Network-Assisted Clutter Identification for 5G RF Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G NR, RF sensing faces challenges in accurately detecting target objects due to interference from unintended objects, leading to reduced sensing accuracy and increased power usage, as well as increased processing cycles.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of network-assisted clutter identification, where environmental information is provided to user equipment (UE) to filter out reflections from unintended objects, improving the detection and locking of target objects by utilizing pre-knowledge of the environment, thereby reducing the number of paths to be reported.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RF sensing is performed to detect target objects, then sensing capability is provided, but sensing accuracy is reduced due to interference from unintended objects
Solution Approach 1:
The network node performs preliminary identification of clutter objects (unintended objects) in the sensing environment and provides this environmental information to the UE before the RF sensing operation. This allows the UE to pre-filter reflections from unintended objects, improving sensing accuracy by eliminating interference before it affects target object detection
Solution Approach 2:
The network node acts as an intermediary that processes sensing environment information and provides filtered environmental information to the UE. This intermediary processing enables the UE to focus on target objects by removing clutter interference through the network-assisted filtering mechanism
2Measurement precision
If filtering of unintended objects is performed to improve sensing accuracy, then detection precision improves, but processing cycles increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network node extracts and identifies clutter objects from the sensing environment separately from target objects, providing only the necessary environmental information to the UE. This extraction approach allows the UE to quickly filter out unintended objects without performing exhaustive processing on all detected objects, reducing processing cycles while maintaining detection precision
Solution Approach 2:
The network node performs the complex clutter identification and filtering operation in advance, providing pre-processed environmental information to the UE. This preliminary processing by the network node reduces the processing burden on the UE, allowing faster target object detection with fewer processing cycles
3Measurement precision
If environmental information is provided to UE to filter unintended objects, then sensing accuracy is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network node serves as an intermediary that handles the complex environmental information processing, providing filtered and organized clutter information to the UE. This intermediary approach enhances sensing accuracy while managing system complexity by centralizing the complex processing functions in the network rather than requiring complex processing at the UE
Solution Approach 2:
The network node performs preliminary environmental analysis and provides pre-processed environmental information to the UE. This preliminary action reduces the complexity burden on the UE by providing ready-to-use filtering information, enhancing sensing accuracy without requiring complex processing capabilities at the device level
4Reliability
If RF sensing operations are performed continuously, then target object detection capability is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network node provides pre-processed environmental information about clutter objects to the UE before sensing operations. This preliminary information allows the UE to quickly identify and ignore unintended objects, enabling more efficient sensing operations that consume less power while maintaining reliable target object detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The network node extracts and provides only the essential environmental information related to clutter objects, allowing the UE to focus processing resources on target object detection. This selective information provision reduces power consumption by eliminating unnecessary processing of unintended objects while maintaining detection reliability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances sensing accuracy, reduces power consumption, and decreases processing cycles by improving the detection and locking of target objects while filtering out unintended reflections, thus optimizing resource usage in wireless communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
RF sensing enables touchless/device-free interaction with a device and/or system... RF waveforms may be utilized for communications... and for sensing applications
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for network-assisted clutter identification are described. An apparatus is configured to obtain environmental information associated with a sensing environment, and to detect, during a sensing operation, a set of objects in the sensing environment. The apparatus is configured to process data for a target object(s) in the set of objects or filter data for an unintended object(s) in the set of objects based on the environmental information that indicates characteristics associated with the set of objects in the sensing environment. Another apparatus is configured to provide environmental information associated with a sensing environment. Environmental information indicates characteristics associated with a set of objects in the sensing environment; the set of objects in the sensing environment includes a target object (a) and an unintended object(s). The another apparatus is configured to receive a sensing indication that corresponds to a sensing operation having sensing information associated with the target object(s).