverse quality of service (QoS) requirements, sensing / communication priorities, etc. are experienced during the day.

[0063] In some examples, different modes of operation are considered for uplink slots and downlink slots. In some examples, the ISAC mode of operation for a given network node 110a, 120a may be determined based on the (self-)interference measurement reports of the given network node 110a, 120a. In some examples, the ISAC mode of operation may be determined based on the beamforming capabilities of the network nodes 110a, 120a where, for instance, wide beams may be used for sensing functionalities while narrow beams are used for tracking purposes. In some examples, the ISAC mode of operation may be determined based on reported sets of restricted and available beams for the sensing and / or communication functionalities at the network nodes 110a, 120a. Here, for instance, restricted beams may refer to beams which cannot be used for sensing simultaneously with a communication beam, to limit the S2C (self-)i nterference, or vice versa. Such sets of restricted beams could be determined based on (self-)i nterference measurements at the network nodes 110a, 120a and the acceptable range of C2S or S2C interference or the acceptable dynamic range of the network nodes 110a, 120a. These are just some examples. In a D-MIMO, network, a network node might not be allowed to, e.g., yield interference (as caused by transmission of a signal for communication purposes) to another network node. The same holds for sensing signals.

[0064] In some examples, the ISAC mode of operation is selected based on backhaul and / or fronthaul resources, or types, available at the network nodes 110a, 120a, their signal processing capabilities and / or level of coordination between different RUs, DUs and centralized network devices 140a, 140b. Here, one goal for the centralized network device 140a may be to select a ISAC mode of operation that seeks to minimize the synchronization and backhaul and / or fronthaul requirements and / or seeks to minimize the processing requirements at the network nodes 110a, 120a.

[0065] In some examples, the ISAC mode of operation is selected based on prior information about the environment, mobility tracking of UEs served by the network nodes 110a, 120a, predicted data traffic / sensing requirement. For instance, knowing the positions of blockages of some network nodes 110a, 120a, no sensing functionalities may be considered in specific directions of those network nodes 110a, 120a. Alternatively, predicting high downlink or uplink data traffic in some periods of the day, some network nodes 110a, 120a may be considered in the Tx-only or Rx-only modes of operation, respectively. Also, to avoid the full-duplex / high interference issues, in the sensing mode, some network nodes 110a, 120a may be considered in the Rx-only mode. As disclosed above, the centralized network device 140a in step S108 provides information of the ISAC configurations and the ISAC coordination to the network nodes 110a, 120a. Further aspects of this information will be disclosed next.

[0066] In some examples, the information of the ISAC configurations and the ISAC coordination also includes information about the selected ISAC mode of operation.

[0067] In some examples, information about the ISAC configurations and the ISAC coordination (and the ISAC mode of operation) is provided either as an implicit indication or as explicit information. For instance, the implicit indication may be based on the considered configurations of the network nodes 110a, 120a. Alternatively, the implicit indication may be based on defining sensing, communication and / or ISAC functionality requirements to be satisfied by the network nodes 110a, 120a, so that the network nodes 110a, 120a themselves can understand the appropriate ISAC mode of operation, etc. That is, in some embodiments, the information of both the ISAC configurations and the ISAC coordination is provided as a set of requirements to be fulfilled by the network nodes 110a, 120a for the selected ISAC mode of operation.

[0068] The explicit information might be provided as configuration. Particularly, in some embodiments, the information of the ISAC configurations and / or the ISAC coordination (and the ISAC mode of operation) is provided as configuration to the network nodes 110a, 120a. In some embodiments, the ISAC configurations pertain to at least one of: time and frequency resource allocation for sensing only, for communication only, and / or for ISAC, power allocation for communication signals and / or for sensing signals, transmit and / or receive configuration, transmit and / or receive beam configurations and / or restrictions. In some embodiments, the ISAC coordination at least pertains to: a minimum level of synchronization between the network nodes 110a, 120a required for performing the ISAC, amount of information required to be exchanged between the network nodes 110a, 120a for performing the ISAC. In some examples, the configuration comprises one or more of: time / frequency allocation for the sensing, communication and / or ISAC functionality, power allocation for the communication and / or the sensing signals, transmit and / or receive beam configurations or restrictions, ON / OFF configurations, transmit and / or receive configurations, etc. For example, the centralized network device 140a may add further restrictions on a subset of the set of restricted beams for each of the network nodes 110a, 120a. Here, the beam configuration and / or beam restriction indication may be based on one or more of: the associated beam indices, transmission configuration indication (TCI) states, information related to a reference beam and / or direction (for instance, antenna bore sight). In some examples, the configuration is semi-static or semi-persistent. In some examples, the configuration is provided to the network nodes 110a, 120a using RRC signaling or MAC-CE signaling,

[0069] In some embodiments, the ISAC coordination is provided in terms of any, or any combination, of: requirements with respect to coordinated backhaul and / or fronthaul communication between the network nodes 110a, 120a, requirements with respect to time and / or frequency synchronization between the network nodes 110a, 120a. For example, the ISAC coordination could be provided for adapting the backhaul and / or fronthaul requirements, or connections, between the network nodes 110a, 120a, for enabling and / or disabling proper time / frequency synchronization between the network nodes 110a, 120a, for informing the network nodes 110a, 120a about the appropriate coordinated transmission and / or reception schemes between the network nodes 110a, 120a, for enabling and / or disabling a set of measurements (e.g., interference measurements), etc.

[0070] For example, if a given network node 110a, 120a is considered to operate in a sensing-only mode, this given network node 110a, 120a does not need a backhaul and / or fronthaul to share channel state information (CSI) and / or other UE data with other network nodes 110a, 120a.

[0071] For example, if a given network node 110a, 120a is considered to operate in a communication-only mode, this given network node 110a, 120a does not need to perform extra accurate synchronization with other network nodes 110a, 120a.

[0072] For example, if a given network node 110a, 120a is considered to operate in a sensing-only mode and only to receive sensing signals, this given network node 110a, 120a does not generate any interference to other network nodes 110a, 120a and no interference measurement with respect to this given network node 110a, 120a needs to be considered.

[0073] The network nodes 110a, 120a involved in sensing and / or ISAC functionalities may require tighter time / frequency synchronizations than network nodes 110a, 120a only involved in communication functionalities.

[0074] The network nodes 110a, 120a involved in sensing and / or ISAC functionalities may require a higher level of self-interference mitigation than network nodes 110a, 120a only involved in communication functionalities.

[0075] Network nodes 110a, 120a involved in sensing and / or ISAC functionalities may be involved in coherent joint transmission, due to their tight time / frequency synchronization. However, network nodes 110a, 120a with less accurate synchronization may use non-coherent transmissions or rely of joint transmissions based on imperfect synchronization.

[0076] In some examples, as in Figs. 1 and 2, there are more than one centralized network device 140a in the D-MIMO networks 100a, 100b. The centralized network devices 140a, 140b may then exchange information between each other about the selected ISAC mode of operation, ISAC configurations and / or ISAC coordination in the network nodes under their control. In particularly, let the centralized network device 140a be a first centralized network device 140a, and let the selected ISAC mode of operation be a selected first ISAC mode of operation. Further, assume that the D-MIMO network 100a, 100b comprises at least a second centralized network device 140b. Then, in some embodiments, the centralized network device 140a is configured to perform (optional) step S104 and / or (optional) step S110.

[0077] S104: The centralized network device 140a obtains, from the second centralized network device 140b, information about a selected second ISAC mode of operation as selected by the second centralized network device 140b for further network nodes 110b under control of the second centralized network device 140b in the D-MIMO network 100a, 100b.

[0078] S110: The centralized network device 140a provides, to the second centralized network device 140b, information about the selected first ISAC mode of operation for the network nodes under its control.

[0079] As disclosed above, the network nodes 110a, 120a might inform the centralized network device 140a about configurations used by the network nodes 110a, 120a. Therefore, in some embodiments, the centralized network device 140a is configured to perform (optional) step S112.

[0080] S112: The centralized network device 140a receives feedback information from the network nodes 110a, 120a about configurations used by the network nodes 110a, 120a as based on the information of the ISAC configurations and the ISAC coordination received from the centralized network device 140a.

[0081] The centralized network device 140a might then store the feedback information for future reference. Thus, in some embodiments, the centralized network device 140a is configured to perform (optional) step S114.

[0082] S114: The centralized network device 140a stores the feedback information for the selected ISAC mode of operation. Further, the feedback information might be utilized when selecting a new, or updated, ISAC mode of operation (and thus when determining new, or updated, ISAC configurations and ISAC coordination). Hence, the ISAC mode of operation (and thus the ISAC configurations and ISAC coordination) might be adapted based on the feedback information received feedback information from the network nodes 110a, 120a. For example, if the information of the ISAC configurations and the ISAC coordination as provided in step S108 is implicit and the network nodes 110a, 120a selects configurations to fulfil a requirement (as specified by the centralized network device 140a), it could be that some of the network nodes 110a, 120a are not enabled to select configurations so that the requirement is fulfilled, by receiving feedback information as in step S112, the centralized network device 140a could then adapt the ISAC mode of operation to yield some other requirement that all, or at least more, network nodes 110a, 120a can fulfil.

[0083] Fig. 5 schematically illustrates, in terms of a number of structural units, the components of a centralized network device 500 according to an embodiment. Processing circuitry 510 is provided using any combination of one or more of a suitable central processing unit (CPU), multiprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), etc., capable of executing software instructions stored in a computer program product 710 (as in Fig. 7), e.g. in the form of a storage medium 530. The processing circuitry 510 may further be provided as at least one application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0084] Particularly, the processing circuitry 510 is configured to cause the centralized network device 500 to perform a set of operations, or steps, as disclosed above. For example, the storage medium 530 may store the set of operations, and the processing circuitry 510 may be configured to retrieve the set of operations from the storage medium 530 to cause the centralized network device 500 to perform the set of operations. The set of operations may be provided as a set of executable instructions.

[0085] Thus the processing circuitry 510 is thereby arranged to execute methods as herein disclosed. The storage medium 530 may also comprise persistent storage, which, for example, can be any single one or combination of magnetic memory, optical memory, solid state memory or even remotely mounted memory. The centralized network device 500 may further comprise a communications (comm.) interface 520 at least configured for communications with other entities, functions, nodes, and devices, such as the network nodes and other centralized network devices in Fig. 1 . As such the communications interface 520 may comprise one or more transmitters and receivers, comprising analogue and digital components. The processing circuitry 510 controls the general operation of the centralized network device 500 e.g. by sending data and control signals to the communications interface 520 and the storage medium 530, by receiving data and reports from the communications interface 520, and by retrieving data and instructions from the storage medium 530. Other components, as well as the related functionality, of the centralized network device 500 are omitted in order not to obscure the concepts presented herein.

[0086] Fig. 6 schematically illustrates, in terms of a number of functional modules, the components of a centralized network device 600 according to an embodiment. The centralized network device 600 of Fig. 6 comprises a number of functional modules; a select module 630 configured to perform step S106, and a provide module 640 configured to perform step S108. The centralized network device 600 of Fig. 6 may further comprise a number of optional functional modules, such as any of a receive module 610 configured to perform step S102, an obtain module 620 configured to perform step S104, a provide module 650 configured to perform step S110, a receive module 660 configured to perform step S112, and a store module 670 configured to perform step S114.

[0087] In general terms, each functional module 610:670 may in one embodiment be implemented only in hardware and in another embodiment with the help of software, i.e., the latter embodiment having computer program instructions stored on the storage medium 530 which when run on the processing circuitry makes the centralized network device 500 perform the corresponding steps mentioned above in conjunction with Fig 6. It should also be mentioned that even though the modules correspond to parts of a computer program, they do not need to be separate modules therein, but the way in which they are implemented in software is dependent on the programming language used. Preferably, one or more or all functional modules 610:670may be implemented by the processing circuitry 510, possibly in cooperation with the communications interface 520 and / or the storage medium 530. The processing circuitry 510 may thus be configured to from the storage medium 530 fetch instructions as provided by a functional module 610:670and to execute these instructions, thereby performing any steps as disclosed herein.

[0088] The centralized network device 140a, 500, 600 may be provided as a standalone device or as a part of at least one further device. For example, the centralized network device 140a, 500, 600 may be provided in a node of a (radio) access network or in a node of a core network. Alternatively, functionality of the centralized network device 140a, 500, 600 may be distributed between at least two devices, or nodes. These at least two nodes, or devices, may either be part of the same network part (such as the (radio) access network or the core network) or may be spread between at least two such network parts. In general terms, instructions that are required to be performed in real time may be performed in a device, or node, operatively closer to the cell than instructions that are not required to be performed in real time. Thus, a first portion of the instructions performed by the centralized network device 140a, 500, 600 may be executed in a first device, and a second portion of the of the instructions performed by the centralized network device 140a, 500, 600 may be executed in a second device; the herein disclosed embodiments are not limited to any particular number of devices on which the instructions performed by the centralized network device 140a, 500, 600 may be executed. Hence, the methods according to the herein disclosed embodiments are suitable to be performed by a centralized network device 140a, 500, 600 residing in a cloud computational environment. Therefore, although a single processing circuitry 510 is illustrated in Fig. 5 the processing circuitry 510 may be distributed among a plurality of devices, or nodes. The same applies to the functional modules 610:670 of Fig. 6 and the computer program 720 of Fig. 7.

[0089] Fig. 7 shows one example of a computer program product 710 comprising computer readable storage medium 730. On this computer readable storage medium 730, a computer program 720 can be stored, which computer program 720 can cause the processing circuitry 510 and thereto operatively coupled entities and devices, such as the communications interface 520 and the storage medium 530, to execute methods according to embodiments described herein. The computer program 720 and / or computer program product 710 may thus provide means for performing any steps as herein disclosed. In the example of Fig. 7, the computer program product 710 is illustrated as an optical disc, such as a CD (compact disc) or a DVD (digital versatile disc) or a Blu-Ray disc. The computer program product 710 could also be embodied as a memory, such as a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) and more particularly as a non-volatile storage medium of a device in an external memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a Flash memory, such as a compact Flash memory. Thus, while the computer program 720 is here schematically shown as a track on the depicted optical disk, the computer program 720 can be stored in any way which is suitable for the computer program product 710.

[0090] The inventive concept has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the inventive concept, as defined by the appended patent claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A method for integrated sensing and communication, ISAC, in a distributed multiple-input multiple-output, D-MIMO, network (100a, 100b), wherein the method is performed by a centralized network device (140a, 500, 600), and wherein the method comprises: selecting (S106) an ISAC mode of operation for network nodes (110a, 120a) under control of the centralized network device (140a, 500, 600) in the D-MIMO network (100a, 100b), wherein the ISAC mode of operation defines ISAC configurations and ISAC coordination for the network nodes (110a, 120a) to apply when performing the ISAC in an ISAC area (130) in the D-MIMO network (100a, 100b), wherein the ISAC mode of operation is selected based on different types of ISAC information about the D-MIMO network (100a, 100b), and wherein the different types of ISAC information at least pertain to: synchronization capabilities between the network nodes (110a, 120a) for performing the ISAC in the ISAC area (130), capabilities of the network nodes (110a, 120a) to provide coverage in the ISAC area (130), restrictions on interference in the ISAC area (130); and providing (S108) information of the ISAC configurations and the ISAC coordination to the network nodes (110a, 120a).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ISAC configurations pertain to at least one of: time and frequency resource allocation for sensing only, for communication only, and / or for ISAC, power allocation for communication signals and / or for sensing signals, transmit and / or receive configuration, transmit and / or receive beam configurations and / or restrictions.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ISAC coordination at least pertains to: a minimum level of synchronization between the network nodes (110a, 120a) required for performing the ISAC, amount of information required to be exchanged between the network nodes (110a, 120a) for performing the ISAC.

4. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the ISAC coordination is provided in terms of any, or any combination, of: requirements with respect to coordinated backhaul and / or fronthaulcommunication between the network nodes (110a, 120a), requirements with respect to time and / or frequency synchronization between the network nodes (110a, 120a).

5. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the information of both the ISAC configurations and the ISAC coordination is provided as a set of requirements to be fulfilled by the network nodes (110a, 120a) for the selected ISAC mode of operation.

6. The method according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information of the ISAC configurations and / or the ISAC coordination is provided as configuration to the network nodes (110a, 120a).

7. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the ISAC area (130) is defined as an intersection of different areas in the D-MIMO network (100a, 100b), and wherein each of the different areas is defined by a respective different type of ISAC information about the D-MIMO network (100a, 100b).

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein a first area of the different areas is defined by any area in the D-MIMO network (100a, 100b) served by network nodes (110a, 120a) having inter-network node synchronization capabilities for performing the ISAC that are higher than a first threshold value.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a second area of the different areas is defined by any area in the D-MIMO network (100a, 100b) where capabilities of the network nodes (110a, 120a) to provide coverage for sensing are higher than a second threshold value.

10. The method according to claim 7, 8, or 9, wherein a third area of the different areas is defined by any area in the D-MIMO network (100a, 100b) where restrictions on interference are lower than a third threshold value.11 . The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the ISAC mode of operation pertains to at least one of transmission and reception for any of: communication only, sensing only, ISAC.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein selecting the ISAC mode of operation with respect to communication only, sensing only, and / or ISAC is conditional on at least one criterion being satisfied.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the at least one criterion pertains to received interference in the network nodes (110a, 120a), and wherein the at least one criterion is satisfied when the received interference is below an interference threshold, and / orwherein the at least one criterion pertains to a maximum transmission power of the network nodes (110a, 120a), and wherein the at least one criterion is satisfied when the maximum transmit power is below a power threshold, and / or wherein the at least one criterion pertains to a minimum set of communication and / or sensing functionalities of the network nodes (110a, 120a), and wherein the at least one criterion is satisfied when the minimum set of communication and / or sensing functionalities is above a functionality threshold, and / or wherein the at least one criterion pertains to a given area in which the ISAC can be performed by the network nodes (110a, 120a), and wherein the at least one criterion is satisfied when the given area coincides with, or at least partly overlaps with, a target ISAC area (130).

14. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the ISAC mode of operation further is selected based on any, or any combination, of: average number of user equipment to which the network nodes (110a, 120a) provide coverage, data traffic load of the network nodes (110a, 120a), uplink / downlink configurations of the network nodes (110a, 120a), time division duplex pattern used in the D-MIMO network (100a, 100b), beamforming capabilities of the network nodes (110a, 120a), selfinterference cancellation capabilities of the network nodes (110a, 120a), backhaul and fronthaul resources available at the network nodes (110a, 120a), signal processing capabilities at the network nodes (110a, 120a), time information for when ISAC is to be performed.

15. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the method further comprises: receiving (S102) capability reports about the network nodes (110a, 120a), wherein the ISAC mode of operation further is selected based on information in the capability reports.

16. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the centralized network device (140a, 500, 600) is a first centralized network device (140a, 500, 600), wherein the selected ISAC mode of operation is a selected first ISAC mode of operation, wherein D-MIMO network (100a, 100b) comprises at least a second centralized network device (140b), and wherein the method further comprises: obtaining (S104), from the second centralized network device (140b), information about a selected second ISAC mode of operation as selected by the second centralized network device (140b)for further network nodes (110b) under control of the second centralized network device (140b) in the D- MIMO network (100a, 100b); and / or providing (S110), to the second centralized network device (140b), information about the selected first ISAC mode of operation.

17. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the method further comprises: receiving (S112) feedback information from the network nodes (110a, 120a) about configurations used by the network nodes (110a, 120a) as based on the information of the ISAC configurations and the ISAC coordination received from the centralized network device (140a, 500, 600); and storing (S114) the feedback information for the selected ISAC mode of operation.

18. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one first network node of the network nodes (110a, 120a) is under control of the centralized network device (140a, 500, 600), and wherein at least one second network node of the network nodes (110a, 120a) is under control of the centralized network device (140a, 500, 600) via the first network node.

19. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the network nodes (110a, 120a) are any, or any combination, of: distributed units, radio units, integrated access and backhaul nodes, fixed wireless access nodes.

20. A centralized network device (500) for integrated sensing and communication, ISAC, in a distributed multiple-input multiple-output, D-MIMO, network (100a, 100b), the centralized network device (500) comprising processing circuitry (510), the processing circuitry being configured to cause the centralized network device (500) to: select an ISAC mode of operation for network nodes (110a, 120a) under control of the centralized network device (140a, 500, 600) in the D-MIMO network (100a, 100b), wherein the ISAC mode of operation defines ISAC configurations and ISAC coordination for the network nodes (110a, 120a) to apply when performing the ISAC in an ISAC area (130) in the D-MIMO network (100a, 100b), wherein the ISAC mode of operation is selected based on different types of ISAC information about the D-MIMO network (100a, 100b), andwherein the different types of ISAC information at least pertain to: synchronization capabilities between the network nodes (110a, 120a) for performing the ISAC in the ISAC area (130), capabilities of the network nodes (110a, 120a) to provide coverage in the ISAC area (130), restrictions on interference in the ISAC area (130); and provide information of the ISAC configurations and the ISAC coordination to the network nodes (110a, 120a).21 . A centralized network device (600) for integrated sensing and communication, ISAC, in a distributed multiple-input multiple-output, D-MIMO, network (100a, 100b), the centralized network device (600) comprising: a select module (630) configured to select an ISAC mode of operation for network nodes (110a, 120a) under control of the centralized network device (140a, 500, 600) in the D-MIMO network (100a, 100b), wherein the ISAC mode of operation defines ISAC configurations and ISAC coordination for the network nodes (110a, 120a) to apply when performing the ISAC in an ISAC area (130) in the D-MIMO network (100a, 100b), wherein the ISAC mode of operation is selected based on different types of ISAC information about the D-MIMO network (100a, 100b), and wherein the different types of ISAC information at least pertain to: synchronization capabilities between the network nodes (110a, 120a) for performing the ISAC in the ISAC area (130), capabilities of the network nodes (110a, 120a) to provide coverage in the ISAC area (130), restrictions on interference in the ISAC area (130); and a provide module (640) configured to provide information of the ISAC configurations and the ISAC coordination to the network nodes (110a, 120a).

22. The centralized network device (500, 600) according to claim 20 or 21 , further being configured to perform the method according to any of claims 2 to 19.

23. A computer program (720) for integrated sensing and communication, ISAC, in a distributed multiple-input multiple-output, D-MIMO, network (100a, 100b), the computer program comprisingcomputer code which, when run on processing circuitry (510) of a centralized network device (500), causes the centralized network device (500) to: select (S106) an ISAC mode of operation for network nodes (110a, 120a) under control of the centralized network device (140a, 500, 600) in the D-MIMO network (100a, 100b), wherein the ISAC mode of operation defines ISAC configurations and ISAC coordination for the network nodes (110a, 120a) to apply when performing the ISAC in an ISAC area (130) in the D-MIMO network (100a, 100b), wherein the ISAC mode of operation is selected based on different types of ISAC information about the D-MIMO network (100a, 100b), and wherein the different types of ISAC information at least pertain to: synchronization capabilities between the network nodes (110a, 120a) for performing the ISAC in the ISAC area (130), capabilities of the network nodes (110a, 120a) to provide coverage in the ISAC area (130), restrictions on interference in the ISAC area (130); and provide (S108) information of the ISAC configurations and the ISAC coordination to the network nodes (110a, 120a).

24. A computer program product (710) comprising a computer program (720) according to claim 23, and a computer readable storage medium (730) on which the computer program is stored.

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