Sensing in a wireless communication system

Abstract

A first user equipment (UEI is provided. The UE is configured to receive an input for the first UE to establish a sensing session, identity properties of the sensing session, wherein the properties including an area for sensing, a type of sensing, a duration of sensing, and a quality of sensing, or any combination thereof. The UE is further configured to identity candidate participant user equipment, based on the properties, to participate in the sensing session, select from the candidate participant user equipment, a second UE to perform a transmitting operation and select from the candidate participant user equipment, one or more further user equipment to perform receiving operations, for sensing, and determine, based on the properties, configuration information to configure the second UE to perform the transmitting operation and to configure the one or more further user equipment to perform the receiving operations for sensing The UE is further configured to send a respective sensing request to each of the second UE and the one or more further user equipment, each sensing request including respective configuration information for use by the respective one of the second UE and the one or more further user equipment to perform the respective one of the transmitting operation and the receiving operation, and receive respective responses to the respective sensing request from the second UE and the one or more further user equipment, each of the respective responses accepting or rejecting the respective sensing request.

Description

SENSING IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMRELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of priority of India Patent Application No. 202441057800 filed on July 30, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if reproduced in its entirety.

[0002] FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0003] The present disclosure relates to configuring one or more user equipment for sensing.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] A wireless communication system that includes user equipment and / or radio access network nodes that are capable of sensing and communicating is generally referred to as an integrated sensing and communication system. Examples of sensing that may be performed by user equipment and / or radio access network nodes of an integrated sensing and communication system include detection, localization, tracking of objects, formation of images, extraction of features for recognition or classification, or any combination thereof. Sensing by user equipment and / or radio access nodes of an integrated sensing and communication system is useful in, for example, intrusion detection, supporting autonomous driving, Unmanned Arial Vehicle (UAV) flight, Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV), and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR), environmental and whether monitoring, health monitoring, extended reality-relevant applications, and other applications.

[0006] Developments in sensing performed by user equipment of wireless communication systems are desirable.

[0007] SUMMARY

[0008] According to a first aspect of an embodiment, a method of a first user equipment (UE) is provided. The method includes: receiving an input for the first UE to establish a sensing session; identifying properties of the sensing session, the properties including an area for sensing, a type of sensing, duration of sensing, a quality of sensing, or any combination thereof; identifying candidate participant user equipment, based on the properties, to participate in the sensing session; selecting from the candidate participant user equipment, a second UE to perform a sensing operation of the sensing session, the sensing operation comprising at least one of transmitting and receiving signals utilized for sensing, and determining, based on the properties, configuration information to configure the second UE to perform the sensing operation; sending a sensing request to the second UE, the sensing request including the configuration information for use by the second UE to configure the second UE to perform the sensing operation; and receiving a response from the second UE accepting or rejecting the sensing request.

[0009] The method may include initiating the sensing session utilizing the second UE in response to receipt of the response accepting the sensing request.

[0010] The method may include receiving sensing data from the second UE and processing the sensing data to provide processed data in response to the received input for the first UE to establish the sensing session.

[0011] In some embodiments, identifying comprises identifying two or more candidate participant user equipment, and wherein: selecting comprises selecting, from the candidate participant user equipment, two or more candidate participant user equipment to participate in the sensing session, the two or more candidate participant user equipment including the second UE; sending respective sensing requests to the participant user equipment, including the sensing request to the second UE; and receiving comprises receiving respective responses from the participant user equipment, including the response from the second UE.

[0012] Receiving the input for the first UE to establish the sensing session may include receiving input from an application running on the first UE.

[0013] Identifying candidate participant user equipment may include identifying sensing capabilities of the candidate participant user equipment prior to selecting the second UE.

[0014] Selecting may be based on the sensing capabilities identified.

[0015] The sensing request may include an identity of the first UE, an identity of the second UE, an identity of the sensing session, an indication of the sensing operation to be performed by the second UE, and sensing resource configuration information.

[0016] The configuration information may include configuration information for reporting of sensing data and / or information for processing the sensing data at the second UE.

[0017] The sensing resource configuration information may include one or more of frequency of the signals utilized for sensing, bandwidth utilized for transmitting and receiving signals utilized for sensing, channel in which the signals utilized for sensing are transmitted and received, timing information for sending and receiving the sensing signals, a transmit power for transmitting the signals utilized for sensing, radio resources to receive or transmit sensing signals, angle of arrival (AoA) and angle of departure (AoD) for receiving and transmitting signals utilized for sensing, respectively.

[0018] The configuration information for reporting of the sensing data may include one or more of a periodicity of performing sensing measurements to obtain the sensing data, a periodicity of reporting the sensing data, or a structure of the sensing data for reporting.

[0019] The information for processing the sensing data at the second UE may include one or more of a configuration to reduce weak echoes, address clutter effect, a requested range of sensing, and identify specific types of objects for sensing.

[0020] Optionally, the method includes receiving a response from the second UE rejecting the sensing request, the response including a cause of rejection of the sensing request.

[0021] The cause of rejection of the sensing request may include one or more of unavailable resources at the second UE, high congestion in a frequency, high congestion in a channel, lack of line of sight (LoS) between the second UE and the first UE, high mobility of the second UE, low sensing reference signal received power (RSRP), determination that the quality of service is not achievable, inability to apply one or moreconfigurations, inability to send sensing data.

[0022] Optionally, the method includes: sending a further sensing request to the second U E, the further sensing request including new configuration information for use by the second UE to perform the sensing operation, the new configuration information selected based on the cause of rejection; receiving a further response from the second UE accepting or rejecting the further sensing request; initiating the sensing session utilizing the second UE in response to receipt of the further response accepting the further sensing request.

[0023] The response from the second UE may be a response rejecting the sensing request, the response including a proposed change to one or both of the configuration information and the properties of the sensing session.

[0024] Optionally, receiving a response from the second UE comprises receiving a response rejecting the sensing request, the response including a proposed change to one or more of a sensing resource configuration, a configuration for reporting of sensing data, a configuration for reporting of the sensing data that is processed at the second UE, sensing capability; area for sensing, a type of sensing, duration of sensing.

[0025] When the response from the second UE is a response rejecting the sensing request, the method optionally includes sending a further request based on the proposed change; receiving a further response from the second UE accepting the further request; initiating the sensing session utilizing the second UE, in response to receipt of the further response accepting the further sensing request; and receiving sensing data from the second UE and processing the sensing data to provide processed data in response to the received input for the first UE to establish the sensing session.

[0026] The method may include receiving, at the first UE, sensing data reported from the second UE, further processing at the first UE, the sensing data reported from the second UE, and providing a response to the received input for the first UE to establish the sensing session.

[0027] In some embodiments, the method includes identifying an update to the sensing service based on sensing data reported to the first UE, and sending updated configuration information to control the sensing operation of the second UE, to the second UE.

[0028] Sending the updated configuration information may include sending one or more of a new sensing resource configuration, a new configuration for reporting of sensing data, and a new configuration for processing of the sensing data at the second UE.

[0029] Identifying candidate participant user equipment may include identifying candidate participant user equipment based on both the properties and based on configuration parameters and policies stored on the initiating UE.

[0030] According to another aspect of an embodiment, a user equipment includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions are executable by the at least one processor to cause the user equipment to perform the method as set out above.

[0031] According to still another aspect of an embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable mediumincludes instructions stored thereon for execution by at least one processor of a user equipment (UE) to cause the UE to perform the method.

[0032] According to yet another aspect of an embodiment, a computer program includes instructions, wherein the computer program when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment (UE) causes the UE to perform the method.

[0033] According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method of a first user equipment (UE), includes: receiving a sensing request from a second UE, the sensing request including configuration information for use by the first UE to configure the first UE to perform a sensing operation comprising at least one of transmitting and receiving signals utilized for sensing; based on the configuration information received, determining whether the first UE supports sensing based on the configuration information; based on a determination that the first UE supports the sensing, sending a response to the second UE accepting sensing request; in response to receipt of a message from the second UE to initiate the sensing session, and performing the sensing operation; and based on a determination that the first UE does not support the sensing, sending the response to the second UE rejecting the sensing request.

[0034] Sending the response to the second UE may include rejecting the sensing request comprises sending a cause of rejection of the sensing request.

[0035] The cause of rejection of the sensing request may include one or more of unavailable resources at the first UE, high congestion in a frequency, high congestion in a channel, lack of line of sight (LoS) between the second UE and the first UE, high mobility of the first UE, low sensing reference signal received power (RSRP), determination that the quality of service is not achievable, inability to apply one or more configurations, inability to send sensing data.

[0036] Optionally, the method includes receiving a further sensing request from the second UE, the further sensing request including new configuration information to perform the sensing operation, the new configuration information selected based on the cause of rejection.

[0037] The method includes, based on a further determination that the first UE supports the sensing, sending a further response to the second UE accepting the further sensing.

[0038] Optionally, sending the response the second UE comprises sending a response rejecting the sensing request, the response including a proposed change to one or both of the sensing session configuration and the properties of the sensing session.

[0039] Sending the response optionally includes sending the response to the second UE rejecting the sensing request, the response including a proposed change to a sensing resource configuration, a configuration for reporting of sensed data, a configuration of sensing data that is processed at the first UE, sensing capability, area for sensing, a type of sensing, duration of sensing.

[0040] The method may include receiving a further sensing request based on the proposed change, and sending a further response to the second UE accepting the further request.

[0041] According to another aspect of an embodiment, a method of a first user equipment (UE) is provided.The method includes: receiving an input for the first UE to establish a sensing session; identifying properties of the sensing session, the properties including an area for sensing, a type of sensing, a duration of sensing, and a quality of sensing, or any combination thereof; identifying candidate participant user equipment, based on the properties, to participate in the sensing session; selecting from the candidate participant user equipment, a second UE to perform a transmitting operation and selecting from the candidate participant user equipment, one or more further user equipment to perform receiving operations, for sensing, and determining, based on the properties, configuration information to configure the second UE to perform the transmitting operation and to configure the one or more further user equipment to perform the receiving operations for sensing; sending a respective sensing request to each of the second UE and the one or more further user equipment, each sensing request including respective configuration information for use by the respective one of the second UE and the one or more further user equipment to perform the respective one of the transmitting operation and the receiving operation; and receiving respective responses to the respective sensing request from the second UE and the one or more further user equipment, each of the respective responses accepting or rejecting the respective sensing request.

[0042] The method may include initiating the sensing session utilizing the second UE and the one or more further user equipment in response to receipt of the responses accepting the respective sensing request.

[0043] The method may also include receiving sensing data from one or more of the further user equipment and processing the sensing data to provide processed sensing data in response to the received input for the first UE to establish the sensing session.

[0044] Sending the respective sensing request may include sending the respective sensing request to the second UE, the respective sensing request sent to the second UE including instructions to establish a supplemental sensing session.

[0045] The method may include receiving supplemental sensing session data of the supplemental sensing session from the second UE.

[0046] According to another aspect of an embodiment, a method of a second user equipment (UE) is provided. The method includes: receiving a sensing request from a first UE, the sensing request including instructions to establish a supplemental sensing session; identifying properties of the supplemental sensing session, the properties including at least one of an area for sensing, a type of sensing, duration of sensing, and a quality of service; identifying candidate participant user equipment, based on the properties, to participate in the supplemental sensing session; selecting from the candidate participant user equipment, a participant UE to receive signals utilized for sensing and determining, based on the properties, configuration information to configure the participant UE to receive the signals utilized for sensing; sending a supplemental sensing request to the participant UE, the supplemental sensing request including configuration information for use by the participant UE to receive the signals utilized for sensing; receiving a response from the participant UE, the response accepting or rejecting the supplemental sensing request.

[0047] The method may include initiating the supplemental sensing session utilizing the participant UE in response to receipt of the response accepting the supplemental respective sensing request.

[0048] The method may also include receiving sensing data from the participant UE, processing the sensing data to provide processed sensing data, and sending the processed sensing data to the first UE.

[0049] Identifying candidate participant user equipment may include identifying sensing capabilities of the candidate participant user equipment prior to selecting the participant UE.The supplemental sensing request may include:an identity of the second UE, an identity of the participant UE, an identity of the supplemental sensing session identification, and sensing resource configuration information, and / or configuration information for reporting of sensing data, and / or information to configure processing of sensing data at the participant UE.

[0050] The sensing resource configuration information may include one or more of frequency of the signals utilized for sensing, bandwidth utilized for transmitting and receiving signals utilized for sensing, channel in which the signals utilized for sensing are transmitted and received, timing information for sending and receiving the sensing signals, a transmit power for transmitting the signals utilized for sensing, radio resources to receive or transmit sensing signals, and angle of arrival (AoA) and angle of departure (AoD) for receiving and transmitting signals utilized for sensing, respectively.

[0051] The configuration information for reporting of the sensing data may include one or more of a periodicity of performing sensing measurements to obtain the sensing data, a periodicity of reporting the sensing data, or a structure of the sensing data for reporting.

[0052] The information to configure processing of sensing data at the participant UE may include one or more of a configuration to reduce weak echoes, address clutter effect, a requested range of sensing, and identify types of objects for sensing.

[0053] Optionally, the method includes receiving a response from the participant UE rejecting the supplemental sensing request, the response including a cause of rejection of the supplement sensing request.

[0054] The cause of rejection of the supplemental sensing request may include one or more of unavailable resources at the participant UE, high congestion in a frequency, high congestion in a channel, lack of line of sight (LoS) between the participant UE and the second UE, high mobility of the participant UE, low sensing reference signal received power (RSRP), determination that the quality of service is not achievable, inability to apply one or more configurations, inability to send sensing data.

[0055] Optionally, the method includes: sending a further sensing request to the participant UE, the further sensing request including new configuration information for use by the participant UE to perform the sensing operation, the new configuration information selected based on the cause of rejection; receiving a further response from the participant UE accepting or rejecting the further sensing request; and initiating the supplemental sensing session utilizing the participant UE in response to receipt of the further response accepting the further sensing request.

[0056] Optionally, receiving a response from the participant UE comprises receiving a response rejecting thesupplemental sensing request, the response including a proposed change to one or both of the configuration information and the properties of the supplemental sensing session.

[0057] Receiving a response from the participant UE may include receiving a response rejecting the supplemental sensing request, the response including a proposed change to one or more of a sensing resource configuration, a configuration for reporting of sensing data, a configuration for reporting of the sensing data that is processed at the participant UE, sensing capability, area for sensing, a type of sensing, and a duration of sensing.

[0058] The method may optionally include: sending a further request based on the proposed change; receiving a further response from the participant UE accepting the further request; initiating the supplemental sensing session utilizing the one of said one or more participant UE in response to receipt of the further response accepting the sensing request; and receiving sensing data from the participant UE and processing the sensing data to provide processed sensing data in response to the received sensing request including instructions to establish the supplemental sensing session.

[0059] According to another aspect of an embodiment, a user equipment includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions are executable by the at least one processor to cause the user equipment to perform the above method.

[0060] According to another aspect of an embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions stored thereon for execution by at least one processor of a user equipment (UE) to cause the UE to perform the method.

[0061] According to still another aspect, a computer program includes instructions, wherein the computer program when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment (UE) causes the UE to perform the method.

[0062] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0063] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures.

[0064] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing components of a User Equipment in accordance with an example embodiment.

[0065] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a method in accordance with an example embodiment.

[0066] FIG. 3 through FIG. 5 are schematic diagrams showing examples of components in providing sensing sessions in accordance with an example embodiment.

[0067] FIG. 6 through FIG. 8 are flowcharts showing methods in accordance with example embodiments.

[0068] FIG. 9 through FIG. 11 are diagrams showing operations in procedures in accordance with example embodiments.

[0069] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing further operations in a procedure in accordance with an example of an embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the examples described herein. The examples may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the examples described. The description is not to be considered as limited to the scope of the examples described herein.

[0071] The present disclosure relates to sensing session establishment for user equipment in a wireless communication system, for example, establishing a sensing session that provides awareness of a scene.

[0072] A wireless communication system in which user equipment and radio access network nodes are capable of sensing and communication is generally referred to as an integrated sensing and communication system. An integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) system as described herein potentially achieves both relatively high-data rate communications and relatively high-resolution object detection using at least some of the same hardware, software and spectrum resources. This is advantageous, for example, in improving sensing accuracy for scenarios or situations where existing sensing techniques do not perform as well (e.g., non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions, requirement for high velocity resolution), to enhance spectrum efficiency by sharing communication and sensing spectrum band, and / or to reduce hardware cost by combining sensing and communication equipment / hardware.

[0073] Example scenarios in which an integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) system may be used include (but are not limited to) the following: intrusion detection (e.g., intruder detection in a smart home, pedestrian or animal intrusion detection on a highway); support for autonomous driving (e.g., sensing assisted automotive maneuvering and navigation by providing additional information for detected objects on the roads such as pedestrians, bicycles, or other vehicles, sensing for parking space determination); support for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight (e.g., UAV flight trajectory tracing, network assisted sensing to avoid UAV collision by providing information for detected objects on the air especially those that do not have communication means to indicate their presence); support for automated guided vehicle (AGV) or autonomous mobile robots (AMR) in factories (e.g., AGV detection and tracking in factories), AMR collision avoidance in smart factories); environment and / or weather monitoring (e.g., rain, pollution, flooding); health monitoring (e.g., fall detection, contactless sleep monitoring service); and extended reality (XR) applications.

[0074] The present disclosure relates to a method of a first user equipment (UE). The method includes receiving an input for the first UE to establish a sensing session and identifying properties of the sensing session. The properties include an area for sensing, a type of sensing, duration of sensing, a quality ofservice, or any combination thereof. The method also includes identifying candidate participant user equipment, based on the properties, to participate in the sensing session, selecting from the candidate participant user equipment, a second UE to perform a sensing operation of the sensing session, the sensing operation comprising at least one of transmitting and receiving signals utilized for sensing, and determining, based on the properties, configuration information to configure the second UE to perform the sensing operation. The method also includes sending a sensing request to the second UE, the sensing request including the configuration information for use by the second UE to configure the second UE to perform the sensing operation, and receiving a response from the second UE accepting or rejecting the sensing request.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic diagram illustrating physical and logical components of an example of a UE 102 is shown. Although physical and logical components of the UE 102 are shown and discussed below, other physical components and other logical components are also included. In addition, although FIG. 1 shows a single instance of each component of the UE 102, there may be more than one instance of each component shown. The components of the UE 102 communicate via a bus.

[0076] The UE 102 includes one or more processors 104, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a dedicated logic circuitry, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a tensor processing unit, a neural processing unit, a dedicated artificial intelligence processing unit, a hardware accelerator, or combinations thereof. The one or more processors 104 are collectively referred to as a processor 104. The processor 104 is connected to each of the other components in order to control operation thereof.

[0077] The UE 102 also includes one or more memories 106, which are collectively referred to as "memory 106", and include one or more volatile or non-volatile memory (e.g., a flash memory, a random-access memory (RAM), and / or a read-only memory (ROM)). The non-transitory memory 106 stores instructions for execution by the processor 104. Instructions 108 of the UE 102 are stored in the memory 106, and the instructions 108 are executed by the processor 104 to perform the actions or operations of the methods or processes described herein. The memory 106 also includes other instructions for execution by the processor 104. The memory 106 is also utilized for data or information storage, retrieval and caching functions of the UE 102.

[0078] The processor 104 is connected to one or more network or apparatus interface 110 for connection to a network or apparatus, e.g., a modem that is wired or wireless. The one or more network or apparatus interface 110 also operates as a connection to other apparatus such as other user equipment or apparatus which is not network side apparatus. Thus, direct connection between user equipment without network participation is facilitated.

[0079] Each UE described herein is configured to establish a device-to-device communication link with another UE, such as a sidelink (PC5) link, to send and receive messages, data or information to another UE. A message or data sent by one UE to another UE may include sensing data or processed sensing data.

[0080] Referring now to FIG. 2, a flow chart showing an example method or process of a UE, referred to asan initiating UE, such as the UE 102, is shown. The example method or process is performed by the initiating UE in communication with one or more other UE. Thus, the initiating UE is configured to carry out each of the elements of the method or process described.

[0081] The initiating UE is configured to: identify other user equipment for coordinated sensing. The identification of other user equipment for coordinated sensing may be determined based on information such as capability negotiation, user equipment location, ranging information, or a combination thereof; determines the configuration of UE-based Sidelink sensing operations. transmit a sensing request by device-to-device communication (for example, Sidelink communication), including a) Sidelink Sensing Resource Configuration, b) Sensing Requirements, and c) Sensing Data reporting configuration, or d) receiver Sensing data processing configuration; update the sensing configuration, based on the indicated cause of rejection of the sensing request and or proposed configuration information received from the participating UE in case of the response indicating rejection of a sensing request by a participating UE; release the sensing operation, or not include a respective UE after receipt of a response to the sensing request indicating rejection; based on the sensing quality achieved with the received sensing data and the processed sensing data, determine how to maintain the sensing operation, by updating the configuration of the sensing session; and transmit Sensing Control Information during the sensing operation to update configuration and maintain the sensing QoS of the established sensing session.

[0082] The initiating UE receives input at 202, the input for the initiating UE to establish a sensing session. The input for the initiating UE to establish the sensing session may be any input at the initiating UE to trigger the initiating UE to set up and perform a sensing session.

[0083] FIG. 3 through FIG. 5 are schematic diagrams showing examples of components, entities, or functions for providing the input at the initiating UE in accordance with an example embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, for example, functional elements of the initiating UE, such as the UE 102, are shown, including a sensing component 302, for example, an integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) component, and an application layer 304. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the sensing component 302 receives the input to establish a sensing session from an application running on the initiating UE via the application layer 304.Thus, an application layer of an application that is running on the initiating UE provides the input for the UE to establish the sensing session. Examples of applications running on an initiating UE include an autonomous driving application, an advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) application, an application installed in a drone utilized to sense surroundings, or an autonomous robot operation application.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 4, for example, functional elements of the initiating UE, such as the UE 102, include the sensing component 302, for example, an integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) component, and the application layer 304. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the sensing component 302 receives the inputfrom a network entity 406, such as a radio access network (RAN) entity or a network function (NF) that transmits the input to the initiating UE, for the initiating UE to establish the sensing session. The input may be transmitted by the RAN entity or the NF by sending control plane signaling e.g., non-access stratum (NAS) message, that includes the input. Alternatively, the input for the initiating UE to establish the sensing session may be received from a third party application function 408 (e.g., an application function 408 of a third party via a network exposure function of the communication network when the application function 408 is an untrusted application function or directly when the application function 408 is a trusted application function).

[0085] Referring to FIG. 5, yet another example is illustrated in which another UE 510 sends the input for the initiating UE to establish a sensing session. The another UE 510 transmits the input from a sensing and communication component 506 of the another UE 510 to the sensing component 302 of the initiating UE.

[0086] The initiating UE may receive the input for the initiating UE to establish a sensing session from the another UE 510, based on a location of the initiating UE, for example, based on proximity services (ProSe). The UE may receive the input for the initiating UE to establish a sensing session when the UE is located in a particular area.

[0087] Alternatively, the initiating UE may receive the input for the initiating UE to establish a sensing session based on the capabilities of the initiating UE. For example, a UE with the appropriate or "best” capabilities may be selected as the initiating UE to receive the input. Alternatively, a UE that is closest to other UEs, or within a particular area may be selected as the initiating UE to receive the input.

[0088] Referring again to FIG. 2, the initiating UE identifies the properties of the sensing session at 204. The properties may be requirements for sensing and the requirements for sensing include information indicating a sensing area for the sensing session, a type of sensing (e.g., bistatic sensing, or multistatic sensing), a sensing update rate, a duration of the sensing, and quality of service (QoS) of the sensing session, such as sensing resolution, sensing accuracy, and sensing latency.

[0089] Candidate participant user equipment is identified at 206 based on the properties, to participate in the sensing session. The initiating UE 102 initiates a discovery process for the identification of candidate participant UE that is capable of contributing or participating in the sensing session in the sensing area identified in the properties. The discovery process is carried out, for example, by device-to-device (D2D) communication or sidelink communication, and proximity services (ProSe).

[0090] Of the candidate participant user equipment that is identified at 206, one or more participant UE is selected at 208 to perform a sensing operation of the sensing session. The sensing operation is one of sensing, receiving, or both sensing and receiving. Thus, each of the one or more participant user equipment is selected to operate as a sensing transmitter, a sensing receiver, or both sensing transmitter and sensing receiver, based on the type of sensing for the sensing session being bistatic sensing or multistatic sensing.

[0091] Thus, the initiating UE is operable to determine a type of sensing (e.g., bistatic sensing, or multistatic sensing), and determine a sensing configuration including configuration information for the ones of the candidate participant user equipment that are selected to be involved in the sensing. These determinationsare made based on the properties of the sensing session such as the sensing area for the sensing session, QoS requirements for the sensing session, and sensing capabilities of candidate participant UE. The sensing capabilities of a candidate participant UE include one or more of, for example, sensing resources that are supported by the candidate participant UE, availability of sensing resources at the candidate participant UE, sensing mode or modes that are supported by the candidate participant UE (e.g., the candidate participant UE is capable of being configured to be a sensing transmitter, a sensing receiver, or both), options for reporting sensing data (e.g., a periodogram, point clouds, or map of objects, as referred to below), processing of sensing data that is supported by the candidate participant UE, as well as a location, velocity, and direction of the candidate participant UE.

[0092] The initiating UE identifies or selects one or more of the candidate participant UE identified in the discovery process to be involved or participate in the sensing session, and determines or generates sensing configuration information for configuring the selected participant UE as a sensing transmitter (Tx), a sensing receiver (Rx) or both.

[0093] At 210, a sensing request is generated by the initiating UE and sent to each selected participant UE. The sensing request includes the configuration information for use by each selected participant UE to configure itself to perform a sensing operation. The configuration information includes an identity of the initiating UE and an identity of the respective selected participant UE.

[0094] The configuration information also includes an indication of the sensing operation to be performed by the respective selected participant UE, for the selected participant UE to configure itself as a sensing transmitter or sensing receiver, or both. The configuration information also includes sensing resource configuration information, sensing session configuration, and sensing data reporting configuration information. The sensing data reporting configuration information includes information that the selected participant UE is to use to configure itself to report sensing data, and one or more identifiers of sensing sessions. Each identifier of a sensing session identifies the sensing session and is generally referred to as sensing session identifier and collectively referred to as sensing session identifiers.

[0095] The information the selected participant UE is to use to configure itself to report sensing data may include information indicative of a periodicity of performing sensing measurements to obtain the sensing data, information indicative of a periodicity of reporting the sensing data, and information indicative of a data structure to be used to report the sensing data. The information the selected participant UE is to use to configure itself to report may include information that indicates times at which to perform sensing measurements to obtain sensing data and times at which to report the sensing data. The data structure to be used to report the sensing data may be, for example, a periodogram comprising a grid of values, according to the sensing data reporting configuration, in the range (distance), doppler (speed) and / or angular domain and / or time domain. Alternatively, the data structure to be used to report the sensing data may be in the form of point clouds that include a list or set of points, in which each point in the point cloud is a channel path point shows a reflection that the sensing receiver, has measured. The point cloud may include a set of measuredinformation such as timestamp, signal to noise ratio (SI NR), and doppler effect, that describes a detected object through the reflection of the transmitted signals. The point clouds are a list or set of those reflections determined based on a filtering criteria such as received power thresholds. According to another alternative, the data structure to be used to report the sensing data may be in the form of a map of objects that includes information about the performed measurements, indicating characteristics of the objects such as location, type, shape, and / or dimension.

[0096] In an example in which the sensing data is processed at the selected participant UE, the configuration information includes information regarding processing of the sensing data at the respective selected participant UE. The information regarding processing of the sensing data at the selected participant UE may include information that indicates to the selected participant UE that the sensing data is to be processed to: reduce weak echoes; address a clutter effect, identify objects within a range of the selected participant UE, identify a filter to be used to filter the sensing data during processing of the sensing data, and / or identify specific types of objects.

[0097] The sensing resources configuration information includes frequency information indicative of frequency of the signals utilized for sensing, bandwidth information indicative of bandwidth utilized for transmitting and receiving signals utilized for sensing, channel information indicative of a channel in which the signals utilized for sensing are transmitted and received, timing information for sending and receiving the sensing signals, power information indicative of a transmit power for transmitting the signals utilized for sensing, radio resource information indicative of radio resources to receive or transmit sensing signals, angle of arrival (AoA) information indicative of an AoA for receiving sensing signals and information indicative angle of departure (AoD) information indicative of an AoD for transmitting sensing signals.

[0098] In addition, the configuration information includes the sensing requirements, including, for example, sensing quality of service (QoS) requirements such as accuracy, resolution, range, and latency, target mobility requirements, and refreshment rate of the sensing information.

[0099] A response is received from each selected participant UE at 212. The response from each respective selected participant UE includes the sensing session identity, and the identity of the respective selected participant UE. Each response indicates acceptance or rejection of the sensing request. Each response may comprise an accept message that indicates acceptance of the sensing request or a reject message that indicates rejection of the sensing request. Alternatively, each response may comprise a message that includes an indication that indicates acceptance of the sensing request or rejection of the sensing request. In the case that the response indicates rejection of the sensing request, the response to the sensing request includes a cause code indicating a cause of the rejection of sensing request. For example, the cause code may indicate that the selected participant UE is not configured to perform or capable of perform sensing, or the cause code may indicate that the selected participant UE does not support sensing.

[0100] In response to the determining that the response indicates acceptance of the sensing request at 214, the initiating UE may send a message or signal to the selected participant UE indicating that the sensingsession is commencing at 216. The initiating UE initiates the sensing session by the transmission of sensing signals, which may include wireless or radio signals or both, and reflections or deflections of the sensing signals by one or more objects located in the vicinity of the initiating UE and the selected participant UE may be received by the selected participant UE.

[0101] In response to one or more responses from the selected participant UE indicating rejection of the sensing request at 214, the initiating UE optionally generates and sends a new sensing request at 218 to the selected participant UE that the response indicating rejection of the sensing request is received from. The new sensing request includes new configuration information that is selected based on the cause of rejection indicated by the cause code in the response indicating rejection of the sensing request. Thus, the process continues at 212 and a further response indicating acceptance or rejection of the new sensing request is received from the selected participant UE.

[0102] Optionally, the response indicating rejection of the sensing request may include a proposed change to the configuration information or a change to the properties of the sensing session or both. For example, the response indicating rejection of the sensing request may include a proposed change to one or a combination of a sensing resource configuration, a configuration for reporting of sensing data, a configuration for reporting of the sensing data that is processed at the selected participant UE, sensing capability, area for sensing, a type of sensing, duration of sensing. Thus, the initiating UE generates and sends a new sensing request at 218, based on the proposed change to the configuration information, or change to the properties of the sensing session, or both and the process continues at 212.

[0103] The selected participant UE is configured to: receive a sensing request from an initiating UE via a device-to-device communication link between the selected participant UE and the initiating UE, e.g., a sidelink, and determine whether to participate in a sensing session and validates received configuration information; transmit a sensing response including an indication of acceptance or rejection of the sensing request and a cause code indicative of a cause of the rejection in case of rejection of the sensing request or a different or proposed configuration information via the device-to-device communication link, e.g., the sidelink; if a sensing request is accepted, configure the participant UE and resources at the participant UE to join the sensing session, according to the configuration information; if a sensing request is accepted, include in the sensing response, one or more of the following: accepted mode of sensing in sensing operation (transmitter, receiver, or both); and accepted sensing data reporting configuration (i.e., not all configurations may be acceptable to the participant UE and the participant UE provides information as to what sensing data reporting configuration are acceptable); capability of participant UE in terms of sensing, for example: participant UE sensing Max period at a time: 5 min (e.g. UE can sense only for 5 min at a time);participant UE Sensing Mode: Only receiver.

[0104] If a sensing request is rejected, but the participant UE may still participate then the participant UE is configured to send the Capability of participant UE regarding sensing and requesting renegotiation. The Capability may be, for example:Renegotiation Required = True / False participant UE Sensing Mode: Only Rx participant UE sensing Max period at a time: 5 min

[0105] If the participant UE rejects the sensing request and requests renegotiation, the participant UE is configured to: if capability is provided by the participant UE in the rejection, receive a device-to-device- based sensing request providing Sensing Resources Configuration, Sensing Data reporting configuration, participant UE processing configuration; if the participant UE does not support the sensing session based on the configuration information, reject the sensing request and not perform any action.

[0106] Referring now to FIG. 6, a flow chart showing an example method or process of a UE, referred to as a selected participant UE, is shown. The example method or process is performed by the selected participant UE in communication with the initiating UE. Thus, the selected participant UE is configured to carry out each of the elements of the method or process described.

[0107] At 602 the selected participant UE receives a sensing request that includes an identity of the initiating UE and an identity of the selected participant UE and other configuration information. The configuration information is received for use by the selected participant UE to perform a sensing operation.

[0108] As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the configuration information includes an indication of the sensing operation to be performed by the selected participant UE, for the selected participant UE to be configured as a sensing transmitter or sensing receiver, or both. The configuration information also includes sensing resource configuration information, sensing session configuration, and sensing data reporting configuration information. The sensing data reporting configuration information includes information the selected participant UE is to use to configure itself to report sensing data, and one or more identifiers of sensing sessions. Each identifier of a sensing session identifies the sensing session and is generally referred to as sensing session identifier and collectively referred to as sensing session identifiers.

[0109] The information the selected participant UE is to use to configure itself to report the sensing data may include a periodicity of performing sensing measurements to obtain the sensing data, a periodicity of reporting the sensing data, and a data structure to be used for reporting. The information the selected participant UE is to use to configure itself to report may also include information that indicates times at which to perform sensing measurements to obtain sensing data and times at which to report the sensing data.

[0110] In an example in which the sensing data is processed at the selected participant UE, the configuration information includes information relating to processing of the sensing data at the selectedparticipant UE. The information relating to processing of the sensing data at the selected participant UE may include information that indicates to the selected participant UE that the sensing data is to be processed: to reduce weak echoes; address clutter effect; identify objects within a range of selected participant UE; identify a filter to be used to filter the sensing data during processing of the sensing data; and / or identify specific types of objects.

[0111] The sensing resources configuration information includes frequency information indicative of frequency of the signals utilized for sensing, bandwidth information indicative of a bandwidth utilized for transmitting and receiving signals utilized for sensing, channel information indicative of a channel in which the signals utilized for sensing are transmitted and received, timing information for sending and receiving the sensing signals, power information indicative of a transmit power for transmitting the signals utilized for sensing, radio resource information indicative of radio resources to receive or transmit sensing signals, angle of arrival (AoA) information indicative of AoAfor receiving sensing signal and angle of departure (AoD) indicative of AoD for transmitting sensing signals.

[0112] In addition, the configuration information may include the sensing requirements, including, for example, quality of service (QoS) requirements such as accuracy, resolution, range, and latency), target mobility requirements, and refreshment rate of the sensing information.

[0113] The selected participant UE validates the sensing request at 604. The validation of the sensing request at 604 involves determining that the selected participant UE supports the sensing operation based on the configuration information received. For example, the selected participant UE determines whether the selected participant UE is capable of meeting the sensing requirements included in the configuration information and for the duration of sensing. In example in which the selected participant UE supports the sensing operation, the selected participant UE is operable to configure the selected participant UE as a receiver for sensing based on the configuration information received. The selected participant UE may establish a device-to-device communication link (e.g., a sidelink) with the initiating UE and report the sensing data or processed sensing data to the inititiating UE via the device-to-device communication link.

[0114] A response to the sensing request is transmitted from the selected participant UE to the initiating UE at 606. The response transmitted from the selected participant UE includes the sensing session identity, and the identity of the selected participant UE. The response indicates acceptance or rejection of the sensing request. In the event of the response indicates rejection of the sensing request, the response to the sensing request also includes a cause code indicating a cause of the rejection. For example, the cause code may indicate that the selected participant UE is not configured to perform or capable of performing sensing, or the cause code may indicate that the selected participant UE does not support sensing. In addition, or alternatively, the cause code may indicate that the selected participant UE is unavailable to participate.

[0115] The cause of rejection of the sensing request may be any one or a combination of unavailable resources at the selected participant UE, high congestion in a frequency, high congestion in a channel, lack of line of sight (LoS) between the selected participant UE and the initiating UE, high mobility of the selectedparticipant U E, low sensing reference signal received power (RSRP), determination that the quality of service is not achievable, inability to apply one or more configurations, or inability to send sensing data.

[0116] After transmitting a response indicating rejection of the sensing request, the process may continue 602 and a further sensing request is received including new configuration information.

[0117] Optionally, the response indicating rejection of the sensing request may include a proposed change to the configuration information or proposed change to the properties of the sensing session. The proposed change is determined to identify the sensing operation and configuration supported by the selected participant UE. For example, the selected participant UE may send a response indicating rejection of the sensing request that includes a proposed change to one or a combination of a sensing resource configuration, a configuration for reporting of sensing data, a configuration for reporting of the sensing data that is processed at the selected participant UE, sensing capability, area for sensing, a type of sensing, duration of sensing.

[0118] After transmitting a response indicating acceptance of the sensing request, the process continues from 608 and the selected participant UE may receive a message or signal from the initiating UE, indicating that the sensing session is commencing. Sensing signals which include one or both of radio signals and wireless signals, are received at the selected participant UE at 610.

[0119] The sensing data or sensed signals are reported to the initiating UE based on the information for reporting at 612. Alternatively, the sensed signals may be processed at the selected participant UE and the processed data is reported to the initiating UE at 612. The selected participant UE processes the sensing data based on the configuration information received and, utilizing the configuration information, reduces the chance of reporting redundant sensing data. The processing may also be carried out by determining physical information of the sensed environment by applying spectral estimation to channel state information (CSI), for example, for derivation of the range-Doppler periodogram for specific sensing range.

[0120] Referring now to FIG. 7, a flow chart showing another example method or process of a UE, referred to as an initiating UE, is shown. The example method or process includes many processes or elements that are similar to those described above with reference to FIG. 2 and thus, many of these processes or elements are not described again herein in detail. Thus, the initiating UE is configured to carry out each of the elements of the method or process described.

[0121] As in the example described with reference to FIG. 2, the initiating UE receives input at 702, the input for establishing a sensing session. The input for the initiating UE to establish the sensing session may be any input at the initiating UE to trigger the initiating UE to set up and perform a sensing session, as described above with reference to FIG. 2 through FIG. 5.

[0122] The initiating UE 102 identifies the properties of the sensing session at 704. Such properties are also described above with reference to 204 of FIG. 2 and are not described again. Candidate participant user equipment is identified at 706 based on the properties, to participate in the sensing session. The initiating UE 102 initiates a discovery process for the identification of candidate participant UE that is capable of contributing or participating in the sensing session in the sensing area identified in the properties. Thediscovery process is carried out, for example, by device-to-device (D2D) communication and proximity services (ProSe).

[0123] In the present example, the initiating UE selects a UE of the candidate participant user equipment to perform a transmitting operation and identifies one or more further user equipment to perform receiving operations at 708. The UE selected to perform the transmitting operation is selected to set up a supplemental sensing session. The supplemental sensing session may be utilized to extend the sensing area, for example. In addition, configuration information is generated for each of the respective one of the candidate participant user equipment selected to perform a transmitting operation and the candidate participant user equipment selected to perform receiving operations.

[0124] At 710, a sensing request, including the respective configuration information, is generated by the initiating UE and sent to the candidate participant user equipment selected to perform the transmitting operation. This sensing request includes information to set up the supplemental sensing session, which includes the configuration information as described above with reference to FIG. 2.

[0125] In addition, a respective sensing request, including the respective configuration information, is sent to the one or more further user equipment to perform a receiving operation, and each includes configuration information for use by each of the one or more further user equipment.

[0126] A respective response is received from each selected participant UE, including the candidate participant user equipment selected to perform the transmitting operation and the one or more further user equipment selected to perform receiving operations, at 712. The response from the candidate participant user equipment selected to perform the transmitting operation includes a sensing session identity, and the identity of the candidate participant UE selected to perform the transmitting operation, as well as the identity of each further UE involved in sensing as established by the candidate participant UE selected to perform the transmitting operation.

[0127] Each response from the one or more further user equipment to perform a receiving operation includes the sensing session identity, and the identity of the respective one of the further user equipment.

[0128] Each response indicates acceptance or rejection of the sensing request. In the event of a rejection, the response indicating rejection of the sensing request also includes a cause code indicating a cause of the failure, i.e., the rejection, to provide or support a sensing session.

[0129] In response to the determining that each response indicates acceptance at 714, the initiating UE initiates the sensing session with the one or more further user equipment at 716, as described above with reference to FIG. 2.

[0130] In response to determining that one or more responses from the selected participant UE is a rejection at 714, the initiating UE optionally generates and sends a new sensing request at 718, including new configuration information that is selected based on the cause of rejection. Thus, the process continues at 712 and a further response is received from the selected participant UE.

[0131] Optionally, the response may be a rejection that includes a proposed change to the configurationinformation or to the properties of the sensing session or both. For example, the response may include a proposed change to one or a combination of a sensing resource configuration, a configuration for reporting of sensing data, a configuration for reporting of the sensing data that is processed at the selected participant U E, sensing capability, area for sensing, a type of sensing, duration of sensing. Thus, the initiating UE generates and sends a new sensing request at 718, based on the proposed change to the configuration information, or the properties of the sensing session, or both and the process continues at 712.

[0132] Referring now to FIG. 8, a flow chart showing another example method or process of a UE, referred to as a participant transmitting UE. The example method or process includes many processes or elements that are similar to those described above and thus, many of these processes or elements are not described again herein in detail. Thus, the participant transmitting UE is configured to carry out each of the elements of the method or process described.

[0133] In this example, the participating transmitting UE is a UE selected by another UE to set up a supplemental sensing session and perform the transmitting operation, as described with reference to FIG. 8. The participant UE receives the sensing request at 802, from an initiating UE.

[0134] The participating UE identifies the properties or requirements of the supplemental sensing session at 804. The properties or requirements are identified based on information received in the sensing request at 802. Such properties or requirements may include information indicating a sensing area for the supplemental sensing session, a type of sensing, a sensing update rate, a duration of the sensing, and quality of service (QoS) of the supplemental sensing session, such as sensing resolution, sensing accuracy, and sensing latency.

[0135] Candidate participant user equipment is identified at 806 based on the properties, to participate in the supplemental sensing session. The participating UE initiates its' own discovery process, which is similar to the discovery process described with reference to 206 of FIG. 2, for the identification of candidate participant UE capable of contributing or participating in the supplemental sensing session in the sensing area identified in the properties. The discovery process is carried out, for example, by device-to-device (D2D) communication and proximity services (ProSe).

[0136] Of the candidate participant user equipment that is identified at 806, one or more participant UE is selected at 808 to act as a receiver for receiving sensing signals during sensing and determines or generates sensing configuration information for configuring the participant UE as a sensing receiver (Rx).

[0137] At 810 a supplemental sensing request is generated by the participant transmitting UE and sent to the selected participant UE. The supplemental sensing request includes the configuration information for use by the selected participant UE to act as a receiver for sensing.

[0138] The supplemental sensing request includes configuration information for the selected participant UE to be configured as a sensing receiver. The configuration information also includes sensing resources configuration; sensing session configuration; sensing data reporting configuration information, sensing resources and configuration information, information for reporting sensing data, and one or more identifiers ofsensing sessions. Each identifier of a sensing session identifies the sensing session and is generally referred to as sensing session identifier and collectively referred to as sensing session identifiers.

[0139] The information for reporting of the sensing data may include a periodicity of performing sensing measurements to obtain the sensing data, a periodicity of reporting the sensing data, and a structure of the sensing data for reporting.

[0140] A response is received from each selected participant UE at 812. The response indicates acceptance or rejection of the supplemental sensing request. In the event of rejection of the supplemental sensing request, the response to the supplemental sensing request also includes a cause code indicating a cause of the failure, i.e., the rejection, to provide or support the supplemental sensing session.

[0141] In response to the determining that each response indicates acceptance at 814, the participating transmitting UE initiates the supplemental sensing session at 816. The participating transmitting UE may send a message or signal to the participant UE indicating that the sensing session is commencing at 816. The participant UE transmits sensing signals, which may include wireless or radio signals or both, for sensing by the selected participant UE.

[0142] In response to determining that one or more responses from the selected participant UE is a rejection at 814, the participating transmitting UE optionally generates and sends a new supplemental sensing request at 818 including new configuration information that is selected based on the cause of rejection. Thus, the process continues at 812 and a further response is received from the selected participant UE.

[0143] Optionally, the response may be a rejection that includes a proposed change to the configuration information or to the properties of the supplemental sensing session or both. For example, the response may include a proposed change to one or a combination of a sensing resource configuration, a configuration for reporting of sensing data, a configuration for reporting of the sensing data that is processed at the selected participant UE, sensing capability, area for sensing, a type of sensing, duration of sensing. Thus, the participating transmitting UE generates and sends a new supplemental sensing request at 818, based on the proposed change to the configuration information, or the properties of the supplemental sensing session, or both and the process continues at 812.

[0144] FIG. 9 shows operations of a procedure in accordance with an example implementation. Messages sent between a UE, such as the UE 102, which is referred to herein in FIG. 2 as the initiating UE, and a participant UE 900, also referred to as the selected participant in FIG. 6, are illustrated. Many of the operations are shown and described in FIG. 2 and FIG. 6 and are not further described herein.

[0145] In the example shown in FIG. 9, the initiating UE 102 receives input, for the initiating UE to establish a sensing session at 902. The initiating UE 102 identifies the properties of the sensing session at 904 and performs a discovery process at 906 to identify candidate participant user equipment based on the properties, to participate in the sensing session. The discovery process is utilized for the identification of a candidate participant UE capable of contributing or participating in the sensing session in the sensing area identified in the properties. The discovery process is carried out, for example, by device-to-device (D2D) communicationand proximity services (ProSe).

[0146] Of the candidate participant user equipment that is identified, one or more participant UE is selected to operate as a sensing transmitter, a sensing receiver, or both sensing transmitter and sensing receiver, in bistatic or multistatic sensing.

[0147] The initiating UE 102 determines a sensing method and determines a configuration information for the candidate participant user equipment selected to be involved in the sensing at 908. These determinations are made taking into consideration the properties such as the sensing area for the sensing session, QoS requirements for the sensing session, and sensing capabilities of UE entities.

[0148] A sensing request is generated by the initiating UE 102 and sent to the selected participant UE 900 at 910. The sensing request includes the configuration information for use by the selected participant UE 900 to perform the sensing operation.

[0149] The sensing request may include identifier of the sensing operation of each selected participant UE and the initiating UE 102. The identifier may be an identifier of the transmitter UE and an identifier of each receiver UE. Utilizing such identifiers, the transmitter UE is identified for the receiver UE, for example.

[0150] The participant UE 900 validates the sensing request at 912. The validation involves determining that the selected participant UE supports the sensing operation utilizing the configuration information received. In the present example, the participant UE 900 supports the sensing operation and the participant UE 900 is configured as a receiver for sensing based on the configuration information received.

[0151] A response is transmitted from the participant UE 900 to the initiating UE 102 at 914. The response from the participant UE 900 includes the sensing session identity, and the identity of the participant UE 900, and an indication of acceptance of the sensing request.

[0152] The initiating UE 102 initiates the sensing session by sending a message or signal to the participant UE 900, indicating that the sensing session is commencing at 916. The initiating UE 102 begins transmission of sensing signals 918, which may include wireless or radio signals or both, for receiving at 920 by the participant UE 900.

[0153] At 922, sensing data is data derived from sensing signals including data impacted (e.g., reflected, refracted, diffracted) by an object in an environment of interest when performing a sensing operation. The sensing data is reported by the participant UE 900, to the initiating UE 102 based on the sensed signals and the information received from the initiating UE 102 for reporting. The sensing data is reported by the participant UE 900 along with the identity of the participant UE 900 and the identity of the sensing session.

[0154] The sensing data may optionally be reported along with other data such that participant UE 900 waits to transmit the sensing data until other data or information is transmitted. Alternatively, other data or information may await transmission by the participant UE 900 until the participant UE 900 reports the sensing data.

[0155] In some examples, the sensing data is processed by the initiating UE at 924 and the data provided is the output of the processing.

[0156] Optionally, the sensed signals may be processed at the participant UE 900 and the processed sensing data sent to the initiating UE 102 at 922.

[0157] The initiating UE 102 receives the sensing data or processed sensing data at 924.

[0158] Optionally, the initiating UE 102 identifies an update to the configuration information based on the sensing data or processed sensing data at 926. The update to the configuration information may include an update to the sensing resources configuration or an update to the sensing data processing or both. For example, the initiating UE 102 may determine sensing performance and identify an update based on the sensing performance. The update is based on the sensing performance, which may include, for example, QoS performance such as accuracy of sensing, resolution of sensing, and range of sensing. The sensing performance may also be based on successfully tracked objects or false alarm or incorrect detection. The update includes updated configuration information, which may include a change to one or more of the configuration of the resources such as transmission power and allocated resources, an update to the data reporting, and an update to the processing of the sensing data. The update to the data reporting may include an update to any of, for example, sampling interval, maximum number reported paths / points, threshold for minimum power value below which no reporting is carried out, minimum range distance, angle distance, speed distance, physical position distance between the reported paths. The update to the processing of sensing data may include, for example, clutter removal, structure / cluster of points that form a specific object type, and others.

[0159] Based on the update identified, the initiating UE 102 sends updated configuration information at 928, to the participant UE 900 to control the sensing operation of the participant UE 900.

[0160] The identification of updates to the configuration information at 926 and sending updated configuration information at 928 may be carried out periodically, for example, at regular intervals, or may be carried out in based on the sensing data received.

[0161] FIG. 10 shows operations of a procedure in accordance with another example implementation. Messages sent between a UE, such as the UE 102, which is referred to herein in FIG. 7 as the initiating UE 102, one or more participant receiver UE 1000, a participant transmitter UE 1002, and one or more supplemental receiver UE 1004, are illustrated. Many of the operations are shown and described in FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 6, and are not described again herein.

[0162] In the example shown in FIG. 10, the initiating UE 102 receives input for the initiating UE 102 to establish a sensing session at 1002. The initiating UE 102 identifies the properties of the sensing session at 1004 and performs a discovery process at 1006 to identify candidate participant user equipment, based on the properties, to participate in the sensing. The discovery process is utilized for the identification of a candidate participant UE capable of contributing or participating in the sensing session in the sensing area identified in the properties. The discovery process is carried out, for example, by device-to-device (D2D) communication and proximity services (ProSe).

[0163] Of the candidate participant user equipment that is identified, one or more participant receiver UE1000 is selected to operate as a receiver, and a participant transmitter 1002 is selected to operate as a transmitter and to establish a supplemental sensing session, for example, to extend the area in which objects are sensed.

[0164] The initiating UE 102 determines a sensing method and determines configuration information for the one or more participant receiver UE 1000 and the participant transmitter 1002 selected to be involved in the sensing session, at 1008. These determinations are made taking into consideration the properties such as the sensing area for the sensing session, QoS requirements for the sensing session, and sensing capabilities of UE entities.

[0165] A sensing request is generated by the initiating UE 102 and sent to the one or more participant receiver UE 1000 at 1010. The sensing request includes the configuration information for use by the one or more participant receiver UE 1000 to act as a receiver for receiving sensing signals transmitted by the initiating UE 102 during sensing.

[0166] Another sensing request is generated by the initiating UE 102 and sent to the participant transmitter 1002 at 1012. The sensing request sent to the participant transmitter 1002 includes the configuration information for use by the participant transmitter 1002 to set up the supplemental sensing session and to act as a transmitter in the supplemental sensing session.

[0167] The one or more participant receiver UE 1000 validates the sensing request at 1014. The validation involves determining that the one or more participant receiver UE 1000 supports the sensing operation utilizing the configuration information received. In the present example, the one or more participant receiver UE 1000 supports the sensing operation, and the one or more participant receiver UE 1000 are each configured as a receiver for sensing based on the configuration information received.

[0168] A response is transmitted from the one or more participant receiver UE 1000 to the initiating UE 102 at 1016. The response from the one or more participant receiver UE 1000 includes the sensing session identity, the identity of the one or more participant receiver UE 1000, and an indication of acceptance of the sensing request.

[0169] The participant transmitter 1002 also validates the sensing request at 1018. The validation involves determining that the participant transmitter 1002 supports the sensing operation utilizing the configuration information received. In the present example, the participant transmitter 1002 supports the sensing operation and is configured as a transmitter for sensing based on the configuration information received.

[0170] The participant transmitter 1002 also performs a supplemental discovery process at 1020, to identify candidate supplemental receiver UE 1004 based on properties received at the participant transmitter 1002 in the sensing request 1012. The discovery process is utilized for the identification of a supplemental receiver UE 1004 capable of contributing or participating in the supplemental sensing session in the supplemental sensing area covered by the participant transmitter 1002. The discovery process is carried out, for example, by device-to-device (D2D) communication and proximity services (ProSe). Alternatively, the sensing request received at the participant transmitter 1002 may include an identification of one or more candidatesupplemental receiver UE 1004.

[0171] The participant transmitter 1002 establishes the supplemental sensing session as outlined in FIG. 8. The participant transmitter 1002 establishes the supplemental sensing session at 1022 by determining configuration information for the supplemental sensing session, sending a supplemental sensing request to the supplemental receiver UE 1004, and receiving the sensing response from the supplemental receiver UE 1004. At least part of the configuration information may be determined based on the configuration information received from the initiating UE 102 in the sensing request. In this process, the supplemental receiver 1004 validates the supplemental sensing request and is configured as a sensing receiver.

[0172] A response is transmitted from the participant transmitter 1002 to the initiating UE 102 at 1024. The response from the participant transmitter 1002 includes the sensing session identity, the identity of the participant transmitter 1002, and the identity of the supplemental receiver 1004, as well as an indication of acceptance of the sensing request.

[0173] The initiating UE 102 initiates the sensing session at 1026 by sending a message or signal to the one or more participant receiver 1000, indicating that the sensing session is commencing and begins transmission of sensing signals at 1028, which may include wireless or radio signals or both, for receiving by the one or more participant receiver 1000. Sensing is thus carried out. The sensing includes receipt of the sensing signals at the one or more participant receiver 1000 and reporting of sensing data to the initiating UE 102.

[0174] In addition, the supplemental sensing session starts as the participant transmitter 1002 sends a message or signal to the supplemental receiver, indicating that the sensing session is commencing, and begins transmission of supplemental sensing signals at 1030 for receiving by the supplemental receiver 1004. The supplemental sensing is therefore carried out and includes receipt of the supplemental sensing signals at the supplemental receiver 1004 and reporting of sensing data to the participant transmitter 1002. Similarly, the participant transmitter 1002 may report the sensing data to the initiating UE 102.

[0175] FIG. 11 shows operations of a procedure in accordance with another example implementation. Messages sent between a UE, such as the UE 102, which is referred to herein in FIG. 2 as the initiating UE, and a participant UE 1100, are illustrated.

[0176] Many of the operations of the procedure and messages sent are similar to those described above with reference to FIG. 9 and are not described herein again in detail.

[0177] In the example shown in FIG. 11, the initiating UE 102 receives input for the initiating UE 102 to establish the sensing session at 1102. The initiating UE 102 identifies the properties of the sensing session at 1104 and performs a discovery process at 1106 to identify candidate participant user equipment based on the properties, to participate in the sensing session. The discovery process is carried out, for example, by device- to-device (D2D) communication and proximity services (ProSe).

[0178] Of the candidate participant user equipment that is identified, one or more participant UE is selected to operate as a sensing transmitter, a sensing receiver, or both sensing transmitter and sensing receiver, in bistatic or multistatic sensing.

[0179] The initiating UE 102 determines a sensing method and determines configuration information for the candidate participant user equipment selected to be involved in the sensing at 1108.

[0180] A sensing request is generated by the initiating UE 102 and sent to the selected participant UE 1100 at 1110. The sensing request includes configuration information for use by the selected participant UE 1100 to perform the sensing operation.

[0181] The participant UE 1100 validates the sensing request at 1112. The validation involves determining that the participant UE 1100 supports the sensing operation utilizing the configuration information received. In the present example, the participant UE 1100 does not support the sensing operation and the participant UE 1100 is not configured as a receiver for sensing based on the configuration information received.

[0182] A proposed change is determined by the participant UE 1100 to identify the sensing operation and configuration supported by the participant UE 1100. For example, the participant UE 1100 may identify a proposed change to one or a combination of a sensing resource configuration, a configuration for reporting of sensing data, a configuration for reporting of the sensing data that is processed at the selected participant UE, sensing capability, area for sensing, a type of sensing, and duration of sensing.

[0183] A response is transmitted from the participant UE 1100 to the initiating UE 102 at 1114. The response from the participant UE 1100 indicates rejection of the sensing request. The response to the sensing request also includes a cause code indicating a cause of the failure, i.e., the rejection, to provide or support a sensing session. In this example, the response includes an indication that renegotiation is required along with the proposed change to the configuration information or to the properties of the sensing session or both. The proposed change may be a change to one or a combination of a sensing resource configuration, a configuration for reporting of sensing data, a configuration for reporting of the sensing data that is processed at the selected participant UE, sensing capability, area for sensing, a type of sensing, and duration of sensing.

[0184] The initiating UE 102 receives the response including the proposed change to the configuration information or to the properties of the sensing session or both and, based on the proposed change to the configuration information, or the properties of the sensing session, or both, generates a new sensing request at 1116 and sends the new sensing request 1118 to the participant UE 1100.

[0185] The participant UE 1100 receives the new sensing request and determines that the participant UE 1100 supports the sensing operation utilizing the new configuration information received. The participant UE 1100 generates a response at 1120 and transmits the response to the initiating UE 102 at 1122. The response from the participant UE 1100 includes the sensing session identity, the identity of the participant UE 1100, and an indication of acceptance of the new sensing request.

[0186] Sensing is initiated at 1124. As referred to in the example shown in FIG. 7, for example, the initiating UE 102 begins transmission of sensing signals, which may include wireless or radio signals or both, for receiving by the participant UE 1100.

[0187] Sensing data is data derived from sensing signals including data impacted (e.g., reflected, refracted, diffracted) by an object in an environment of interest when performing a sensing operation. The sensing datais reported by the participant UE 1100, to the initiating UE 102 based on the sensed signals and the information received from the initiating UE 102 for reporting. The sensing data is reported by the participant UE 1100 along with the identity of the participant UE 1100 and the identity of the sensing session.

[0188] In some examples, the sensing data is processed by the initiating UE and the data provided is the output of the processing. Alternatively, the sensed signals may be processed at the participant UE 1100 and the processed sensing data sent to the initiating UE 102.

[0189] Optionally, the initiating UE 102 receives the sensing data or processed sensing data and identifies an update to the configuration information based on the sensing data or processed sensing data. The update to the configuration information may include an update to the sensing resources configuration or an update to the sensing data processing or both.

[0190] Based on the update identified, the initiating UE 102 sends updated configuration information to the participant UE 1100 to control the sensing operation of the participant UE 1100.

[0191] The identification of updates to the configuration information and sending of updated configuration information may be carried out periodically, for example, at regular intervals, or may be carried out based on the sensing data received.

[0192] In the examples described herein, the initiating UE is a transmitter UE. Optionally, the initiating UE may be a receiver and another UE may be the transmitter. The initiating UE may also carry out both transmitting and receiving and thus, configured to carry out the functions of both.

[0193] Reference is now made to FIG. 12, which shows a diagram showing operations in a procedure in accordance with an example of an embodiment. In the embodiments described above, an initiating UE, such as the UE 102 establishes sensing sessions without network involvement. Optionally, sensing configuration parameters and policies related to establishing and maintaining such UE-based sensing may be stored by the core network, such as a 5G core network (5GC) that operate based on the 5th generation radio access technology described in the 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) standard for new radio, or by a data network accessed via the core network. Such configuration parameters and policies may be utilized by any UE involved in sensing. Thus, the initiating UE or any participant UE may utilize the configuration parameters and policies stored via the core network. The UE and core network are in communication via the network interface 110 and one or more radio access network (RAN) entities, such as RAN entities of a NG-RAN.

[0194] FIG. 12 shows messages or information sent between a UE, such as the UE 102, and network functions of the core network, including the access and mobility function (AMF) 1204 and a policy control function (PCF) 1202. The AMF 1204 routes the messages between the UE 102 and the PCF 1202.

[0195] The UE 102 requests the configuration parameters and policies at 1206. These configuration parameters and policies are utilized for the establishment of UE-based sensing when a UE establishes and maintains sensing. The UE, optionally indicates its UE-based sensing capability and requests of sensing policy provisioning, i.e., requests the configuration parameters and policies in UL NAS TRANSPORT message received at the AMF 1204.

[0196] The AMF 1204 selects a PCF 1202 that is configured to provide the configuration parameters and policies for UE-based Sensing. The AMF 1204 also reports the UE-based sensing capability information of the UE 1204 to the PCF 1202 in a UE policy association establishment request at 1208. The AMF 1204 may include sensing subscription data received from a united data repository (UDM) of the core network (not shown), to the PCF 1202.

[0197] The PCF 1202 obtains parameters and policies to be provisioned to the UE based on local configuration, policy subscription data retrieved from UDR, the sensing subscription data from UDM provided via the AMF 1204, the current location of the UE 102 provided via the AMF 1204, the sensing capability of the UE 102 and other network policies such as privacy policies. The PCF 1202 provides the configuration parameters and policies to be utilized for UE-based sensing, to the UE at 1210. The configuration parameters and policies are stored at the UE 102 for use when a UE-based sensing session is established. These configuration parameters and polices are utilized by the initiating UE in the selection of the participant UE and determination of configuration information and when configuration information is updated.

[0198] The configuration parameters and policies from the network may include device-to-device such as sidelink resources or resource pools that are selectable for use in sensing operations, and relevant information relating to sensing resources. Such relevant information includes, for example, sensing frequency, sensing bandwidth, sensing resource set, sensing resource type (e.g., periodic, semi-persistent), number of periodic transmissions, sensing signals transmission rate etc.). The relevant information may also include areas in which sensing is not permitted, thresholds or values of radio measurements (e.g., SL Sensing RSRP / SINR / SNR, signal reception delay, doppler shift, ... ) associated with sensing QoS requirements (e.g., sensing accuracy, sensing resolution, sensing range) to facilitate determination of QoS of device-to-device based sensing by the UE that receives the sensing signals The configuration parameters may also indicate the mode of sensing operation that is permitted for the UE when not served by any network, i.e., whether the UE performs monostatic sensing, and whether the UE performs bi-static sensing acting as a transmitter of sensing signals (Tx) or receiver of sensing signals (Rx), or both.

[0199] The PCF 1202 may also update the configuration parameters and policies for the UE-based sensing operations. A change in the configuration parameters and policies is identified at 1212, which occurs, for example, due to change in authorization or subscription or other change. The PCF 1202 provides the updated configuration parameters and policies at 1214. in this example, the AMF 1204 triggers a service request at 1216 and the configuration parameters and policies or an update to the configuration parameters and policies are provided to the UE 102 at 1218. The UE confirms receipt of the UE configuration parameters and policies at 1220 and the AMF 1204 notifies the PCF 1204 that the updated configuration parameters and policies are received at the UE 102.

[0200] Alternatively, the UE 102 may retrieve the configuration parameters and policies during a registration procedure to the core network.

[0201] Utilizing the method and user equipment disclosed herein, user equipment is utilized to detect ortrack one or more objects, to sense in an area of interest, or a combination thereof. The user equipment is configured to autonomously establish, i.e., set up and coordinate, the sensing to facilitate coordination even without network involvement or when out of network coverage. Thus, a sensing session is provided by user equipment.

[0202] Embodiments including functions, processes, and operations, may be implemented in software, hardware, application logic or a combination of software, hardware and application logic. The software, application logic and / or hardware may reside on memory. In the context of this application, a "memory” or "computer-readable medium” may be any non-transitory media or that includes or stores, communicates, or transports the instructions for execution by one or more processors.

[0203] The functions, processes, and operations described herein may be performed in a different order, or may be performed concurrently with each other, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, one or more of the functions, processes, and operations may be optional or may be combined. Various operations and processes shown in the flow charts are optional or are alternatives and may be omitted, may be reordered, may be combined, or a combination of reordered and combined.

[0204] The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments in the examples but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description.

Claims

Claims1 . A method of a first user equipment (U E), the method comprising: receiving an input for the first UE to establish a sensing session; identifying properties of the sensing session, the properties including an area for sensing, a type of sensing, a duration of sensing, and a quality of sensing, or any combination thereof; identifying candidate participant user equipment, based on the properties, to participate in the sensing session; selecting from the candidate participant user equipment, a second UE to perform a transmitting operation and selecting from the candidate participant user equipment, one or more further user equipment to perform receiving operations, for sensing, and determining, based on the properties, configuration information to configure the second UE to perform the transmitting operation and to configure the one or more further user equipment to perform the receiving operations for sensing; sending a respective sensing request to each of the second UE and the one or more further user equipment, each sensing request including respective configuration information for use by the respective one of the second UE and the one or more further user equipment to perform the respective one of the transmitting operation and the receiving operation; receiving respective responses to the respective sensing request from the second UE and the one or more further user equipment, each of the respective responses accepting or rejecting the respective sensing request.

2. The method of claim 1 , comprising initiating the sensing session utilizing the second UE and the one or more further user equipment in response to receipt of the responses accepting the respective sensing request.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising receiving sensing data from one or more of the further user equipment and processing the sensing data to provide processed sensing data in response to the received input for the first UE to establish the sensing session.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein, sending the respective sensing request includes sending the respective sensing request to the second UE, the respective sensing request sent to the second UE including instructions to establish a supplemental sensing session.

5. The method of claim 3, comprising receiving supplemental sensing session data of the supplemental sensing session from the second UE.

6. A method of a second user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving a sensing request from a first UE, the sensing request including instructions to establish a supplemental sensing session; identifying properties of the supplemental sensing session, the properties including at least one of an area for sensing, a type of sensing, duration of sensing, and a quality of service; identifying candidate participant user equipment, based on the properties, to participate in the supplemental sensing session; selecting from the candidate participant user equipment, a participant UE to receive signals utilized for sensing and determining, based on the properties, configuration information to configure the participant UE to receive the signals utilized for sensing; sending a supplemental sensing request to the participant UE, the supplemental sensing request including configuration information for use by the participant UE to receive the signals utilized for sensing; receiving a response from the participant UE, the response accepting or rejecting the supplemental sensing request.

7. The method of claim 6, comprising initiating the supplemental sensing session utilizing the participant UE in response to receipt of the response accepting the supplemental respective sensing request.

8. The method of claim 7, comprising receiving sensing data from the participant UE, processing the sensing data to provide processed sensing data, and sending the processed sensing data to the first UE.

9. The method of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein identifying candidate participant user equipment includes identifying sensing capabilities of the candidate participant user equipment prior to selecting the participant UE.

10. The method of claim any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the supplemental sensing request includes an identity of the second UE, an identity of the participant UE, an identity of the supplemental sensing session identification, and sensing resource configuration information.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the supplemental sensing request includes configuration information for reporting of sensing data.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the supplemental sensing request includes information to configure processing of sensing data at the participant UE.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the sensing resource configuration information comprises one or more of frequency of the signals utilized for sensing, bandwidth utilized for transmitting and receiving signalsutilized for sensing, channel in which the signals utilized for sensing are transmitted and received, timing information for sending and receiving the sensing signals, a transmit power for transmitting the signals utilized for sensing, radio resources to receive or transmit sensing signals, and angle of arrival (AoA) and angle of departure (AoD) for receiving and transmitting signals utilized for sensing, respectively.

14. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the configuration information for reporting of the sensing data comprises one or more of a periodicity of performing sensing measurements to obtain the sensing data, a periodicity of reporting the sensing data, or a structure of the sensing data for reporting.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein information to configure processing of sensing data at the participant UE comprises one or more of a configuration to reduce weak echoes, address clutter effect, a requested range of sensing, and identify types of objects for sensing.

16. The method according to claim 6, comprising receiving a response from the participant UE rejecting the supplemental sensing request, the response including a cause of rejection of the supplement sensing request.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the cause of rejection of the supplemental sensing request comprises one or more of unavailable resources at the participant UE, high congestion in a frequency, high congestion in a channel, lack of line of sight (LoS) between the participant UE and the second UE, high mobility of the participant UE, low sensing reference signal received power (RSRP), determination that the quality of service is not achievable, inability to apply one or more configurations, inability to send sensing data.

18. The method according to claim 16, comprising: sending a further sensing request to the participant UE, the further sensing request including new configuration information for use by the participant UE to perform the sensing operation, the new configuration information selected based on the cause of rejection; receiving a further response from the participant UE accepting or rejecting the further sensing request; initiating the supplemental sensing session utilizing the participant UE in response to receipt of the further response accepting the further sensing request.

19. The method according to claim 6, wherein receiving a response from the participant UE comprises receiving a response rejecting the supplemental sensing request, the response including a proposed change to one or both of the configuration information and the properties of the supplemental sensing session.

20. The method according to claim 6, wherein receiving a response from the participant UE comprises receiving a response rejecting the supplemental sensing request, the response including a proposed change to one or more of a sensing resource configuration, a configuration for reporting of sensing data, a configuration for reporting of the sensing data that is processed at the participant UE, sensing capability, area for sensing, a type of sensing, and a duration of sensing.

21. The method according to claim 19, comprising: sending a further request based on the proposed change; receiving a further response from the participant UE accepting the further request; initiating the supplemental sensing session utilizing the one of said one or more participant UE in response to receipt of the further response accepting the sensing request; and receiving sensing data from the participant UE and processing the sensing data to provide processed sensing data in response to the received sensing request including instructions to establish the supplemental sensing session.

22. A user equipment comprising: at least one processor; at least one memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions are executable by the at least one processor to cause the user equipment to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21 .

23. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon for execution by at least one processor of a user equipment (UE) to cause the UE to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

24. A computer program comprising instructions, wherein the computer program when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment (UE) causes the UE to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

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