A multi-band reporting method for integrated sensing and communication (ISAC)

Abstract

This disclosure relates to integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), and introduces a receiving device, a network device, and corresponding methods. The receiving device is configured by the network device for multi-band sensing. According to the configuration, the receiving device perform one or more measurements of its surrounding environment using two or more distinct frequency bands. Further, it generates measurement information based on the one or more measurements. The measurement information is either related to only one of the frequency bands that is selected based on a first criterion, or is related to a plurality of the frequency bands according to a second criterion. The receiving device further sends a single measurement report containing the measurement information to another device.

Description

[0001] A MULTI BAND REPORTING METHOD FOR INTEGRATED SENSING AND COMMUNICATION (ISAC)

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to integrated sensing and communication (ISAC). The disclosure introduces a receiving device, a network device, and corresponding methods. The receiving device is configured by the network device for multi-band sensing reporting.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Currently, radio access networks (RAN) are deployed mainly for communications, and use radio signals to convey information from one network node to the other. As radio signals interact with the environment while propagating through the space, they may also be utilized to extract information about the environment. Evolving into next generation RANs, radio nodes may thus be used as sensing devices, so as to implement joint sensing and communication in the network. These radio nodes may include base stations, user devices, as well as any type of device that transmits and / or receives radio signals.

[0006] In general, ISAC systems can utilize both mono-static and bi-static configurations to enhance functionality. Mono-static ISAC systems use a full duplex single entity for both transmitting and receiving, which simplifies design and synchronization. In contrast, bi-static ISAC systems employ separate entities for transmission and reception, offering greater flexibility in deployment and potentially enhanced coverage. In bi-static configurations, known pilot sequences may be shared between a transmitter and sensing receiver, in order to facilitate the extraction of sensing parameters.

[0007] SUMMARY

[0008] The disclosure and its solutions are based on the following further considerations regarding such joint sensing and communication networks.

[0009] Pilot sequences as used in various standards may be employed as mentioned. For example, reference signals, which are typically used for positioning, such as positing reference signals (PRSs), can be utilized for implementing the sensing. In this regards, FIG. 1(a) shows an example of bi-static sensing, wherein the sensing receiver (in this example user equipment (UE)), reports sensing information to the transmitter (in this example a gNodeB (gNB)). The sensing information concerns the measurement of the receiver of the signal transmitted by the transmitter, and may convey information about an object in the environment.

[0010] The sensing resolution of the distance estimation to an object (or delay to the object and back) depends on the used bandwidth of the transmission in the system. More bandwidth enhances the sensing resolution. Moreover, the reflection behavior of the sensed object may also be different when different carrier frequencies are used. This can give important information regarding the material type of the object. Additionally, using different carriers offers the possibility to use multiple-bands, which can potentially be combined.

[0011] Therefore, a multi-band sensing system may offer benefits compared to a single-band system. For example, the higher bandwidth allows for better time resolution. In particular, as the bandwidth increases, the delay resolution (i.e., the ability to distinguish between two targets or signals separated by a time delay) improves. As another example, multi-band may provide additional information about the material of sensed objects. For example, the material conductivity or reflectivity changes with the frequency of the electromagnetic waves.Different multi-bands for communications is standardized, such as FR1 and FR2 shown in FIG. 1(b). Multi-bands used for sensing can be contiguous and / or non-contiguous bands. Contiguous means that the carrier frequencies fc land fc 2serve subbands which are located inside one band, e.g., FR1 shown in FIG. 1(b). Non-contiguous means that the carrier frequencies can be located in two completely different bands, e.g., fc land fc 3shown in Fig. 1(b). Contiguous bands potentially provide high resolution for objects, while non-contiguous bands can provide material identification for objects.

[0012] However, multi-band sensing may also have drawbacks. For example, reporting methods for the measurements may typically provide one complete report for each band (or sub-band), i.e., per frequency band. As a consequence, the report potentially includes redundant information with high overhead, and the overhead can increase with the number of reported bands.

[0013] In view of this, an objective of this disclosure is to provide an improvement to multi-band sensing in integrated sensing and communication networks. For example, an objective is to achieve multi-band measurement reporting without increasing the overhead.

[0014] These and other objectives are achieved by the solutions of this disclosure, as described in the independent claims. Advantageous implementations are further described in the dependent claims.

[0015] A first aspect of this disclosure provides a receiving device for multi-band sensing, the receiving device being configured to: perform one or more measurements of its surrounding environment using two or more distinct frequency bands; generate measurement information based on the one or more measurements, wherein the measurement information is either related to only one of the frequency bands that is selected based on a first criterion, or is related to a plurality of the frequency bands according to a second criterion; and send a single measurement report containing the measurement information to another device.

[0016] For example, instead of sending three measurement reports if three frequency bands are used, the receiving device (e.g., a UE or a RAN node) sends only one report, which is based on the measurements from different bands of the three frequency bands. Different options and configurations, as described in this disclosure, may be provided to efficiently reduce the overhead of the measurement reports. In particular, by reporting only relevant information needed by the network.

[0017] In an implementation form of the first aspect, as the first criterion, the one of the frequency bands having the highest number of paths of all the frequency bands is selected.

[0018] In an implementation form of the first aspect, as the first criterion, the one of the frequency bands having the highest line of sight (LoS) or the highest no-LOS probability is selected.

[0019] In an implementation form of the first aspect, as the first criterion, the one of the frequency bands having the highest reference signal received power (RSRP) is selected.

[0020] In an implementation form of the first aspect, as the second criterion, the measurement information is generated for a limited number of paths per each of the multiple frequency bands and / or for a limited number of total paths of all the multiple frequency bands.

[0021] In an implementation form of the first aspect, as the second criterion, the measurement information is generated based on respective measurement differences between pairs of frequency bands of the multiple frequency bands.In an implementation form of the first aspect, as the second criterion, the measurement information is generated based on measurements in multiple frequency bands resulting in the highest RSRP per path (RSRPP).

[0022] In an implementation form of the first aspect, the RSRP is measured within a specified time window.

[0023] In an implementation form of the first aspect, as the second criterion, the measurement information is generated by fusing measurements in multiple frequency bands.

[0024] The above-described implementation forms facilitate the reduction of the overhead when reporting in multi-band sensing.

[0025] In an implementation form of the first aspect, the receiving device is further configured to perform the one or more measurements in the same direction with each of the frequency bands, or in a distinct direction for each one of the frequency bands.

[0026] In an implementation form of the first aspect, the measurement information is related to a particular reference signal, or reference signal identifier, or PRS, or PRS ID, or multiple reference signal IDs.

[0027] A second aspect of this disclosure provides a network device for configuring multi-band sensing, the network device being able to: configure a receiving device to perform one or more measurements of its surrounding environment using two or more distinct frequency bands; and configure the receiving device to generate a measurement report containing measurement information of the one or more measurements, wherein the measurement information is either related to one of the frequency bands that is selected by the receiving device based on a first criterion, or is related to a plurality of the frequency bands according to a second criterion.

[0028] By configuring the receiving device, the advantages discussed above for the first aspect can be achieved.

[0029] In an implementation form of the second aspect, the network device is further able to provide the receiving device with the first criterion or the second criterion.

[0030] In an implementation form of the second aspect, the network device is adapted to configure the receiving device to perform the one or more measurements and send the measurement report to the network device for a particular reference signal ID(s).

[0031] In an implementation form of the second aspect, the network device is adapted to configure the receiving device to use the same or independent spatial receiving filter for the received reference signal ID(s).

[0032] In an implementation form of the second aspect, the network device is adapted to configure the receiving device to perform the one or more measurements and generate the measurement report for multiple reference signal IDs.

[0033] In an implementation form of the second aspect, the network device is adapted to configure the receiving device to use the same or independent spatial receiving filter for reception of each of the reference signal IDs.

[0034] In an implementation form of the second aspect, the network device is adapted to configure the receiving device to perform the one or more measurements by its own selection of the reference signal IDs using a respective receiver spatial filter for each of the frequency bands independently and send the measurement report.In an implementation form of the second aspect, the network device is adapted to configure the receiving device to perform the one or more measurements by its own selection of the reference signal IDs separately based on a third criteria with a respective receiving spatial filter for the same receiving spatial direction for each of the frequency bands and send the measurement report.

[0035] In an implementation form of the second aspect, the network device is adapted to configure the receiving device to perform the one or more measurements by its own selection of the reference signal IDs to be the same based on a fourth criteria with a respective receiving spatial filter for each of the frequency bands independently and sent the measurement report.

[0036] In an implementation form of the second aspect, the third criteria for reference signal ID selection is selected based on: the frequency band which has the highest RSRP per path (RSRPP); or the one of the frequency bands having the highest LoS, or the highest no-LOS probability.

[0037] In an implementation form of the second aspect, the fourth criteria for reference signal ID selection is selected as the frequency band which has the highest number of multi-path components.

[0038] A third aspect of this disclosure provides a method for multi-band sensing, the method being performed by a receiving device and comprising: performing one or more measurements of a surrounding environment of the receiving device using two or more distinct frequency bands; generating measurement information based on the one or more measurements, wherein the measurement information is either related to only one of the frequency bands that is selected based on a first criterion, or is related to a plurality of the frequency bands according to a second criterion; and sending a single measurement report containing the measurement information to another device.

[0039] In an implementation form of the third aspect, as the first criterion, the one of the frequency bands having the highest number of paths of all the frequency bands is selected.

[0040] In an implementation form of the third aspect, as the first criterion, the one of the frequency bands having the highest line of sight (LoS) or the highest no-LOS probability is selected.

[0041] In an implementation form of the third aspect, as the first criterion, the one of the frequency bands having the highest reference signal received power (RSRP) is selected.

[0042] In an implementation form of the third aspect, as the second criterion, the measurement information is generated for a limited number of paths per each of the multiple frequency bands and / or for a limited number of total paths of all the multiple frequency bands.

[0043] In an implementation form of the third aspect, as the second criterion, the measurement information is generated based on respective measurement differences between pairs of frequency bands of the multiple frequency bands.

[0044] In an implementation form of the third aspect, as the second criterion, the measurement information is generated based on measurements in multiple frequency bands resulting in the highest RSRP per path (RSRPP).

[0045] In an implementation form of the third aspect, the RSRP is measured within a specified time window.

[0046] In an implementation form of the third aspect, as the second criterion, the measurement information is generated by fusing measurements in multiple frequency bands.In an implementation form of the third aspect, the method further comprises performing the one or more measurements in the same direction with each of the frequency bands, or in a distinct direction for each one of the frequency bands.

[0047] In an implementation form of the third aspect, the measurement information is related to a particular reference signal, or reference signal identifier, or PRS, or PRS ID, or multiple reference signal IDs.

[0048] The method of the third aspect and its implementation forms provide the advantages of the receiving device of the first aspect and its respective implementation forms.

[0049] A fourth aspect of this disclosure provides a method for configuring multi-band sensing, the method being performed by a network device and comprising: configuring a receiving device to perform one or more measurements of its surrounding environment using two or more distinct frequency bands; and configuring the receiving device to generate a single measurement report containing measurement information of the one or more measurements, wherein the measurement information is either related to one of the frequency bands that is selected by the receiving device based on a first criterion, or is related to a plurality of the frequency bands according to a second criterion.

[0050] In an implementation form of the fourth aspect, the method further comprises providing the receiving device with the first criterion or the second criterion.

[0051] In an implementation form of the fourth aspect, the method further comprises configuring the receiving device to perform the one or more measurements and send the measurement report to the network device for a particular reference signal ID(s).

[0052] In an implementation form of the fourth aspect, the method further comprises configuring the receiving device to use the same or independent spatial receiving filter for the received reference signal ID(s).

[0053] In an implementation form of the fourth aspect, the method further comprises configuring the receiving device to perform the one or more measurements and generate the measurement report for multiple reference signal IDs.

[0054] In an implementation form of the fourth aspect, the method further comprises configuring the receiving device to use the same or independent spatial receiving filter for reception of each of the reference signal IDs.

[0055] In an implementation form of the fourth aspect, the method further comprises configuring the receiving device to perform the one or more measurements by its own selection of the reference signal IDs using a respective receiver spatial filter for each of the frequency bands independently and sending the measurement report.

[0056] In an implementation form of the fourth aspect, the method further comprises configuring the receiving device to perform the one or more measurements by its own selection of the reference signal IDs separately based on a third criteria with a respective receiving spatial filter for the same receiving spatial direction for each of the frequency bands and sending the measurement report.

[0057] In an implementation form of the fourth aspect, the method further comprises configuring the receiving device to perform the one or more measurements by its own selection of the reference signal IDs to be the same based on a fourth criteria with a respective receiving spatial filter for each of the frequency bands independently and sending the measurement report.In an implementation form of the fourth aspect, the third criteria for reference signal ID selection is selected based on: the frequency band which has the highest RSRP per path (RSRPP); or the one of the frequency bands having the highest LoS, or the highest no-LOS probability.

[0058] In an implementation form of the fourth aspect, the fourth criteria for reference signal ID selection is selected as the frequency band which has the highest number of multi-path components.

[0059] The method of the fourth aspect and its implementation forms provide the advantages of the network device of the second aspect and its respective implementation forms.

[0060] A fifth aspect of this disclosure provides a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a processor, cause the processor to control a receiving device or network device to perform the method according to the third or fourth aspect or any of their implementation forms.

[0061] A sixth aspect of this disclosure provides a non-transitory storage medium storing executable program code which, when executed by a processor, causes the method according to the third aspect or fourth aspect or any of its implementation forms to be performed.

[0062] It has to be noted that entities, elements, units and means described in the present application could be implemented by software or hardware elements or any kind of combination thereof. Steps performed by the various entities described in the present application, as well as the functionalities described to be performed by the various entities, are intended to mean that the respective entity is adapted to or configured to perform the respective steps and functionalities. Even if, in the following description of specific embodiments, a specific functionality or step to be performed by external entities is not reflected in the description of a specific detailed element of that entity, which performs that specific step or functionality, it should be clear for a skilled person that these methods and functionalities can be implemented by respective software or hardware elements, or any kind of combination thereof.

[0063] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0064] The above described aspects and implementation forms are explained in the following description in relation to the enclosed drawings, in which:

[0065] FIG. 1 (a) illustrates environment sensing in a bi-static scenario using a transmitter (gNB) and a receiver (UE). A transmission beam concentrates the transmitted power in a specific direction towards an object. The UE reports the measurements to the gNB;

[0066] (b) shows an exemplary frequency distribution suitable for multi-band sensing.

[0067] FIG. 2 shows a receiving device (receiver) for multi-band sensing according to this disclosure, and a network device according to this disclosure for configuring the receiving device.

[0068] FIG. 3 illustrates different beams-widths from two PRS resource sets for different frequency layers, to see different objects in the environment.

[0069] FIG. 4 illustrates a difference between two frequency bands used to investigate material properties of an object.FIG. 5 shows discrete time intervals used to identify the highest RSRPP.

[0070] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary spatial filter (beam) used at the transmitter and the receiving device.

[0071] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary spatial filter (beam) at the transmitter and the receiving device.

[0072] FIG. 8 shows a table summarizing possible measurement configurations.

[0073] FIG. 9 shows signaling in an exemplary embodiment of the receiving device and the network device.

[0074] FIG. 10 shows a flow-chart of a method for a receiving device, according to this disclosure.

[0075] FIG. 11 shows a flow-chart of a method for a network device, according to this disclosure.

[0076] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0077] FIG. 2 shows a receiving device 200 according to this disclosure, and a network device 220 according to this disclosure. The network device 200 may be a BS, and the receiving device 210 may be a UE.

[0078] The receiving device 200 may be used for multi-band sensing. To this end, the receiving device 200 is configured to perform one or more measurements 201 of its surrounding environment using two or more distinct frequency bands. For instance, in a mono-static scenario, the receiving device 200 may be enabled for both transmitting a signal (e.g. beam) and receiving a corresponding signal that is measured (sensed). In another example, in a bi-static scenario, the receiving device 200 may only be used for the reception, and another device, e.g. the network device 220, for transmission of the signal. For example, in the bi-static scenario, known pilot sequences may be shared between a transmitter (e.g., the network device 220) and the receiving device 200, so as to facilitate the extraction of measurement information, e.g., parameters.

[0079] Further, the receiving device 200 is configured to generate measurement information 202 based on the one or more measurements 201. The measurement information 202 could include a range or distance to a measured object, a velocity of an object, and angle of arrival (AoA) of the incoming signals, a reflectivity or other property of the object, for instance based on signal reflections, or channel state information (CSI) or other propagation characteristics. The measurement information 202 may be frequency band resolved, e.g., for each frequency band used the same type of measurement information 202 may differ.

[0080] The measurement information 202 is either related to only one of the frequency bands that is selected based on a first criterion, or is related to a plurality of the frequency bands according to a second criterion. For instance, according to the first criterion, the frequency band having the highest number of paths, or the frequency band having the highest LOS (on no-LOS) probability, or the frequency band having the highest RSRP may be selected. For instance, according to the second criterion, the measurement information 202 may be generated only for a limited number of paths per each of the frequency bands, or may be generated based on differences between frequency band pairs, or may be based on measurements resulting in the highest RSRP per path (RSRPP).

[0081] Further, the receiving device 200 is configured to send a single measurement report 203 containing the measurement information 202 to another device 210. In FIG. 2, the another device 210 is different from the network device 220, as an example, but it could also be the same device. That is, the measurement report 203 could be sent by the receiving device 200 to the network device 220.The network device 220 can be used to configure the multi-band sensing and reporting performed by the receiving device 200. For example, an initial configuration before the receiving device 200 performs the measurement and reporting described above, or after those steps as a reconfiguration before the next measurements. Accordingly, the network device 210 is particularly able to configure the receiving device 201 to perform one or more measurements 201 using two or more distinct frequency bands, and to configure the receiving device 201 to generate the measurement report 203 containing the measurement information 202.

[0082] The receiving device 200 and / or the network device 220 may respectively comprise a processor (not shown) or processing circuitry configured to perform, conduct or initiate various operations of the respective devices 200, 220 described herein. The processing circuitry may comprise hardware and / or the processing circuitry may be controlled by software. The hardware may comprise analog circuitry or digital circuitry, or both analog and digital circuitry. The digital circuitry may comprise components such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or multi-purpose processors. The receiving device 200 and / or the network device 220 may respectively further comprise memory circuitry, which stores one or more instruction(s) that can be executed by the processor or by the processing circuitry, in particular under control of the software. For instance, the memory circuitry may comprise a non-transitory storage medium storing executable software code which, when executed by the processor or the processing circuitry, causes the various operations of the respective device 200, 220 to be performed. In one embodiment, the processing circuitry comprises one or more processors and a non-transitory memory connected to the one or more processors. The non-transitory memory may carry executable program code which, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the respective device 200, 220 to perform, conduct or initiate the operations or methods described herein.

[0083] The solutions of this disclosure use multi-band sensing. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, different beams-widths from PRS resource sets for different frequency layers may be used to see different objects in the environment.

[0084] The solutions of this disclosure especially address the issue of having only one complete report per frequency band, which would increase the overhead drastically for multi-band sensing. The present disclosure proposes instead to send only one measurement report 203 based on measurements from different bands of multiple frequency bands. However, how to implement this is important, and the disclosure thus further provides different options and configurations to reduce the overhead. In essence, only the relevant information needed by the network is reported.

[0085] In the following, only as examples, two possible solutions for multi-band reporting are presented. The first solution is based on selecting only one band from multiple bands according to certain requirements (according to the first criterion). The second solution is based on combining measurements from multiple bands (according to the second criterion.)

[0086] The first solution may have different band selection options. For example, the measurement report 203 may be based on the band with highest number of multi-paths (objects). That is, the frequency band having the highest number of paths of all the frequency bands is selected. As another example, the measurement report 203 may be based on the band with highest NLoS (or LoS) probability. That is, the frequency band having the highest LoS orNLoS probability is selected.

[0087] The second solution may have different band combination options. For example, the measurement report 203 may be generated for up to a maximum number of paths per band, given limited number of possible reported paths. That is, the measurement information 202 is only for a limited number of paths per each of the multiple frequency bands and / or for a limited number of total paths of all the multiple frequency bands. In another example, the difference between the two frequency bands (e.g., material identification ARSRPP1, ARSRPP2) may be reported, as illustrated in FIG. 4. That is, the measurement information 202 is generated based on measurement differences between pairs of frequency bands.As another example, measurements of the highest RSRPP (for a common path), for instance, within a given discrete time interval may be reported. To select the highest RSRPP, as an example over two bands, time may be divided into discrete time intervals, and for each interval the highest RSRPP may be selected, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The RSRP may accordingly be measured within a specified time window.

[0088] The receiving device 200 is configured to send one measurements report 203 (e.g., fusion method selectable, e.g., coherent, non-coherent, and delay Doppler map based on the receiving device’s capability), based on measurements from multi-bands.

[0089] In the following, several detailed but exemplary embodiments are described. A first exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG.

[0090] 6. The embodiment illustrates options for howto combine measurements from bands with different beams. The same object may or may not be seen on different frequency bands, due to the different beam widths used.

[0091] A gNB (as network device 220) may ask the UE (as receiving device 200) to make measurements 201 and send a measurements report 203, as discussed above, for a particular (position reference signal) PRS IDs for each of the bands.

[0092] The gNB may configure the UE to use the same direction for each band and send the new measurement report 203. Alternatively, the gNB may configure the UE to use the best receiver beam (receiver spatial filter) for each band and send the new measurement report 203.

[0093] A second exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. 7. The embodiment illustrates options for how to combine measurements from bands with different beams.

[0094] A gNB (as the network device 220) may configures the UE (as the receiving device 200) to choose the best PRS ID for the multiple different frequency bands with the same direction.

[0095] Additionally, the gNB may configure the UE to use the same direction for each frequency band and send the new measurement report. Alternatively, the gNB may additionally configure the UE to measure and send the report 203 including the PRS ID but using the best receiver spatial filter for each band, and send a new report 203 with the PRS IDs.

[0096] The table shown in FIG. 8 provides a summary for the different options using different spatial filtering.

[0097] A third exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. 9. The embodiment illustrates signaling. The signaling of configuration and reporting is shown between BS (as the network device 220) and UE (as the receiving device 210), in particular, the kind of report, and / or the PRS IDs, and / or beam patterns may be signaled. Further, the signaling of the UE capability report is shown, for example, the UE capability of report multi-band information and the reporting of multi-band information (PRS ID optional). Further, the configuration of the network device 220, for example, by a management entity (here sensing management function (SMF)) is shown.

[0098] The SMF may configured the network device 220 (BS). The BS may then request the receiving device 200 (UE) to indicate its capability to report multi-band information. The UE answers with a message reporting its capability in this respect. The BS then configures the UE how to report, for instance, with or without PRS IDs. Further, the BS transmits a PRS to the UE. The UE then reports the multi-band information with receiver beam options in the measurement report 203). The BS may then forward the UE’s report to the SMF.The described solutions may be applied in ISAC systems. ISAC is expected to be an important feature for next generation systems, e.g., 6G systems. The receiving device 200 may be any sensing entity in such an ISAC system. The disclosure foresees implementation gNBs, transmit receive points (TRPs), and UEs, which have the capability of reporting multi-band measurement results.

[0099] The present disclosure has been described in conjunction with various embodiments as examples as well as implementations. However, other variations can be understood and effected by those persons skilled in the art and practicing the claimed matter, from the studies of the drawings, this disclosure and the independent claims. In the claims as well as in the description the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several entities or items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in the mutual different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used in an advantageous implementation.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A receiving device (200) for multi-band sensing, the receiving device (200) being configured to:perform one or more measurements (201 ) of its surrounding environment using two or more distinct frequency bands; generate measurement information (202) based on the one or more measurements (201), wherein the measurement information (202) is either related to only one of the frequency bands that is selected based on a first criterion, or is related to a plurality of the frequency bands according to a second criterion; andsend a single measurement report (203) containing the measurement information (202) to another device (210).

2. The receiving device (200) according to claim 1 , wherein, as the first criterion, the one of the frequency bands having the highest number of paths of all the frequency bands is selected.

3. The receiving device (200) according to claim 1, wherein, as the first criterion, the one of the frequency bands having the highest line of sight, LoS, or the highest no-LOS probability is selected.

4. The receiving device (200) according to claim 1 , wherein, as the first criterion, the one of the frequency bands having the highest reference signal received power, RSRP, is selected.

5. The receiving device (200) according to claim 1, wherein, as the second criterion, the measurement information (202) is generated for a limited number of paths per each of the multiple frequency bands and / or for a limited number of total paths of all the multiple frequency bands.

6. The receiving device (200) according to claim 1, wherein, as the second criterion, the measurement information (202) is generated based on respective measurement differences between pairs of frequency bands of the multiple frequency bands.

7. The receiving device (200) according to claim 1, wherein, as the second criterion, the measurement information (202) is generated based on measurements (201 ) in multiple frequency bands resulting in the highest RSRP per path.

8. The receiving device (200) of claim 7, wherein the RSRP is measured within a specified time window.

9. The receiving device (200) according to claim 1, wherein, as the second criterion, the measurement information (202) is generated by fusing measurements (201) in multiple frequency bands.

10. The receiving device (200) according to one of the claims 1 to 9, configured to perform the one or more measurements (201 ) in the same direction with each of the frequency bands, or in a distinct direction for each one of the frequency bands.

11. The receiving device (200) according to one of the claims 1 to 10, wherein the measurement information (202) is related to a particular reference signal, or reference signal identifier, or positioning reference signal, PRS, or PRS ID, or multiple reference signal IDs.

12. A network device (220) for configuring multi-band sensing, the network device (210) being able to:configure a receiving device (201) to perform one or more measurements (201) of its surrounding environment using two or more distinct frequency bands; andconfigure the receiving device (201 ) to generate a measurement report (203) containing measurement information (202) of the one or more measurements (201), wherein the measurement information (202) is either related to one of thefrequency bands that is selected by the receiving device based on a first criterion, or is related to a plurality of the frequency bands according to a second criterion.

13. The network device (220) according to claim 12, further being able to provide the receiving device (200) with the first criterion or the second criterion.

14. The network device (220) according to claim 12 or 13, adapted to configure the receiving device (220) to perform the one or more measurements (201) and send the measurement report (“03) to the network device (210) for a particular reference signal ID(s).

15. The network device (220) according to claim 14, adapted to configure the receiving device (200) to use the same or independent spatial receiving filter for the received reference signal ID(s).

16. The network device (220) according to one of the claims 12 to 15, adapted to configure the receiving device (200) to perform the one or more measurements (201 ) and generate the measurement report (203) for multiple reference signal IDs.

17. The network device (220) according to claim 16, adapted to configure the receiving device (200) to use the same or independent spatial receiving filter for reception of each of the reference signal IDs.

18. The network device (220) according to claim 17, adapted to configure the receiving device (200) to perform the one or more measurements (201) by its own selection of the reference signal IDs using a respective receiver spatial filter for each of the frequency bands independently and send the measurement report (203).

19. The network device (220) according to claim 17 or 18, adapted to configure the receiving device (200) to perform the one or more measurements (201) by its own selection of the reference signal IDs separately based on a third criteria with a respective receiving spatial filter for the same receiving spatial direction for each of the frequency bands and send the measurement report (203).

20. The network device (220) according to one of the claims 17 to 19, adapted to configure the receiving device (200) to perform the one or more measurements (201 ) by its own selection of the reference signal IDs to be the same based on a fourth criteria with a respective receiving spatial filter for each of the frequency bands independently and send the measurement report (203).

21. The network device (220) according to claim 19 or 20 whereby the third criteria for reference signal ID selection is selected based on:the frequency band which has the highest RSRP per path; orthe one of the frequency bands having the highest line of sight, LoS, or the highest no-LOS probability.

22. The network device (220) according to claim or 21, whereby the fourth criteria for reference signal ID selection is selected as the frequency band which has the highest number of multi-path components.

23. A method (1000) for multi-band sensing, the method being performed by a receiving device (200) and comprising:performing (1001) one or more measurements (201) of a surrounding environment of the receiving device (200) using two or more distinct frequency bands;generating (1002) measurement information (202) based on the one or more measurements (201), wherein the measurement information (202) is either related to only one of the frequency bands that is selected based on a first criterion, or is related to a plurality of the frequency bands according to a second criterion; andsending (1003) a single measurement report (203) containing the measurement information (202) to another device (210).

24. A method (1100) for configuring multi-band sensing, the method (1100) being performed by a network device (220) and comprising:configuring (1101) a receiving device (200) to perform one or more measurements (201) of its surrounding environment using two or more distinct frequency bands; andconfiguring (1002) the receiving device (200) to generate a single measurement report (203) containing measurement information (202) of the one or more measurements (201), wherein the measurement information (202) is either related to one of the frequency bands that is selected by the receiving device (200) based on a first criterion, or is related to a plurality of the frequency bands according to a second criterion.

25. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a processor, cause the processor to control a receiving device (200) or network device (220) to perform the method (1000, 1100) according to claim 23 or 24.

Images