Method and device for selecting antenna panel in ISAC system

Abstract

A method and a device for selecting an antenna panel in an ISAC system are disclosed. A method of a communication node comprises the steps of: on the basis of the total number of panels of the communication node, the number of one or more objects communicating with the communication node, and the number of one or more objects to be sensed by the communication node, allocating all the panels to at least one object; and performing at least one of communication and sensing for the at least one object by using the allocated panels.

Description

Method and device for selecting antenna panels in an ISAC system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to improved communication technologies, and more particularly to technologies for variable selection of antenna panels in an Integrated Sensing And Communication (ISAC) system.

[0002] Communication networks (e.g., 5G communication networks, 6G communication networks, etc.) are being developed to provide improved communication services compared to existing communication networks (e.g., long term evolution (LTE), advanced LTE-A (LTE-A), etc.). 5G communication networks (e.g., new radio (NR) communication networks) can support frequency bands above 6 GHz as well as frequency bands below 6 GHz. That is, 5G communication networks can support FR1 bands and / or FR2 bands. 5G communication networks can support various communication services and scenarios compared to LTE communication networks. For example, usage scenarios of 5G communication networks can include enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC), massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC), etc.

[0003] Compared to 5G, 6G communication networks can support a wider range of communication services and scenarios. 6G communication networks can meet requirements for ultra-high performance, ultra-high bandwidth, ultra-high space, ultra-high precision, ultra-intelligence, and / or ultra-reliability. 6G communication networks can support diverse and wide frequency bands and be applied to various usage scenarios (e.g., terrestrial communications, non-terrestrial communications, sidelink communications, etc.).

[0004] Meanwhile, the 4GHz, 7GHz, and 14GHz bands are being discussed as next-generation candidate frequency bands. Discussions are underway to build an Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) system that simultaneously performs communication and sensing in these next-generation candidate frequency bands. To implement the ISAC system, discussions are underway on methods such as performing direct sensing with existing antenna panels and utilizing sensing information measured from sensors such as radar, lidar, and cameras for communication. In 5G communication networks (e.g., NR communication networks), base stations can use multiple panels, and terminals can use multiple panels. The panels can refer to antenna panels. The range of terminals can expand from mobile devices to vehicles, etc.

[0005] A communication node (e.g., a base station and / or a terminal) can operate multiple panels and perform sensing as well as communication using antenna panels (e.g., multiple panels). The procedure for selecting antenna panels for communication and sensing, respectively, for ISAC operation is not defined. A procedure for determining which antenna panel among the multiple panels is used to form a communication beam and / or a procedure for determining which antenna panel among the multiple panels is used to form a sensing beam may be required. In a situation where the number of antenna panels (e.g., antenna panels included in a multiple panel) is fixed, a procedure for adjusting the number of antenna panels used for communication and / or sensing is not defined. Additional sensing parameters, additional signaling, etc. may be required for the above-described procedures.

[0006] The purpose of the present disclosure to solve the above problems is to provide a method and device for variably selecting an antenna panel for communication and / or sensing in an ISAC (Integrated Sensing And Communication) system.

[0007] According to embodiments of the present disclosure for achieving the above object, a method of a communication node includes a step of assigning the entire panels to at least one object based on the number of entire panels of the communication node, the number of one or more objects that perform communication with the communication node, and the number of one or more objects that are sensing targets of the communication node; and a step of performing at least one of communication or sensing for the at least one object using the assigned panels.

[0008] The step of assigning the above entire panels to at least one object comprises: may include a step of allocating a number of panels corresponding to the result of the at least one object for the communication or the sensing, may be the total number of panels of the above communication node, may be the number of one or more objects that perform communication with the above communication node, may be the number of one or more objects that are sensing targets of the above communication node.

[0009] The step of assigning the above entire panels to at least one object is: Based on the result being 1 or more, among the entire panels may further include a step of additionally allocating a number of panels corresponding to the result of the communication node to one or more objects that perform communication, Is It can be the number of panels assigned to the dog objects, Is It can be the number of panels assigned to the dog objects.

[0010] The method of the above communication node may further include the step of acquiring at least one of a communication performance or a sensing performance for the at least one object; and the step of performing a panel reallocation procedure based on at least one of the communication performance or the sensing performance not satisfying a performance requirement.

[0011] The step of acquiring at least one of communication performance or sensing performance for the at least one object may further include the step of transmitting a request for a communication performance report to one or more of the at least one object; and the step of receiving the communication performance report including information on the communication performance from the one or more objects based on the request.

[0012] The step of acquiring at least one of communication performance or sensing performance for the at least one object may further include the step of transmitting a request for a sensing performance report to one or more of the at least one object; and the step of receiving the sensing performance report including information on the sensing performance from the one or more objects based on the request.

[0013] The step of performing the panel reallocation procedure based on the communication performance satisfying the communication performance requirement and the sensing performance not satisfying the sensing performance requirement may include the step of reducing the number of panels allocated for the communication; and the step of increasing the number of panels allocated for the sensing.

[0014] The step of performing the panel reallocation procedure based on the above communication performance not satisfying the communication performance requirement and the above sensing performance satisfying the sensing performance requirement may include the step of reducing the number of panels allocated for the sensing; and the step of increasing the number of panels allocated for the communication.

[0015] The method of the above communication node may further include a step of performing a panel reallocation procedure based on a change in the target objects of the communication or the sensing.

[0016] Based on the appearance of a new object other than the at least one object, the step of performing the panel reallocation procedure may include the step of reducing the panels assigned to the at least one object; and the step of assigning the reduced panels to the new object.

[0017] The step of performing the panel reallocation procedure based on one or more of the at least one object being excluded from the target objects may include the step of reallocating panels assigned to the one or more objects to the remaining objects excluding the one or more objects among the at least one object.

[0018] The above communication node may be a base station or a terminal, and each of the one or more objects may be an MS object supporting MS (Monostatic Sensing) or a BS object supporting BS (Bistatic Sensing).

[0019] According to embodiments of the present disclosure for achieving the above object, a communication node includes at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor causes the communication node to assign the entire panels to at least one object based on the number of the entire panels of the communication node, the number of one or more objects that perform communication with the communication node, and the number of one or more objects that are sensing targets of the communication node; and to perform at least one of communication or sensing for the at least one object using the assigned panels.

[0020] To assign the above entire panels to at least one object, the at least one processor is configured to cause the communication node to: can cause a number of panels corresponding to the result of said at least one object to be allocated for said communication or said sensing, may be the total number of panels of the above communication node, may be the number of one or more objects that perform communication with the above communication node, may be the number of one or more objects that are sensing targets of the above communication node.

[0021] To assign the above entire panels to at least one object, the at least one processor is configured such that the communication node, Based on the result being 1 or more, among the entire panels may further cause one or more objects that perform communication with said communication node to additionally allocate a number of panels corresponding to the result of the Is It can be the number of panels assigned to the dog objects, Is It can be the number of panels assigned to the dog objects.

[0022] The at least one processor may further cause the communication node to acquire at least one of a communication performance or a sensing performance for the at least one object; and perform a panel reallocation procedure based on at least one of the communication performance or the sensing performance not meeting a performance requirement.

[0023] Based on the communication performance satisfying the communication performance requirement and the sensing performance not satisfying the sensing performance requirement, to perform the panel reallocation procedure, the at least one processor can cause the communication node to decrease the number of panels allocated for the communication; and increase the number of panels allocated for the sensing.

[0024] Based on the communication performance not satisfying the communication performance requirement and the sensing performance satisfying the sensing performance requirement, to perform the panel reallocation procedure, the at least one processor can cause the communication node to decrease the number of panels allocated for the sensing; and increase the number of panels allocated for the communication.

[0025] The at least one processor may further cause the communication node to perform a panel reallocation procedure based on a change in the target objects of the communication or the sensing.

[0026] Based on the appearance of a new object other than the at least one object, to perform the panel reallocation procedure, the at least one processor can cause the communication node to reduce the panels assigned to the at least one object; and to assign the reduced panels to the new object.

[0027] According to the present disclosure, a communication node (e.g., a base station and / or a terminal) can perform communication and sensing using multiple panels. The multiple panels of the communication node can be operated appropriately for each Integrated Sensing And Communication (ISAC) scenario. For example, to improve communication performance, a relatively large number of panels can be allocated for communication, and to improve sensing performance, a relatively large number of panels can be allocated for sensing. The panels for communication and / or the panels for sensing can be variably selected according to performance requirements, thereby enabling communication and / or sensing that meet the performance requirements.

[0028] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating embodiments of a communication system.

[0029] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating embodiments of communication nodes constituting a communication system.

[0030] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating embodiments of communication nodes that perform communication.

[0031] Figure 4a is a block diagram illustrating embodiments of a transmission path.

[0032] Figure 4b is a block diagram illustrating embodiments of a receiving path.

[0033] Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating embodiments of system frames in a communication system.

[0034] Figure 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating embodiments of subframes in a communication system.

[0035] Figure 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating embodiments of slots in a communication system.

[0036] Figure 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating embodiments of time-frequency resources in a communication system.

[0037] Figure 9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating performance requirements for sensing services.

[0038] Figure 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an initial allocation method for multiple panels.

[0039] Figure 11 is a conceptual diagram illustrating ISAC operation after initial allocation of multiple panels.

[0040] Figure 12 is a conceptual diagram illustrating ISAC operation after reallocation of multiple panels.

[0041] Figure 13 is a conceptual diagram illustrating ISAC operation after reallocation of multiple panels.

[0042] Figure 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method for allocating multiple panels in an ISAC system.

[0043] This disclosure may be subject to various modifications and various embodiments. Specific embodiments are illustrated and described in detail in the drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the disclosure to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and technical scope of the disclosure.

[0044] While terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, a first component could be referred to as a "second component," and similarly, a second component could also be referred to as a "first component." The term "and / or" may refer to a combination of multiple related items described herein or to any of multiple related items described herein.

[0045] In the present disclosure, “at least one of A and B” may mean “at least one of A or B” or “at least one of combinations of one or more of A and B.” Additionally, in the present disclosure, “at least one of A and B” may mean “at least one of A or B” or “at least one of combinations of one or more of A and B.”

[0046] In the present disclosure, (re)transmission may mean “transmission,” “retransmission,” or “transmission and retransmission,” (re)setting may mean “setting,” “resetting,” or “setting and resetting,” (re)connection may mean “connection,” “reconnection,” or “connection and reconnection,” and (re)connection may mean “connection,” “reconnection,” or “connection and reconnection.”

[0047] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

[0048] The terminology used in this disclosure is only used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this disclosure, it should be understood that the terms "comprises" or "has" indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0049] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0050] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings. In order to facilitate an overall understanding in describing the present disclosure, the same reference numerals will be used for identical components in the drawings, and redundant descriptions of identical components will be omitted. In addition to the embodiments explicitly described in the present disclosure, operations may be performed according to combinations of embodiments, extensions of embodiments, and / or modifications of embodiments. The performance of some operations may be omitted, and the order of operation may be changed.

[0051] In an embodiment, even if a method (e.g., transmitting or receiving a signal) performed by a first communication node among communication nodes is described, a corresponding second communication node can perform a method (e.g., receiving or transmitting a signal) corresponding to the method performed by the first communication node. That is, if an operation of a UE (user equipment) is described, a corresponding base station can perform an operation corresponding to the operation of the UE. Conversely, if an operation of a base station is described, a corresponding UE can perform an operation corresponding to the operation of the base station.

[0052] A base station may be referred to as a NodeB, an evolved NodeB, a gNodeB (next generation node B), a gNB, a device, an apparatus, a node, a communication node, a BTS (base transceiver station), a RRH (radio remote head), a TRP (transmission reception point), a RU (radio unit), an RSU (road side unit), a radio transceiver, an access point, an access node, etc. A UE may be referred to as a terminal, a device, an apparatus, a node, a communication node, an end node, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a station, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a portable subscriber station, an OBU (on-broad unit), etc.

[0053] In the present disclosure, signaling may be at least one of upper layer signaling, MAC signaling, or PHY (physical) signaling. A message used for upper layer signaling may be referred to as an "upper layer message" or an "upper layer signaling message." A message used for MAC signaling may be referred to as a "MAC message" or a "MAC signaling message." A message used for PHY signaling may be referred to as a "PHY message" or a "PHY signaling message." Upper layer signaling may refer to a transmission and reception operation of system information (e.g., a master information block (MIB), a system information block (SIB)) and / or a radio resource control (RRC) message. MAC signaling may refer to a transmission and reception operation of a MAC control element (CE). PHY signaling may refer to a transmission and reception operation of control information (e.g., downlink control information (DCI), uplink control information (UCI), sidelink control information (SCI)).

[0054] In the present disclosure, “an operation (e.g., a transmission operation) is set” may mean that “setting information for the operation (e.g., an information element, a parameter)” and / or “information instructing the performance of the operation” is signaled. “An information element (e.g., a parameter) is set” may mean that the information element is signaled. In the present disclosure, “signal and / or channel” may mean a signal, a channel, or “signal and channel,” and “signal” may be used to mean “signal and / or channel.” In the present disclosure, time and time point may be used interchangeably. Time may be interpreted as either time or time point depending on the context, and time point may be interpreted as either time or time point depending on the context.

[0055] In the present disclosure, a phrase including “if (e.g., when ~)” can be expressed as a phrase including “based on (e.g., based on ~)” or a phrase including “in response to (e.g., in response to ~)”. In other words, a phrase including “if ~)” can be interpreted as being identical or similar to a phrase including “based on” or a phrase including “in response to”.

[0056] The communication networks to which the embodiments are applied are not limited to those described below, and the embodiments may be applied to various communication networks (e.g., 4G communication networks, 5G communication networks, and / or 6G communication networks). Here, the term "communication network" may be used interchangeably with the term "communication system."

[0057] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating embodiments of a communication system.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 1, the communication system (100) may include a plurality of communication nodes (110-1, 110-2, 110-3, 120-1, 120-2, 130-1, 130-2, 130-3, 130-4, 130-5, 130-6). In addition, the communication system (100) may further include a core network (e.g., a serving-gateway (S-GW), a packet data network (PDN)-gateway (P-GW), a mobility management entity (MME)). If the communication system (100) is a 5G communication system (e.g., a new radio (NR) system), the core network may include an access and mobility management function (AMF), a user plane function (UPF), a session management function (SMF), etc.

[0059] A plurality of communication nodes (110 to 130) can support a communication protocol specified in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) standard (e.g., LTE communication protocol, LTE-A communication protocol, NR communication protocol, etc.). The plurality of communication nodes (110 to 130) may support CDMA (code division multiple access) technology, WCDMA (wideband CDMA) technology, TDMA (time division multiple access) technology, FDMA (frequency division multiple access) technology, OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) technology, Filtered OFDM technology, CP (cyclic prefix)-OFDM technology, DFT-s-OFDM (discrete Fourier transform-spread-OFDM) technology, OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division multiple access) technology, SC (single carrier)-FDMA technology, NOMA (non-orthogonal multiple access) technology, GFDM (generalized frequency division multiplexing) technology, FBMC (filter bank multi-carrier) technology, UFMC (universal filtered multi-carrier) technology, SDMA (space division multiple access) technology, etc. Each of the plurality of communication nodes may have the following structure.

[0060] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating embodiments of communication nodes constituting a communication system.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 2, a communication node (200) may include at least one processor (210), a memory (220), and a transmission / reception device (230) that is connected to a network and performs communication. In addition, the communication node (200) may further include an input interface device (240), an output interface device (250), a storage device (260), etc. Each component included in the communication node (200) may be connected by a bus (270) and communicate with each other.

[0062] The processor (210) can execute program commands stored in at least one of the memory (220) and the storage device (260). The processor (210) may refer to a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor in which the methods according to embodiments of the present disclosure are performed. Each of the memory (220) and the storage device (260) may be configured with at least one of a volatile storage medium and a non-volatile storage medium. For example, the memory (220) may be configured with at least one of a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM).

[0063] Referring again to FIG. 1, the communication system (100) may include a plurality of base stations (110-1, 110-2, 110-3, 120-1, 120-2) and a plurality of terminals (130-1, 130-2, 130-3, 130-4, 130-5, 130-6). Each of the first base station (110-1), the second base station (110-2), and the third base station (110-3) may form a macro cell. Each of the fourth base station (120-1) and the fifth base station (120-2) may form a small cell. The fourth base station (120-1), the third terminal (130-3), and the fourth terminal (130-4) may be within the cell coverage of the first base station (110-1). The second terminal (130-2), the fourth terminal (130-4), and the fifth terminal (130-5) may be within the cell coverage of the second base station (110-2). The fifth base station (120-2), the fourth terminal (130-4), the fifth terminal (130-5), and the sixth terminal (130-6) may be within the cell coverage of the third base station (110-3). The first terminal (130-1) may be within the cell coverage of the fourth base station (120-1). The sixth terminal (130-6) may be within the cell coverage of the fifth base station (120-2).

[0064] Here, each of the plurality of base stations (110-1, 110-2, 110-3, 120-1, 120-2) may be referred to as a NodeB (NB), an evolved NodeB (eNB), a gNB, an advanced base station (ABS), a high reliability-base station (HR-BS), a base transceiver station (BTS), a radio base station, a radio transceiver, an access point, an access node, a radio access station (RAS), a mobile multihop relay-base station (MMR-BS), a relay station (RS), an advanced relay station (ARS), a high reliability-relay station (HR-RS), a home NodeB (HNB), a home eNodeB (HeNB), a road side unit (RSU), a radio remote head (RRH), a transmission point (TP), a transmission and reception point (TRP), etc.

[0065] Each of the plurality of terminals (130-1, 130-2, 130-3, 130-4, 130-5, 130-6) may be referred to as a user equipment (UE), terminal equipment (TE), advanced mobile station (AMS), high reliability-mobile station (HR-MS), terminal, access terminal, mobile terminal, station, subscriber station, mobile station, portable subscriber station, node, device, on board unit (OBU), etc.

[0066] Meanwhile, each of the plurality of base stations (110-1, 110-2, 110-3, 120-1, 120-2) may operate in a different frequency band or may operate in the same frequency band. Each of the plurality of base stations (110-1, 110-2, 110-3, 120-1, 120-2) may be connected to each other via an ideal backhaul link or a non-ideal backhaul link, and may exchange information with each other via the ideal backhaul link or the non-ideal backhaul link. Each of the plurality of base stations (110-1, 110-2, 110-3, 120-1, 120-2) may be connected to the core network via the ideal backhaul link or the non-ideal backhaul link. Each of the plurality of base stations (110-1, 110-2, 110-3, 120-1, 120-2) can transmit a signal received from the core network to the corresponding terminal (130-1, 130-2, 130-3, 130-4, 130-5, 130-6), and can transmit a signal received from the corresponding terminal (130-1, 130-2, 130-3, 130-4, 130-5, 130-6) to the core network.

[0067] Additionally, each of the plurality of base stations (110-1, 110-2, 110-3, 120-1, 120-2) may support MIMO transmission (e.g., single user (SU)-MIMO, multi user (MU)-MIMO, massive MIMO, etc.), coordinated multipoint (CoMP) transmission, carrier aggregation (CA) transmission, transmission in an unlicensed band, sidelink communication (e.g., device to device communication (D2D), proximity services (ProSe)), Internet of Things (IoT) communication, dual connectivity (DC), etc. Here, each of the plurality of terminals (130-1, 130-2, 130-3, 130-4, 130-5, 130-6) can perform an operation corresponding to the base station (110-1, 110-2, 110-3, 120-1, 120-2) and an operation supported by the base station (110-1, 110-2, 110-3, 120-1, 120-2). For example, the second base station (110-2) can transmit a signal to the fourth terminal (130-4) based on the SU-MIMO scheme, and the fourth terminal (130-4) can receive a signal from the second base station (110-2) by the SU-MIMO scheme. Alternatively, the second base station (110-2) can transmit signals to the fourth terminal (130-4) and the fifth terminal (130-5) based on the MU-MIMO method, and each of the fourth terminal (130-4) and the fifth terminal (130-5) can receive signals from the second base station (110-2) based on the MU-MIMO method.

[0068] Each of the first base station (110-1), the second base station (110-2), and the third base station (110-3) can transmit a signal to the fourth terminal (130-4) based on the CoMP scheme, and the fourth terminal (130-4) can receive a signal from the first base station (110-1), the second base station (110-2), and the third base station (110-3) based on the CoMP scheme. Each of the plurality of base stations (110-1, 110-2, 110-3, 120-1, 120-2) can transmit and receive a signal with terminals (130-1, 130-2, 130-3, 130-4, 130-5, 130-6) within its cell coverage based on the CA scheme. Each of the first base station (110-1), the second base station (110-2), and the third base station (110-3) can control sidelink communication between the fourth terminal (130-4) and the fifth terminal (130-5), and each of the fourth terminal (130-4) and the fifth terminal (130-5) can perform sidelink communication under the control of the second base station (110-2) and the third base station (110-3), respectively.

[0069] Meanwhile, communication nodes performing communication in a communication network may be configured as follows. The communication node illustrated in Fig. 3 may be a specific embodiment of the communication node illustrated in Fig. 2.

[0070] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating embodiments of communication nodes that perform communication.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 3, each of the first communication node (300a) and the second communication node (300b) may be a base station or a UE. The first communication node (300a) may transmit a signal to the second communication node (300b). The transmission processor (311) included in the first communication node (300a) may receive data (e.g., a data unit) from a data source (310). The transmission processor (311) may receive control information from the controller (316). The control information may include at least one of system information, RRC configuration information (e.g., information configured by RRC signaling), MAC control information (e.g., MAC CE), or PHY control information (e.g., DCI, SCI).

[0072] The transmitting processor (311) may perform a processing operation on data (e.g., an encoding operation, a symbol mapping operation, etc.) to generate data symbol(s). The transmitting processor (311) may perform a processing operation on control information (e.g., an encoding operation, a symbol mapping operation, etc.) to generate control symbol(s). In addition, the transmitting processor (311) may generate synchronization / reference symbol(s) for a synchronization signal and / or a reference signal.

[0073] The Tx MIMO processor (312) may perform a spatial processing operation (e.g., a precoding operation) on data symbol(s), control symbol(s), and / or synchronization / reference symbol(s). The output (e.g., a symbol stream) of the Tx MIMO processor (312) may be provided to modulators (MODs) included in the transceivers (313a to 313t). The modulators (MODs) may perform a processing operation on the symbol stream to generate modulation symbols, and may perform an additional processing operation (e.g., an analog conversion operation, an amplification operation, a filtering operation, an upconversion operation) on the modulation symbols to generate signals. The signals generated by the modulators (MODs) of the transceivers (313a to 313t) may be transmitted via the antennas (314a to 314t).

[0074] Signals transmitted by the first communication node (300a) may be received by antennas (364a to 364r) of the second communication node (300b). Signals received by the antennas (364a to 364r) may be provided to demodulators (DEMODs) included in transceivers (363a to 363r). The demodulator (DEMOD) may perform a processing operation (e.g., a filtering operation, an amplification operation, a downconversion operation, a digital conversion operation) on the signal to obtain samples. The demodulator (DEMOD) may perform an additional processing operation on the samples to obtain symbols. The MIMO detector (362) may perform a MIMO detection operation on the symbols. The receiving processor (361) may perform a processing operation (e.g., a deinterleaving operation, a decoding operation) on the symbols. The output of the receiving processor (361) may be provided to a data sink (360) and a controller (366). For example, data may be provided to the data sink (360), and control information may be provided to the controller (366).

[0075] Meanwhile, the second communication node (300b) can transmit a signal to the first communication node (300a). The transmitting processor (368) included in the second communication node (300b) can receive data (e.g., data units) from a data source (367) and perform a processing operation on the data to generate data symbol(s). The transmitting processor (368) can receive control information from the controller (366) and perform a processing operation on the control information to generate control symbol(s). In addition, the transmitting processor (368) can perform a processing operation on a reference signal to generate reference symbol(s).

[0076] The Tx MIMO processor (369) may perform spatial processing operations (e.g., precoding operations) on data symbol(s), control symbol(s), and / or reference symbol(s). The output (e.g., symbol stream) of the Tx MIMO processor (369) may be provided to modulators (MODs) included in the transceivers (363a to 363t). The modulators (MODs) may perform processing operations on the symbol streams to generate modulation symbols, and may perform additional processing operations (e.g., analog conversion operations, amplification operations, filtering operations, upconversion operations) on the modulation symbols to generate signals. The signals generated by the modulators (MODs) of the transceivers (363a to 363t) may be transmitted via the antennas (364a to 364t).

[0077] Signals transmitted by the second communication node (300b) may be received by the antennas (314a to 314r) of the first communication node (300a). The signals received by the antennas (314a to 314r) may be provided to demodulators (DEMODs) included in the transceivers (313a to 313r). The demodulator (DEMOD) may perform a processing operation (e.g., a filtering operation, an amplification operation, a downconversion operation, a digital conversion operation) on the signal to obtain samples. The demodulator (DEMOD) may perform an additional processing operation on the samples to obtain symbols. The MIMO detector (320) may perform a MIMO detection operation on the symbols. The receiving processor (319) may perform a processing operation (e.g., a deinterleaving operation, a decoding operation) on the symbols. The output of the receiving processor (319) may be provided to a data sink (318) and a controller (316). For example, data may be provided to the data sink (318) and control information may be provided to the controller (316).

[0078] Memories (315 and 365) can store data, control information, and / or program code. Scheduler (317) can perform scheduling operations for communication. The processors (311, 312, 319, 361, 368, 369) and controllers (316, 366) illustrated in FIG. 3 may be the processor (210) illustrated in FIG. 2 and may be used to perform the methods described in the present disclosure.

[0079] FIG. 4a is a block diagram illustrating embodiments of a transmission path, and FIG. 4b is a block diagram illustrating embodiments of a reception path.

[0080] Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a transmission path (410) may be implemented in a communication node that transmits a signal, and a reception path (420) may be implemented in a communication node that receives a signal. The transmission path (410) may include a channel coding and modulation block (411), an S-to-P (serial-to-parallel) block (512), an N IFFT (Inverse Fast Fourier Transform) block (413), a P-to-S (parallel-to-serial) block (414), a CP (cyclic prefix) addition block (415), and an UC (up-converter) (UC) (416). The receiving path (420) may include a DC (down-converter) (421), a CP removal block (422), an S-to-P block (423), an N FFT block (424), a P-to-S block (425), and a channel decoding and demodulation block (426). Here, N may be a natural number.

[0081] In the transmission path (410), information bits may be input to a channel coding and modulation block (411). The channel coding and modulation block (411) may perform a coding operation (e.g., a low-density parity check (LDPC) coding operation, a polar coding operation, etc.) and a modulation operation (e.g., a quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), etc.) on the information bits. The output of the channel coding and modulation block (411) may be a sequence of modulation symbols.

[0082] The S-to-P block (412) can convert modulation symbols in the frequency domain into parallel symbol streams to generate N parallel symbol streams. N can be an IFFT size or an FFT size. The N IFFT block (413) can perform an IFFT operation on the N parallel symbol streams to generate signals in the time domain. The P-to-S block (414) can convert the output (e.g., parallel signals) of the N IFFT block (413) into a serial signal to generate a serial signal.

[0083] The CP addition block (415) can insert a CP into a signal. The UC (416) can up-convert the frequency of the output of the CP addition block (415) to an RF (radio frequency) frequency. Additionally, the output of the CP addition block (415) can be filtered at the baseband before up-conversion.

[0084] A signal transmitted from a transmission path (410) may be input to a reception path (420). An operation in the reception path (420) may be the reverse operation of the operation in the transmission path (410). A DC (421) may down-convert the frequency of the received signal to a baseband frequency. A CP removal block (422) may remove a CP from a signal. The output of the CP removal block (422) may be a serial signal. An S-to-P block (423) may convert the serial signal into parallel signals. An N FFT block (424) may perform an FFT algorithm to generate N parallel signals. A P-to-S block (425) may convert the parallel signals into a sequence of modulation symbols. A channel decoding and demodulation block (426) may perform a demodulation operation on the modulation symbols and perform a decoding operation on the result of the demodulation operation to restore data.

[0085] In FIGS. 4A and 4B , Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) and Inverse DFT (IDFT) may be used instead of FFT and IFFT. Each of the blocks (e.g., components) in FIGS. 4A and 4B may be implemented by at least one of hardware, software, or firmware. For example, some of the blocks in FIGS. 4A and 4B may be implemented by software, and the remaining blocks may be implemented by hardware or a “combination of hardware and software.” In FIGS. 4A and 4B , a block may be subdivided into multiple blocks, multiple blocks may be integrated into a single block, some blocks may be omitted, and blocks supporting other functions may be added.

[0086] Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating embodiments of a system frame in a communication system.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 5, time resources in a communication system can be divided into frame units. For example, system frames can be set consecutively in the time domain of the communication system. The length of a system frame can be 10 ms (milliseconds). The system frame number (SFN) can be set from #0 to #1023. In this case, 1024 system frames can be repeated in the time domain of the communication system. For example, the SFN of the system frame after system frame #1023 can be #0.

[0088] A system frame may include two half frames. A half frame may be 5 ms long. A half frame located at the beginning of the system frame may be referred to as "half frame #0," and a half frame located at the end of the system frame may be referred to as "half frame #1." A system frame may include 10 subframes. A subframe may be 1 ms long. The 10 subframes within a system frame may be referred to as "subframes #0-9."

[0089] Figure 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating embodiments of subframes in a communication system.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 6, one subframe may include n slots, where n may be a natural number. Accordingly, one subframe may be composed of one or more slots.

[0091] Figure 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating embodiments of slots in a communication system.

[0092] Referring to Figure 7, a single slot may include one or more symbols. A single slot illustrated in Figure 7 may include 14 symbols. The length of a slot may vary depending on the number and length of symbols contained in the slot. Alternatively, the length of a slot may vary depending on the numerology.

[0093] In a communication system, the numerology applied to physical signals and channels may be variable. The numerology may be variable to meet various technical requirements of the communication system. In a communication system applying CP (cyclic prefix)-based OFDM waveform technology, the numerology may include subcarrier spacing and CP length (or CP type). Table 1 may be a first embodiment of a method for configuring a numerology for a CP-OFDM-based communication system. At least some of the numerologies in Table 1 may be supported depending on the frequency band in which the communication system operates. In addition, the communication system may additionally support numerologies not listed in Table 1.

[0094]

[0095] When the subcarrier spacing is 15 kHz (e.g., μ=0), the slot length can be 1 ms. In this case, one system frame can contain 10 slots. When the subcarrier spacing is 30 kHz (e.g., μ=1), the slot length can be 0.5 ms. In this case, one system frame can contain 20 slots.

[0096] When the subcarrier spacing is 60 kHz (e.g., μ=2), the slot length can be 0.25 ms. In this case, one system frame can contain 40 slots. When the subcarrier spacing is 120 kHz (e.g., μ=3), the slot length can be 0.125 ms. In this case, one system frame can contain 80 slots. When the subcarrier spacing is 240 kHz (e.g., μ=4), the slot length can be 0.0625 ms. In this case, one system frame can contain 160 slots.

[0097] A symbol may be configured as a downlink (DL) symbol, a flexible (FL) symbol, or an uplink (UL) symbol. A slot consisting solely of DL symbols may be referred to as a "DL slot," a slot consisting solely of FL symbols may be referred to as an "FL slot," and a slot consisting solely of UL symbols may be referred to as a "UL slot."

[0098] The slot format can be semi-statically configured by higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling). Information indicating the semi-static slot format can be included in the system information, and the semi-static slot format can be configured cell-specifically. In addition, the semi-static slot format can be additionally configured for each terminal through terminal-specific higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling). The flexible symbol of the cell-specifically configured slot format can be overridden to a downlink symbol or an uplink symbol by terminal-specific higher layer signaling. In addition, the slot format can be dynamically indicated by physical layer signaling (e.g., a slot format indicator (SFI) included in DCI). The semi-statically configured slot format can be overridden by a dynamically indicated slot format. For example, the semi-statically configured flexible symbol can be overridden to a downlink symbol or an uplink symbol by the SFI.

[0099] The reference signal may be a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS), a sounding reference signal (SRS), a demodulation-reference signal (DM-RS), a phase tracking-reference signal (PT-RS), etc. The channel may be a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH), a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH), etc. In the present disclosure, a control channel may mean a PDCCH, a PUCCH, or a PSCCH, and a data channel may mean a PDSCH, a PUSCH, or a PSSCH.

[0100] Figure 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating embodiments of time-frequency resources in a communication system.

[0101] Referring to FIG. 8, a resource consisting of one symbol (e.g., an OFDM symbol) in the time domain and one subcarrier in the frequency domain may be defined as a "RE (resource element)". Resources consisting of one OFDM symbol in the time domain and K subcarriers in the frequency domain may be defined as a "REG (resource element group)". A REG may include K REs. A REG may be used as a basic unit for resource allocation in the frequency domain. K may be a natural number. For example, K may be 12. N may be a natural number. In the slot illustrated in FIG. 7, N may be 14. N OFDM symbols may be used as a basic unit for resource allocation in the time domain.

[0102] In the present disclosure, RB may mean CRB (common RB). Alternatively, RB may mean PRB or VRB (virtual RB). In a communication system, CRB may mean RB that constitutes a set of consecutive RBs (e.g., a common RB grid) based on a reference frequency (e.g., point A). Carriers and / or bandwidth portions may be arranged on the common RB grid. That is, the carrier and / or bandwidth portions may be composed of CRB(s). RBs or CRBs that constitute the bandwidth portions may be referred to as PRBs, and within the bandwidth portions, the CRB index may be appropriately converted to the PRB index.

[0103] Downlink data can be transmitted via the PDSCH. The base station can transmit PDSCH configuration information (e.g., scheduling information) to the terminal via the PDCCH. The terminal can obtain the PDSCH configuration information by receiving the PDCCH (e.g., downlink control information (DCI)). For example, the PDSCH configuration information can include the MCS (modulation coding scheme) used for transmitting and receiving the PDSCH, time resource information of the PDSCH, frequency resource information of the PDSCH, feedback resource information for the PDSCH, etc. The PDSCH can refer to a radio resource through which downlink data is transmitted and received. Alternatively, the PDSCH can refer to the downlink data itself. The PDCCH can refer to a radio resource through which downlink control information (e.g., DCI) is transmitted and received. Alternatively, the PDCCH can refer to the downlink control information itself.

[0104] A terminal can perform a monitoring operation on the PDCCH to receive a PDSCH transmitted from a base station. The base station can inform the terminal of the configuration information for the PDCCH monitoring operation using a higher layer message (e.g., an RRC (radio resource control) message). The configuration information for the PDCCH monitoring operation can include CORESET (control resource set) information and search space information.

[0105] CORESET information may include PDCCH DMRS (demodulation reference signal) information, PDCCH precoding information, PDCCH occasion information, etc. The PDCCH DMRS may be a DMRS used to demodulate the PDCCH. The PDCCH occasion may be a region where the PDCCH can exist. That is, the PDCCH occasion may be a region where DCI can be transmitted. The PDCCH occasion may be referred to as a PDCCH candidate. The PDCCH occasion information may include time resource information and frequency resource information of the PDCCH occasion. In the time domain, the length of the PDCCH occasion may be indicated in symbol units. In the frequency domain, the size of the PDCCH occasion may be indicated in RB units (e.g., in PRB (physical resource block) units or CRB (common resource block) units).

[0106] The search space information may include a coreset identifier (ID) associated with the search space, a period of PDCCH monitoring, and / or an offset. The period and offset of PDCCH monitoring may each be indicated on a slot-by-slot basis. In addition, the search space information may further include an index of the symbol at which the PDCCH monitoring operation begins.

[0107] A base station can configure a bandwidth part (BWP) for downlink communication. The BWP can be configured differently for each terminal. The base station can inform the terminal of the BWP configuration information using higher layer signaling. The higher layer signaling can mean "transmission operation of system information" and / or "transmission operation of RRC (radio resource control) message." The number of BWPs configured for one terminal can be one or more. The terminal can receive BWP configuration information from the base station and check the BWP(s) configured by the base station based on the BWP configuration information. When multiple BWPs are configured for downlink communication, the base station can activate one or more BWPs among the multiple BWPs. The base station can transmit the configuration information of the activated BWP(s) to the terminal using at least one of higher layer signaling, a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE), or DCI. The base station can perform downlink communication using the activated BWP(s). The terminal can identify the activated BWP(s) by receiving configuration information of the activated BWP(s) from the base station, and perform a downlink reception operation in the activated BWP(s).

[0108] Meanwhile, a communication node may support Integrated Sensing And Communication (ISAC) operations. In the present disclosure, a communication node may refer to at least one of a base station or a terminal. The communication node may be interpreted as a "base station," a "terminal," or "base station and terminal" depending on the context. The base station may refer to a TRP or a cell. The communication node may have multiple panels and may perform communication and / or sensing using the multiple panels. The multiple panels may include one or more panels (e.g., one or more antenna panels).

[0109] Sensing accuracy (e.g., wireless sensing accuracy) may be defined in technical specifications. Sensing services (e.g., wireless sensing services) may meet various performance requirements (e.g., accuracy, resolution, latency, etc.) depending on the characteristics of one or more target objects and / or the environment in a specific sensing service area. The performance requirement(s) for each sensing service (e.g., each sensing service scenario) may be as follows.

[0110] - Position Estimation Accuracy: Position estimation accuracy can indicate how close the measured position of a target object (e.g., sensed position result) is to the actual position of the target object. Position estimation accuracy can be classified into horizontal sensing accuracy in a 2D reference plane and vertical sensing accuracy in a vertical axis (e.g., elevation).

[0111] - Speed ​​estimation accuracy: Speed ​​estimation accuracy can indicate how close the measured speed of a target object (e.g., sensed speed result) is to the actual speed of the target object.

[0112] - Confidence Level: The confidence level can refer to the level of confidence in accuracy (e.g., position estimation accuracy, speed estimation accuracy, etc.). The confidence level can be expressed as a percentage of all sensing results (e.g., actual sensing results).

[0113] - Sensing resolution: Sensing resolution can indicate the minimum difference between the measured distance, measured speed, etc. of a target object. Sensing resolution can also refer to the ability to detect objects of different sizes.

[0114] - Missed detection probability: The missed detection probability can represent the conditional probability of not detecting the target object / environment in a situation where the target object / environment exists. The missed detection probability can be expressed as the ratio of the number of events incorrectly identified as negative to the total number of events in the positive state. The missed detection probability can be applied to binary sensing results. A positive event can mean the presence of a characteristic of the target object and / or target environment. A positive event can include a case where it is incorrectly identified as negative and a case where it is actually identified as positive. A negative event can mean the absence of a characteristic of the target object and / or target environment. A negative event can include a case where it is incorrectly identified as positive and a case where it is actually identified as negative.

[0115] - False alarm probability: The false alarm probability can represent the conditional probability of incorrectly detecting a target object / environment when the target object / environment does not exist. The false alarm probability can be expressed as the ratio of the number of events incorrectly identified as positive to the total number of events identified as negative. The false alarm probability can be applied to binary sensing results.

[0116] - Maximum Sensing Service Latency: Maximum sensing service latency may refer to the time from when an event triggering a sensing result decision occurs to when the sensing result is available at the sensing system interface.

[0117] - Refresh Rate: The refresh rate can represent the rate at which the sensing system generates sensing results. The refresh rate can be the reciprocal of the elapsed time between consecutive sensing results.

[0118] The performance requirement(s) described above may be applied to sensing data and / or sensing results. The performance requirement(s) described above may be utilized in the present disclosure.

[0119] Figure 9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating performance requirements for sensing services.

[0120] Referring to FIG. 9, the reference value(s) of the performance requirement(s) for the sensing result(s) can be determined based on the performance requirements shown in FIG. 9.

[0121] Various sensing methods can be defined in technical specifications. Sensing methods can include monostatic sensing, bistatic sensing, and multistatic sensing. The monostatic sensing method can be referred to as the MS method. If the sensing transmitter and the sensing receiver are located in the same entity, sensing based on the MS method can be performed. The MS method can be a sensing method such as radar. The bistatic sensing method can be referred to as the BS method. If the sensing transmitter and the sensing receiver are located in different entities, sensing based on the BS method can be performed. Sensing based on the multistatic sensing method can be performed in an extended scenario where multiple sensing transmitters and / or multiple sensing receivers are used. The MS method and / or the BS method can be considered in the present disclosure. The embodiments proposed in the present disclosure can also be applied to the multistatic sensing method. In a scenario where the MS method is used, a sensing entity (e.g., a sensing transmitting entity) can transmit a beam to an object and perform sensing (e.g., measurement) on a beam reflected and / or refracted from the object. In a scenario where the BS method is used, the sensing entity can receive sensing information from another object. In the present disclosure, beam transmission may mean transmitting a channel and / or signal through a beam, beam reception may mean receiving a channel and / or signal through a beam, and a reflected beam may mean a reflection of a channel and / or signal transmitted through the beam.

[0122] In the present disclosure, a communication node can operate multiple panels (e.g., multiple antenna panels) and perform sensing as well as communication using the multiple panels. The communication node can set up an initial multiple panel for performing communication and sensing simultaneously. The communication node can divide the total number of multiple panels by the sum of objects performing communication and / or sensing, and can assign a number of panel(s) corresponding to the quotient of the division operation to objects performing communication or sensing, and can additionally assign the remaining panel(s) excluding the assigned panel(s) among the total panels to the objects performing communication. In other words, if the remaining panel(s) exist, the communication node can additionally assign the remaining panel(s) to the objects performing communication. If the remaining panel(s) do not exist, the additional allocation procedure for the remaining panel(s) may not be performed. The initial setting of the multiple panel can be completed by the above-described operation.

[0123] After the setup of the multi-panel (e.g., initial setup, initial assignment), the communication node can transmit a communication beam and / or a sensing beam to each object. In the present disclosure, transmitting a communication beam may mean transmitting a signal and / or a channel for communication through the beam, transmitting a sensing beam may mean transmitting a signal and / or a channel for sensing through the beam, a communication object may mean an object that performs communication with the communication node, a sensing object may mean an object that is a sensing target, and a communication / sensing object may mean an object that performs both communication and sensing. A communication / sensing object may be interpreted as a communication object or a sensing object depending on the context. A communication object may be interpreted as a part of a communication / sensing object depending on the context. A sensing object may be interpreted as a part of a communication / sensing object depending on the context.

[0124] A communication node can request a communication performance report from a communication object. In other words, the communication node can transmit a signal (or channel) requesting a communication performance report to the communication object. BS objects supporting the BS method can be classified into BS transmitting objects and BS receiving objects. The communication node can transmit a sensing beam to the BS transmitting object and request a sensing performance report from the BS receiving object. In other words, the communication node can transmit a signal (or channel) requesting a sensing performance report to the BS receiving object.

[0125] A communication node can transmit a sensing beam to an MS object that supports the MS method. The communication node can measure the MS sensing performance (e.g., sensing performance for the MS object). The communication object can measure the communication performance based on a signal and / or channel received through the communication beam, and transmit the measured communication performance information (e.g., a communication performance report) to the communication node. The BS receiving object can measure the sensing performance based on a signal and / or channel received through the sensing beam, and transmit the measured sensing performance information (e.g., a sensing performance report) to the communication node. In other words, the BS receiving object can perform sensing (e.g., measurement) on a beam reflected by a BS transmitting object (e.g., a refracted beam), and transmit the sensing result (e.g., sensing performance information) to the communication node. The communication node can receive the communication performance report and the sensing performance report. In other words, the communication node can obtain the communication performance and sensing performance based on the initial configuration of the multi-panel.

[0126] The communication node can compare the acquired communication performance with the performance requirements (e.g., performance thresholds) for the communication scenario. The communication node can compare the acquired sensing performance with the performance requirements (e.g., performance thresholds) for the sensing scenario. Based on the comparison results, the communication node can determine whether to flexibly reallocate the multi-panels. The communication node can define parameter(s) for determining whether to flexibly reallocate the multi-panels. If the result based on the defined parameter(s) is false (e.g., if the result based on the defined parameter(s) indicates that flexibly reallocating the multi-panels is not necessary), the communication node can maintain the initial or current configuration of the multi-panels.

[0127] If the result based on the defined parameter(s) is True (e.g., if the result based on the defined parameter(s) indicates that a dynamic reallocation of multiple panels is required), the communication node may perform a dynamic reallocation procedure of the multiple panels. For example, the communication node may reduce the number of panels allocated for communication and / or sensing that satisfy the performance requirement, and may increase the number of panels allocated for communication and / or sensing that do not satisfy the performance requirement. The communication node may repeat the above-described procedure as needed. For example, the communication node may repeat the above-described procedure if additional communication objects, sensing objects, and / or communication / sensing objects appear.

[0128] At least one panel among the panels belonging to the multi-panel can be assigned (e.g., set) as a communication panel, and other panel(s) among the panels belonging to the multi-panel can be assigned (e.g., set) as a sensing panel. In order to perform both communication and sensing well using the multi-panel, criteria for communication performance and / or sensing performance may be required. Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), RSRP threshold (e.g., minimum RSRP threshold), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), RSRQ threshold (e.g., minimum RSRQ threshold), Channel Quality Indicator (CQI), and / or CQI threshold (e.g., minimum CQI threshold) can be used as metrics and / or criteria for communication performance. Various parameters can be introduced according to the sensing scenario as metrics and / or criteria for sensing performance (e.g., sensing accuracy). Sensing performance criteria can be set based on various parameters.

[0129] In the present disclosure, variable (re)allocation procedures of multiple panels will be proposed. The variable (re)allocation procedures of multiple panels can be applied to a situation where a communication node operating multiple panels performs communication and / or sensing for a plurality of objects and / or a situation where a communication node operating multiple panels additionally performs communication and / or sensing for new objects. In the variable (re)allocation procedures of multiple panels, communication performance metrics, communication performance criteria, sensing performance metrics, and / or sensing performance criteria can be used. The communication can include communication between a base station and a terminal, device-to-device (D2D) communication (e.g., sidelink (SL) communication) between terminals, relay communication, and / or non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication. The variable (re)allocation procedures of multiple panels can be applied to an MS scenario and / or a BS scenario. Alternatively, the variable (re)allocation procedures of multiple panels can be applied to a multistatic sensing scenario. According to the variable (re)allocation procedures of the multi-panel, the panels belonging to the multi-panel can be appropriately allocated (e.g., set) as communication panels and sensing panels in each scenario (e.g., each situation). The variable (re)allocation procedures of the multi-panel can include a procedure for exchanging communication performance information and / or sensing performance information in a situation where communication and sensing are in progress simultaneously.

[0130] In this disclosure, the following procedures will be proposed.

[0131] 1. A procedure for allocating panels belonging to a multi-panel to enable a communication node to perform communication and sensing simultaneously using the multi-panel (e.g., an initial allocation procedure for the multi-panel).

[0132] 2. A procedure for obtaining communication performance information and sensing performance information by transmitting communication beams and sensing beams using panels allocated by the initial allocation procedure by the communication node (e.g., a procedure for obtaining communication performance reports and sensing performance reports).

[0133] 3. A procedure in which a communication node compares each of its communication performance and sensing performance with performance requirements (e.g., performance thresholds) and variably reallocates multiple panels based on the comparison results (e.g., a variably reallocated multi-panel procedure).

[0134] 4. A procedure for a communication node to variably reallocate multiple panels based on an increase or decrease in the number of target objects for communication and / or sensing (e.g., a variably reallocation procedure of multiple panels).

[0135] Each panel (e.g., each antenna panel) can transmit at most one communication beam or at most one sensing beam. When the number of multiple panels is sufficient, there can be two or more communication objects that perform communication with the communication node, and there can be two or more sensing objects that perform sensing with the communication node. Communication and sensing can be performed simultaneously for one object (e.g., one target object). The communication performance can be RSRP, RSRQ, CQI, etc. depending on the communication scenario. The communication performance (e.g., communication performance information) can be collectively represented as α. The sensing performance can be position estimation accuracy, velocity estimation accuracy, sensing resolution, detection miss probability, false alarm probability, etc. depending on the sensing scenario. The sensing performance (e.g., sensing performance information) can be collectively represented as β.

[0136] Figure 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an initial allocation method for multiple panels.

[0137] Referring to FIG. 10, a multi-panel of a communication node may include four panels. Object A may be an MS object supporting the MS method. Object A may perform communication (C) and sensing. Object B may be an MS object supporting the MS method. Object B may perform sensing. In other words, object B may not perform communication (C). The communication node may perform an initial allocation procedure of the multi-panel for communication and sensing for object A and sensing for object B. The communication node may perform the initial allocation procedure of the multi-panel based on Table 2 below. The communication node may determine the values ​​of the parameters defined in Table 2 below, and may assign panels to object A and object B based on the determined values.

[0138]

[0139] can indicate the total number of panels belonging to the multi-panel operated by the communication node. In the embodiment of Fig. 10 can be 4 days. can indicate the number of objects performing communication. In the embodiment of Fig. 10, among objects A and B, the object performing communication is object A, so can be 1. can indicate the number of objects performing sensing. In other words, can indicate the number of objects that are sensing targets of a communication node. In the embodiment of Fig. 10, both object A and object B perform sensing (e.g., MS), so can be 2. can indicate the number of objects that support the MS method. In the embodiment of Fig. 10, both object A and object B support the MS method, so can be 2. can indicate the number of objects that support the BS method. In the embodiment of Fig. 10, both object A and object B do not support the BS method, so can be 0.

[0140] The communication nodes are defined in Table 2. The number of panels allocated for communication or sensing of each object can be determined based on the number of panels allocated for communication of object A. The communication node determines the number of panels allocated for communication of object A ( ) can be determined as 1. The communication node is the number of panels allocated for sensing of object A (e.g., MS). ) can be determined as 1. The communication node determines the number of panels allocated for sensing of object B (e.g., MS). ) can be determined as 1. The communication node is defined in Table 2. The number of panels additionally allocated to an object that performs communication based on ) can be determined. The communication node is additionally allocated the number of panels ( ) can be determined as 1. If is 0, the panel may not be additionally allocated to the object performing the communication. If is 1 or more, Additional panels may be assigned to objects performing communication.

[0141] According to the above-described initial setup procedure of the multi-panel, three panels can be assigned to object A, two of the three panels can be used for communication, and the remaining one of the three panels can be used for sensing. According to the above-described initial setup procedure of the multi-panel, one panel can be assigned to object B, and the one panel can be used for sensing. at silver can be expressed as, Is can be expressed as can indicate the number of panels allocated to objects performing communication. can indicate the number of panels assigned to objects performing sensing.

[0142] In a communication system that does not support ISAC, since a communication node uses panels for communication, the communication node may not allocate panels for sensing. In a communication system that supports ISAC (hereinafter referred to as an "ISAC system"), communication and sensing can be performed simultaneously. In an ISAC system, a procedure for allocating panels for both communication and sensing may be required. A communication node may allocate multiple panels it operates based on the number of objects performing communication and / or sensing. In order for a communication node to allocate panels to object(s) (e.g., target object(s)), an initial connection procedure between the communication node and the object(s) must be completed.

[0143] After the initial connection procedure for the object(s) is completed, the communication node may transmit a synchronization signal (e.g., a synchronization signal block (SSB)) using a common panel among multiple panels in an RRC connection procedure between the communication node and the object(s). The communication node may complete the RRC connection for the object(s). In a beam management procedure, up to the initial beam establishment procedure, the communication node may complete the initial beam setup using the common panel. Thereafter, in a beam adjustment procedure, the communication node operating the multiple panels may allocate the panels. Alternatively, in an RRC reconfiguration procedure after the RRC connection setup, the communication node may allocate the panels.

[0144] In the above-described procedure, if the communication node performs communication and sensing simultaneously, and the number of panels belonging to the multi-panel of the communication node is smaller than the number of objects performing communication and / or sensing, the communication node may set (e.g., assign) an object group for each of the time intervals. The number of objects belonging to each of the object groups may be less than or equal to the number of panels belonging to the multi-panel of the communication node. The communication node may assign panels to objects belonging to the corresponding object group for each of the time intervals, and may perform communication and / or sensing using the assigned panels. If priority is given to the communication or sensing of a specific object, the communication node may set an object group in consideration of the priority.

[0145] "If the number of panels belonging to a multi-panel of a communication node is equal to or greater than the number of objects performing communication and / or sensing" or "If the number of panels belonging to a multi-panel of a communication node is equal to or greater than the number of objects belonging to an object group", the communication node is defined in Table 2. The number of panels allocated for communication or sensing of each object based on , , ) can be determined. may be the total number of panels included in the multi-panel of the communication node. can be the number of objects performing communication. can be the number of objects performing sensing. is the number of objects performing MS ( ) and the number of objects performing BS ( ) can be the sum of the communication nodes. A number of panels corresponding to the results can be allocated for communication of object A, sensing of object A, and sensing of object B, respectively.

[0146] The communication node is connected to the remaining panels (e.g., (Panels of the dog) can be additionally assigned to the object performing the communication. According to the above-described procedure, the initial setup of the multiple panels of the communication node can be completed.

[0147] go ( + ), the communication node can additionally allocate the remaining panel(s) to the object performing the communication. According to the initial setup procedure of the multi-panel, an integer number of panels can be allocated to each of the communication object and the sensing object. The number of panels allocated for the communication of object A is can be expressed as . The number of panels allocated for the MS of object A is can be expressed as . The number of panels allocated for the BS of object A is After the initial setup procedure of the multi-panel is completed, the communication node may perform an information transmission procedure and / or a performance measurement procedure to obtain communication performance and / or sensing performance for the initially set panels (e.g., initially assigned panels).

[0148] The above-described FIG. 10 may illustrate an embodiment in which a communication node operating multiple panels allocates initial panels to an object A performing communication and MS and an object B performing MS. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the communication node may first allocate one panel each for communication of object A, sensing of object A, and sensing of object B, and may additionally allocate one panel for communication of object A. According to the above-described procedure, two panels may be allocated for communication of object A, one panel may be allocated for sensing of object A, and one panel may be allocated for sensing of object B.

[0149] Figure 11 is a conceptual diagram illustrating ISAC operation after initial allocation of multiple panels.

[0150] Referring to FIG. 11, a multi-panel of a communication node may include four panels. According to an initial allocation procedure of the multi-panel, two of the four panels may be allocated for communication of object A, one of the four panels may be allocated for sensing of object A, and one of the four panels may be allocated for sensing of object B. Object A may be an MS object. Object A may perform communication and sensing. Object B and Object C may be BS objects supporting a BS method. Specifically, Object B may be a BS transmitting object, and Object C may be a BS receiving object.

[0151] A communication node can perform communication and sensing (e.g., MS) for object A. For example, the communication node can transmit a communication beam to object A. In other words, the communication node can communicate with object A using the communication beam. The communication node can transmit a sensing beam (e.g., MS beam) to object A. The sensing beam can be used for sensing for object A. The communication node can perform sensing (e.g., BS) for object B. For example, the communication node can transmit a sensing beam (e.g., BS beam) to object B. The sensing beam can be used for sensing for object B.

[0152] A communication node may request a communication performance report from object A. Object A may transmit the communication performance report to the communication node based on the request from the communication node. The communication performance report may include measurement results for signals and / or channels transmitted from the communication node. The communication node may request sensing information (e.g., a sensing performance report) from object C. Object C may transmit a sensing performance report to the communication node based on the request from the communication node. The sensing performance report may include results sensed by object C.

[0153] The above-described procedure may be performed after the initial setup procedure and / or the reset procedure of the multi-panel. In other words, the above-described procedure may be performed using the initially set panels and / or the reset panels. The initial setup procedure of the multi-panel may be performed in the beam coordination procedure after the initial beam establishment procedure in the beam management procedure. After the initial setup procedure of the multi-panel is completed within the beam coordination procedure, the communication node may perform communication beam transmission, sensing beam transmission, communication performance request, and / or sensing performance request.

[0154] In an ISAC scenario, a communication node can communicate and / or sense with one or more objects. In this case, the communication node can transmit communication beams and / or sensing beams using multiple panels. If necessary, the communication node can request performance information (e.g., communication performance information and / or sensing performance information) from the objects. The communication node can request performance information from the objects using downlink channels (e.g., PDCCH, PDSCH). The objects can transmit performance information to the communication node based on the request from the communication node. The objects can transmit performance information to the communication node using uplink channels (e.g., PUCCH, PUSCH).

[0155] When a communication panel is assigned to a communication object, a communication node may form a communication beam using the communication panel. The communication node may transmit signals and / or channels to the communication object using the communication beam. In order to verify whether the performance of the communication beam formed by the communication panel (e.g., communication performance) satisfies a performance requirement (e.g., performance threshold), the communication node may transmit a request for a communication performance report to the communication object simultaneously with the transmission of the communication beam. The request for a communication performance report may request the performance of "an operation for measuring communication performance and an operation for reporting measured communication performance." The communication object may perform an operation for measuring communication performance and an operation for reporting measured communication performance based on measurement parameter(s), measurement reporting parameter(s), etc. defined in the technical specification. Alternatively, new parameter(s) for measuring communication performance and reporting measured communication performance may be defined. The new parameter(s) may be different from the measurement parameter(s), measurement reporting parameter(s), etc. defined in the technical specification. A communication object can perform operations of measuring communication performance and reporting measured communication performance based on new parameter(s).

[0156] When a sensing panel is assigned to an MS object, the communication node can form a sensing beam using the sensing panel. The communication node can transmit the sensing beam to the MS object and measure the sensing beam reflected and / or refracted by the MS object. When the MS method is used, the communication node performs sensing based on the sensing beam reflected by the MS object, and therefore may not request additional information (e.g., sensing measurement information, sensing performance information) from the MS object.

[0157] When a sensing panel is allocated to a BS object, a communication node can form a sensing beam using the sensing panel. The communication node can transmit the sensing beam to a BS object (e.g., a BS transmitting object). When a BS method is used, a BS receiving object can measure the sensing beam reflected and / or refracted by the BS transmitting object. To effectively perform BS, the communication node can transmit the sensing beam to the BS transmitting object in a state of prior agreement with the BS receiving object. The communication performance can transmit a request for a sensing performance report to the BS receiving object to obtain BS performance (e.g., BS information, measured BS information). The request for the sensing performance information can request the performance of a "sensing operation and a reporting operation of sensed information (e.g., measured sensing information)". When a communication performance report is requested, the communication object can measure the communication performance and report the measured communication performance to the communication node. When a sensing performance report is requested, the sensing object can measure the sensing performance and report the measured sensing performance to the communication node.

[0158] In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the communication node can transmit a communication beam to object A using two communication panels, and can transmit a request for a communication performance report to object A using two communication panels. The communication node can transmit a sensing beam to object A using one sensing panel. The communication node can transmit a sensing beam to object B (e.g., a BS transmitting object) using one sensing panel, and can transmit a request for a sensing performance report to object C (e.g., a BS receiving object) using one sensing panel.

[0159] When a request for a communication performance report is received, object A can measure the communication performance and report the measured communication performance information to the communication node. The communication performance measured by object A is can be expressed as. When a request for a sensing performance report is received, object C can measure the sensing performance and report the measured sensing performance information to the communication node. The measured sensing performance is can be expressed as T. Performance reporting can be performed periodically, semi-persistently, or aperiodically. The performance reporting cycle can be expressed as T. T can be set in units of symbols, slots, or subframes. Alternatively, T can be set in units of time (e.g., ms (milliseconds)). The cycle of the communication performance report can be set independently from the cycle of the sensing performance report. Alternatively, a common cycle for the communication performance report and the sensing performance report can be set. The communication node can transmit information on the performance report cycle to the object(s) through signaling. The object(s) can receive information on the performance report cycle from the communication node, and transmit a performance report to the communication node based on the performance report cycle.

[0160] An object can perform an operation of measuring performance (e.g., communication performance and / or sensing performance) and an operation of reporting the measured performance (e.g., measured communication performance and / or measured sensing performance) based on measurement parameter(s), measurement reporting parameter(s), etc. defined in a technical specification. Alternatively, new parameter(s) for measuring performance and reporting the measured performance can be defined. The new parameter(s) can be different from the measurement parameter(s), measurement reporting parameter(s), etc. defined in a technical specification. The object can perform an operation of measuring performance and an operation of reporting the measured performance based on the new parameter(s).

[0161] The BS receiving entity can report the measured sensing performance to the communication node. If the BS receiving entity is a terminal, the BS receiving entity can generate a measurement report (e.g., a measurement report defined in a technical specification) including sensing performance information and transmit the measurement report to the base station. Alternatively, a new signaling (e.g., a new RRC signaling) can be defined for ISAC operation. The BS receiving entity can transmit the sensing performance information to the communication node through the new signaling. Alternatively, if the BS receiving entity is a base station, the BS receiving entity can transmit the sensing performance information to the communication node through a backhaul.

[0162] The initial setup procedure of the multi-panel can be performed within the beam coordination procedure after the initial beam establishment procedure among the beam management procedures. After the initial setup procedure of the multi-panel is completed, a procedure for communication performance reporting and / or sensing performance reporting may be required to perform the beam coordination procedure. A communication entity that receives a request for a communication beam and a communication performance report can measure communication performance. The communication performance metric can be RSRP, RSRQI, CQI, etc. When the BS method is used, a BS receiving entity that receives a request for a sensing performance report can measure the performance of a sensing beam reflected and / or refracted by a BS transmitting entity. The sensing performance metric can be position estimation accuracy, velocity estimation accuracy, sensing resolution, detection miss probability, false alarm probability, etc. The judgment criteria for the sensing performance metric and / or sensing performance can be defined for each sensing scenario. A communication entity can report communication performance information to a communication node, and the communication node can obtain communication performance information from a communication entity. The BS receiving object can report sensing performance information to the communication node, and the communication node can obtain sensing performance information from the BS receiving object. The procedures for reporting communication performance and / or sensing performance can be performed after the initial setup procedure and / or reset procedure of the multi-panel.

[0163] Meanwhile, the communication node can measure the MS performance. The initial setup procedure of the multi-panel can be performed within the beam coordination procedure after the initial beam establishment procedure among the beam management procedures. After the initial setup procedure of the multi-panel is completed, a procedure for measuring the MS performance may be required to perform the beam coordination procedure. When the MS method is used, the communication node can transmit a sensing beam to the MS object, and measure the sensing performance by measuring the sensing beam reflected and / or refracted by the MS object. The sensing performance metrics can be position estimation accuracy, velocity estimation accuracy, sensing resolution, detection miss probability, false alarm probability, etc. The sensing performance metrics and / or the criteria for judging the sensing performance can be defined for each sensing scenario. The procedure for reporting the sensing performance can be performed after the initial setup procedure and / or the reset procedure of the multi-panel.

[0164] The communication node can compare communication performance information (e.g., measured communication performance) with a performance threshold (e.g., performance requirement), and can compare sensing performance information (e.g., measured sensing performance) with a performance threshold (e.g., performance requirement). Based on the comparison result, the communication node can determine whether to reallocate multiple panels (e.g., variable reallocation). The reallocation procedure for multiple panels (e.g., reset procedure) can be performed after the initial setup procedure for multiple panels is completed within the beam steering procedure.

[0165] The communication performance information obtained by the communication node from object A is It can be. The sensing performance information obtained by the communication node from object A It can be. The sensing performance information obtained by the communication node from object B It can be. The communication node is the communication performance of object A ( ) is the communication performance threshold ( ) can be compared. The communication node can sense the object A's sensing performance ( ) is the sensing performance threshold ( ) can be compared. The communication node can sense the object B's performance ( ) is the sensing performance threshold ( ) can be compared. The communication performance threshold can be set independently for each object. For example, the communication performance threshold for object A (e.g., ) is the communication performance threshold for object B (e.g., ) may be different from the common communication performance threshold for objects (e.g., ) can be set. The sensing performance threshold can be set independently for each object. For example, the sensing performance threshold for object A (e.g., ) is the sensing performance threshold for object B (e.g., ) may be different from the common sensing performance threshold for objects (e.g., ) can be set.

[0166] If the results of the above-described comparison operation are as shown in Table 3 below, the communication node may determine that the multi-panel reallocation procedure is not necessary. In other words, if all measured performances are above the performance threshold (e.g., all measured performances satisfy the performance requirements), the determination of whether to perform the multi-panel reallocation procedure may be determined to be False. In this case, the communication node may maintain the current configuration of the multi-panel. If the determination of whether to perform the multi-panel reallocation procedure is False, the communication node may perform communication and / or sensing based on the current configuration of the multi-panel.

[0167]

[0168] If at least one of the measured performances falls below the performance threshold (e.g., at least one of the measured performances does not meet the performance requirement), the communication node may determine that a multi-panel reallocation procedure is required. In this case, whether or not the multi-panel reallocation procedure is performed may be determined to be True. For example, if the result of the above-described comparison operation is as shown in Table 4 below, the communication node may determine that a multi-panel reallocation procedure is required.

[0169]

[0170] If a multi-panel reallocation procedure is required (e.g., if the perform multi-panel reallocation procedure is True), the communication node may perform (e.g., repeatedly perform) a beam steering procedure. If a multi-panel reallocation procedure is not required (e.g., if the perform multi-panel reallocation procedure is False), the communication node may perform a beam maintenance procedure. In the beam maintenance procedure, a procedure for a communication performance report and / or a sensing performance report may be performed. If it is determined that a multi-panel reallocation procedure is required based on the communication performance report and / or the sensing performance report, the communication node may perform a beam steering procedure. The above-described performance comparison procedure may be performed on initially set panels and / or reset panels.

[0171] The communication node can perform the multi-panel reset procedure as follows. The current settings (e.g., initial settings) of the multi-panel can be as shown in Table 5 below. Table 5 below can be the settings of the multi-panel in the embodiment of FIG. 11.

[0172]

[0173] If the performance comparison results are as shown in Table 4 above (for example, if the communication performance of object A and the sensing performance of object B satisfy the performance requirements, and the sensing performance of object A does not satisfy the performance requirements), the communication node may additionally allocate panels for sensing of object A. For example, the communication node may reallocate (e.g., reset) multiple panels based on the following mathematical expression 1.

[0174]

[0175] Based on mathematical expression 1, the number of panels allocated for communication of object A can be reduced from 2 to 1, the number of panels allocated for sensing of object A can be increased from 1 to 2, and the number of panels allocated for sensing of object B can be maintained at 1. When communication or sensing that does not satisfy the performance requirement occurs, the communication node can reduce the number of panels allocated for communication or sensing that satisfies the performance requirement, and can additionally allocate panels for communication or sensing that does not satisfy the performance requirement. The communication node can determine a target to add a panel and / or a target to reduce a panel based on the performance comparison results (e.g., Table 3, Table 4).

[0176] The number of reallocated panels can be determined based on the performance comparison results. For example, if 4 panels are allocated for communication of object A, and the performance comparison results are In this case, the communication node can be judged to reduce the number of panels allocated for communication of object A from 4 to 2. Two panels are allocated for sensing of object A (e.g., MS), and the performance comparison results are In this case, the communication node may decide to allocate at least two additional panels for sensing object A.

[0177] When the multi-panel reallocation procedure is completed, the communication node may repeatedly perform the above-described operations. For example, the communication node may perform communication and / or sensing using the reallocated panels, receive communication performance reports and / or sensing performance reports based on the reallocated panels, compare the communication performance and / or sensing performance with performance requirements (e.g., performance thresholds), and determine whether to perform the multi-panel reallocation procedure based on the performance comparison results. If both the communication performance and the sensing performance based on the reallocated panels satisfy the performance requirements, the communication node may maintain the current panel configuration. If at least one of the communication performance and the sensing performance based on the reallocated panels does not satisfy the performance requirements, the communication node may perform the multi-panel reallocation procedure. Even when reallocating panels, if it is determined that the performance for communication and / or sensing of a specific object does not satisfy the performance requirements, the communication node may abandon communication and / or sensing of the specific object.

[0178] Figure 12 is a conceptual diagram illustrating ISAC operation after reallocation of multiple panels.

[0179] Referring to FIG. 12, if at least one of the communication performance of object A, the sensing performance of object A, or the sensing performance of object B does not satisfy the performance requirement, the communication node may perform a multi-panel reallocation procedure. The initial setting of the multi-panel may be the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, and according to the performance comparison result of Table 4 described above, the sensing performance of object A may not satisfy the performance requirement. In this case, the communication node may reallocate (e.g., reset) the multi-panel based on the mathematical expression 1 described above. In the multi-panel reallocation procedure, the number of panels allocated for the communication of object A may be reduced from 2 to 1, the number of panels allocated for the sensing of object A may be increased from 1 to 2, and the number of panels allocated for the sensing of object B may be maintained at 1.

[0180] After the multi-panel reallocation procedure is completed, the communication node can transmit a communication beam to object A using one panel. The communication node can transmit a sensing beam to object A using two panels. In other words, the MS for object A can be performed using two panels. The communication node can transmit a sensing beam to object B using one panel. The communication node can transmit a request for a communication performance report to object A and receive a communication performance report from object A. The communication node can transmit a request for a sensing performance report to object C and receive a sensing performance report from object C.

[0181] Meanwhile, in another embodiment, while communication and sensing are being performed between a communication node and an object A (e.g., an existing object A), a new object B may appear, and a multi-panel reallocation (e.g., a variable reallocation) procedure may be required for communication and / or sensing for the new object B. After the multi-panel allocation (e.g., an initial allocation), a beam maintenance procedure may be performed. Due to movement of the object and / or changes in the environment, communication and / or sensing for the new object B may be required, in which case the multi-panel reallocation procedure may be performed. In other words, when the number of objects that are targets of communication and / or sensing increases, the multi-panel reallocation procedure may be performed. Or, due to movement of the object and / or changes in the environment, the number of objects that are targets of communication and / or sensing may decrease, in which case the multi-panel reallocation procedure may be performed.

[0182] The communication performance and sensing performance of object A (e.g., existing object A) can satisfy the performance requirements. For example, the comparison results of communication performance are It can be done, and the results of the comparison of sensing performance are It can be. If securing communication performance is a priority, the communication node can maintain the number of panels allocated for communication of object A, reduce the number of panels allocated for sensing of object A, and allocate the panel(s) (e.g., reduced panel(s)) for communication and / or sensing of a new object B. Alternatively, if securing sensing performance is a priority, the communication node can maintain the number of panels allocated for sensing of object A, reduce the number of panels allocated for communication of object A, and allocate the panel(s) (e.g., reduced panel(s)) for communication and / or sensing of a new object B.

[0183] The number of reallocated panels can be determined based on the performance comparison results. For example, if 4 panels are allocated for communication of object A, and the performance comparison results are In this case, the communication node can reduce the number of panels allocated for communication of object A from 4 to 2, and allocate 2 panels for communication or sensing of a new object B. For another example, 4 panels are allocated for sensing (e.g., MS) of object A, and the performance comparison results are In this case, the communication node can reduce the number of panels allocated for sensing object A from 4 to 2, and allocate 2 panels for communication or sensing of a new object B.

[0184] The communication node may perform communication and / or sensing for objects A and B using the reallocated panels. The communication node may receive communication performance reports and / or sensing performance reports for the reallocated panels from each of objects A and B. The communication node may compare the communication performance and sensing performance with a performance threshold. If at least one performance does not meet the performance requirement, the communication node may perform the reallocation procedure for multiple panels again. Alternatively, the communication node may abandon communication and / or sensing for a specific object.

[0185] Figure 13 is a conceptual diagram illustrating ISAC operation after reallocation of multiple panels.

[0186] Referring to FIG. 13, a communication node can perform communication and sensing with object A (e.g., existing object A). Object A may be an MS object. The multi-panel of the communication node may include four panels. In the initial setup procedure of the multi-panel, two of the four panels may be assigned for communication with object A, and two of the four panels may be assigned for sensing of object A. The initial setup of the multi-panel may be as shown in Table 6 below.

[0187]

[0188] While communication and sensing are being performed between a communication node and object A, a new object B may appear, and a multi-panel reallocation (e.g., variable reallocation) procedure may be required to communicate and / or sense for the new object B. Object B may be an MS object and may not perform communication.

[0189] The communication performance and sensing performance of object A can satisfy the performance requirements. For example, the comparison results of communication performance are It can be done, and the results of the comparison of sensing performance are It can be. If securing communication performance is a priority, the communication node can maintain the number of panels allocated for communication of object A, reduce the number of panels allocated for sensing of object A from two to one, and allocate one panel for sensing of object B.

[0190] After the multi-panel reallocation procedure is completed, the communication node can transmit a communication beam to object A using two panels. The communication node can transmit a sensing beam to object A using one panel. The communication node can transmit a sensing beam to object B using one panel. The communication node can receive a communication performance report for the reallocated panels from object A. The communication node can compare each of the communication performance and the sensing performance with a performance threshold. If the performance comparison results in at least one performance failing to meet the performance requirement, the communication node can perform the multi-panel reallocation procedure again. Alternatively, the communication node can give up communication and / or sensing of a specific object.

[0191] The above-described procedures can be performed as follows:

[0192] Figure 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method for allocating multiple panels in an ISAC system.

[0193] Referring to FIG. 14, an ISAC system may include a communication node, object A, and object B. The communication node may be at least one of a base station or a terminal. The base station may be a TRP, a cell, etc. The multi-panel of the communication node may include four panels. Object A may be an MS object and may perform communication. Object B may be an MS object and may not perform communication. Alternatively, object B may be a BS transmitting object. In this case, the ISAC system may further include object C, which is a BS receiving object.

[0194] The communication node can perform an initial setup procedure (e.g., an initial assignment procedure) of the multi-panel (S1401). The communication node can perform an initial setup procedure of the multi-panel based on the above-described Table 2. Based on the above-described Table 2, through the initial setup procedure of the multi-panel, two of the four panels of the communication node can be assigned for communication of object A, one of the four panels of the communication node can be assigned for sensing of object A, and one of the four panels of the communication node can be assigned for sensing of object B.

[0195] The communication node may perform operations for communicating, sensing, measuring, and / or reporting on object A using the beams allocated in S1401 (S1402). For example, the communication node may transmit a communication beam to object A using two panels, and may transmit a sensing beam to object A using one panel. The communication node may transmit a request for a communication performance report to object A. Object A may measure communication performance based on the request of the communication node, and transmit a communication performance report including the measured communication performance to the communication node. The communication node may receive the communication performance report from object A. The communication node may measure a sensing beam reflected and / or refracted by object A. The communication node may verify the sensing performance based on the measurement result of the sensing beam.

[0196] The communication node may perform operations for communicating, sensing, measuring, and / or reporting on object B using the beams allocated in S1401 (S1403). For example, the communication node may transmit a sensing beam to object B using one panel. The communication node may measure the sensing beam reflected and / or refracted by object B. The communication node may verify the sensing performance based on the measurement results of the sensing beam.

[0197] In step S1404, the communication node can compare the communication performance for each object with performance requirements (e.g., performance thresholds) and compare the sensing performance for each object with performance requirements (e.g., performance thresholds). If both the communication performance and the sensing performance for each object satisfy the sensing requirements, the communication node can maintain the current panel configuration. In other words, the communication node can perform steps S1402 and S1403 based on the current panel configuration without reallocating multiple panels.

[0198] If at least one of the communication performance and sensing performance for each object does not satisfy the sensing requirements, the communication node may perform a multi-panel reallocation procedure (S1405). For example, if the performance comparison result is as shown in Table 4 above, the communication node may reduce the number of panels allocated for communication of object A from 2 to 1, increase the number of panels allocated for sensing of object A from 1 to 2, and maintain the number of panels allocated for sensing of object B at 1.

[0199] The communication node may perform operations for communicating, sensing, measuring, and / or reporting on object A using the beams reallocated by S1405 (S1406). For example, the communication node may transmit a communication beam to object A using one panel, and may transmit a sensing beam to object A using two panels. The communication node may transmit a request for a communication performance report to object A. Object A may measure communication performance based on the request of the communication node, and transmit a communication performance report including the measured communication performance to the communication node. The communication node may receive the communication performance report from object A. The communication node may measure sensing beams reflected and / or refracted by object A. The communication node may verify the sensing performance based on the measurement results of the sensing beams.

[0200] The communication node may perform operations for communicating, sensing, measuring, and / or reporting on object B using the beams reallocated by S1405 (S1407). For example, the communication node may transmit a sensing beam to object B using one panel. The communication node may measure the sensing beam reflected and / or refracted by object B. The communication node may verify the sensing performance based on the measurement results of the sensing beam.

[0201] Meanwhile, the number of objects that are targets of communication and / or sensing may change depending on changes in object mobility and / or communication environment. If the number of target objects changes, the communication node may perform a multi-panel reallocation procedure (S1408). If the number of target objects increases (e.g., if a new object appears), the communication node may reduce the number of panels assigned to existing object(s) and reallocate the corresponding panel(s) (e.g., the reduced panel(s)) for communication and / or sensing of the new object(s). The communication node may use the reallocated panels to perform operations for communication, sensing, measurement, and / or reporting for the existing object(s) and the new object. In addition, the communication node may perform S1404 and S1405 for the existing object(s) and the new object, and may use the reallocated panels to perform operations for communication, sensing, measurement, and / or reporting for the existing object(s) and the new object.

[0202] When the number of target objects is reduced, the communication node can reallocate the panel(s) assigned to the object(s) excluded from the target objects to the current target object(s). The communication node can use the reallocated panels to perform operations for communicating, sensing, measuring, and / or reporting on the current target object(s). In addition, the communication node can perform S1404 and S1405 on the current target object(s), and can use the reallocated panels to perform operations for communicating, sensing, measuring, and / or reporting on the current target object(s).

[0203] Simple combinations, partial combinations, and / or extended combinations of two or more of the above-described embodiments (e.g., methods, approaches) may be possible. Some of the above-described embodiments may be omitted. In other words, some embodiments may be selectively performed.

[0204] The operations of the method according to the present disclosure can be implemented as a computer-readable program or code on a computer-readable recording medium. A computer-readable recording medium includes any type of recording device that stores information readable by a computer system. Furthermore, a computer-readable recording medium can be distributed across network-connected computer systems, allowing the computer-readable program or code to be stored and executed in a distributed manner.

[0205] Additionally, the computer-readable recording medium may include hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, etc. The program instructions may include not only machine language codes produced by a compiler, but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc.

[0206] While some aspects of the present disclosure have been described in the context of a device, they may also represent a description of a corresponding method, wherein a block or device corresponds to a method step or a feature of a method step. Similarly, aspects described in the context of a method may also be described as a corresponding block or item or a feature of a corresponding device. Some or all of the method steps may be performed by (or using) a hardware device, such as, for example, a microprocessor, a programmable computer, or an electronic circuit. In some embodiments, at least one or more of the most significant method steps may be performed by such a device.

[0207] A programmable logic device (e.g., a field-programmable gate array) may be used to perform some or all of the functions of the methods described in the present disclosure. The field-programmable gate array may operate in conjunction with a microprocessor to perform one of the methods described in the present disclosure. In general, the methods are preferably performed by some hardware device.

[0208] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims below.

Claims

1. As a method of communication node, A step of assigning the entire panels to at least one object based on the number of the entire panels of the communication node, the number of one or more objects communicating with the communication node, and the number of one or more objects that are sensing targets of the communication node; and Comprising a step of performing at least one of communication or sensing for said at least one object using the assigned panels; Method of communication node.

2. In claim 1, The step of assigning the above entire panels to at least one object is: Among all the above panels A step of allocating a number of panels corresponding to the result of the at least one object for the communication or the sensing, is the total number of panels of the above communication node, is the number of one or more objects that communicate with the above communication node, is the number of one or more objects that are sensing targets of the above communication node, Method of communication node.

3. In claim 2, The step of assigning the above entire panels to at least one object is: Based on the result being 1 or more, among the entire panels further comprising the step of additionally allocating a number of panels corresponding to the result of the communication node to one or more objects that perform communication, Is The number of panels assigned to the dog objects, Is The number of panels assigned to the dog objects, Method of communication node.

4. In claim 1, A step of acquiring at least one of communication performance or sensing performance for at least one object; and Further comprising a step of performing a panel reallocation procedure based on at least one of the communication performance or the sensing performance not satisfying a performance requirement. Method of communication node.

5. In claim 4, The step of acquiring at least one of communication performance or sensing performance for at least one object is: a step of transmitting a request for a communication performance report to one or more objects among the at least one object; and Further comprising a step of receiving a communication performance report including information on the communication performance from one or more objects based on the request. Method of communication node.

6. In claim 4, The step of acquiring at least one of communication performance or sensing performance for at least one object is: a step of transmitting a request for a sensing performance report to one or more objects among the at least one object; and Further comprising a step of receiving the sensing performance report including information on the sensing performance from one or more objects based on the request. Method of communication node.

7. In claim 4, The step of performing the panel reallocation procedure based on the above communication performance satisfying the communication performance requirement and the above sensing performance not satisfying the sensing performance requirement is: A step of reducing the number of panels allocated for the above communication; and A step of increasing the number of panels allocated for the sensing, Method of communication node.

8. In claim 4, The step of performing the panel reallocation procedure based on the above communication performance not satisfying the communication performance requirement and the above sensing performance satisfying the sensing performance requirement is: A step of reducing the number of panels allocated for the sensing; and comprising a step of increasing the number of panels allocated for the above communication; Method of communication node.

9. In claim 1, Further comprising a step of performing a panel reallocation procedure based on a change in the target objects of the communication or the sensing. Method of communication node.

10. In claim 9, Based on the appearance of a new object other than at least one of the above objects, The steps for performing the above panel reassignment procedure are: a step of reducing the panels assigned to at least one object; and comprising the step of assigning the reduced panels to the new object; Method of communication node.

11. In claim 9, Based on the exclusion of one or more of the above at least one object from the target objects, The steps for performing the above panel reassignment procedure are: A step of reassigning panels assigned to one or more objects to the remaining objects excluding the one or more objects among the at least one object, Method of communication node.

12. In claim 1, The above communication node is a base station or a terminal, and each of the one or more objects is an MS object supporting MS (Monostatic Sensing) or a BS object supporting BS (Bistatic Sensing). Method of communication node.

13. As a communication node, Contains at least one processor, At least one processor of the communication node, Assigning the entire panels to at least one object based on the number of total panels of the communication node, the number of one or more objects communicating with the communication node, and the number of one or more objects that are sensing targets of the communication node; and Causing at least one of communication or sensing to be performed on said at least one object using the assigned panels; Communication node.

14. In claim 13, To assign the above entire panels to at least one object, the at least one processor is configured such that the communication node, Among all the above panels causing a number of panels corresponding to the result of said at least one object to be allocated for said communication or said sensing, is the total number of panels of the above communication node, is the number of one or more objects that communicate with the above communication node, is the number of one or more objects that are sensing targets of the above communication node, Communication node.

15. In claim 14, To assign the above entire panels to at least one object, the at least one processor is configured such that the communication node, Based on the result being 1 or more, among the entire panels further causes one or more objects that perform communication with said communication node to additionally allocate a number of panels corresponding to the result of the Is The number of panels assigned to the dog objects, Is The number of panels assigned to the dog objects, Communication node.

16. In claim 13, At least one processor of the communication node, Obtaining at least one of communication performance or sensing performance for at least one object; and Further causing a panel reallocation procedure to be performed based on at least one of the above communication performance or the above sensing performance not satisfying the performance requirement. Communication node.

17. In claim 16, In order to perform the panel reallocation procedure based on the communication performance satisfying the communication performance requirement and the sensing performance not satisfying the sensing performance requirement, the at least one processor causes the communication node to, Reduce the number of panels allocated for the above communication; and causing the number of panels allocated for the above sensing to increase, Communication node.

18. In claim 16, In order to perform the panel reallocation procedure based on the above communication performance not satisfying the communication performance requirement and the above sensing performance satisfying the sensing performance requirement, the at least one processor is configured to cause the communication node to: Reduce the number of panels allocated for the above sensing; and causing an increase in the number of panels allocated for the above communication, Communication node.

19. In claim 13, At least one processor of the communication node, Further causing a panel reallocation procedure to be performed based on a change in the target objects of the above communication or the above sensing, Communication node.

20. In claim 13, Based on the appearance of a new object other than at least one of the above objects, To perform the above panel reallocation procedure, the at least one processor is configured such that the communication node, Decrease the panels assigned to at least one object; and causing the reduced panels to be assigned to the new object, Communication node.

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