Sensing methods, and apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present disclosure are sensing methods and an apparatus. A method executed by a first network element comprises: receiving a first message sent by a second network element when a trigger condition is met, the first message being used to indicate a first position of a terminal, and the first position being related to the position of a sensing target; and, on the basis of the first position, determining a first sensing parameter for sensing the sensing target, the first sensing parameter comprising at least one of the following: a first sensing area; a parameter related to a first sensing entity; and a first sensing mode. Thus, on the basis of the first position of the terminal related to the position of the sensing target of which the position is changeable, the first sensing parameter for sensing the sensing target can be determined, such that the sensing target of which the position is changeable can be sensed, thus improving the performance of sensing systems.

Description

Sensing methods and devices Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a sensing method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] The rapid growth of wireless communication technology and the increasing demand for high-quality data transmission have spurred the development of more advanced communication systems, such as integrated sensing and communication systems, which have the potential to transform various industries, including automotive, healthcare, drones, and smart cities. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This disclosure provides a sensing method and apparatus for determining first sensing parameters for sensing a target based on a first position of a terminal related to the position of a target whose location can be changed, thereby enabling the sensing of a target whose location can be changed and improving the performance of the sensing system.

[0004] This disclosure presents a sensing method and apparatus.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a sensing method is proposed, executed by a first network element, comprising: receiving a first message sent by a second network element when a triggering condition is met, wherein the first message is used to indicate a first position of a terminal, the first position being related to the position of a sensing target; determining a first sensing parameter for sensing the sensing target based on the first position; wherein the first sensing parameter includes at least one of the following: a first sensing area; parameters related to a first sensing entity; and a first sensing mode.

[0006] In the above embodiments, the first network element can determine the first sensing parameters for sensing the target based on the first position of the terminal related to the position of the sensing target with changeable location, thereby enabling the sensing of the target with changeable location and improving the performance of the sensing system.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a sensing method is proposed, executed by a second network element, comprising: sending a first message to a first network element when a triggering condition is met, wherein the first message is used to indicate a first location of a terminal, the first location being related to the location of a sensing target; the first location is used by the first network element to determine first sensing parameters for sensing the sensing target based on the first location; wherein the first sensing parameters include at least one of the following: a first sensing area; parameters related to a first sensing entity; and a first sensing mode.

[0008] In the above embodiments, the second network element can send a first message to the first network element, indicating the first position of the terminal. Thus, the first network element can determine the first sensing parameters for sensing the target based on the first position of the terminal, which is related to the position of the sensing target that can be changed, thereby enabling the sensing of the target that can be changed and improving the performance of the sensing system.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a sensing method is proposed, executed by a third network element, comprising: receiving a second message sent by a first network element, wherein the second message is used by the third network element to instruct the second network element to send a first location of a terminal to the first network element when a triggering condition is met; or receiving a fifth message sent by the second network element, wherein the fifth message is used to request to obtain the first location of the terminal; the first location is related to the location of a sensing target, and the first location is used by the first network element to determine a first sensing parameter for sensing the sensing target based on the first location; wherein the first sensing parameter includes at least one of the following: a first sensing area; parameters related to a first sensing entity; and a first sensing mode.

[0010] In the above embodiments, the third network element can receive a second message sent by the second network element, and send the first position of the terminal to the first network element when the triggering condition is met, so that the first network element can determine the first sensing parameters for sensing the sensing target based on the first position of the terminal which is related to the position of the sensing target that can be changed, thereby realizing the sensing of the sensing target that can be changed and improving the performance of the sensing system; the third network element can also receive a fifth message sent by the second network element, measure the position of the terminal, and determine the first position of the terminal.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a first network element is provided, comprising: a transceiver module, configured to receive a first message sent by a second network element when a triggering condition is met, wherein the first message is used to indicate a first position of a terminal, the first position being related to the position of a sensing target; and determining first sensing parameters for sensing the sensing target based on the first position; wherein the first sensing parameters include at least one of the following: a first sensing area; parameters related to a first sensing entity; and a first sensing mode.

[0012] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a second network element is proposed, comprising: a transceiver module, configured to send a first message to a first network element when a triggering condition is met, wherein the first message is used to indicate a first location of a terminal, the first location being related to the location of a sensing target; the first location is used by the first network element to determine first sensing parameters for sensing the sensing target based on the first location; wherein the first sensing parameters include at least one of the following: a first sensing area; parameters related to a first sensing entity; and a first sensing mode.

[0013] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a third network element is proposed, comprising: a transceiver module, configured to receive a second message sent by a first network element, wherein the second message is used by the third network element to instruct the second network element to send a first location of a terminal to the first network element when a triggering condition is met, or to receive a fifth message sent by the second network element, wherein the fifth message is used to request to obtain the first location of the terminal; the first location is related to the location of a sensing target, and the first location is used by the first network element to determine a first sensing parameter for sensing the sensing target based on the first location; wherein the first sensing parameter includes at least one of the following: a first sensing area; parameters related to a first sensing entity; and a first sensing mode.

[0014] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a first network element is provided, comprising: one or more processors, wherein the first network element is configured to perform the method described in the first aspect.

[0015] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a second network element is provided, comprising: one or more processors, wherein the second network element is configured to perform the method described in the second aspect.

[0016] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, a third network element is provided, comprising: one or more processors, wherein the third network element is configured to perform the method described in the third aspect.

[0017] According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, comprising: one or more processors; and a memory coupled to the processors, the memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processors, cause the communication device to perform the method as described in at least one of the first, second, and third aspects.

[0018] According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, comprising: a first network element, a second network element, and a third network element; the first network element performs the method as described in the first aspect, the second network element performs the method as described in the second aspect embodiment, and the third network element performs the method as described in the third aspect embodiment.

[0019] According to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer storage medium is provided, wherein the computer storage medium stores computer-executable instructions; after being executed by a processor, the computer-executable instructions are capable of implementing the method described in at least one of the first, second, and third aspects.

[0020] According to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program product is provided, wherein the computer program product stores a computer program; after being executed by a processor, the computer program is capable of implementing the method described in at least one of the first, second, and third aspects.

[0021] Additional aspects and advantages of this disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings required for the description of the embodiments are introduced below. The following drawings are only some embodiments of this disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0023] Figure 1A is an architecture diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0024] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of an ISAC system provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0025] Figure 2A is a flowchart of a sensing method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0026] Figure 2B is a flowchart of another sensing method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0027] Figure 3A is a flowchart of another sensing method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0028] Figure 3B is a schematic diagram of another sensing method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0029] Figure 3C is a schematic diagram of another sensing method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0030] Figure 4 is a flowchart of another sensing method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0031] Figure 5A is a structural diagram of a first network element provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0032] Figure 5B is a structural diagram of a second network element provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0033] Figure 5C is a structural diagram of a third network element provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0034] Figure 6A is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0035] Figure 6B is a structural diagram of a chip provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0036] This disclosure presents a sensing method and apparatus.

[0037] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure propose a sensing method executed by a first network element, comprising: receiving a first message sent by a second network element when a triggering condition is met, wherein the first message is used to indicate a first location of a terminal, the first location being related to the location of a sensing target; determining first sensing parameters for sensing the sensing target based on the first location; wherein the first sensing parameters include at least one of the following: a first sensing area; parameters related to a first sensing entity; and a first sensing mode.

[0038] In the above embodiments, the first network element can determine the first sensing parameters for sensing the target based on the first position of the terminal related to the position of the sensing target with changeable location, thereby enabling the sensing of the target with changeable location and improving the performance of the sensing system.

[0039] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first network element determines a first sensing parameter for sensing a target based on a first location, including: if a second sensing parameter for sensing a target exists, determining whether to use the second sensing parameter as the first sensing parameter based on the second sensing area for sensing a target in the first location and the second sensing parameter; if no second sensing parameter for sensing a target exists, determining the first sensing parameter based on the first location and the sensing requirements for sensing a target.

[0040] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first network element determines whether to use the second sensing data as the first sensing parameter based on the second sensing area for sensing the sensing target in the first location and the second sensing parameter. This includes: if the first location is within the second sensing area, determining to use the second sensing data as the first sensing parameter; if the first location is outside the second sensing area, determining the first sensing parameter based on the first location and the sensing requirements for sensing the sensing target.

[0041] In the above embodiments, the first network element can determine whether to reuse the existing second sensing parameters or determine the first sensing parameters based on the first position of the terminal, thereby enabling the sensing of sensing targets with changeable positions and improving the performance of the sensing system.

[0042] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the sensing requirement includes at least one of the following: a method for determining the sensing area corresponding to the sensing target; time period information for sensing the sensing target; and Quality of Service (QoS) for sensing the sensing target.

[0043] In the above embodiments, the first network element can determine the first sensing parameters based on the terminal's first location and sensing requirements, thereby enabling the sensing of targets with changeable locations and improving the performance of the sensing system.

[0044] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the triggering condition includes at least one of the following: obtaining the first location based on the received message triggering the transmission of the terminal's first location to the first network element; and the time elapsed since the last transmission of the location information of the sensing target to the first network element reaching a first cycle.

[0045] In the above embodiments, the first network element can determine the first sensing parameters based on the first location and sensing requirements of the terminal reported periodically, thereby enabling the sensing of sensing targets with changeable locations and improving the performance of the sensing system.

[0046] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes: the first network element sending a second message to the second network element or the third network element, wherein the second message is used to instruct the second network element to send a first location to the first network element when a triggering condition is met, and the second message is used by the third network element to instruct the second network element to send the first location to the first network element when a triggering condition is met.

[0047] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes: a first network element sending a third message to a fourth device, wherein the third message is used to request a network element to obtain a service terminal; and receiving a fourth message sent by the fourth device, wherein the fourth message is used to instruct a second network element or a third network element.

[0048] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes: a first network element sending a request to a first sensing entity to perform a sensing measurement on a sensing target, wherein the request to perform a sensing measurement on the sensing target is used to request a sensing measurement on the sensing target; and receiving a sensing result of the sensing measurement on the sensing target sent by the first sensing entity, wherein the sensing result of the sensing measurement on the sensing target is used to indicate the sensing result of the sensing measurement on the sensing target.

[0049] Secondly, this disclosure provides a sensing method executed by a second network element, comprising: sending a first message to a first network element when a triggering condition is met, wherein the first message is used to indicate a first location of the terminal, the first location being related to the location of the sensing target; the first location is used by the first network element to determine first sensing parameters for sensing the sensing target based on the first location; wherein the first sensing parameters include at least one of the following: a first sensing area; parameters related to the first sensing entity; and a first sensing mode.

[0050] In the above embodiments, the second network element can send a first message to the first network element, indicating the first position of the terminal. Thus, the first network element can determine the first sensing parameters for sensing the target based on the first position of the terminal, which is related to the position of the sensing target that can be changed, thereby enabling the sensing of the target that can be changed and improving the performance of the sensing system.

[0051] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first position is further used for the first network element to determine whether to use the second sensing parameter as the first sensing parameter when there is a second sensing parameter for sensing the target, based on the second sensing area for sensing the target in the first position and the second sensing parameter; and to determine the first sensing parameter based on the first position and the sensing requirements for sensing the target when there is no second sensing parameter for sensing the target.

[0052] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the sensing requirement includes at least one of the following: a method for determining the sensing area corresponding to the sensing target; time period information for sensing the sensing target; and Quality of Service (QoS) for sensing the sensing target.

[0053] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the triggering condition includes at least one of the following: obtaining the first location based on the received message triggering the sending of the terminal's first location to the first network element; and the time elapsed since the last sending of the location information of the sensing target to the first network element reaching a first cycle.

[0054] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes: a second network element receiving a second message sent by a first network element, wherein the second message is used to instruct the second network element to send a first location to the first network element when a triggering condition is met.

[0055] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes: the second network element sending a fifth message to the third network element, wherein the fifth message is used to request to obtain the first location; and receiving a sixth message sent by the third network element, wherein the sixth message is used to indicate the first location.

[0056] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes: the second network element receiving a seventh message sent by the third network element, wherein the seventh message is used to indicate that a first location is sent to the first network element when a triggering condition is met.

[0057] Thirdly, this disclosure proposes a sensing method executed by a third network element, comprising: receiving a second message sent by a first network element, wherein the second message is used by the third network element to instruct the second network element to send a first location of the terminal to the first network element when a triggering condition is met; or receiving a fifth message sent by the second network element, wherein the fifth message is used to request to obtain the first location of the terminal; the first location is related to the location of a sensing target, and the first location is used by the first network element to determine a first sensing parameter for sensing the sensing target based on the first location; wherein the first sensing parameter includes at least one of the following: a first sensing area; parameters related to a first sensing entity; and a first sensing mode.

[0058] In the above embodiments, the third network element can receive a second message sent by the second network element, and send the first position of the terminal to the first network element when the triggering condition is met, so that the first network element can determine the first sensing parameters for sensing the sensing target based on the first position of the terminal which is related to the position of the sensing target that can be changed, thereby realizing the sensing of the sensing target that can be changed and improving the performance of the sensing system; the third network element can also receive a fifth message sent by the second network element, measure the position of the terminal, and determine the first position of the terminal.

[0059] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first position is further used for the first network element to determine whether to use the second sensing parameter as the first sensing parameter when there is a second sensing parameter for sensing the target, based on the second sensing area for sensing the target in the first position and the second sensing parameter; and to determine the first sensing parameter based on the first position and the sensing requirements for sensing the target when there is no second sensing parameter for sensing the target.

[0060] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the sensing requirement includes at least one of the following: a method for determining the sensing area corresponding to the sensing target; time period information for sensing the sensing target; and Quality of Service (QoS) for sensing the sensing target.

[0061] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the triggering condition includes at least one of the following: obtaining the first location based on the received message triggering the transmission of the terminal's first location to the first network element; and the time elapsed since the last transmission of the location information of the sensing target to the first network element reaching a first cycle.

[0062] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes: a seventh message sent by the third network element to the second network element, wherein the seventh message is used to indicate that a first location is sent to the first network element when a triggering condition is met.

[0063] In some embodiments, in conjunction with the third aspect, the above method further includes: a sixth message sent by the third network element to the second network element, wherein the sixth message is used to indicate the first location.

[0064] Fourthly, this disclosure provides a first network element, including: a transceiver module, configured to receive a first message sent by a second network element when a trigger condition is met, wherein the first message is used to indicate a first location of a terminal, the first location being related to the location of a sensing target; and based on the first location, determining first sensing parameters for sensing the sensing target; wherein the first sensing parameters include at least one of the following: a first sensing area; parameters related to a first sensing entity; and a first sensing mode.

[0065] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure propose a second network element, including: a transceiver module, configured to send a first message to a first network element when a triggering condition is met, wherein the first message is used to indicate a first location of the terminal, the first location being related to the location of a sensing target; the first location is used by the first network element to determine first sensing parameters for sensing the sensing target based on the first location; wherein the first sensing parameters include at least one of the following: a first sensing area; parameters related to a first sensing entity; and a first sensing mode.

[0066] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure propose a third network element, comprising: a transceiver module, configured to receive a second message sent by a first network element, wherein the second message is used by the third network element to instruct the second network element to send a first location of the terminal to the first network element when a triggering condition is met, or to receive a fifth message sent by the second network element, wherein the fifth message is used to request to obtain the first location of the terminal; the first location is related to the location of a sensing target, and the first location is used by the first network element to determine a first sensing parameter for sensing the sensing target based on the first location; wherein the first sensing parameter includes at least one of the following: a first sensing area; parameters related to a first sensing entity; and a first sensing mode.

[0067] In a seventh aspect, a first network element is proposed, comprising: one or more processors, wherein the first network element is used to execute the method described in the first aspect.

[0068] Eighthly, a second network element is proposed, comprising: one or more processors, wherein the second network element is used to execute the method described in the second aspect.

[0069] In a ninth aspect, a third network element is proposed, comprising: one or more processors, wherein the third network element is used to execute the method described in the third aspect.

[0070] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device, the communication device comprising: one or more processors; and a memory coupled to the processors, the memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processors, cause the communication device to perform the method described in at least one of the first, second, and third aspects.

[0071] Eleventhly, this disclosure provides a communication system comprising: a first network element, a second network element, and a third network element; wherein the first network element performs the method described in the first aspect, the second network element performs the method described in the second aspect embodiment, and the third network element performs the method described in the third aspect embodiment.

[0072] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method described in at least one of the first, second, and third aspects.

[0073] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method as described in at least one of the first, second, and third aspects.

[0074] In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in at least one of the first, second, and third aspects.

[0075] In a fifteenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the methods described in at least one of the first, second, and third aspects described above.

[0076] It is understood that the aforementioned communication equipment, communication system, storage medium, program product, etc., are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0077] This disclosure provides a sensing method and apparatus. In some embodiments, the terms "sensing method" and "information processing method," "communication method," etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0078] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments. In all embodiments of this disclosure, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referenced. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0079] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0080] In this embodiment of the disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a," "an," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "this," etc., can mean "one and only one," or "one or more," "at least one," etc. For example, when using articles such as "a," "an," "the," etc. in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as either a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0081] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0082] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of A or B, at least one of A and B”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0083] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of whether there is a branch B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of whether there is a branch A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, both A and B are executed. The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0084] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of whether a branch B exists); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of whether a branch A exists); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0085] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the object being described is "information", then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0086] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0087] In some embodiments, terms such as "time / frequency" and "time-frequency domain" refer to the time domain and / or frequency domain.

[0088] In some embodiments, terms such as “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “when…”, “if…”, etc. can be used interchangeably. These descriptions all refer to the device making a corresponding action under certain objective circumstances. They do not necessarily limit the time, nor do they require the device to make a judgment action when implementing it, nor do they mean that there must be other limitations.

[0089] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than,” “greater than or equal to,” “not less than,” “more than,” “more than or equal to,” “not less than,” “higher than,” “higher than or equal to,” “not lower than,” and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not greater than,” “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not more than,” “lower than,” “lower than or equal to,” “not higher than,” and “below”.

[0090] In some embodiments, devices, etc., may be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to those described in the embodiments. Terms such as “device,” “equipment,” “circuit,” “network element,” “network function,” “network device,” “function,” “node,” “unit,” “section,” “system,” “network,” “chip,” “chip system,” “entity,” and “subject” are interchangeable.

[0091] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in a network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0092] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)," "radio access network device (RAN device)," "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "fixed station," "node," "access point," "transmission point (TP)," "reception point (RP)," "transmission / reception point (TRP)," "panel," "antenna panel," "antenna array," "cell," "macro cell," "small cell," "femto cell," "pico cell," "sector," "cell group," "serving cell," "carrier," "component carrier," and "bandwidth part (BWP)" can be used interchangeably.

[0093] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", "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", and "client" can be used interchangeably.

[0094] In some embodiments, access network devices, core network devices, or network devices can be replaced by terminals. For example, embodiments of this disclosure can also be applied to structures where communication between access network devices, core network devices, or network devices and terminals is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (e.g., device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the structure can also be configured such that the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can be replaced with terms corresponding to communication between terminals (e.g., "sidelink"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., can be replaced with sidelink channel, and uplink link, downlink, etc., can be replaced with sidelink link.

[0095] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, core network device, or network device may also be configured to have all or some of the functions of the terminal.

[0096] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0097] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0098] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0099] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0100] Figure 1A is an architecture diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0101] As shown in Figure 1A, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101, an access network device 102, and a core network device 103.

[0102] In some embodiments, terminal 101 includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: mobile phone, wearable device, Internet of Things device, car with communication function, smart car, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, virtual reality (VR) terminal, augmented reality (AR) terminal, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in self-driving, wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation safety, wireless terminal in smart city, and wireless terminal in smart home.

[0103] In some embodiments, the access network device 102 may be a node or device that connects a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device 102 may include at least one of the following in a 5G communication system: an evolved Node B (eNB), a next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), a next-generation Node B (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved node B (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open RAN, a cloud RAN, a base station in other communication systems, and an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0104] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 may be a single device, or multiple devices or a group of devices, including all or part of a first network element, a second network element, a third network element, a fourth device, etc. Network elements may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), a 6G Core Network (6GCN), and a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0105] In some embodiments, the second or third network element is used to implement terminal access management and mobility management. It is responsible for terminal state maintenance, terminal reachability management, mobility management (MM), forwarding of Non-access stratum (NAS) messages, and forwarding of Session Management (SM) N2 messages.

[0106] In some embodiments, the second or third network element is used to manage the location information of the terminal and provide the terminal with positioning services.

[0107] In some embodiments, the first network element is used to perform wireless sensing using access network equipment or terminals to realize sensing services.

[0108] In some embodiments, the second or third network element is, for example, an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element.

[0109] In some embodiments, the second or third network element is, for example, a Location Management Function (LMF) network element.

[0110] In some embodiments, the first network element is, for example, a sensing function (SF) network element.

[0111] In some embodiments, at least one of the first network element, the second network element, and the third network element can be independent of the core network equipment.

[0112] In some embodiments, at least one of the first network element, the second network element, and the third network element may be part of the core network equipment.

[0113] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0114] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1A, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1A are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1A, or it may include other main bodies outside of FIG1A. The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. Each main body may be physical or virtual. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0115] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), Super 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th Generation Mobile Communication System (4G), 5th Generation Mobile Communication System (5G), 5G New Radio (NR), 6th Generation Mobile Communication System (6G), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New Radio Access (NX), Future Generation Radio Access (FX), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), and IEEE 802.20, ultra-wideband (UWB), Bluetooth (a registered trademark), public land mobile network (PLMN) networks, device-to-device (D2D) systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) systems, internet of things (IoT) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems built upon them. Furthermore, multiple systems can be combined (e.g., a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0116] In some embodiments, integrated sensing and communication involves simultaneously using radio frequency (RF) signals for sensing and communication. This integration can improve spectrum efficiency, reduce latency, and enhance the reliability of various applications. Integrated sensing and communication is particularly important in the environments of mobile operators, user equipment (UE) vendors, automotive suppliers, and users because it can significantly enhance the overall user experience, improve network efficiency, and create new business opportunities.

[0117] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1B, the roles in an integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) system are illustrated.

[0118] -Object or environment: Information perceived about the target object.

[0119] - Transmitter: A device that transmits radio signals to a target object. It can be a terminal or a network device.

[0120] - Receiver: A device that detects and senses information based on radio signals reflected from a target object. It can be a terminal or a network device.

[0121] - Processor: A device that collects and processes sensing information to generate sensing results. It can be a terminal, access network device, core network entity, or application server.

[0122] - Consumer: An authentication device that requests or subscribes to perceived information and consumes output information calculated based on the perceived information, such as a terminal application, an ISAC service application server, a core network entity, or an access network device.

[0123] For a target object, the perception results may include shape, size, orientation, speed, position, distance, or relative motion between objects (e.g., between the target object and the sensing signal receiver).

[0124] For the target environment, the perception results may include parameters describing the environment's space or state.

[0125] In some embodiments, the perceived result may be semi-processed data rather than the final result.

[0126] In some embodiments, the target for a sensing request can be an object or an environment. When the sensing object is a terminal or the sensing environment is associated with the terminal (e.g., a drone carrying the terminal), the sensing area may be dynamic due to the mobility of the terminal. The terminal's location can be obtained through a location service (LCS) procedure. After the LCS procedure, a high-precision location estimate of the terminal can be estimated, which can assist the sensing process (e.g., sensing entity selection, sensing area determination).

[0127] However, how to perceive targets whose positions can change is still unclear, and this is a problem that urgently needs to be solved.

[0128] Based on this, this disclosure provides a sensing method and apparatus. The method, executed by a first network element, includes: receiving a first message sent by a second network element when a trigger condition is met, wherein the first message indicates a first location of a terminal, the first location being related to the location of a sensing target; and determining first sensing parameters for sensing the sensing target based on the first location. The first sensing parameters include at least one of the following: a first sensing area; parameters related to a first sensing entity; and a first sensing mode. Therefore, by determining the first sensing parameters for sensing the sensing target based on the first location of the terminal, which is related to the location of the sensing target with changeable positions, the sensing of the sensing target with changeable positions can be achieved, improving the performance of the sensing system.

[0129] Figure 2A is an interactive schematic diagram of a sensing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2A, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sensing method, which includes:

[0130] S201A, the first network element sends a third message to the fourth device.

[0131] In some embodiments, the fourth device receives a third message sent by the first network element, but is not limited thereto. The fourth device may also receive a third message sent by other entities other than the first network element, in which case S201A can be omitted.

[0132] In some embodiments, the fourth device obtains a third message as defined by the protocol, in which case S201A can be omitted.

[0133] In some embodiments, the fourth device obtains the third message from the higher layer(s), in which case S201A can be omitted.

[0134] In some embodiments, the fourth device processes the data to obtain the third message, in which case S201A can be omitted.

[0135] In some embodiments, the fourth device autonomously implements the function indicated by the third message, or the above function is a default or default setting, in which case S201A can be omitted.

[0136] In some embodiments, a first network element receives a sensing request, which requests sensing of a sensing target with a changeable location. The location of the sensing target with a changeable location is related to the location of a mobile terminal. If the first network element needs to obtain information from a second network element serving the terminal to determine the location of the mobile terminal, it sends a third message to a fourth device.

[0137] In some embodiments, the first network element is a device of the serving terminal, and the first network element can directly determine the second network element. In this case, S201A can be omitted.

[0138] In other embodiments, the first network element is not a device of the serving terminal, and the first network element needs to determine the second network element from the fourth device of the serving terminal. In this case, the first network element sends a third message to the fourth device.

[0139] In some embodiments, the fourth device is responsible for managing the terminal's subscription information. In some embodiments, the fourth device is a unified data management (UDM) function.

[0140] In some embodiments, the third message is used to request the network element of the service terminal.

[0141] In some embodiments, the third message is used to request a second network element to obtain the service terminal.

[0142] In some embodiments, the second network element may be an AMF network element. The second network element of the serving terminal may be the serving AMF network element of the terminal.

[0143] In some embodiments, the third message is a terminal connection management acquisition (Nudm_UECM_Get) request message, in which the first network element sends a Nudm_UECM_Get request message to the fourth device to request the second network element to acquire the service terminal.

[0144] In some embodiments, the third message includes a network function (NF) type and a terminal identifier. The NF type indicates the second network element, and the terminal identifier includes at least one of a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) and a generic public subscription identifier (GPSI).

[0145] In some embodiments, the location of the repositionable sensing target is related to the location of the movable terminal. Optionally, the sensing target is a specific area around the movable terminal, for example, the sensing target is a circle with the location of the movable terminal as the center and a specified length as the radius. Optionally, the sensing target is a specific location associated with the movable terminal, for example, the sensing target is the serving cell to which the movable terminal belongs.

[0146] In some embodiments, the sensing request includes information about a sensing target whose location can be changed. Optionally, the sensing request includes an identifier of a terminal related to the location of the sensing target whose location can be changed. Optionally, the identifier of the terminal is at least one of SUPI and GPSI.

[0147] In some embodiments, the perception request may also include a perception requirement for perceiving a perceivable target in a changeable location.

[0148] In some embodiments, the sensing requirement includes at least one of the following: a method for determining the sensing area corresponding to the sensing target; time period information for sensing the target; and quality of service (QoS) for sensing the target.

[0149] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the sensing requirement includes a method for determining the sensing area corresponding to the sensing target. The sensing request received by the first network element is further used to indicate the method for determining the sensing area corresponding to the sensing target. Optionally, the determination method is a region shape description related to the terminal's location. For example, the determination method is a circular region with the terminal's location as the center and a specified length as the radius. For example, the determination method is a spherical region with the terminal's location as the center and a specified length as the radius. Optionally, the determination method is a region related to the terminal's location. For example, the determination method is the serving cell corresponding to the terminal's location.

[0150] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the sensing requirement includes time period information for sensing the target, and the sensing request is further used to indicate the time period information for sensing the target. Optionally, the time period information is a start time and a duration, where the start time is the current time or any specified time, and the duration is 10 minutes, 30 minutes, etc. Optionally, the time period information is a start time and an end time.

[0151] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the sensing requirement includes QoS for sensing the sensing target, and the sensing request is also used to indicate the QoS for sensing the sensing target.

[0152] In some embodiments, the sensing request received by the second network element comes from the functions responsible for terminal state maintenance, terminal reachability management, mobility management (MM), forwarding of non-access stratum (NAS) messages, and forwarding of session management (SM) N2 messages.

[0153] In some embodiments, the sensing request received by the first network element comes from the second network element.

[0154] In some embodiments, the sensing request received by the first network element comes from the AMF.

[0155] In some embodiments, the sensing request received by the first network element comes from the gateway mobile location center (GMLC) or the network exposure function (NEF).

[0156] In some embodiments, the sensing process includes cases where the mobile originated (MO) and cases where the mobile terminated (MT).

[0157] In some embodiments, in the case of MO, the first network element receives a sensing request from AMF. That is, the AMF sends a sensing request to the first network element.

[0158] In some embodiments, in the case of MT, the first network element receives a sensing request from GMLC, NEF, or AMF. That is, GMLC, NEF, or AMF sends a sensing request to the first network element.

[0159] In some embodiments, the first network element is a device or terminal that uses access network equipment or terminal to perform wireless sensing to realize sensing services. Optionally, the first network element is an SF (Short-Side Array).

[0160] In some embodiments, a first network element receives a sensing request and determines to sense a sensing target with a changeable location. Since the location of the sensing target is related to the location of a movable terminal, the first network element needs to obtain the location of the movable terminal. In this case, the first network element first needs to determine the second network element serving the movable terminal in order to obtain the location of the movable terminal from the second network element.

[0161] S202A, the fourth device sends the fourth message to the first network element.

[0162] In some embodiments, the first network element receives a fourth message sent by the fourth device, but is not limited thereto. The first network element may also receive a fourth message sent by a subject other than the fourth device, in which case S202A can be omitted.

[0163] In some embodiments, the first network element obtains the fourth message specified by the protocol, in which case S202A can be omitted.

[0164] In some embodiments, the first network element obtains the fourth message from the higher layer(s), in which case S202A can be omitted.

[0165] In some embodiments, the first network element processes the data to obtain the fourth message, in which case S202A can be omitted.

[0166] In some embodiments, the first network element autonomously implements the function indicated by the fourth message, or the above function is a default or default value, in which case S202A can be omitted.

[0167] In some embodiments, the fourth device determines, either independently or based on a protocol agreement, to send a fourth message to the first network element.

[0168] For example, if the fourth device determines on its own or based on the agreement that the service device of the terminal has been changed to the second network element, it sends a fourth message to the first network element to instruct the second network element serving the terminal.

[0169] In some embodiments, when a fourth device receives a third message from a first network element requesting a second network element to obtain a service terminal, it sends a fourth message to the first network element, wherein the fourth message is used to instruct the second network element.

[0170] In some embodiments, the fourth message is a Nudm_UECM_Get response message. The fourth device sends the Nudm_UECM_Get response message to the first network element, and the Nudm_UECM_Get response message is used to instruct the second network element.

[0171] In some embodiments, the fourth message includes at least one of the identifier of the second network element, the network address of the second network element, and the accessibility type.

[0172] In some embodiments, when the first network element is a service device for the terminal, the first network element can determine the second network element serving the terminal, and S201A and S202A can be omitted.

[0173] S203A, the first network element sends a second message to the second network element.

[0174] In some embodiments, the second network element receives a second message sent by the first network element, but is not limited thereto. The second network element may also receive a second message sent by other entities other than the first network element, in which case S203A can be omitted.

[0175] In some embodiments, the second network element obtains the second message specified by the protocol, in which case S203A can be omitted.

[0176] In some embodiments, the second network element obtains the second message from the higher layer, in which case S203A can be omitted.

[0177] In some embodiments, the second network element processes the data to obtain the second message, in which case S203A can be omitted.

[0178] In some embodiments, the second network element autonomously implements the function indicated by the second message, or the above function is a default or default value, in which case S203A can be omitted.

[0179] In some embodiments, the first network element determines, either independently or based on a protocol agreement, to send a second message to the second network element.

[0180] For example, if the first network element determines on its own or based on the agreement that the second network element needs to provide the location of the terminal, it sends a second message to the second network element.

[0181] In some embodiments, if the first network element receives a fourth message sent by the fourth device and determines the second network element, it sends a second message to the second network element.

[0182] In some embodiments, the second message is used to instruct the second network element to send the terminal's first location to the first network element when a triggering condition is met. Optionally, the terminal's first location includes location information such as the terminal's current location, direction of movement, and speed of movement.

[0183] In some embodiments, the triggering condition includes at least one of the following: obtaining the first location based on the received trigger message to send the first location of the terminal to the first network element; and the time elapsed since the last time the location information of the sensing target was sent to the first network element has reached a first cycle.

[0184] In some embodiments, the second message is used to instruct the second network element to send the first location of the terminal to the first network element when a triggering condition is met. Optionally, the message received by the second network element that triggers the sending of the first location of the terminal to the first network element is the second message.

[0185] In some embodiments, the second message is used to instruct the second network element to send the terminal's first location to the first network element when the time elapsed since the last time it sent the location information of the sensed target to the first network element reaches a periodic transmission period. Optionally, the second message is used to instruct the second network element to periodically send the terminal's first location to the first network element.

[0186] In some embodiments, the second message is a location information provision (Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo) request message. The first network element sends the Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo request message to the second network element, instructing the second network element to send the terminal's first location to the first network element if the triggering conditions are met.

[0187] In some embodiments, the second message includes at least one of the following: a terminal identifier, a sensing requirement for sensing a sensing target in a changeable location, a notification target address, a notification correlation identifier, a deferred location type, and deferred location parameters.

[0188] In some embodiments, the notification target address is the address of the first network element. In some embodiments, the notification association identifier is an identifier used by the first network element to identify at least one of the sensing session, sensing session, location procedure, and location session. In some embodiments, the delayed location type and delayed location parameter are related parameters of the 5G Core-mobile terminated-location request (5GC-MT-LR) procedure. In some embodiments, the first network element can request delayed periodic triggering of location event reports by invoking the delayed 5G Core-mobile terminated-location request (5GC-MT-LR) procedure. The notification target address is the address of the first network element. The notification association identifier is used to identify the request to obtain the first location of the terminal (i.e., the second message). The delayed location type and delayed location parameter are used for the delayed 5GC-MT-LR procedure to periodically trigger and report UE-available location events.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first network element is SF and the second network element is AMF.

[0190] S204A, the second network element sends the fifth message to the third network element.

[0191] In some embodiments, when the second network element receives a second message from the first network element requesting to obtain the first location of the terminal, it sends a fifth message to the third network element requesting to obtain the first location of the terminal.

[0192] In some embodiments, the third network element is a device for managing the location information of the terminal and providing positioning services to the terminal. Optionally, the third network element is an LMF (Local Location Function).

[0193] In some embodiments, the fifth message is used to request a third network element to locate the terminal.

[0194] In some embodiments, the fifth message is used to request the third network element to provide the second network element with the first location of the terminal.

[0195] In some embodiments, the second network element sends a fifth message to the third network element when the triggering condition is met.

[0196] In some embodiments, the fifth message is used to request the third network element to provide the second network element with the first location of the terminal if the triggering conditions are met.

[0197] In some embodiments, the fifth message is used to request the third network element to provide the second network element with the terminal's current first location.

[0198] In some embodiments, if there is no device providing location services for the terminal, the second network element may send a fifth message to a third network element that is selected by the terminal to provide location services for the terminal.

[0199] In some embodiments, the fifth message is a location determination request (Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation) message, in which the second network element sends the Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation request message to the third network element to request the acquisition of the terminal's first location.

[0200] In some embodiments, the fifth message includes at least one of the following: the terminal's identifier, the sensing requirement for sensing a target with a changeable location, the notification target address, the notification associated identifier, the delayed location type, and the delayed location parameters.

[0201] In some embodiments, after receiving the fifth message sent by the second network element, the third network element triggers a location process for the terminal indicated by the terminal identifier. Optionally, the third network element performs a terminal-assisted location process, or a location process based on the terminal, or a network-assisted location process to obtain the first location of the terminal.

[0202] In some embodiments, the second network element is an AMF and the third network element is an LMF.

[0203] S205A, the third network element sends the sixth message to the second network element.

[0204] In some embodiments, the third network element receives a fifth message sent by the second network element, locates the terminal, and if the third network element obtains the first location of the terminal, sends a sixth message to the second network element. The sixth message indicates the first location of the terminal.

[0205] In some embodiments, the third network element receives a fifth message sent by the second network element, and the third network element triggers a delayed 5G Core-mobile terminated-location request (5GC-MT-LR) procedure based on at least one of the parameters in the fifth message. Upon receiving an event report message from the terminal, the third network element sends a sixth message to the first network element and then to the second network element.

[0206] In some embodiments, the sixth message is used to indicate the terminal's current first location.

[0207] In some embodiments, the sixth message is an Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation response message, in which the third network element sends an Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation response message to the second network element, indicating the first location of the terminal.

[0208] In some embodiments, the sixth message includes at least one of the following: an indication of successfully acquiring the first location of the terminal, an indication of not successfully acquiring the first location of the terminal, the first location of the terminal, a timestamp corresponding to the first location, the positioning method used to acquire the first location of the terminal, and the location QoS accuracy achieved.

[0209] In some embodiments, when a triggering condition is met, the second network element sends a first message to the first network element. The triggering condition is to obtain the first location based on the received message triggering the sending of the first location of the terminal to the first network element. The message received by the second network element triggering the sending of the first location of the terminal to the first network element is a sixth message.

[0210] S206A, the second network element sends the first message to the first network element.

[0211] In some embodiments, the first network element receives a first message sent by the second network element, but is not limited thereto. The first network element may also receive a first message sent by other entities other than the second network element, in which case S206A can be omitted.

[0212] In some embodiments, the first network element obtains the first message specified by the protocol, in which case S206A can be omitted.

[0213] In some embodiments, the first network element obtains the first message from the higher layer, in which case S206A can be omitted.

[0214] In some embodiments, the first network element processes the data to obtain the first message, in which case S206A can be omitted.

[0215] In some embodiments, the first network element autonomously implements the function indicated by the first message, or the above function is a default or default value, in which case S206A can be omitted.

[0216] In some embodiments, after the third network element obtains the first location of the terminal, it can directly send the first location of the terminal to the first network element. In this case, the first network element receives the first location of the terminal sent by the third network element. In this case, S206A can be omitted.

[0217] In some embodiments, the second network element receives a second message sent by the first network element, and if the second message indicates that the first location of the terminal is sent to the first network element when the triggering condition is met, the second network element determines that the triggering condition is met and sends a first message to the first network element.

[0218] In some embodiments, the second network element receives a second message sent by the first network element, sends a fifth message to the third network element, and receives a sixth message sent by the third network element. It then obtains the first location of the terminal, determines that the received message triggering the sending of the terminal's first location to the first network element is met, and thus determines that the triggering condition is satisfied. Finally, it sends a first message to the first network element. The sixth message is the message received by the second network element that triggers the sending of the terminal's first location to the first network element.

[0219] In some embodiments, the first message is used to indicate the first location of the terminal.

[0220] In some embodiments, the first message is used to indicate the current first location of the terminal.

[0221] In some embodiments, the first message is a Namf_Location_EventNotify message, and the second network element sends a Namf_Location_EventNotify response message to the first network element, indicating the first location of the terminal.

[0222] In some embodiments, when a third network element obtains the first location of the terminal and directly sends the first location of the terminal to a first network element, the first message sent by the second network element to the first network element is used to instruct the third network element to directly send the first location of the terminal to the first network element.

[0223] In some embodiments, the first message includes at least one of the following: an indication of successfully acquiring the first location of the terminal, an indication of not successfully acquiring the first location of the terminal, the first location of the terminal, a timestamp corresponding to the first location, the positioning method used to acquire the first location of the terminal, and the location QoS accuracy achieved.

[0224] S207A, the first network element determines the first sensing parameters for sensing the target based on the first position.

[0225] In some embodiments, the first network element receives a first message sent by the second network element and determines the first location of the terminal. Since the first location of the terminal is related to the location of the sensing target, the first network element can determine the first sensing parameters for sensing the sensing target based on the first location.

[0226] In some embodiments, the first sensing parameter includes at least one of the following: a first sensing region; parameters related to the first sensing entity; and a first sensing mode.

[0227] In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network element determines a first sensing area for sensing the target based on the first location. Optionally, the first sensing area is a circular area with the first location as the center and a specified length as the radius. Optionally, the first sensing area is a spherical area with the first location as the center and a specified length as the radius. Optionally, the first sensing area is the serving cell to which the terminal belongs at the first location.

[0228] In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network element determines parameters related to the first sensing entity that senses the sensing target based on the first location. Optionally, if the first location is within the service area of ​​a certain sensing entity, that sensing entity is determined to be the first sensing entity that senses the sensing target.

[0229] In some embodiments, the parameters related to the first sensing entity include at least one of the following: the number of first sensing entities, the type of the first sensing entity, and the identifier of the first sensing entity.

[0230] In some embodiments, the number of first sensing entities is one or more. The type of the first sensing entity is a terminal or an access network device. The identifier of the first sensing entity is the identifier of the terminal or the identifier of the access network device.

[0231] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the first network element can determine the first sensing entity based on parameters related to the first sensing entity.

[0232] In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network element determines a first sensing mode for sensing the target based on the first location. Optionally, if the first location is within the service area of ​​one sensing entity, a single sensing entity is determined to sense the target using a single-site sensing mode. Optionally, if the first location is within the service area of ​​multiple sensing entities, multiple sensing entities are determined to sense the target using a dual-site sensing mode.

[0233] In some embodiments, the first sensing mode includes at least one of a single-station sensing mode and a dual-station sensing mode. In the single-station sensing mode, the sensing entity employs a self-transmitting and self-receiving method, meaning one sensing entity transmits a sensing signal, which is then reflected or refracted by the sensing target and received by the sensing node. In the dual-station sensing mode, one sensing entity acts as the transmitter of the sensing signal, and the other sensing entity acts as the receiver.

[0234] In one possible implementation, if the first location is only within the service area of ​​a single sensing entity, that single sensing entity is designated as the first sensing entity, which can use a single-station sensing mode to sense the target.

[0235] In another possible implementation, when the first location is within the service area of ​​multiple sensing entities, the multiple sensing entities act as multiple first sensing entities, and the multiple first sensing entities can use a dual-station sensing mode to sense the sensing target.

[0236] In some embodiments, the first sensing entity is at least one of an access network device and a terminal.

[0237] In some embodiments, the plurality of first sensing entities are two different terminals. In some embodiments, the plurality of first sensing entities are two different access network devices. In some embodiments, the plurality of first sensing entities are a terminal and an access network device.

[0238] In some embodiments, the first sensing parameter further includes a sensing time period.

[0239] In some embodiments, the first sensing parameter includes one or more sensing time periods, corresponding to at least one of the following: a first sensing area, parameters related to the first sensing entity, and a first sensing mode.

[0240] In this embodiment of the disclosure, when there is a second sensing parameter for sensing the target, the first network element determines whether to use the second sensing parameter as the first sensing parameter based on the second sensing entity for sensing the target in the first position and the second sensing parameter.

[0241] In some embodiments, the first network element determines a first sensing parameter for sensing a target based on a first location, including: if a second sensing parameter for sensing a target exists, determining whether to use the second sensing parameter as the first sensing parameter based on a second sensing entity that senses the target in the first location and the second sensing parameter; if no second sensing parameter for sensing a target exists, determining the first sensing parameter based on the first location and the sensing requirements for sensing the target.

[0242] In some embodiments, the first network element determines whether to use the second sensing entity that senses the sensing target based on the first location and the second sensing parameter, including: if the first location is in the service area of ​​the second sensing entity in the second sensing parameter, the first network element determines to use the second sensing parameter as the first sensing parameter.

[0243] In some embodiments, the first network element determines whether to use the second sensing entity that senses the sensing target based on the first location and the second sensing parameter, including: if the first location is not in the service area of ​​the second sensing entity in the second sensing parameter, determining not to use the second sensing parameter as the first sensing parameter, and re-determining the first sensing parameter based on the first location and the sensing requirements for sensing the sensing target.

[0244] It should be noted that when there are multiple second sensing entities in the second sensing parameters, if the first location is within the service area of ​​all multiple second sensing entities, the second sensing parameter is determined to be used as the first sensing parameter. Conversely, if the first location is not within the service area of ​​any of the multiple second sensing entities, the second sensing parameter is not used as the first sensing parameter, and the first sensing parameter is re-determined based on the first location and the sensing requirements for sensing the target.

[0245] In some embodiments, the first network element determines a first sensing parameter for sensing a target based on a first location, including: if a second sensing parameter for sensing a target exists, determining whether to use the second sensing parameter as the first sensing parameter based on the second sensing area for sensing a target in the first location and the second sensing parameter; if no second sensing parameter for sensing a target exists, determining the first sensing parameter based on the first location and the sensing requirements for sensing a target.

[0246] In this embodiment of the disclosure, when there is a second sensing parameter for sensing the target, the first network element determines whether to use the second sensing parameter as the first sensing parameter based on the second sensing area for sensing the target in the first position and the second sensing parameter.

[0247] In some embodiments, the first network element determines whether to use the second sensing data as the first sensing parameter based on the second sensing area for sensing the target in the first location and the second sensing parameters. This includes: if the first location is within the second sensing area, determining to use the second sensing data as the first sensing parameter; if the first location is outside the second sensing area, determining the first sensing parameter based on the first location and the sensing requirements for sensing the target.

[0248] In this embodiment of the disclosure, when the first network element is located within the second sensing area, it determines to use the second sensing data as the first sensing parameter.

[0249] In this embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first network element is located outside the second sensing area, it determines the first sensing parameters based on the first location and the sensing requirements for sensing the sensing target.

[0250] In some embodiments, the sensing requirements include: a method for determining the sensing area corresponding to the sensing target; time period information for sensing the sensing target; and QoS for sensing the sensing target. In the case of any one of these, the first network element determines at least one of the following based on the first location and the sensing requirements: a first sensing area, parameters related to the first sensing entity, and a first sensing mode.

[0251] In some embodiments, at least one of the first sensing area, parameters related to the first sensing entity, and the first sensing mode corresponds to a sensing time period. For example, at least one of the first sensing area, parameters related to the first sensing entity, and the first sensing mode corresponds to the first sensing time period; at least one of the first sensing area, parameters related to the first sensing entity, and the first sensing mode corresponds to the second sensing time period; and at least one of the first sensing area, parameters related to the first sensing entity, and the first sensing mode corresponds to the third sensing time period.

[0252] In some embodiments, the first sensing mode is a single-station sensing mode or a dual-station sensing mode.

[0253] In the single-station sensing mode, only one first sensing entity is required. The first sensing entity sends a sensing signal, and then the sensing signal reflected or refracted by the sensing target is received by the first sensing entity. The sensing measurement result is determined at the first sensing entity.

[0254] The dual-station sensing mode requires two first sensing entities: one first sensing entity acts as the transmitter of the sensing signal, and the other first sensing entity acts as the receiver of the sensing signal. The sensing measurement result is determined at the receiver.

[0255] In some embodiments, the first sensing entity is an access network device or terminal.

[0256] In some embodiments, when the first sensing mode is a single-site sensing mode, one first sensing entity is a terminal or access network device; or when the first sensing mode is a dual-site sensing mode, there are two first sensing entities, one of which is a terminal or access network device, and the other is a terminal or access network device.

[0257] S208A, the first network element sends a request to the first sensing entity to perform sensing measurement on the sensing target.

[0258] In some embodiments, the first sensing entity receives a request from the first network element to perform sensing measurement on the sensing target. However, it is not limited to this. The first sensing entity may also receive a request from another entity other than the first network element to perform sensing measurement on the sensing target. In this case, S208A can be omitted.

[0259] In some embodiments, the first sensing entity obtains a request for sensing measurement of the sensing target as specified by the protocol, in which case S208A can be omitted.

[0260] In some embodiments, the first sensing entity obtains a request from a higher layer to perform sensing measurements on the sensing target, in which case S208A can be omitted.

[0261] In some embodiments, the first sensing entity processes the data to obtain a request for sensing measurement of the sensing target, in which case S208A can be omitted.

[0262] In some embodiments, the first sensing entity autonomously implements the function indicated by the request to perform sensing measurement on the sensing target, or the above function is default or default, in which case S208A can be omitted.

[0263] In some embodiments, if the first network element determines on its own or, based on a protocol agreement, the first sensing entity perceives the sensing target, it sends a request to the first sensing entity to perform sensing measurement on the sensing target.

[0264] In some embodiments, when the first network element determines the first sensing entity in the first sensing parameters for sensing the target based on the first location, it sends a request to the first sensing entity to perform sensing measurement on the target.

[0265] In some embodiments, a request to perform a perception measurement on a perceived target is used to request a perception measurement on the perceived target.

[0266] In some embodiments, the request to perform a sensing measurement on the sensing target is further used to instruct the first sensing entity to perform a sensing measurement on the sensing target according to a first sensing mode.

[0267] In some embodiments, the request to perform a sensing measurement on a sensing target is further used to instruct a first sensing entity to perform a sensing measurement on a sensing target in a first sensing region according to a first sensing mode.

[0268] In some embodiments, a request to perform a sensing measurement on a sensing target is used to indicate a first sensing parameter.

[0269] In some embodiments, a request to perform a sensing measurement on a sensing target is used to instruct a first sensing entity to act as both a transmitter of sensing signals and a receiver of sensing signals.

[0270] In some embodiments, the request to perform sensing measurement on the sensing target is used to instruct one of two first sensing entities to act as a transmitter of sensing signals to transmit sensing signals, and the other first sensing entity to act as a receiver of sensing signals to receive sensing signals.

[0271] In some embodiments, the first sensing entity is an access network device or terminal.

[0272] In some embodiments, when the first sensing mode is a single-site sensing mode, one first sensing entity is a terminal or access network device; or when the first sensing mode is a dual-site sensing mode, there are two first sensing entities, one of which is a terminal or access network device, and the other is a terminal or access network device.

[0273] In some embodiments, the first network element sends a request to the first sensing entity to perform sensing measurements on the sensing target via the second network element. That is, the first sensing entity receives the request to perform sensing measurements on the sensing target sent by the first network element via the second network element.

[0274] S209A, the first sensing entity sends the sensing result of the sensing measurement of the sensing target to the first network element.

[0275] In some embodiments, the first network element receives the sensing result of the sensing target being sensed by the first sensing entity, but is not limited thereto. The first network element may also receive the sensing result of the sensing target being sensed by other entities other than the first sensing entity, in which case S209A can be omitted.

[0276] In some embodiments, the first network element acquires the sensing result of the sensing target as specified by the protocol, in which case S209A can be omitted.

[0277] In some embodiments, the first network element obtains the perception results of the perception measurement of the perceived target from the higher layer, in which case S209A can be omitted.

[0278] In some embodiments, the first network element processes the data to obtain the perception result of the perception measurement of the perceived target, in which case S209A can be omitted.

[0279] In some embodiments, the first network element autonomously implements the function indicated by the sensing result of the sensing measurement of the sensing target, or the above function is a default or default value, in which case S209A can be omitted.

[0280] In some embodiments, the first sensing entity performs sensing measurement on the sensing target according to a request sent by the first network element to perform sensing measurement on the sensing target, and if the sensing result is determined, it sends the sensing result of the sensing measurement on the sensing target to the first network element to indicate the sensing result.

[0281] In some embodiments, the first sensing entity performs sensing measurements on the sensing target itself and, if the sensing result is determined, sends the sensing result of the sensing measurement on the sensing target to the first network element to indicate the sensing result.

[0282] In some embodiments, the first sensing entity sends the sensing result of the sensing measurement of the sensing target to the first network element through the second network element. That is, the first network element receives the sensing result of the sensing measurement of the sensing target sent by the first sensing entity through the second network element.

[0283] In some embodiments, when the first sensing entity, which is the receiving end of the sensing signal, is a terminal, the terminal sends the sensing result of the sensing target measurement to the first network element through the user plane or the N1 interface between the terminal and the second network element, and sends the sensing result to the first network element.

[0284] In some embodiments, when the first sensing entity, which is the receiving end of the sensing signal, is an access network device, the access network device sends the sensing result of the sensing target to the first network element through the user plane or the N2 interface between the access network device and the second network element, and sends the sensing result to the first network element.

[0285] In some embodiments, the first network element receives the sensing results of the sensing target measurement sent by the first sensing entity, determines the sensing results, and may perform calculations to determine the target sensing result. Optionally, the first network element sends the target sensing result to NEF, GMLC, or AMF.

[0286] By implementing the embodiments of this disclosure, a first sensing parameter for sensing the sensing target can be determined based on a first position of a terminal related to the position of the sensing target with a changeable location, thereby enabling the sensing of the sensing target with a changeable location and improving the performance of the sensing system.

[0287] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc., are not limited to the names described in the embodiments. Terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0288] In some embodiments, the terms “radio”, “wireless”, “radio access network (RAN)”, “access network (AN)”, and “RAN-based” can be used interchangeably.

[0289] In some embodiments, the terms "synchronization signal (SS)," "synchronization signal block (SSB)," "reference signal (RS)," "sensing signal (RS)," "pilot," and "pilot signal" can be used interchangeably.

[0290] In some embodiments, terms such as “moment,” “point in time,” “time,” and “time location” can be used interchangeably, as can terms such as “duration,” “segment,” “time window,” “window,” and “time.”

[0291] In some embodiments, the terms "component carrier (CC)," "cell," "frequency carrier," and "carrier frequency" can be used interchangeably.

[0292] In some embodiments, the terms “frame”, “radio frame”, “subframe”, “slot”, “sub-slot”, “mini-slot”, “symbol”, “symbol”, and “transmission time interval (TTI)” can be used interchangeably.

[0293] In some embodiments, "acquire," "get," "obtain," "receive," "transmit," "bidirectional transmission," and "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, acquiring from protocols, acquiring from higher layers, obtaining through self-processing, or autonomous implementation. Protocols include, for example, at least one of the 3GPP protocol, Wi-Fi protocol, and audio and / or video protocols.

[0294] In some embodiments, terms such as “send,” “transmit,” “report,” “distribute,” “transmit,” “bidirectional transmission,” “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably.

[0295] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain," "preset," "default," "set," "indicated," "a certain," "any," and "first" can be used interchangeably. "Certain A," "preset A," "default A," "set A," "indicated A," "a certain A," "any A," and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-defined in a protocol or the like, or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or instruction, or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, but are not limited thereto.

[0296] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (boolean), or by a comparison of numerical values ​​(e.g., a comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0297] In some embodiments, if an arrow in the interaction diagram representing the sending of information, signaling, etc. from one subject to another passes through other subjects, it can be interpreted as the information being forwarded from one subject to another via other subjects, or it can be interpreted as the information being sent from one subject to another without passing through other subjects.

[0298] The communication methods involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of S201A to S209A. For example, S201A can be implemented as an independent embodiment, S202A can be implemented as an independent embodiment, S203A can be implemented as an independent embodiment, S204A can be implemented as an independent embodiment, S205A can be implemented as an independent embodiment, S206A can be implemented as an independent embodiment, S207A can be implemented as an independent embodiment, S208A can be implemented as an independent embodiment, S209A can be implemented as an independent embodiment, S201A+S202A can be implemented as an independent embodiment, S204A+S205A can be implemented as an independent embodiment, S203A+S204A+S205A can be implemented as an independent embodiment, S206A+S207A can be implemented as an independent embodiment, S208A+S209A can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and S203A+S204A+S205A+S206A+S207A can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0299] In some embodiments, S201A, S202A, S203A, S204A, S205A, S208A, and S209A are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0300] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0301] Figure 2B is an interactive schematic diagram of a sensing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2B, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sensing method, which includes:

[0302] S201B, the first network element sends a third message to the fourth device.

[0303] The optional implementations of S201B can be found in the optional implementations of S201A in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0304] S202B, the fourth device sends the fourth message to the first network element.

[0305] The optional implementations of S202B can be found in the optional implementations of S202A in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0306] S203B, the first network element sends a second message to the third network element.

[0307] In some embodiments, the third network element receives the second message sent by the first network element, but is not limited thereto. The third network element may also receive the second message sent by other entities other than the first network element, in which case S203B can be omitted.

[0308] In some embodiments, the third network element obtains the second message specified by the protocol, in which case S203B can be omitted.

[0309] In some embodiments, the third network element obtains the second message from the higher layer, in which case S203B can be omitted.

[0310] In some embodiments, the third network element processes the data to obtain the second message, in which case S203B can be omitted.

[0311] In some embodiments, the third network element autonomously implements the function indicated by the second message, or the above function is a default or default value, in which case S203B can be omitted.

[0312] In some embodiments, the first network element determines, either independently or based on a protocol agreement, to send a second message to the third network element.

[0313] For example, if the first network element determines on its own or based on the agreement that the third network element needs to provide the location of the terminal, it sends a second message to the third network element.

[0314] In some embodiments, if the first network element receives a fourth message sent by the fourth device and determines that it is a third network element, it sends a second message to the third network element.

[0315] In some embodiments, the second message is used to instruct the third network element to send the terminal's first location to the first network element when a triggering condition is met. Optionally, the terminal's first location includes location information such as the terminal's current location, direction of movement, and speed of movement.

[0316] In some embodiments, the triggering condition includes at least one of the following: obtaining the first location based on the received trigger message to send the first location of the terminal to the first network element; and the time elapsed since the last time the location information of the sensing target was sent to the first network element has reached a first cycle.

[0317] In some embodiments, the second message is used to instruct the third network element to send the first location of the terminal to the first network element upon receiving an event report message related to the location of the terminal and obtaining the first location. Optionally, the event report message related to the location of the terminal received by the third network element is the second message.

[0318] In some embodiments, the second message is used to instruct the third network element to send the terminal's first location to the first network element when the time elapsed since the last time it sent the location information of the sensed target to the first network element reaches a periodic transmission period. Optionally, the second message is used to instruct the third network element to periodically send the terminal's first location to the first network element.

[0319] In some embodiments, the second message is a location information provision (Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo) request message. The first network element sends the Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo request message to the third network element, instructing the third network element to send the terminal's first location to the first network element if the triggering conditions are met.

[0320] In some embodiments, the second message includes at least one of the following: a terminal identifier, a sensing requirement for sensing a sensing target in a changeable location, a notification target address, a notification correlation identifier, a deferred location type, and deferred location parameters.

[0321] In some embodiments, the notification target address is the address of the first network element. In some embodiments, the notification association identifier is an identifier used by the first network element to identify at least one of the sensing session, sensing session, location process, and location session. In some embodiments, the delay location type and delay location parameter are relevant parameters of the 5G Core-mobile terminated-location request (5GC-MT-LR) process.

[0322] In some embodiments, the first network element may request a delayed, periodically triggered location event report by invoking a delayed 5G Core-mobile terminated-location request (5GC-MT-LR) procedure through at least one of the second and third network elements. The notification target address is the address of the first network element. The notification association identifier is used to identify the request to obtain the terminal's first location (i.e., the second message). The delayed location type and delayed location parameters are used to periodically trigger and enable the delayed 5GC-MT-LR procedure for UE-available location event reporting. In some embodiments, the first network element is SF and the third network element is AMF.

[0323] S204B, the third network element sends the seventh message to the second network element.

[0324] In some embodiments, when a third network element receives a second message from a first network element requesting to obtain the first location of a terminal, it sends a seventh message to a second network element requesting to obtain the first location of the terminal.

[0325] In some embodiments, the second network element is a device for managing the location information of the terminal and providing positioning services to the terminal. Optionally, the second network element is an LMF (Local Location Function).

[0326] In some embodiments, the seventh message is used to request the second network element to locate the terminal.

[0327] In some embodiments, the seventh message is used to request the second network element to provide the first network element with the first location of the terminal.

[0328] In some embodiments, the second network element sends a seventh message to the third network element when the triggering condition is met.

[0329] In some embodiments, the seventh message is used to request the second network element to provide the first network element with the first location of the terminal if the triggering conditions are met.

[0330] In some embodiments, the seventh message is used to instruct the second network element to periodically send the first location of the terminal to the first network element.

[0331] In some embodiments, the seventh message is used to request the second network element to periodically provide the first location of the terminal to the first network element when the triggering conditions are met.

[0332] In some embodiments, the seventh message is used to request the second network element to provide the first network element with the current first location of the terminal.

[0333] In some embodiments, if there is no device providing location services for the terminal, the third network element may send a seventh message to a second network element that is selected by the terminal to provide location services for the terminal.

[0334] In some embodiments, the seventh message is a location determination request (Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation) message. The third network element sends the Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation request message to the second network element, requesting the second network element to provide the first network element with the first location of the terminal if the triggering conditions are met.

[0335] In some embodiments, the seventh message includes at least one of the following: the terminal's identifier, the sensing requirement for sensing a target with a changeable location, the notification target address, the notification associated identifier, the delayed location type, and the delayed location parameters.

[0336] In some embodiments, the second network element receives a seventh message sent by the third network element to locate the terminal. Optionally, the second network element performs a terminal-assisted positioning process, or a terminal-based positioning process, or a network-assisted positioning process to obtain the terminal's first location.

[0337] In some embodiments, when the seventh message sent by the third network element to the second network element indicates that the first location of the terminal is provided to the first network element when the triggering condition is met, the third network element may also send an indication message to the first network element, indicating that the second network element directly provides the first location of the terminal to the first network element.

[0338] In some embodiments, the third network element is AMF and the second network element is LMF.

[0339] In some embodiments, the second network element receives a seventh message sent by the third network element, locates the terminal, determines the first location of the terminal, and can directly send the first location of the terminal to the first network element. In this case, the second network element sends an eighth message to the third network element instructing the second network element to directly send the first location of the terminal to the first network element.

[0340] In some embodiments, the eighth message is an Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation response message.

[0341] In some embodiments, the eighth message includes at least one of the following: an indication that the first location of the terminal was successfully acquired, an indication that the first location of the terminal was not successfully acquired, the first location of the terminal, a timestamp corresponding to the first location, the positioning method used to acquire the first location of the terminal, the achieved location QoS accuracy, and an indication that the second network element directly sends the terminal location information to the first network element.

[0342] In some embodiments, if a third network element receives an eighth message from a second network element and determines that the second network element will send the first location of the terminal to the first network element, it will send a ninth message to the first network element. The ninth message is used to indicate that the second network element will provide the first location of the terminal.

[0343] In some embodiments, the ninth message is the Namf_Location_EventNotify message.

[0344] In some embodiments, the ninth message includes at least one of the following: an indication that the first location of the terminal was successfully acquired, an indication that the first location of the terminal was not successfully acquired, the first location of the terminal, a timestamp corresponding to the first location, the positioning method used to acquire the first location of the terminal, the achieved location QoS accuracy, and an indication that the second network element directly sends the terminal location information to the first network element.

[0345] S205B, the second network element sends the first message to the first network element.

[0346] In some embodiments, the first network element receives a first message sent by the second network element, but is not limited thereto. The first network element may also receive a first message sent by other entities other than the second network element, in which case S205B can be omitted.

[0347] In some embodiments, the first network element obtains the first message specified by the protocol, in which case S205B can be omitted.

[0348] In some embodiments, the first network element obtains the first message from the higher layer, in which case S205B can be omitted.

[0349] In some embodiments, the first network element processes the data to obtain the first message, in which case S205B can be omitted.

[0350] In some embodiments, the first network element autonomously implements the function indicated by the first message, or the above function is a default or default value, in which case S205B can be omitted.

[0351] In some embodiments, the triggering condition includes at least one of the following: obtaining the first location based on the received trigger message to send the first location of the terminal to the first network element; and the time elapsed since the last time the location information of the sensing target was sent to the first network element has reached a first cycle.

[0352] In some embodiments, the second network element sends a first message to the first network element based on the received message triggering the sending of the terminal's first location and, upon obtaining the first location, the first network element sends the first message.

[0353] In some embodiments, if the time elapsed since the second network element last sent the location information of the sensed target to the first network element reaches a first cycle, the second network element sends a first message to the first network element.

[0354] In some embodiments, the second network element receives a seventh message sent by the third network element. If the seventh message indicates that the first location of the terminal is sent to the first network element when a triggering condition is met, the second network element obtains the first location of the terminal, determines that the triggering condition is met, and sends a first message to the first network element. Optionally, in the triggering condition, the message received by the second network element that triggers the sending of the first location of the terminal to the first network element is the seventh message.

[0355] In some embodiments, after the second network element receives the seventh message sent by the third network element, if the seventh message indicates that the first location of the terminal is sent to the first network element when the triggering condition is met, the second network element receives an event report message related to the terminal location sent by the terminal, then obtains the first location of the terminal, determines that the triggering condition is met, and sends the first message to the first network element. Optionally, in the triggering condition, the message received by the second network element that triggers the sending of the first location of the terminal to the first network element is an event report message related to the terminal location sent by the terminal.

[0356] In some embodiments, the second network element receives a seventh message sent by the third network element, and the third network element triggers a delayed 5G Core-mobile terminated-location request (5GC-MT-LR) procedure based on at least one of the parameters in the seventh message. Upon receiving an event report message from the terminal, the second network element sends a first message to the first network element.

[0357] In some embodiments, the first message is used to indicate the first location of the terminal.

[0358] In some embodiments, the first message is used to indicate the current first location of the terminal.

[0359] In some embodiments, the first message is a Namf_Location_EventNotify message, which is sent by the second network element to the first network element to indicate the first location of the terminal.

[0360] In some embodiments, the first message includes at least one of the following: an indication of successfully acquiring the first location of the terminal, an indication of not successfully acquiring the first location of the terminal, the first location of the terminal, a timestamp corresponding to the first location, the positioning method used to acquire the first location of the terminal, and the location QoS accuracy achieved.

[0361] S206B, the first network element determines the first sensing parameters for sensing the target based on the first position.

[0362] The optional implementation of S206B can be found in the optional implementation of S207A in Figure 2A, as well as other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0363] S207B, the first network element sends a request to the first sensing entity to perform sensing measurement on the sensing target.

[0364] The optional implementation of S207B can be found in the optional implementation of S208A in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0365] S208B, the first sensing entity sends the sensing result of the sensing measurement of the sensing target to the first network element.

[0366] The optional implementation of S207B can be found in the optional implementation of S209A in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0367] By implementing the embodiments of this disclosure, a first sensing parameter for sensing the sensing target can be determined based on a first position of a terminal related to the position of the sensing target with a changeable location, thereby enabling the sensing of the sensing target with a changeable location and improving the performance of the sensing system.

[0368] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of S201B to S208B. For example, S201B, S202B, S203B, S204B, S205B, S206B, S207B, S208B, S201B+S202B, S203B+S204B, S203B+S204B+S205B+S206B, S205B+S206B, and S207B+S208B may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0369] In some embodiments, S201B, S202B, S203B, S204B, S207B, and S208B are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0370] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0371] Figure 3A is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a sensing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3A, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sensing method, which includes:

[0372] S301A, the second network element sends the first message to the first network element when the triggering condition is met.

[0373] The optional implementation of S301A can be found in the optional implementation of S206A in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0374] The optional implementation of S301A can be found in the optional implementation of S205B in Figure 2B, as well as other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0375] S302A, the first network element determines the first sensing parameters for sensing the target based on the first position.

[0376] The first perception parameter includes at least one of the following: a first perception area; parameters related to the first perception entity; and a first perception mode.

[0377] The optional implementation of S301A can be found in the optional implementation of S207A in Figure 2A, as well as other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0378] The optional implementation of S301A can be found in the optional implementation of S206B in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0379] In some embodiments, the first network element determines a first sensing parameter for sensing a target based on a first location, including: if a second sensing parameter for sensing a target exists, determining whether to use the second sensing parameter as the first sensing parameter based on the second sensing area for sensing a target in the first location and the second sensing parameter; if no second sensing parameter for sensing a target exists, determining the first sensing parameter based on the first location and the sensing requirements for sensing a target.

[0380] In some embodiments, the first network element determines whether to use the second sensing data as the first sensing parameter based on the second sensing area for sensing the target in the first location and the second sensing parameters. This includes: if the first location is within the second sensing area, determining to use the second sensing data as the first sensing parameter; if the first location is outside the second sensing area, determining the first sensing parameter based on the first location and the sensing requirements for sensing the target.

[0381] In some embodiments, the sensing requirement includes at least one of the following: a method for determining the sensing area corresponding to the sensing target; time period information for sensing the target; and Quality of Service (QoS) for sensing the target.

[0382] In some embodiments, the triggering condition includes at least one of the following: obtaining the first location based on the received trigger message to send the first location of the terminal to the first network element; and the time elapsed since the last time the location information of the sensing target was sent to the first network element has reached a first cycle.

[0383] In some embodiments, the above method further includes: the first network element sending a second message to the second network element or the third network element, wherein the second message is used to instruct the second network element to send a first location to the first network element when a triggering condition is met, and the second message is used by the third network element to instruct the second network element to send a first location to the first network element when a triggering condition is met.

[0384] In some embodiments, the method further includes: a first network element sending a third message to a fourth device, wherein the third message is used to request a second network element or a third network element to obtain a service terminal; and receiving a fourth message sent by the fourth device, wherein the fourth message is used to instruct the second network element or the third network element.

[0385] In some embodiments, the method further includes: a first network element sending a request to a first sensing entity to perform a sensing measurement on a sensing target, wherein the request to perform a sensing measurement on the sensing target is used to request a sensing measurement on the sensing target; and receiving a sensing result of the sensing measurement on the sensing target sent by the first sensing entity, wherein the sensing result of the sensing measurement on the sensing target is used to indicate the sensing result of the sensing measurement on the sensing target.

[0386] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0387] Figure 3B is an interactive schematic diagram of a sensing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3B, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sensing method, which includes:

[0388] S301B, the first network element sends a second message to the third network element.

[0389] The optional implementation of S301B can be found in the optional implementation of S203B in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0390] The second message is used by the third network element to instruct the second network element to send the first position of the terminal to the first network element when the triggering conditions are met.

[0391] In some embodiments, the first position is further used for the first network element to determine whether to use the second sensing parameter as the first sensing parameter when there is a second sensing parameter for sensing the target, based on the second sensing area for sensing the target in the first position and the second sensing parameter; and to determine the first sensing parameter based on the first position and the sensing requirements for sensing the target when there is no second sensing parameter for sensing the target.

[0392] In some embodiments, the sensing requirement includes at least one of the following: a method for determining the sensing area corresponding to the sensing target; time period information for sensing the target; and Quality of Service (QoS) for sensing the target.

[0393] In some embodiments, the triggering condition includes at least one of the following: obtaining the first location based on the received trigger message to send the first location of the terminal to the first network element; and the time elapsed since the last time the location information of the sensing target was sent to the first network element has reached a first cycle.

[0394] In some embodiments, the above method further includes: a seventh message sent by the third network element to the second network element, wherein the seventh message is used to indicate that a first location is sent to the first network element when a triggering condition is met.

[0395] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0396] Figure 3C is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a sensing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3C, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sensing method, which includes:

[0397] S301C, the second network element sends the fifth message to the third network element.

[0398] The optional implementation of S301C can be found in the optional implementation of S204A in Figure 2A, as well as other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0399] The second message is used by the third network element to instruct the second network element to send the first position of the terminal to the first network element when the triggering conditions are met.

[0400] In some embodiments, the first position is further used for the first network element to determine whether to use the second sensing parameter as the first sensing parameter when there is a second sensing parameter for sensing the target, based on the second sensing area for sensing the target in the first position and the second sensing parameter; and to determine the first sensing parameter based on the first position and the sensing requirements for sensing the target when there is no second sensing parameter for sensing the target.

[0401] In some embodiments, the sensing requirement includes at least one of the following: a method for determining the sensing area corresponding to the sensing target; time period information for sensing the target; and Quality of Service (QoS) for sensing the target.

[0402] In some embodiments, the triggering condition includes at least one of the following: obtaining the first location based on the received trigger message to send the first location of the terminal to the first network element; and the time elapsed since the last time the location information of the sensing target was sent to the first network element has reached a first cycle.

[0403] In some embodiments, the above method further includes: a sixth message sent by the third network element to the second network element, wherein the sixth message is used to indicate the first location.

[0404] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0405] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this disclosure, an exemplary embodiment is provided.

[0406] In an exemplary embodiment, a sensing method is proposed in which a sensing function (SF) can dynamically adjust the sensing target area, sensing transmitter, and sensing receiver when the sensing target area is associated with a mobile terminal.

[0407] As shown in Figure 4, 1.SF receives a sensing request for sensing target information, sensing target area information, sensing time period information, and sensing quality of service (QoS).

[0408] The perceived target information indicates that the perceived target may be a specific area related to / around the UE, or it may be a UE / device carrying the UE (e.g., a drone). The perceived target information can be the UE ID (e.g., subscription permanent identifier (SUPI), generic public subscription identifier (GPSI)). The perceived target area information may include the area shape and shape description, and optionally indicate that the perceived target area is related to the UE, such as the cell corresponding to the UE. The SF receives a perceived request in either a mobile-originating (MO) or mobile-terminated (MT) situation. In the MT situation, the SF may receive perceived requests from the gateway mobile location center (GMLC), network exposure function (NEF), or access and mobility management function (AMF). In the MO situation, the SF may receive perceived requests from the AMF.

[0409] MT Case: Application function (AF) -> NEF -> SF; AF -> NEF -> GMLC -> SF; or AF -> NEF -> GMLC -> AMF -> SF.

[0410] MO case: UE->RAN->AMF->SF.

[0411] 2. SF retrieves the target UE's Service AMF from the Unified Data Management (UDM) function.

[0412] In order to obtain AMF services for the area indicated by the perception request, the SF sends a Terminal Connection Management Get (Nudm_UECM_Get) request to the UDM.

[0413] The Nudm_UECM_Get request includes the NF type (i.e., AMF) and the UE ID (e.g., SUPI or GPSI).

[0414] SF->UDM: Nudm_UECM_Get request (AMF, SUPI / GPSI).

[0415] UDM returns the network address and / or service AMF ID of the service AMF, as well as the optional access type in the Nudm_UECM_Get response message.

[0416] UDM->SF: Nudm_UECM_Get response (AMF ID, AMF address, access type).

[0417] Note: If the SF is the serving SF of the target UE (i.e., the SF knows the serving AMF of the target UE because the serving SF is selected by the serving AMF of the target UE), step 2 can be skipped.

[0418] 3. The SF requests the location of the target UE through the serving AMF of the target UE. The SF sends a Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo request call to the AMF, which includes the UE ID (GPSI / SUPI) and optional desired location QoS, supported geographic area description (GAD) shape (the perceived target area information received in step 1), notification target address and notification association ID, delayed location type, and delayed location parameters.

[0419] The SF can request delayed, periodically triggered location event reports by invoking the delayed 5G Core-mobile-terminated-location request (5GC-MT-LR) procedure. The Notification Target address is the SF's address. The Notification Correlation ID identifies this location request. The delayed location type and delayed location parameters are used in the delayed 5GC-MT-LR procedure for periodic, triggered, and UE-available location event reporting.

[0420] SF->AMF: Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo(UE ID, required location QoS, supported GAD shape, notification target address, notification association ID, delayed location type, delayed location parameters).

[0421] 4. The AMF sends a Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo response to the SF, instructing the execution of the procedure to determine the location of the target UE.

[0422] 5. Steps 9-17 of the delayed 5GC-MT-LR procedure are performed between the UE, AMF, and LMF to execute a periodic, triggered, and UE available location event procedure. In this step, the AMF selects an LMF and initiates a request to delay the UE location for the selected LMF. The LMF obtains the UE's location.

[0423] If the target UE does not have a serving LMF, the AMF will select an LMF for the target UE.

[0424] The AMF sends an Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation request message to the LMF to request the UE's current location.

[0425] AMF includes UEID (GPSI / SUPI), required location QoS, supported GAD shape (sensing area information received in step 1), notification target address and notification association ID, delayed location type, and delayed location parameters in the Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation request message.

[0426] AMF->LMF: Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation request (UE ID, required location QoS, supported GAD shape, notification target address, notification association ID, delayed location type, delayed location parameters)

[0427] Based on the parameters received from the AMF, the LMF executes a UE-assisted positioning procedure / UE-based positioning procedure / network-assisted positioning procedure to obtain the UE's location information.

[0428] 6. After obtaining the UE's location, the LMF returns an Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation response to the AMF to return the UE's current location. If a Notification Target address and Notification Correlation ID are received, the LMF will respond to the AMF in an Nlmf_location_determineLocation Response to indicate that the location result will be sent directly to the SF.

[0429] LMF->AMF: Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation response (success / failure indication, location estimate, location estimate timestamp, location method, implemented location QoS accuracy, indication that the determined location will be sent directly to SF)

[0430] 7. AMF returns a Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo response to SF, including the received location estimate.

[0431] If step 6 includes an indication that the location determination will be sent directly to the SF, then the AMF indicates that the SF will receive the location directly from the LMF.

[0432] AMF->SF: Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo response (success / failure indication, location estimate, location estimate timestamp, positioning method, implemented location QoS accuracy); or

[0433] AMF->SF: Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo response (indicating that SF will receive the location directly from LMF);

[0434] 8. If the instruction to send the location directly to the SF is included, the LMF will send Nlmf_Location_EventNotify directly to the SF based on the received notification target address.

[0435] LMF->SF: Nlmf_Location_EventNotify(success / failure indication, location estimation, location estimation timestamp, location method, implemented location QoS accuracy)

[0436] 9. Based on the location of the target UE received from the AMF or LMF, and the sensed QoS and sensed target information contained in the request sent in step 1, the SF determines the sensed area, sensed entity and sensed mode (bi-base or mono-base) of the sensed request.

[0437] 10.SF collects sensing measurements / results from selected RAN nodes and / or UEs for the defined sensing area.

[0438] 10a. If a UE receiver is selected, the SF will send perceived measurements / results collection to the UE via the selected AMF. The UE responds to the requested perceived measurements / results via the N1 interface / user plane.

[0439] 10b. If RAN is selected, the SF sends the sensed measurement data / results set to the RAN via the selected AMF. The RAN node responds to the requested sensed measurements / results via the N2 interface / user plane.

[0440] If sensing measurements are collected, the SF calculates the sensing results. The SF then sends a sensing response message containing the sensing results to the NEF / GMLC / AMF.

[0441] 11. The LMF receives event reporting messages from the UE through the serving AMF. The event reporting message includes the type of the reported event (e.g., whether it is a normal event or the maximum reporting interval has expired), the location measurement / location estimate, the timestamp of the location estimate, the notification target address, and the notification association ID.

[0442] 12. The LMF calls the Nlmf_Location_EventNotify service operation on the SF and indicates the reported event type, notification target address and notification related ID, LMF ID, location estimate and the timestamp of the location estimate obtained in step 11 (if available), and the implemented location QoS.

[0443] 13.SF identifies the perception session corresponding to the periodically triggered event reporting session based on the LMF ID and / or notification association ID.

[0444] Based on the received location estimate and timestamp, SF can redetermine the target area for sensing, as well as the sensing transmitter and receiver requesting the sensing and the sensing mode (bistatic or monostatic).

[0445] To determine whether to re-determine / reselect the aforementioned sensing-related parameters (i.e., the sensing target area, sensing transmitter, sensing receiver, and sensing mode), SF can compare the newly received received location estimate and the received target sensing area information from step 1 with the sensing target area and service area of ​​the sensing transmitter and sensing receiver determined in step 9. If the received location estimate or the range of the received location estimate plus the target sensing area exceeds the sensing target area or service area determined in step 9, SF can re-determine / reselect the aforementioned sensing-related parameters.

[0446] 14. If a new sensing transmitter and / or sensing receiver is selected, the SF will collect sensing measurements / results from the newly selected RAN node and / or UE in the newly defined sensing area.

[0447] 14a. If a new UE receiver is selected, the SF will send perceived measurements / results collection to the new UE via the selected AMF. The UE responds to the requested perceived measurements / results via the N1 interface / user plane.

[0448] 14b. If a new RAN node is selected as the receiver, the SF sends the set of sensed measurement data / results to the RAN node via the selected AMF. The RAN node responds to the requested sensed measurements / results via the N2 interface / user plane.

[0449] If sensing measurements are collected, the SF calculates the sensing results. The SF then sends a sensing response message containing the sensing results to the NEF / GMLC / AMF.

[0450] When the target area is associated with a mobile UE, the SF can dynamically select the most suitable sensing entity, sensing area, and sensing mode based on the UE location obtained by calling the existing Mobile Terminated Location Request (MT-LR) procedure.

[0451] In this embodiment of the disclosure: 1. SF can call the delayed MT-LR procedure through AMF.

[0452] 2. SF can obtain periodic or triggered reports of UE location through AMF or LMF.

[0453] 3. When the sensing target / sensing target area is associated with a movable UE, SF can dynamically select the appropriate sensing entity and sensing area.

[0454] 4. As the UE location is updated, SF can reselect and determine the sensing entity, target sensing area, and sensing mode in a sensing task.

[0455] This disclosure also proposes an apparatus (also referred to as a communication device, etc.) for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Furthermore, another apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0456] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through configuration files, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0457] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), a Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), or a Deep Learning Processing Unit (DPU).

[0458] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first network element proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 5A, the first network element 1 may include at least one of a transceiver module 11, a processing module 12, etc.

[0459] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 11 is configured to receive a first message sent by the second network element when a trigger condition is met, wherein the first message is used to indicate a first location of the terminal, the first location being related to the location of the sensing target; and to determine a first sensing parameter for sensing the sensing target based on the first location; wherein the first sensing parameter includes at least one of the following: parameters related to a first sensing area; a first sensing entity; and a first sensing mode.

[0460] Optionally, the transceiver module 11 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the first network element 1 in any of the above methods (e.g., the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the first network element 1 in S201A-S209A, S201B-S208B, S301A-S302A, S301B, S301C, but not limited thereto), which will not be elaborated here. Optionally, the processing module 12 is used to perform at least one of the other steps performed by the first network element 1 in any of the above methods (e.g., other steps besides the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the first network element 1 in S201A-S209A, S201B-S208B, S301A-S302A, S301B, S301C, but not limited thereto), which will not be elaborated here.

[0461] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a sending module and / or a receiving module, which may be separate or integrated together.

[0462] In some embodiments, the processing module may be a single module or may include multiple sub-modules. Optionally, the multiple sub-modules may each perform all or part of the steps required by the processing module.

[0463] In some embodiments, the processing module can be replaced by the processor, and the transceiver module can be replaced by the transceiver.

[0464] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second network element proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 5B, the second network element 2 may include at least one of a transceiver module 21, a processing module 22, etc.

[0465] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 21 is configured to send a first message to a first network element when a triggering condition is met. The first message is used to indicate a first location of the terminal, which is related to the location of the sensing target. The first location is used by the first network element to determine first sensing parameters for sensing the sensing target based on the first location. The first sensing parameters include at least one of the following: a first sensing area; parameters related to the first sensing entity; and a first sensing mode.

[0466] Optionally, the transceiver module 21 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the second network element 2 in any of the above methods (e.g., the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the second network element 2 in S201A-S209A, S201B-S208B, S301A-S302A, S301B, S301C, but not limited thereto), which will not be elaborated here. Optionally, the processing module 22 is used to perform at least one of the other steps performed by the second network element 2 in any of the above methods (e.g., other steps besides the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the second network element 2 in S201A-S209A, S201B-S208B, S301A-S302A, S301B, S301C, but not limited thereto), which will not be elaborated here.

[0467] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a sending module and / or a receiving module, which may be separate or integrated together.

[0468] In some embodiments, the processing module may be a single module or may include multiple sub-modules. Optionally, the multiple sub-modules may each perform all or part of the steps required by the processing module.

[0469] In some embodiments, the processing module can be replaced by the processor, and the transceiver module can be replaced by the transceiver.

[0470] Figure 5C is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third network element proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 5C, the third network element 3 may include at least one of a transceiver module 31, a processing module 32, etc.

[0471] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 31 is configured to receive a second message sent by a first network element, wherein the second message is used by a third network element to instruct a second network element to send the first location of the terminal to the first network element when a triggering condition is met, or to receive a fifth message sent by the second network element, wherein the fifth message is used to request to obtain the first location of the terminal; the first location is related to the location of the sensing target, and the first location is used by the first network element to determine the first sensing parameters for sensing the sensing target based on the first location; wherein the first sensing parameters include at least one of the following: a first sensing area; parameters related to the first sensing entity; and a first sensing mode.

[0472] Optionally, the transceiver module 31 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., the communication steps (e.g., those performed by the third network element 3 in S201A-S209A, S201B-S208B, S301A-S302A, S301B, S301C, etc., but not limited thereto) performed by the third network element 3 in any of the above methods. Further details are omitted here. Optionally, the processing module 32 is used to perform at least one of the other steps (e.g., steps other than the communication steps (e.g., those performed by the third network element 3 in S201A-S209A, S201B-S208B, S301A-S302A, S301B, S301C, etc., but not limited thereto) performed by the third network element 3 in any of the above methods. Further details are omitted here.

[0473] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a sending module and / or a receiving module, which may be separate or integrated together.

[0474] In some embodiments, the processing module may be a single module or may include multiple sub-modules. Optionally, the multiple sub-modules may each perform all or part of the steps required by the processing module.

[0475] In some embodiments, the processing module can be replaced by the processor, and the transceiver module can be replaced by the transceiver.

[0476] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 5100 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The communication device 5100 can be a network device (e.g., access network device, core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., user equipment, etc.), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The communication device 5100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0477] As shown in Figure 6A, the communication device 5100 is used to execute any of the above methods. In some embodiments, the communication device 5100 includes one or more processors 5101. The processor 5101 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminals, terminal chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 5100 is used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 5101 are used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 5100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0478] In some embodiments, the communication device 5100 further includes one or more transceivers 5102. When the communication device 5100 includes one or more transceivers 5102, the transceivers 5102 perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method (e.g., the sending and / or receiving steps in S201A-S209A, S201B-S208B, S301A-S302A, S301B, S301C, but not limited thereto), and the processor 5101 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps other than sending and / or receiving in S201A-S209A, S201B-S208B, S301A-S302A, S301B, S301C, but not limited thereto). In optional embodiments, the transceivers may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated together. Optionally, terms such as transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, and interface can be used interchangeably; terms such as transmitter, transmitter unit, transmitter, and transmitter circuit can be used interchangeably; and terms such as receiver, receiver unit, receiver, and receiver circuit can be used interchangeably.

[0479] In some embodiments, the communication device 5100 further includes one or more memories 5103 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, one or more processors 5101 are used to invoke instructions stored in the memory 5103 to cause the communication device 5100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, all or part of the memory 5103 may also be located outside the communication device 5100. In an optional embodiment, the communication device 5100 may include one or more interface circuits 5104. Optionally, the interface circuit 5104 is connected to the memory 5103 and can be used to receive data and / or instructions from the memory 5103 or other devices, and can be used to send data and / or instructions to the memory 5103 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 5104 can read data and / or instructions stored in the memory 5103 and send the data and / or instructions to the processor 5101.

[0480] The communication device 5100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 5100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 5100 may not be limited by FIG. 6A. The communication device may be a standalone device or a part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC collection may also include storage components for storing data, programs and / or instructions; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal, smart terminal, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0481] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 5200 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the communication device 5100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the chip 5200 shown in Figure 6B, but it is not limited thereto.

[0482] Chip 5200 includes one or more processors 5201. Chip 5200 is used to perform any of the methods described above.

[0483] In some embodiments, chip 5200 further includes one or more interface circuits 5202. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 5200 further includes one or more memories 5203 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 5203 may be located outside of chip 5200. Optionally, the interface circuit 5202 is connected to the memories 5203, and the interface circuit 5202 can be used to receive data and / or instructions from the memories 5203 or other devices, and the interface circuit 5202 can be used to send data and / or instructions to the memories 5203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 5202 can read data and / or instructions stored in the memories 5203 and send the data and / or instructions to the processor 5201.

[0484] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 5202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method (e.g., the sending and / or receiving steps in S201A-S209A, S201B-S208B, S301A-S302A, S301B, and S301C, but not limited thereto). The interface circuit 5202 performing the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method refers, for example, to the interface circuit 5202 performing data and / or instruction interaction between the processor 5201, chip 5200, memory 5203, or transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 5201 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps other than sending and / or receiving in S201A-S209A, S201B-S208B, S301A-S302A, S301B, and S301C, but not limited thereto).

[0485] The modules and / or devices described in the various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be combined or separated arbitrarily as needed. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0486] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0487] This disclosure also proposes a program product, including a program and / or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product. Optionally, the program product is stored on the storage medium.

[0488] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

[0489] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this disclosure.

[0490] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0491] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this disclosure, but the scope of protection of this disclosure is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A sensing method, characterized in that, The method is executed by the first network element and includes: The terminal receives a first message sent by a second network element when a triggering condition is met. The first message is used to indicate a first location of the terminal, which is related to the location of the sensing target. Based on the first position, a first perception parameter for perceiving the perceived target is determined; The first sensing parameter includes at least one of the following: First sensory area; Parameters related to the first perceived entity; First perception mode.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Determine whether there is a second perception parameter for sensing the target, the second perception parameter being used to determine the first perception parameter.

3. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, include: In the presence of the second sensing parameter, it is determined whether to use the second sensing parameter as the first sensing parameter based on the first position and the second sensing area for sensing the target in the second sensing parameter; In the absence of the second sensing parameter, the first sensing parameter is determined based on the first position and the sensing requirement for sensing the target.

4. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The step of determining whether to use the second sensing data as the first sensing parameter for the second sensing area that senses the target based on the first location and the second sensing parameters includes: If the first position is located within the second sensing area, the second sensing data is used as the first sensing parameter. When the first position is outside the second sensing area, the first sensing parameter is determined based on the first position and the sensing requirement for sensing the sensing target.

5. The method as described in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The perception requirements include at least one of the following: The method for determining the sensing area corresponding to the sensing target; Information on the time period during which the target is sensed; The Quality of Service (QoS) is used to perceive the target.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The triggering conditions include at least one of the following: Based on the received trigger, the terminal's first location is sent to the first device to obtain the first location; The time elapsed since the last time the location information of the sensed target was sent to the first network element reaches the first cycle.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second message to the second network element or the third network element, wherein the second message is used to instruct the second network element to send the first location to the first network element when the triggering condition is met, or the second message is used by the third network element to instruct the second network element to send the first location to the first network element when the triggering condition is met.

8. The method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a third message to a fourth device, wherein the third message is used to request the network element serving the terminal; The fourth message sent by the fourth device is received, wherein the fourth message is used to indicate that the network element serving the terminal is the second network element or the third network element.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a request to the first sensing entity to perform sensing measurements on the sensing target; Receive the perception result of the perception measurement of the perception target sent by the first perception entity.

10. A sensing method, characterized in that, The method is executed by the second network element and includes: When the triggering condition is met, a first message is sent to the first network element, wherein the first message is used to indicate the first location of the terminal, the first location being related to the location of the sensing target; the first location is used by the first network element to determine the first sensing parameters for sensing the sensing target based on the first location; The first sensing parameter includes at least one of the following: First sensory area; Parameters related to the first perceived entity; First perception mode.

11. The method as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The first position is also used for the first network element to determine whether to use the second sensing parameter as the first sensing parameter when there is a second sensing parameter for sensing the sensing target, based on the first position and the second sensing area for sensing the sensing target in the second sensing parameter. In the absence of a second sensing parameter for sensing the target, the first sensing parameter is determined based on the first position and the sensing requirement for sensing the target.

12. The method as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The perception requirements include at least one of the following: The method for determining the sensing area corresponding to the sensing target; Information on the time period during which the target is sensed; The Quality of Service (QoS) is used to perceive the target.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, The triggering conditions include at least one of the following: Based on the received trigger, the terminal's first location is sent to the first device to obtain the first location; The time elapsed since the last time the location information of the sensed target was sent to the first network element reaches the first cycle.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: The system receives a second message sent by the first network element, wherein the second message is used to instruct the second network element to send the first location to the first network element when a triggering condition is met.

15. The method as described in claim 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a fifth message to the third network element, wherein the fifth message is used to request the acquisition of the first location; The sixth message sent by the third network element is received, wherein the sixth message is used to indicate the first location.

16. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that, The method further includes: The system receives a seventh message from a third network element, wherein the seventh message is used to instruct the first network element to send the first location when a triggering condition is met.

17. A sensing method, characterized in that, The method is executed by a third network element and includes: The third network element receives a second message sent by the first network element, wherein the second message is used by the third network element to instruct the second network element to send the first location of the terminal to the first network element when a trigger condition is met, or Receive a fifth message sent by the second network element, wherein the fifth message is used to request to obtain the first location of the terminal; The first position is related to the position of the sensing target, and the first position is used by the first network element to determine the first sensing parameters for sensing the sensing target based on the first position; The first sensing parameter includes at least one of the following: First sensory area; Parameters related to the first perceived entity; First perception mode.

18. The method as described in claim 17, characterized in that, The first position is also used for the first network element to determine whether to use the second sensing parameter as the first sensing parameter when there is a second sensing parameter for sensing the sensing target, based on the first position and the second sensing area for sensing the sensing target in the second sensing parameter. In the absence of a second sensing parameter for sensing the target, the first sensing parameter is determined based on the first position and the sensing requirement for sensing the target.

19. The method as described in claim 18, characterized in that, The perception requirements include at least one of the following: The method for determining the sensing area corresponding to the sensing target; Information on the time period during which the target is sensed; The Quality of Service (QoS) is used to perceive the target.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that, The triggering conditions include at least one of the following: Based on the received trigger, the terminal's first location is sent to the first device to obtain the first location; The time elapsed since the last time the location information of the sensed target was sent to the first network element reaches the first cycle.

21. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that, The method further includes: A sixth message is sent to the second network element, wherein the sixth message is used to indicate the first location.

22. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that, The method further includes: A seventh message is sent to the second network element, wherein the seventh message is used to instruct the first network element to send the first location when a triggering condition is met.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is used to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, 10 to 16, and 17 to 22.

24. A communication system, characterized in that, The system includes a first network element, a second network element, and a third network element, wherein the first network element is configured to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 9, the second network element is configured to implement the method of any one of claims 10 to 16, and the third network element is configured to implement the method of any one of claims 17 to 22.

25. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device performs the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, 10 to 16, and 17 to 22.

26. A program product comprising at least one of a program and instructions, characterized in that, When at least one of the programs or instructions is executed by a communication device, it implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, 10 to 16, and 17 to 22.

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