Terminal, network node, and sensing method

Abstract

This terminal comprises: a transmission unit that transmits a sensing request to a sensing service system via a flight vehicle; and a control unit that, on the basis of a response to the sensing request, implements sensing with regard to an object, between the control unit and the flight vehicle.

Description

Terminal, Network Node, and Sensing Method

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal, a network node, and a sensing method in a communication system.

[0002] In 3GPP (Registered Trademark) (3rd Generation Partnership Project), wireless sensing technology that utilizes communication radio waves for sensing purposes is being studied in the advancement of 5G (also referred to as NR (New Radio)) and the next-generation 6G system. By utilizing wireless sensing technology, it is possible to, for example, grasp the situation of an object or a person.

[0003] 3GPP TS 38.300 V18.4.0 (2024-12)

[0004] As a use case for sensing, there are disaster countermeasures such as lifesaving. However, in the event of a disaster causing a base station with a sensing function to malfunction, it may be impossible to perform sensing.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for executing sensing even when a base station having a sensing function malfunctions.

[0006] According to the disclosed technique, a terminal is provided that includes a transmission unit that transmits a sensing request to a sensing service system via an aircraft, and a control unit that executes sensing on an object with the aircraft based on a response to the sensing request.

[0007] According to the disclosed technique, it is possible to execute sensing even when a base station having a sensing function malfunctions.

[0008] This is a diagram showing an example of NTN (1). This is a diagram showing an example of NTN (2). This is a diagram showing an example of NTN (3). This is a diagram showing an example of NTN (4). This is a diagram showing an example of NTN (5). This is a diagram showing an example of a communication system. This is a diagram showing an example of a communication system. This is a diagram showing an example of a sensing system. This is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration in an embodiment of the present invention. This is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the system. This is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the network node 100 in an embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal 20 in an embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the terminal 20 and the network node 100 in an embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the vehicle 2001 in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are examples, and the embodiments to which the present invention is applied are not limited to those described below.

[0010] In the operation of the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, existing technologies may be used as appropriate. However, such existing technologies are, for example, existing LTE or NR, but are not limited to existing LTE or NR.

[0011] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present invention, "configuring" wireless parameters, etc., may mean that predetermined values ​​are pre-configured, or that wireless parameters notified from a network node or terminal are configured.

[0012] (Regarding NTN) Since the technology related to this embodiment is related to NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network), we will first explain NTN.

[0013] Figure 1 shows an example of NTN (1). NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) uses non-terrestrial equipment such as satellites to provide services to areas that cannot be covered by terrestrial 5G networks, mainly due to cost constraints. Furthermore, NTN can provide more reliable services. For example, it is envisioned to be applied to IoT (Inter-of-Things), ships, buses, trains, and critical communications. NTN also has scalability through efficient multicast or broadcast.

[0014] As an example from NTN, as shown in Figure 1, satellite 10A can retransmit signals transmitted from ground base station 10B to provide service to areas where ground base stations are not located, such as mountainous regions.

[0015] The terrestrial 5G network may have the configuration described below. The terrestrial 5G network includes one or more base stations 10 and terminals 20. The base station 10 is a communication device that provides one or more cells and communicates wirelessly with the terminals 20. The physical resources of the radio signal are defined in the time domain and the frequency domain, the time domain may be defined by the number of OFDM symbols, and the frequency domain may be defined by the number of subcarriers or resource blocks. The base station 10 transmits synchronization signals and system information to the terminals 20. The synchronization signals are, for example, NR-PSS and NR-SSS. The system information is transmitted, for example, in NR-PBCH and is also called broadcast information. The system information may also be called broadcast information.

[0016] Base station 10 transmits control signals or data to terminal 20 via DL (Downlink) and receives control signals or data from terminal 20 via UL (Uplink). Both base station 10 and terminal 20 are capable of transmitting and receiving signals using beamforming. Furthermore, both base station 10 and terminal 20 are capable of applying MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) communication to DL or UL. In addition, both base station 10 and terminal 20 may communicate via SCell (Secondary Cell) and PCell (Primary Cell) using CA (Carrier Aggregation).

[0017] Terminal 20 is a communication device equipped with wireless communication capabilities, such as a smartphone, mobile phone, tablet, wearable device, or M2M (Machine-to-Machine) communication module. Terminal 20 receives control signals or data from base station 10 via DL and transmits control signals or data to base station 10 via UL, thereby utilizing various communication services provided by the wireless communication system.

[0018] Figure 2 shows an example of NTN (2). The area per cell or beam in NTN is much larger compared to terrestrial networks (TN). Figure 2 shows an example of NTN configured by satellite retransmission. The connection between satellite 10A and NTN gateway 10B is called a feeder link, and the connection between satellite 10A and UE20 is called a service link.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2, the difference in delay between the near-side UE20A and the far-side UE20B is, for example, 10.3 ms for GEO (Geosynchronous orbit) and 3.2 ms for LEO (Low Earth orbit). The beam size in NTN is, for example, 3500 km for GEO and 1000 km for LEO.

[0020] Figure 3 shows an example of an NTN (3). As shown in Figure 3, an NTN is realized by a satellite in space or an aircraft in the air. For example, a GEO satellite may be located at an altitude of 35,786 km and have a geostationary orbit. For example, a LEO satellite may be located at an altitude of 500-2000 km and orbit with a period of 88-127 minutes. For example, a HAPS (High Altitude Platform Station) may be located at an altitude of 8-50 km and perform orbital flight. Note that HAPS and satellites may be collectively referred to as "satellites." In other words, HAPS can be considered an example of a satellite. Also, HAPS and satellites may be collectively referred to as "aircraft." In other words, both HAPS and satellites may be considered examples of aircraft. Furthermore, HAPS, satellites, and aircraft are all examples of network nodes.

[0021] As shown in Figure 3, the GEO satellite, LEO satellite, and HAPS aircraft may be connected to the ground station gNB via a gateway. The service area may also increase in the order of HAPS, LEO, and GEO. The area (cell) that base station 10 covers on the ground via HAPS or satellite may be called an NTN wide-area cell.

[0022] For example, NTN can extend the coverage of a 5G network to areas that are not yet serviced or are already serviced. Also, for example, NTN can improve the continuity, availability, and reliability of services in ships, buses, trains, or other critical communications. The fact that it is NTN may be notified by the transmission of a special parameter to the terminal 20, and this special parameter may be, for example, a parameter related to the determination of Timing Advance (TA) based on information relating to satellites or aircraft.

[0023] Figure 4 shows an example of NTN (4). Figure 4 shows an example of an NTN network architecture assumed in the case of a transparent payload. As shown in Figure 4, the CN (Core Network) 10D, gNB 10C, and gateway 10B are connected. Gateway 10B is connected to satellite 10A via a feeder link. Satellite 10A is connected to terminal 20A or VSAT (Very small aperture terminal) 20B via a service link. NR Uu is established between gNB 10C and terminal 20A or VSAT 20B.

[0024] Furthermore, NTN's network architecture may employ FDD or TDD. Also, the ground cells may be fixed or mobile. Additionally, terminal 20 may have the capability to support GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). For example, FR1 may be assumed to be a power class 3 handheld device. Also, at least FR2 may be assumed to be a VSAT device.

[0025] Furthermore, NTN's network architecture may also assume a regenerative payload. For example, the gNB function may be mounted on a satellite or aircraft. Alternatively, the gNB-DU may be mounted on a satellite or aircraft, and the gNB-CU may be deployed as a ground station.

[0026] NTN enables the creation of a multi-layered communication network system that connects mobile objects (network nodes) on land, at sea, and in the air. Figure 5 shows an example of such a communication network system. The example shown in Figure 5 illustrates a communication network system that connects mobile objects and base stations via satellites (GEO / LEO / HAPS). In other words, the configuration shown in Figure 5 makes it possible to realize a multi-layer system, which is an architecture that allows connectivity between GEO / LEO / HAPS satellites at different altitudes.

[0027] (Example of a communication system) An example of a communication system intended for use in this embodiment is shown in Figure 6. As shown in Figure 6, the communication system consists of a terminal 20, which is a UE, and a plurality of network nodes. Hereinafter, one network node will be assigned to each function, but a single network node may implement multiple functions, or multiple network nodes may implement one function. Also, the "connection" described below may be a logical connection or a physical connection. The network consisting of the plurality of network nodes, excluding the UE 20 and RAN 10 shown in Figure 6, may be called the core network.

[0028] Although a 5G system is described here as an example, the technology described in this embodiment is also applicable to 6G systems, or systems beyond 6G.

[0029] The RAN (Radio Access Network) 10 is a network node having wireless access functionality, and may include a base station 10. It is connected to the UE 20, AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function), and UPF (User plane function). The AMF is a network node that has functions such as terminating the RAN interface, terminating the NAS (Non-Access Stratum), registration management, connection management, reachability management, and terminal mobility management. The UPF is a network node that has functions related to processing user plane data, such as a PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session point to the outside world interconnected with the DN (Data Network), packet routing and forwarding, and user plane QoS (Quality of Service) handling. The UPF and DN constitute a network slice. In the wireless communication network of this embodiment, multiple network slices are constructed.

[0030] AMF is connected to UE20, RAN10, SMF (Session Management function), NSSF (Network Slice Selection Function), NEF (Network Exposure Function), NRF (Network Repository Function), UDM (Unified Data Management), AUSF (Authentication Server Function), PCF (Policy Control Function), and AF (Application Function). AMF, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, UDM, AUSF, PCF, and AF are network nodes that are interconnected via interfaces based on their respective services: Namf, Nsmf, Nnssf, Nnef, Nnrf, Nudm, Nausf, Npcf, and Naf.

[0031] The SMF is a network node with functions such as session management, IP (Internet Protocol) address allocation and management for UEs, DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) functionality, ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) proxy, and roaming functionality. The NEF is a network node with the function of notifying other NFs (Network Functions) of capabilities and events. The NSSF is a network node with functions such as selecting the network slice to which the UE20 connects, determining the allowed NSSAI (Network Slice Selection Assistance Information), determining the NSSAI to be set, and determining the AMF set to which the UE20 connects. The PCF is a network node with the function of controlling network policy. The AF is a network node with the function of controlling application servers. The NRF is a network node with the function of discovering NF instances that provide services. The UDM is a network node that manages subscriber data and authentication data. The UDM is connected to the UDR (User Data Repository) that holds this data.

[0032] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system in a roaming environment. As shown in Figure 7, the network consists of a terminal 20 (UE) and multiple network nodes.

[0033] SEPP is an opaque proxy that filters control plane messages between PLMNs (Public Land Mobile Networks). Figure 7 shows vSEPP as SEPP in a visited network, and hSEPP as SEPP in a home network.

[0034] As shown in Figure 7, UE20 is in a roaming environment connected to (R)AN10 and AMF30 in the Visited PLMN. The Visited PLMN and Home PLMN are connected via vSEPP and hSEPP. UE20 can communicate with the UDM of the Home PLMN, for example, via the AMF of the Visited PLMN.

[0035] (Regarding Sensing) 3GPP (registered trademark) is considering wireless sensing technology that utilizes communication radio waves for sensing purposes in the advanced 5G and next-generation 6G systems. By utilizing wireless sensing technology, it is possible to understand the status of objects or people.

[0036] Figure 8 shows an example of a sensing system in 3GPP (registered trademark). In the example shown in Figure 8, a sensing signal is transmitted from a sensing transmitter, and the signal reflected from an object is received by a sensing receiver. Subsequently, the core network performs processing such as filtering, and a third-party system performs analysis to obtain information on the shape and velocity of the object. Both the sensing transmitter and receiver are assumed to be base stations or terminals.

[0037] Note that the example shown in Figure 8 is an example where the sensing transmitter and sensing receiver are separate. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the sensing transmitter and sensing receiver are integrated. For example, a base station equipped with a sensing transmitter and a sensing receiver transmits a sensing signal to an object, and the base station receives the signal reflected by the object.

[0038] (Overview of the Embodiment) One use case for sensing is disaster response measures such as saving lives. However, if a base station with sensing capabilities fails due to a disaster, sensing may not be possible.

[0039] Therefore, in this embodiment, sensing can be performed by using NTN when the ground base station is not functioning. The system configuration and operation of the system in this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0040] (System Configuration) Figure 9 shows an example of the system configuration according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 9, this system includes a UE20, a ground base station 10 which is a gNB, an antenna 15 which is a gNB, a core network 30, a 3rd party system 50, satellites 41 and 42. Figure 9 also shows the objects that are the target of sensing. The 3rd party system 50 is a system that provides sensing services, and may also be called a sensing service system. The "satellite" may be any of GEO, LEO, or HAPS.

[0041] In the example shown in Figure 9, UE20 functions as a sensing transmitter and satellite 41 functions as a sensing receiver. Alternatively, UE20 may function as a sensing receiver and satellite 41 may function as a sensing transmitter.

[0042] UE20 is connected to the core network 30 and the 3rd party system 50, which provides sensing services, via satellites 41 and 42. Therefore, communication between UE20 and the 3rd party system 50 is conducted via satellite.

[0043] In the example shown in Figure 9, the ground base station 10 is malfunctioning and therefore cannot be used for sensing. Therefore, the UE 20 transmits a sensing signal, and the satellite 41 receives the sensing signal reflected by the object. Conversely, the satellite 41 may transmit a sensing signal, and the UE 20 may receive the sensing signal reflected by the object.

[0044] The satellite 41 transmits Sensing information to the ground antenna 15. If there is no communicable antenna, it is transmitted to the ground via another satellite (multi-layer).

[0045] (Processing Sequence) The processing sequence will be described with reference to FIG. 10. Note that the satellite 40 shown in FIG. 10 may be one satellite 40 or a plurality of satellites constituting a multi-layer. Also, as the satellite 40, a satellite existing above the disaster area is used. Alternatively, it is assumed that the satellite 40 has moved to a position above the disaster area.

[0046] In S101 (Step 101), the UE 20 transmits a sensing request to the 3rd party system 50. This sensing request includes information indicating which terminal (UE) will perform sensing. Since this sensing request is transmitted via the satellite 40, the satellite 40 also receives this sensing request.

[0047] In S102, the 3rd party system 50 transmits a sensing response to the UE 20. The sensing response includes permission or non-permission of sensing. Here, it is assumed that the UE 20 is permitted to perform sensing. Since this sensing response is transmitted via the satellite 40, the satellite 40 also receives this sensing response. The satellite 40 can grasp that sensing is permitted based on this sensing response.

[0048] In S103, sensing is performed between the UE 20 and the satellite 40. That is, a Sensing signal is transmitted from the Transmitter and received by the Receiver. Here, it is assumed that the satellite 40 is the Receiver.

[0049] In S104, the satellite 40 transmits sensing data to the core network 30 via the antenna 15. In S105, the core network 30 performs filtering processing on the sensing data. Filtering means, for example, deleting data not related to the sensing purpose such as data of a person's face.

[0050] Furthermore, the processing performed by the core network 30 in this sequence may be carried out by a specific network node in the core network 30.

[0051] In S106, the core network 30 transmits filtered sensing data to the 3rd party system 50. In S107, the 3rd party system 50 performs analysis using the sensing data. For example, the 3rd party system 50 identifies damaged buildings, etc., based on the sensing data.

[0052] In S108, the 3rd party system 50 transmits the analysis results to the UE20.

[0053] (Effects of the Embodiment) According to the technology of this embodiment, sensing can be performed even if a base station with sensing capabilities fails. Furthermore, the results of the sensing can be used for disaster recovery or life-saving during disasters.

[0054] (Device Configuration) Next, an example of the functional configuration of the network node 100 and terminal 20 that perform the processing and operations described above will be explained. The network node 100 may be any of the following: a satellite (aircraft), a specific network node in the core network, a 3rd party system, and a base station. In other words, the satellite (aircraft), a specific network node in the core network, a 3rd party system, and a base station all have the configuration shown in Figure 11.

[0055] The network node 100 and the terminal 20 include all the functions in the embodiment described above. However, the network node 100 and the terminal 20 may each have only some of the functions in the embodiment.

[0056] <Network Node 100> Figure 11 shows an example of the functional configuration of network node 100. As shown in Figure 11, network node 100 has a transmitting unit 110, a receiving unit 120, a setting unit 130, and a control unit 140. The functional configuration shown in Figure 11 is merely an example. Any functional classification and functional unit names are acceptable as long as they enable the operation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] The transmitting unit 110 includes the function of generating a signal to be transmitted to the terminal 20 or other network node and transmitting the signal by wire or wireless. The receiving unit 120 includes the function of receiving various signals transmitted from the terminal 20 or other network node and obtaining information from the received signal, for example, higher layer information. A communication unit including the transmitting unit 110 and the receiving unit 120 may be configured. The transmitting unit and the receiving unit may be called a transmitter and a receiver, respectively.

[0058] The setting unit 130 stores pre-configured setting information and various setting information to be transmitted to the terminal 20 in a storage device, and reads them from the storage device as needed.

[0059] The control unit 140 performs the processing described in the embodiment (e.g., sensing). The signal transmission function in the control unit 140 may be included in the transmission unit 110, and the signal reception function in the control unit 140 may be included in the reception unit 120.

[0060] <Terminal 20> Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of terminal 20. As shown in Figure 12, terminal 20 has a transmitting unit 210, a receiving unit 220, a setting unit 230, and a control unit 240. The functional configuration shown in Figure 12 is merely an example. Any functional classification and functional unit names are acceptable as long as they enable the operation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] The transmitting unit 210 creates a transmission signal from the transmission data and transmits the transmission signal wirelessly. The receiving unit 220 wirelessly receives various signals and obtains signals from higher layers from the received physical layer signals. The receiving unit 220 also has the function of receiving control signals or reference signals transmitted from the base station 10. A communication unit including the transmitting unit 210 and the receiving unit 220 may be configured. The transmitting unit and the receiving unit may be called a transmitter and a receiver, respectively.

[0062] The setting unit 230 stores various setting information received from the base station 10 by the receiving unit 220 in its storage device and reads it from the storage device as needed. The setting unit 230 also stores pre-set setting information.

[0063] The control unit 240 performs the processing described in the embodiment (e.g., sensing). The signal transmission function in the control unit 240 may be included in the transmission unit 210, and the signal reception function in the control unit 240 may be included in the reception unit 220.

[0064] (Hardware Configuration) The block diagrams (Figures 11 and 12) used in the description of the above embodiments show functional units. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using one device that is physically or logically coupled, or it may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, using wired or wireless connections). A functional block may be realized by combining the one device or the multiple devices with software.

[0065] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, decision, determination, calculation, calculation, processing, derivation, investigation, exploration, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, assumption, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating (mapping), and assigning. For example, a functional block (configuration part) that enables transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. In all cases, as mentioned above, the method of implementation is not particularly limited.

[0066] For example, the network node 100 and terminal 20 in one embodiment of the present disclosure may function as computers that process the wireless communication method of the present disclosure. Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the network node 100 and terminal 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The network node 100 and terminal 20 described above may be physically configured as computer devices including a processor 1001, a storage device 1002, an auxiliary storage device 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, etc.

[0067] In the following explanation, the term "device" can be replaced with "circuit," "device," "unit," etc. The hardware configuration of the base station 10 and terminal 20 may include one or more of the devices shown in the figure, or it may be configured without some of the devices.

[0068] Each function in the network node 100 and terminal 20 is realized by loading predetermined software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001 and storage device 1002, which allows the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communication by the communication device 1004, and control at least one of data reading and writing in the storage device 1002 and auxiliary storage device 1003.

[0069] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer, for example, by running an operating system. The processor 1001 may consist of a central processing unit (CPU) that includes interfaces with peripheral devices, control devices, arithmetic units, registers, etc. For example, the control unit 140, control unit 240, etc., described above may be implemented by the processor 1001.

[0070] Furthermore, the processor 1001 reads programs (program code), software modules, or data from at least one of the auxiliary storage device 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the storage device 1002, and executes various processes accordingly. The program used is one that causes the computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the above embodiment. For example, the control unit 140 of the network node shown in Figure 11 may be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and operated by the processor 1001. Also, for example, the control unit 240 of the terminal 20 shown in Figure 12 may be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and operated by the processor 1001. Although the above-described processes have been explained as being executed by one processor 1001, they may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The program may also be transmitted from the network via a telecommunications line.

[0071] The storage device 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage device 1002 may also be called a register, cache, main memory, etc. The storage device 1002 can store executable programs (program code), software modules, etc., for implementing a communication method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0072] The auxiliary storage device 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: an optical disc such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital multipurpose disk, a Blu-ray® disk), a smart card, flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy® disk, a magnetic strip, etc. The above-mentioned storage medium may also be a database, server, or other suitable medium that includes at least one of the storage device 1002 and the auxiliary storage device 1003.

[0073] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmitting / receiving device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as a network device, network controller, network card, communication module, etc. The communication device 1004 may be configured to include, for example, a high-frequency switch, duplexer, filter, frequency synthesizer, etc., in order to implement at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD). For example, the transmitting and receiving antenna, amplifier section, transmitting and receiving section, transmission path interface, etc., may be implemented by the communication device 1004. The transmitting and receiving section may be implemented in a physically or logically separated manner, with a transmitting section and a receiving section.

[0074] The input device 1005 is an input device that accepts input from an external source (e.g., a keyboard, mouse, microphone, switch, button, sensor, etc.). The output device 1006 is an output device that outputs to an external source (e.g., a display, speaker, LED lamp, etc.). The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be configured as an integrated unit (e.g., a touch panel).

[0075] Furthermore, each device, such as the processor 1001 and the storage device 1002, is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or different buses may be configured for each device.

[0076] Furthermore, the network node 100 and the terminal 20 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and some or all of each functional block may be realized by such hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these hardware components.

[0077] Figure 14 shows an example of the configuration of vehicle 2001. As shown in Figure 14, vehicle 2001 includes a drive unit 2002, a steering unit 2003, an accelerator pedal 2004, a brake pedal 2005, a shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, an axle 2009, an electronic control unit 2010, various sensors 2021 to 2029, an information service unit 2012, and a communication module 2013. Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be applied to a communication device mounted on vehicle 2001, for example, to the communication module 2013. That is, the communication module 2013 may include a network node 100 or a terminal 20.

[0078] The drive unit 2002 consists of, for example, an engine, a motor, or a hybrid of an engine and a motor. The steering unit 2003 includes at least a steering wheel (also called a handle) and is configured to steer at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels based on the operation of the steering wheel, which is operated by the user.

[0079] The electronic control unit 2010 consists of a microprocessor 2031, memory (ROM, RAM) 2032, and communication ports (IO ports) 2033. Signals from various sensors 2021 to 2029 installed in the vehicle 2001 are input to the electronic control unit 2010. The electronic control unit 2010 may also be called an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0080] Signals from various sensors 2021 to 2029 include current signals from current sensor 2021 for sensing motor current, front and rear wheel rotation speed signals acquired by rotation speed sensor 2022, front and rear wheel air pressure signals acquired by air pressure sensor 2023, vehicle speed signals acquired by vehicle speed sensor 2024, acceleration signals acquired by acceleration sensor 2025, accelerator pedal depression signals acquired by accelerator pedal sensor 2029, brake pedal depression signals acquired by brake pedal sensor 2026, shift lever operation signals acquired by shift lever sensor 2027, and detection signals acquired by object detection sensor 2028 for detecting obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, etc.

[0081] The Information Service Unit 2012 consists of various devices for providing (outputting) various types of information such as driving information, traffic information, and entertainment information, including a car navigation system, audio system, speakers, television, and radio, and one or more ECUs that control these devices. The Information Service Unit 2012 uses information acquired from external devices via a communication module 2013, etc., to provide various multimedia information and multimedia services to the occupants of the vehicle 2001. The Information Service Unit 2012 may include input devices that accept input from the outside (e.g., keyboard, mouse, microphone, switch, button, sensor, touch panel, etc.) and output devices that perform output to the outside (e.g., display, speaker, LED lamp, touch panel, etc.).

[0082] The driver assistance system unit 2030 consists of various devices that provide functions to prevent accidents or reduce the driver's workload, such as millimeter-wave radar, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), cameras, positioning locators (e.g., GNSS), map information (e.g., high-definition (HD) maps, autonomous vehicle (AV) maps), gyro systems (e.g., IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), INS (Inertial Navigation System)), AI (Artificial Intelligence) chips, and AI processors, as well as one or more ECUs that control these devices. The driver assistance system unit 2030 also transmits and receives various information via the communication module 2013 to realize driver assistance functions or autonomous driving functions.

[0083] The communication module 2013 can communicate with the microprocessor 2031 and components of the vehicle 2001 via its communication port. For example, the communication module 2013 sends and receives data via the communication port 2033 between the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axle 2009, the microprocessor 2031 and memory (ROM, RAM) 2032 in the electronic control unit 2010, and sensors 2021-29 provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0084] The communication module 2013 is a communication device that can be controlled by the microprocessor 2031 of the electronic control unit 2010 and can communicate with external devices. For example, it can send and receive various types of information with external devices via wireless communication. The communication module 2013 may be located either inside or outside the electronic control unit 2010. The external device may be, for example, a base station or a mobile station.

[0085] The communication module 2013 may transmit at least one of the following to an external device via wireless communication: signals from the various sensors 2021-2028 input to the electronic control unit 2010, information obtained based on said signals, and information based on input from an external source (user) obtained via the information service unit 2012. The electronic control unit 2010, the various sensors 2021-2028, the information service unit 2012, etc., may also be called input units that accept input. For example, the PUSCH transmitted by the communication module 2013 may include the information based on the above input.

[0086] The communication module 2013 receives various information (traffic information, signal information, inter-vehicle information, etc.) transmitted from an external device and displays it on the information service unit 2012 provided in the vehicle 2001. The information service unit 2012 may also be called an output unit, which outputs information (for example, outputs information to devices such as displays and speakers based on the PDSCH (or data / information decoded from the PDSCH) received by the communication module 2013). The communication module 2013 also stores the various information received from the external device in a memory 2032 that can be used by the microprocessor 2031. Based on the information stored in the memory 2032, the microprocessor 2031 may control the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axles 2009, sensors 2021-2029, etc., provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0087] This specification discloses at least the configurations described in the following appendix.

[0088] <Notes> (Note 1) A terminal comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits a sensing request to a sensing service system via an aircraft; and a control unit that performs sensing of an object with the aircraft based on the response to the sensing request. (Note 2) The terminal according to Note 1, wherein sensing data obtained by the sensing is transmitted from the aircraft to the sensing service system. (Note 3) The terminal according to Note 2, further comprising: a receiving unit that receives analysis results of the sensing data from the sensing service system via the aircraft. (Note 4) A network node which is an aircraft, comprising: a control unit that performs sensing of an object with a terminal that has received a response to a sensing request via the network node from the sensing service system; and a transmitting unit that transmits sensing data obtained by the sensing to the sensing service system. (Appendix 5) A sensing method performed by a terminal, comprising the steps of: transmitting a sensing request to a sensing service system via an aircraft; and performing sensing of an object with the aircraft based on the response to the sensing request.

[0089] According to any of the appendices 1 to 5, sensing can be performed even if the base station with sensing capabilities fails. According to appendices 2 and 3, the terminal can acquire the analysis results.

[0090] (Supplement to Embodiments) Embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the disclosed invention is not limited to such embodiments, and those skilled in the art will understand various modifications, alterations, alternatives, substitutions, etc. Specific numerical examples have been used to facilitate understanding of the invention, but unless otherwise specified, these numerical values ​​are merely examples, and any appropriate values ​​may be used. The division of items in the above description is not essential to the present invention, and matters described in two or more items may be used in combination as necessary, and matters described in one item may be applied to matters described in another item (as long as they do not contradict each other). The boundaries of functional units or processing units in the functional block diagram do not necessarily correspond to the boundaries of physical parts. The operation of multiple functional units may be physically performed by one part, or the operation of one functional unit may be physically performed by multiple parts. The processing procedures described in the embodiments may be rearranged as long as they do not contradict each other. For the convenience of explaining the processing, the network node 100 and terminal 20 have been described using functional block diagrams, but such devices may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The software operated by the processor of the network node 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention and the software operated by the processor of the terminal 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be stored in any suitable storage medium such as random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), EPROM, EEPROM, register, hard disk (HDD), removable disk, CD-ROM, database, server, or other appropriate storage medium.

[0091] Furthermore, notification of information is not limited to the embodiments described herein and may be carried out by other means. For example, notification of information may be carried out by physical layer signaling (e.g., DCI (Downlink Control Information), UCI (Uplink Control Information)), upper layer signaling (e.g., RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling, MAC (Medium Access Control) signaling), broadcast information (MIB (Master Information Block), SIB (System Information Block)), other signals, or combinations thereof. Also, RRC signaling may be called RRC messages, and may be, for example, RRC Connection Setup messages, RRC Connection Reconfiguration messages, etc.

[0092] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure refers to LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), 6th generation mobile communication system (6G), xth generation mobile communication system (xG) (xG (where x is, for example, an integer or decimal)), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (new Radio), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20 may apply to at least one system utilizing UWB (Ultra-WideBand), Bluetooth®, or other appropriate systems, and to next-generation systems extended, modified, created, or defined based thereon. Alternatively, multiple systems may be applied in combination (e.g., a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A with 5G).

[0093] The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc., of each aspect / embodiment described herein may be reordered, provided they are consistent with each other. For example, the methods described herein present various step elements in an exemplary order and are not limited to that specific order.

[0094] In this specification, specific operations performed by the base station 10 may, in some cases, be performed by its upper node. In a network consisting of one or more network nodes having a base station 10, it is clear that various operations performed for communication with the terminal 20 can be performed by the base station 10 and at least one of the other network nodes (for example, an MME or S-GW, but not limited to these). Although the above example illustrates the case where there is one other network node besides the base station 10, the other network node may be a combination of multiple other network nodes (for example, an MME and an S-GW).

[0095] The information or signals described in this disclosure may be output from a higher layer (or lower layer) to a lower layer (or higher layer). They may also be input and output via multiple network nodes.

[0096] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or appended to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be transmitted to other devices.

[0097] The determination in this disclosure may be made by a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), by a Boolean value (true or false), or by a numerical comparison (for example, a comparison with a predetermined value).

[0098] Software should be broadly interpreted to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, and so on, whether they are called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or by any other name.

[0099] Furthermore, software, instructions, information, etc., may be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using at least one of wired technology (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) and wireless technology (such as infrared or microwave), then at least one of these wired and wireless technologies is included in the definition of a transmission medium.

[0100] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of the various different techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0101] In addition, terms used in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings. For example, at least one of the channel and symbol may be a signal (signaling). Also, a signal may be a message. Furthermore, a component carrier (CC) may be called a carrier frequency, cell, frequency carrier, etc.

[0102] The terms “system” and “network” as used in this disclosure are interchangeable.

[0103] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc., described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a given value, or other corresponding information. For example, wireless resources may be indicated by an index.

[0104] The names used for the parameters described above are not restrictive in any way. Furthermore, the formulas and other expressions using these parameters may differ from those expressly disclosed in this disclosure. Various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements can be identified by any suitable name, and therefore, the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not restrictive in any way.

[0105] In this disclosure, terms such as "Base Station (BS)", "wireless base station", "base station equipment", "fixed station", "NodeB", "eNodeB (eNB)", "gNodeB (gNB)", "access point", "transmission point", "reception point", "transmission / reception point", "cell", "sector", "cell group", "carrier", and "component carrier" may be used interchangeably. Base stations may also be referred to by terms such as macrocell, small cell, femtocell, and picocell.

[0106] A base station can accommodate one or more (e.g., three) cells. If a base station accommodates multiple cells, the entire coverage area of ​​the base station can be divided into multiple smaller areas, each of which may also be provided with communication services by a base station subsystem (e.g., a Remote Radio Head (RRH)). The terms “cell” or “sector” refer to part or all of the coverage area of ​​at least one of the base station and / or base station subsystems that provide communication services in that coverage.

[0107] In this disclosure, the transmission of information by a base station to a terminal may be interpreted as the base station instructing the terminal to perform control or operation based on the information.

[0108] In this disclosure, terms such as "Mobile Station (MS)," "user terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," and "terminal" may be used interchangeably.

[0109] A mobile station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or several other appropriate terms.

[0110] At least one of the network node 100 and terminal 20 may be called a transmitter, receiver, communication device, etc. At least one of the network node 100 and terminal 20 may be a device mounted on a mobile body, the mobile body itself, etc. The mobile body refers to a movable object, and its speed of movement is arbitrary. This also includes the case when the mobile body is stationary. The mobile body includes, but is not limited to, vehicles, transport vehicles, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, connected cars, excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, dump trucks, forklifts, trains, buses, handcarts, rickshaws, ships and other watercraft, airplanes, rockets, satellites, drones (registered trademark), multicopters, quadcopters, balloons, and items mounted on them. The mobile body may also be a mobile body that moves autonomously based on operation commands. The mobile entity may be a vehicle (e.g., a car, an airplane), an unmanned mobile entity (e.g., a drone, an autonomous vehicle), or a robot (manned or unmanned). At least one of the base station, mobile station, and AMF may include devices that do not necessarily move during communication operations. For example, at least one of the base station and mobile station may be an IoT (Internet of Things) device such as a sensor.

[0111] Furthermore, the term "base station" in this disclosure may be interpreted as "user terminal." For example, the various aspects / embodiments of this disclosure may be applied to a configuration in which communication between a base station and a user terminal is replaced with communication between multiple terminals 20 (which may be called, for example, D2D (Device-to-Device), V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything)). In this case, the terminals 20 may have the functions that the base station 10 has. Also, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" may be interpreted as terms corresponding to inter-terminal communication (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., may be interpreted as side channel.

[0112] Similarly, the term "user terminal" in this disclosure may be replaced with "base station." In this case, the base station may be configured to have the same functions as the user terminal described above.

[0113] As used in this disclosure, the terms “determining” and “determining” may encompass a wide variety of actions. “Determining” may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, or inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), or ascertaining. “Determining” may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), inputting, outputting, or accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory). Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after some action. Also, "judgment (decision)" can be reinterpreted as "assuming," "expecting," or "considering."

[0114] The terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variation thereof, mean any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are “connected” or “coupled” with each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, “connection” may be reinterpreted as “access.” As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be “connected” or “coupled” with each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, and, in some non-limiting and non-exclusive examples, electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency domain, microwave domain, and optical (both visible and invisible) domain.

[0115] The reference signal can also be abbreviated as RS (Reference Signal), and may be called a pilot depending on the applicable standard.

[0116] In this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based solely on" unless otherwise specified. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based solely on" and "based at least on."

[0117] Any reference to elements using the designations “first,” “second,” etc., as used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient way to distinguish between two or more elements. Accordingly, references to the first and second elements do not imply that only two elements may be employed, or that the first element must precede the second element in any way.

[0118] In the configuration of each of the above devices, "means" may be replaced with "part," "circuit," "device," etc.

[0119] Where the terms “include,” “including,” and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, as is the term “comprising.” Furthermore, the term “or” as used in this disclosure is not intended to mean exclusive OR.

[0120] In this disclosure, if articles are added through translation, such as a, an, and the in English, this disclosure may include the fact that the noun following these articles is plural.

[0121] In this disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "combine" may be interpreted similarly to "different."

[0122] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be used individually, in combination, or switched between as needed during implementation. Furthermore, notification of specific information (e.g., notification that "X is") is not limited to explicit notification, but may also be implicit (e.g., by not providing such notification).

[0123] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the intent and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the descriptions in the present disclosure are illustrative and not intended to be restrictive in any way.

[0124] 10 Base station 100 Network node 110 Transmitter 120 Receiver 130 Setting unit 140 Control unit 20 Terminal, UE 210 Transmitter 220 Receiver 230 Setting unit 240 Control unit 30 Core network 40, 41, 42 Satellite 50 3rd party system 1001 Processor 1002 Storage device 1003 Auxiliary storage device 1004 Communication device 1005 Input device 1006 Output device 2001 Vehicle 2002 Drive unit 2003 Steering unit 2004 Accelerator pedal 2005 Brake pedal 2006 Shift lever 2007 Front wheel 2008 Rear wheel 2009 Axle 2010 Electronic control unit 2012 Information service unit 2013 Communication module 2021 Current sensor 2022 Rotation speed sensor 2023 Air pressure sensor 2024 Vehicle speed sensor 2025 Acceleration sensor 2026 Brake pedal sensor 2027 Shift lever sensor 2028 Object detection sensor 2029 Accelerator pedal sensor 2030 Driver assistance system unit 2031 Microprocessor 2032 Memory (ROM, RAM) 2033 Communication port (I / O port)

Claims

1. A terminal comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits a sensing request to a sensing service system via an aircraft; and a control unit that performs sensing of an object in relation to the aircraft based on the response to the sensing request.

2. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein sensing data obtained by the sensing is transmitted from the aircraft to the sensing service system.

3. The terminal according to claim 2, further comprising a receiving unit that receives analysis results for the sensing data from the sensing service system via the aircraft.

4. A network node which is an aerial object, comprising: a control unit which performs sensing of an object in a relationship with a terminal which receives a response to a sensing request via the network node from a sensing service system; and a transmission unit which transmits the sensing data obtained by the sensing to the sensing service system.

5. A sensing method performed by a terminal, comprising the steps of: transmitting a sensing request to a sensing service system via an aircraft; and performing sensing of an object with the aircraft based on the response to the sensing request.

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