WO2025152175A1

WO2025152175A1 - Devices and methods for communication

Info

Publication number: WO2025152175A1
Application number: PCT/CN2024/073337
Authority: WO
Inventors: Minghui XU; Gang Wang
Original assignee: NEC Corp
Current assignee: NEC Corp
Priority date: 2024-01-19
Filing date: 2024-01-19
Publication date: 2025-07-24
Anticipated expiration: 2026-07-19

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for state switching of integrated sensing and communication (ISAC). In a solution, a first device transmits first information to a second device; the second device determines a sensing state for a first device based on the first information and transmits, to the first device, second information indicating the sensing state. Then, the first device transitions to the sensing state indicated by the second information.

Description

DEVICES AND METHODS FOR COMMUNICATION

FIELDS

Example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of communication techniques and in particular, to devices and methods for state switching of integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) .

BACKGROUND

Technology of integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) has been agreed to be supported in the 5th generation mobile communication technology (5G) and is expected to play a crucial role in the future of many industries. Recently, more studies and discussions have been made about the use cases and potential requirements for enhancement of the 5G system to provide ISAC services addressing different target verticals/applications, e.g., autonomous/assisted driving, vehicle to everything (V2X) , aviation/unmanned aerial vehicles (UVA) , three-dimensional (3D) map reconstruction, smart city/factories, public sectors, healthcare, smart home, maritime sector and so on.

SUMMARY

In general, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for state switching of integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) .

In a first aspect, there is provided a first device comprising: a processor configured to cause the first device to: transmit, to a second device, first information indicating at least one of the following: device type information of the first device, capability-related information of the first device, the capability-related information indicating at least one sensing state supported or allowed by the first device or at least one sensing-related operation supported or allowed by the first device, a first indication indicating a sensing function is supported or is allowed to be enabled at the first device, a second indication indicating an event associated with sensing state switching, a third indication indicating a sensing state that the first device expects or prefers to be operated in, at least one time delay for transitioning from a sensing state to a further sensing state; receive, from the second device, second information, indicating a sensing state of a plurality of sensing states for the first device; and transition to the sensing state indicated by the second information.

In a second aspect, there is provided a second device comprising: a processor configured to cause the second device to: obtain, first information of at least one of the following: device type information of the first device, capability-related information of the first device, the capability-related information indicating at least one sensing state supported or allowed by the first device or at least one sensing-related operation supported or allowed by the first device, a first indication indicating a sensing function is supported or is allowed to be enabled at the first device; a second indication indicating an event associated with sensing state switching; a third indication indicating a sensing state that the first device expects to be operated in, or at least one time delay for transitioning from a sensing state to a further sensing state; determine a sensing state for a first device based on the first information; and transmit, to the first device, second information indicating the sensing state.

In a third aspect, there is provided a communication method performed by a first device. The method comprises: transmitting, to a second device, first information indicating at least one of the following: device type information of the first device, capability-related information of the first device, the capability-related information indicating at least one sensing state supported or allowed by the first device or at least one sensing-related operation supported or allowed by the first device, a first indication indicating a sensing function is supported or is allowed to be enabled at the first device, a second indication indicating an event associated with sensing state switching, a third indication indicating a sensing state that the first device expects or prefers to be operated in, at least one time delay for transitioning from a sensing state to a further sensing state; receiving, from the second device, second information, indicating a sensing state of a plurality of sensing states for the first device; and transitioning to the sensing state indicated by the second information.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a communication method performed by a second device. The method comprises: obtaining, first information of at least one of the following: device type information of the first device, capability-related information of the first device, the capability-related information indicating at least one sensing state supported or allowed by the first device or at least one sensing-related operation supported or allowed by the first device, a first indication indicating a sensing function is supported or is allowed to be enabled at the first device; a second indication indicating an event associated with sensing state switching; a third indication indicating a sensing state that the first device expects to be operated in, or at least one time delay for transitioning from a sensing state to a further sensing state; determining a sensing state for a first device based on the first information; and transmitting, to the first device, second information indicating the sensing state.

In a fifth aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed on at least one processor, causing the at least one processor to carry out the method according to the third, or fourth aspect.

Other features of the present disclosure will become easily comprehensible through the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Through the more detailed description of some example embodiments of the present disclosure in the accompanying drawings, the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent, wherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates an example communication environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented;

FIG. 1B illustrates schematic diagrams of six example sensing modes in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example signaling flow for communication in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example block of state switching in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4 to 6 illustrate example blocks of resources of ISAC in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates another example signaling flow for communication in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an apparatus that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Principle of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustration and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. Embodiments described herein can be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below.

In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

As used herein, the term ‘terminal device’ refers to any device having wireless or wired communication capabilities. Examples of the terminal device include, but not limited to, user equipment (UE) , personal computers, desktops, mobile phones, cellular phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) , portable computers, tablets, wearable devices, internet of things (IoT) devices, Ultra-reliable and Low Latency Communications (URLLC) devices, Internet of Everything (IoE) devices, machine type communication (MTC) devices, devices on vehicle for V2X communication where X means pedestrian, vehicle, or infrastructure/network, devices for Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) , Space borne vehicles or Air borne vehicles in Non-terrestrial networks (NTN) including Satellites and High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) encompassing Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) , eXtended Reality (XR) devices including different types of realities such as Augmented Reality (AR) , Mixed Reality (MR) and Virtual Reality (VR) , the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) commonly known as a drone which is an aircraft without any human pilot, devices on high speed train (HST) , or image capture devices such as digital cameras, sensors, gaming devices, music storage and playback appliances, or Internet appliances enabling wireless or wired Internet access and browsing and the like. The ‘terminal device’ can further have ‘multicast/broadcast’ feature, to support public safety and mission critical, V2X applications, transparent IPv4/IPv6 multicast delivery, IPTV, smart TV, radio services, software delivery over wireless, group communications and IoT applications. It may also incorporate one or multiple Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) as known as Multi-SIM. The term “terminal device” can be used interchangeably with a UE, a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile terminal, a user terminal or a wireless device.

The term “network device” refers to a device which is capable of providing or hosting a cell or coverage where terminal devices can communicate. Examples of a network device include, but not limited to, a Node B (NodeB or NB) , an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB) , a next generation NodeB (gNB) , a transmission reception point (TRP) , a remote radio unit (RRU) , a radio head (RH) , a remote radio head (RRH) , an IAB node, a low power node such as a femto node, a pico node, a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) , and the like.

The terminal device or the network device may have Artificial intelligence (AI) or Machine learning capability. It generally includes a model which has been trained from numerous collected data for a specific function, and can be used to predict some information.

The terminal or the network device may work on several frequency ranges, e.g., FR1 (e.g., 450 MHz to 6000 MHz) , FR2 (e.g., 24.25GHz to 71GHz) , frequency band larger than 100 GHz as well as Tera Hertz (THz) . It can further work on licensed/unlicensed/shared spectrum. The terminal device may have more than one connection with the network devices under Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity (MR-DC) application scenario. The terminal device or the network device can work on full duplex, flexible duplex and cross division duplex modes.

The embodiments of the present disclosure may be performed in test equipment, e.g., signal generator, signal analyzer, spectrum analyzer, network analyzer, test terminal device, test network device, channel emulator. In some embodiments, the terminal device may be connected with a first network device and a second network device. One of the first network device and the second network device may be a master node and the other one may be a secondary node. The first network device and the second network device may use different radio access technologies (RATs) . In some embodiments, the first network device may be a first RAT device and the second network device may be a second RAT device. In some embodiments, the first RAT device is eNB and the second RAT device is gNB. Information related with different RATs may be transmitted to the terminal device from at least one of the first network device or the second network device. In some embodiments, first information may be transmitted to the terminal device from the first network device and second information may be transmitted to the terminal device from the second network device directly or via the first network device. In some embodiments, information related with configuration for the terminal device configured by the second network device may be transmitted from the second network device via the first network device. Information related with reconfiguration for the terminal device configured by the second network device may be transmitted to the terminal device from the second network device directly or via the first network device.

As used herein, the singular forms ‘a’ , ‘an’ and ‘the’ are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term ‘includes’ and its variants are to be read as open terms that mean ‘includes, but is not limited to. ’ The term ‘based on’ is to be read as ‘at least in part based on. ’ The term ‘one embodiment’ and ‘an embodiment’ are to be read as ‘at least one embodiment. ’ The term ‘another embodiment’ is to be read as ‘at least one other embodiment. ’ The terms ‘first, ’ ‘second, ’ and the like may refer to different or same objects. Other definitions, explicit and implicit, may be included below.

In some examples, values, procedures, or apparatus are referred to as ‘best, ’ ‘lowest, ’ ‘highest, ’ ‘minimum, ’ ‘maximum, ’ or the like. It will be appreciated that such descriptions are intended to indicate that a selection among many used functional alternatives can be made, and such selections need not be better, smaller, higher, or otherwise preferable to other selections.

As used herein, the term “resource, ” “transmission resource, ” “uplink resource, ” or “downlink resource” may refer to any resource for performing a communication, or performing a sensing, such as a resource in time domain, a resource in frequency domain, a resource in space domain, a resource in code domain, or any other resource enabling a communication or sensing, and the like. In the following, unless explicitly stated, a resource in both frequency domain and time domain will be used as an example of a transmission resource for describing some example embodiments of the present disclosure. It is noted that example embodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.

As discussed above, ISAC has been agreed to be supported in the 5G. ISAC is a technology aiming to integrate sensing functions into the current communication system. With the sensing functions, it is enabled the network to “see” the world through the wireless signal and other inputs to connect the physical world with the digital world. Thus, the ISAC arises a great interesting around the world and expected to play a crucial role in the future of many industries.

Currently, more studies and discussions have been made about the use cases (such as, behaviour recognition, gesture recognition, health monitor, fall detection, integration of automotive radar and localization and tracking) . In the future, many sensing services will be supported in the limited spectrum.

In addition to the use cases, another focus of the ISAC study is to define channel modelling to support object detection and/or tracking. The study aims at a common modelling framework capable of detecting and/or tracking the following example objects and to enable them to be distinguished from unintended objects: UAVs, humans indoors and outdoors, automotive vehicles (at least outdoors) , automated guided vehicles (e.g. in indoor factories) , objects creating hazards on roads/railways, with a minimum size dependent on frequency and so on.

The wireless resources are limited. In a case of ISAC, both sensing and communication functions are needed to be performed. In this event, how to maximum the usage of sensing capability of a sensing node with minimum influence on the communication service is desirable to be further discussed.

Further, different devices have different sensing-related capabilities, and further the power of the sensing devices are limited. In view of this, how to management and utilize the sensing devices centrally and avoid unnecessary power consumption of the sensing device is also desirable to be further discussed.

According to the present disclosure, a solution for state switching of ISAC is proposed. In this solution, a first device (asensing transmitter and/or receiver, e.g., a UE or a gNB) transmits first information to a second device (asensing function entity, e.g., a gNB, a location management function, LMF, a sensing management function, SMF) ; the second device determines a sensing state for a first device based on the first information and transmits second information indicating the sensing state to the first device. Then, the first device transitions to the sensing state indicated by the second information.

In particular, the first information indicates at least one of the following: device type information of the first device, capability-related information of the first device, the capability-related information indicating at least one sensing state supported or allowed by the first device or at least one sensing-related operation supported or allowed by the first device, a first indication indicating a sensing function is supported or is allowed to be enabled at the first device, a second indication indicating an event associated with sensing state switching, a third indication indicating a sensing state that the first device expects or prefers to be operated in, at least one time delay for transitioning from a sensing state to a further sensing state. In this way, the second device may obtain enough information to make a proper decision of state switching for the first device.

For ease of discussion, some terms used in the following description are listed as below:

sensing transmitter: a sensing transmitter is the entity that sends out the sensing signal which the sensing service will use in its operation. A sensing transmitter is an NR RAN/network device node or a UE/terminal device. A sensing transmitter can be located in the same or different entity as the sensing receiver;

sensing receiver: a sensing receiver is an entity that receives the sensing signal which the sensing service will use in its operation. A sensing receiver is an NR RAN/network device node or a UE/terminal device. A sensing receiver can be located in the same or different entity as the Sensing transmitter;

first device: a sensing node/device, may be a sensing transmitter and/or a sensing receiver. In the present disclosure, the first device may be a terminal device or a gNB;second device: a sensing function device/entity that may manage sensing services. The second device may be implemented at a network device (such as, a gNB) or a core network device (such as, an LMF, an SMF and so on) ;

signals reflected by an object: any sensing signals from the object that may be used for sensing the object. The signals may be reflected signals, scattered signals, refracted signals, diffracted signals and so on.

Principles and implementations of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the figures.

Example Environments

FIG. 1A illustrates a schematic diagram of an example communication environment 100A in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. In the communication environment 100A, a plurality of communication devices, including a second device 120, a first device 110-1 and an optional device 110-2 may communicate with each other. Further, the communication environment 100A also may comprise one or more optional objects 130-1 and 130-2 to be sensed. Objects 130-1 and 130-2 also may be referred to as targets 130-1 and 130-2 sometimes.

For a better discussion, the first devices 110-1 and 110-2 are individually or collectively referred to as the first device 110, and the objects 130-1 and 130-2 are individually or collectively referred to as the object 130.

In the example of FIG. 1A, the first device 110 may be a sensing node/device, such as, a sensing transmitter and/or a sensing receiver. In some embodiments, the first device 110 may be a terminal device or a gNB.

In the example of FIG. 1A, the second device 120 may be a sensing function device/entity that may manage sensing services. In some embodiments, the second device 120 may be implemented at a network device (such as, a gNB) or a core network device (such as, an LMF, an SMF and so on) .

It is to be understood that the number of devices and their connections shown in FIG. 1A are only for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitation. The communication environment 100A may include any suitable number of devices configured to implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure.

The communications in the communication environment 100A may conform to any suitable standards including, but not limited to, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) , Long Term Evolution (LTE) , LTE-Evolution, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) , New Radio (NR) , Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) , Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) , GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN) , Machine Type Communication (MTC) and the like. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be performed according to any generation communication protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future. Examples of the communication protocols include, but not limited to, the first generation (1G) , the second generation (2G) , 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G) , the fourth generation (4G) , 4.5G, the fifth generation (5G) communication protocols, 5.5G, 5G-Advanced networks, or the sixth generation (6G) networks.

In the communication environment 100A, at least the six sensing modes may be supported. Reference is now made to FIG. 1B, which illustrates schematic diagrams 100B of six example sensing modes in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure, i.e.,

● gNB-based mono-static sensing mode: sensing signal is transmitted by a network node, e.g., gNB, and received/measured by the network node itself, may be referred to as transmission and receiving point (TRP) mono-static mode sometimes;

● gNB-based bi-static sensing mode: sensing signal is transmitted by network node A and received/measured by network node B, may be referred to as TRP-TRP bi-static sensing mode sometimes;

● gNB-to-UE-based bi-static sensing mode: sensing signal is transmitted by a network node and received/measured by UE, may be referred to as UE-TRP bi-static mode sometimes;

● UE-to-gNB-based bi-static sensing mode: sensing signal is transmitted by UE and received/measured by the UE itself, may be referred to as TRP-UE bi-static mode sometimes;

● UE-based mono-static sensing mode: sensing signal is transmitted by UE and received/measured by the network node, may be referred to as UE mono-static mode sometimes;

● UE-based bi-static sensing mode: sensing signal is transmitted by UE A and received/measured by UE B, may be referred to as UE-UE bi-static mode sometimes.

Further, the above sensing modes may be used in any combination or separately.

Work Principle and Example Signaling for Communication

Reference is made to FIG. 2, which illustrates a signaling flow 200 for communication in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purposes of discussion, the signaling flow 200 will be discussed with reference to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, for example, by using the first device 110 and the second device 120.

In the following descriptions, while operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, while several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

It is to be understood that the operations at the first device 110 and the second device 120 should be coordinated. In other words, the second device 120 and the first device 110 should have common understanding about configurations, parameters and so on. Such common understanding may be implemented by any suitable interactions between the second device 120 and the first device 110 or both the second device 120 and the first device 110 applying the same rule/policy. In the following, although some operations are described from a perspective of the first device 110, it is to be understood that the corresponding operations should be performed by the second device 120. Similarly, although some operations are described from a perspective of the second device 120, it is to be understood that the corresponding operations should be performed by the first device 110. Merely for brevity, some of the same or similar contents are omitted here.

In some embodiments, the first device 110 may be operated as a terminal device or a network device (gNB) and the second device 120 may be operated as a network device (gNB) , an LMF or an SMF and so on.

In operation, the first device 110 transmits 210 first information to the second device 120. Based on the first information, the second device 120 determines a sensing state for a first device 110, and then transmits 220 second information to the first device 110, where the second information indicates the sensing state. Then, the first device 110 transitions 230 to the sensing state indicated by the second information.

In particular, the first information indicates device type information of the first device 110, capability-related information of the first device 110, the capability-related information indicating at least one sensing state supported or allowed by the first device 110 or at least one sensing-related operation supported or allowed by the first device 110, a first indication indicating a sensing function is supported or is allowed to be enabled at the first device 110, a second indication indicating an event associated with sensing state switching, a third indication indicating a sensing state that the first device expects or prefers to be operated in, at least one time delay for transitioning from a sensing state to a further sensing state. In this way, the second device 120 may obtain enough information to make a proper decision of state switching for the first device 110.

In the present disclosure, the first device 110 may be operated in different sensing states. In the following, details about the different sensing states will be discussed first.

It should be understood that the sensing states discussed herein are defined for the feature/function of sensing node sensing the other targets/objects. That is, the sensing measurements for itself (for example, positioning its own location) should be based on the legacy procedure. The present disclosure does not aim to improve the legacy positioning procedure.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which illustrates an example block 300 of state switching in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

In the example of FIG. 3, the sensing state may be a first sensing state, where if the first device 110 is in the first sensing state, the first device 110 performs at least one of the following:

● not transmitting sensing signals for sensing an object; or

● de-prioritizing a priority of recourse configured for sensing an object or an area.

The first sensing state also may be referred to as sensing idle state, and the sensing function may be turned off if the first device 110 is operated in the sensing idle state.

In some embodiments, if the first device 110 is in the first sensing state, as for the RX device of the first device 110, there is no measurement and no reporting based on sensing signal reflected by other targets/objects; as for the TX device of the first device 110, there is no transmission of sensing signal for sensing other objects.

Further, the priority of resources/time window configured for sensing other targets/objects is considered to be the lowest if there is any resource/time window configured during the sense idle state, which means that the resource for sensing is de-prioritized. In this event, if the resources/time window is collided with channels/reference signals for communication or its own positioning procedure, the first device 110 is not expected to receive or transmit the sensing signal for sensing other objects.

In some embodiments, the sensing state may be a second sensing state, where if the first device 110 is in the second sensing state, the first device 110 performs at least one of the following:

● detecting an object 130 to be sensed by measuring sensing signals transmitted on at least one periodic resource; or

● transmitting sensing signal to detect an object 130 on at least one periodic resource; or

● not reporting measurement or sensing results.

The second sensing state also may be referred to as a sensing scan state, where if the first device 110 is in the second sensing state, the first device 110 is operated in a low power consumption for sensing, and not report may measurement or sensing results. In other words, the first device 110 may detect objects periodically based on configured resource, but does not report the measurement or sensing results, or may transmit sensing signal periodically based on configured resource.

In some embodiment, the periodic resource is in time/frequency domain and may be represented by such as, start position, duration/length, period, reference subcarrier spacing (SCS) .

In some embodiments, a periodic resource of the at least one periodic resource may be configured by the second device 120 by at least one of the following:

● a start position of the periodic resource,

● a periodicity of the periodic resource,

● a duration of the periodic resource,

● a subcarrier spacing (SCS) of the periodic resource, or

● a priority of the periodic resource.

In some embodiments, a priority may be configured for the periodic resource, the priority may be used to resolve the resource collision, e.g., defining the behavior when collides with resource for communication, or collides with other resources for sensing.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which illustrates example blocks 400 of resources of ISAC in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 4, resource #1 may be represented by {Period (P1) , start slot (S0) , slot length/number of slots (L0) , reference SCS, priority} , and resource #2 may be represented by {Period (P) , start slot (S0) , start symbol (S1) , symbol length/number of symbols (L1) /number of slots and number of symbols for the last slot, reference SCS, priority} .

Further, the frequency information of the sensing resource may be indicated by band, bandwidth part (BWP) , component carrier (CC) and so on.

In some embodiments, the first device 110 may be configured with multiple configurations (multiple periodic resources) for sensing scanning.

In some embodiments, if a periodic resource of the periodic resource collides with a further periodic resource of the periodic resource, the first device 110 may resolve the collision according to priorities of the periodic resource and the further periodic resource.

In some embodiments, if a periodic resource of the periodic resource collides with a resource for communication, the first device 110 may resolve the collision according to a priority of the periodic resource and a priority of the resource for communication.

Additionally, in some embodiments, in a case of multiple periodic resources, a larger period may be associated with a higher priority and a smaller period may be associated with low priority. Further, two or more resources with a same period and different offsets may be associated with different priorities.

In some embodiments, the at least one periodic resource may comprise a first resource with a first periodicity and a first priority and a second resource with a second periodicity and a second priority. If the second periodicity is larger than or equal to the first periodicity, the second priority may be higher than the first priority.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which illustrates example blocks 500 of resources of ISAC in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

In the embodiment #1 of FIG. 5, the period of the resource with low priority is P/2, while the resource with high priority is P. Then the resources in the windows W1, W2, W3 and W4 may be the resource with high priority, the resource with low priority, the resource with high priority and the resource with low priority, respectively.

In the embodiment #2 of FIG. 5, the period of the resource with low priority is P, while the resource with high priority is also P, offset for the resource with high priority and low priority are S0+S1 and S0’ +S1’ respectively (use Resource#2 in FIG. 4 as an example for offset indication) . Then the resources in the windows W1, W2, W3 and W4 may be the resource with high priority, the resource with low priority, the resource with high priority and the resource with low priority, respectively.

In some embodiments, one of the at least one periodic resource may be configured with a highest priority among priorities of other resources for sensing and communication.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which illustrates example blocks 600 of resources of ISAC in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

In the example of FIG. 6, four resources are illustrated, i.e., Resource for sensing #1 with Priority #1, Resource for sensing #2 with Priority #2, Resource for sensing #3 with Priority #3, and Resource for communication #1 with Priority #4, where the priority from high to low is Priority #3, Priority #4, Priority #2, Priority #1.

As a result, in the example of FIG. 6, the resources in the windows W1 to W13 may be: Resource for sensing #3, Resource for communication #1, Resource for communication #1, Resource for communication #1, Resource for sensing #3, Resource for communication #1, Resource for communication #1, Resource for communication #1, Resource for sensing #3, Resource for communication #1, Resource for communication #1, Resource for communication #1, Resource for sensing #3, respectively.

In some embodiments, the resource for transmitting the second indication may be pre-configured. Specifically, the second device 120 may transmit configuration information indicating resources used by the first device 110 for transmitting the second indication. As for the first device 110, in a case that the first device 110 is operated in the second sensing state, in accordance with a determination that a condition for transitioning from the second sensing state to the third sensing state is satisfied, the first device 110 may transmit the second indication to the second device 120 via the pre-configured resource.

In the example of FIG. 3, the sensing state may be a third sensing state, where if the first device 110 is in the third sensing state, the first device 110 performs at least one of the following:

● transmitting sensing signal for detecting at least one object,

● detecting at least one object;

● measuring sensing signals reflected by an object, or

● reporting measurement or sensing results.

The third sensing state also may be referred to as sensing normal state, if the first device 110 is in the third sensing state, the first device 110 may perform transmitting, detecting, tracking, measuring and reporting as usual.

In some embodiments, the third sensing state may be divided into a plurality of sub-states. One example sub-state is a first sub-state, where the first device 110 may act as a sensing node for detecting at least one object 130 during the first sub-state. Another example sub-state is a second sub-state, where the first device 110 may act as a sensing node for tracking at least one detected object 130 in a coarse manner during the second sub-state. A further example sub-state is a third sub-state, where the first device 110 may act as a sensing node for tracking at least one detected object 130 in a fine manner during the third sub-state.

As used herein, operation of “detecting at least one object” refers to the first device 110 performs at least one of the following: transmitting sensing signals for detecting the object (s) , receiving (and/or measuring) sensing signals for detecting the object (s) , or determining the presence of the object (s) . Further, operation of “tracking at least one detected object” refers to the first device 110 performs at least one of the following: transmitting sensing signals for tracking the object (s) , receiving (and/or measuring) sensing signals for tracking the object (s) , or determining tracking information of the object (s) .

The first sub-state, second sub-state and third sub-state may be referred to as a detecting state, a coarse tracking state and a fine tracking state, respectively.

In some embodiments, during the first sub-state, the first device 110 may transmit a first report to the second device 120, where the first report may indicate at least one of the following:

● presence information of at least one object 130 to be sensed,

● the number of the at least one detected object, or

● location-related information of the at least one detected object,

● transmission delay information, transmission delay difference information,

● RSRP information, RSRP difference information, or

● time difference of arrival (TDOA) -related information.

In some embodiments, during the second/third sub-state, the first device 110 may transmit a second/third report to the second device 120, where the second or the third report may indicate at least one of the following:

● speed related information, i.e., any suitable information from which a speed may be derived, for example, the arrival time difference measured at two resources with a given interval,

● acceleration related information, i.e., any suitable information from which an acceleration may be derived, for example, the arrival time difference measured at three resources with given intervals,

● moving direction related information (measurements for multiple points of a same target) , i.e., any suitable information from which a moving direction may be derived,

● height related measurements, i.e., any suitable measurements from which height information may be derived,

● size related information, i.e., any suitable information from which a size of the object may be derived, for example, multiple points sensing information of a same target,

● trajectory-related information. i.e., any suitable information from which a trajectory of the object may be derived.

In some embodiments, if the first device 110 is operating in the second or third sub-state, the first device 110 may transmit the measurement or sensing results to the second device 120. The second device 120 may determine trajectory information based on the measurement or sensing results, and then may transmit the trajectory information to the first device 110. As for the first device 110, the first device 110 may measure sensing signals reflected by the object 130 based on the received trajectory information. That is, the received trajectory information may be used as assistant formation for performing the following sensing measurement or following sensing signal transmission. This embodiment especially benefits the scenario where the first device 110 cannot obtain the trajectory information.

Optionally, if the first device 110 supports to report the trajectory-related information to the second device 120, after performing the sensing measurements based on the trajectory information from the second device 120, the first device 110 may update the trajectory-related information and then transmit the updated trajectory-related information to the second device 120 accordingly.

In some embodiments, a tracking accuracy associated with the third sub-state may be larger than a tracking accuracy associated with the second sub-state.

Alternatively, or in addition, in some embodiments, measurement or sensing results reported during the third sub-state may be richer than the measurement or sensing results reported during the second sub-state.

Alternatively, or in addition, in some embodiments, the number of transmission opportunities for sensing signals associated with the third sub-state may be larger than the number of transmission opportunities for sensing signals associated with the second sub-state.

Alternatively, or in addition, in some embodiments, a bandwidth of resources configured for the third sub-state may be larger than a bandwidth of resources configured for the second sub-state.

Alternatively, or in addition, in some embodiments, the number of symbol configured for sensing resource during the third sub-state may be more than the number of symbols configured for sensing resource during the second sub-state.

In some embodiments, at least one sensing recourse may be configured for the third sensing state, and a sensing recourse of the at least one sensing recourse may be a periodic recourse, a semi-persistent recourse, or an aperiodic recourse.

Additionally, in some embodiments, each of the at least one sensing recourse is configured with a priority used for resolving a resource collision.

In some embodiments, in according with a determination that the priority used for resolving a resource collision is not configured, the first device 110 may apply a first priority rule between different sensing resources, where the first priority rule from high to low may be an aperiodic sensing resource, a semi-persistent sensing resource and a periodic sensing resource.

In some embodiments, in according with a determination that the priority used for resolving a resource collision is not configured, the first device 110 may apply a second priority rule between different sensing resources and a resource for communication, where the second priority rule from high to low is a common reference signal resource for communication, an aperiodic sensing resource, a control channel resource for communication (PUCCH or PDCCH) , a shared channel resource for communication (PUSCH or PDSCH) , a semi-persistent sensing resource and a periodic sensing resource.

By properly defining the above multiple sensing states and related state switching condition, the usage of the sensing resource and the sensing capability may be maximized, and the influence on the communication service of the sensing node may be minimized.

In the following, details about how the second device 120 may determine a sensing state based on the first information will be discussed, or details about how the first device 110 may determine the condition is meet for state switching based on sensing measurements.

In some embodiments, the second device 120 may determine a sensing state based on the device type information. For example, the operations administration and maintenance (OAM) device may indicate the role in sensing of other objects for the first device 110. As one example, the OAM indicates the role of the first device 110 is a sense scanning device, and the first device 110 may be configured to be operated in the second sensing state accordingly. Further, the first device 110 may indicate its device type information to the second device 120 and the second device 120 may make decision based on the reported device type information accordingly.

In some embodiments, the second device 120 may determine a sensing state based on the information of sensing signal, for example, whether the reference signal receiving power (RSRP) of the sensing signal reflected by the other objects is larger than a threshold (which means that an object is detected) , whether the transmission delay between Tx and Rx of the sensing signal is less than a threshold (which means that the object is close to the first device 110) , whether the RSRP difference in two adjacent times is larger enough (which means that the object is closer and closer) , whether the difference of the transmission delay between Tx and Rx in two adjacent times is larger enough (which means the object is closer and closer) .

In some embodiments, the second device 120 may determine the sensing state to be the first sensing state if one of the following:

● the first indication indicates the sensing function is not supported or is not allowed to be enabled at the first device 110, i.e., unable/disagree to open sensing service for sensing other targets;

● the device type information or the capability-related information of the first device 110 indicates the first device 110 does not support or is not allowed to be operated in the second or third sensing state;

● the third indication indicates the first device 110 expects to be operated in the first sensing state.

In some embodiments, the second device 120 may determine the sensing state to be the second sensing state if one of the following:

● the first device is dedicated for environment monitoring or dedicated for intrusion detection or agree to open sensing service for sensing other targets;

● the device type information or the capability-related information of the first device 110 indicates the first device 110 supports or is allowed to be operated in the second sensing state,

● the third indication indicates the first device 110 expects to be operated in the second sensing state.

In some embodiments, the second device 120 may determine the sensing state to be the third sensing state if one of the following:

● the first device is dedicated for environment monitoring or dedicated for intrusion detection or agree to open sensing service for sensing other objects;

● the first device is dedicated for sensing tracking;

● the device type information or the capability-related information of the first device 110 indicates the first device 110 supports or is allowed to be operated in the third sensing state;

● a second indication indicating a condition for transitioning from the second sensing state to the third sensing state is satisfied;

● the third indication indicates the first device 110 expects to be operated in the third sensing state.

As discussed above, the first device 110 may be operated in different sensing states. That is, a sensing state switching may be performed at the first device 110. In the following, details about the sensing state switching will be discussed.

As a general rule, the decision of the sensing state switching may be made by the second device 120, and the second device 120 should indicate the decision of the sensing state switching to the first device 110. Further, different from making the decision of the sensing state switching, the trigger of the sensing state switching may be decided by either the first device 110 or the second device 120.

In one example, the first device 110 may transmit a third indication indicating a sensing state that the first device expects or prefers to be operated in, and the second device 120 may decide whether the expected or preferred sensing state may be confirmed.

In another example, the first device 110 may determine whether a condition for triggering a sensing state switching is met. If the condition is met, the first device 110 may transmit a second indication indicating the condition is met to the second device 120. Upon the second indication, the second device 120 may make a decision about the sensing state switching.

In a further example, the first device 110 may provide related measurement results to the second device 120, the second device 120 may make the decision about the sensing state switching based on the received measurement results.

Some example embodiments about the condition for triggering the sensing state switching are discussed below.

In some embodiments, a first condition for transitioning from a sensing state or a sub-state to a further sensing state or a further sub-state may be determined to be satisfied if at least one of the following:

● the number of times of detecting sensing signals reflected by an object 130 to be sensed is larger than or equal to a first threshold number,

● a strength of sensing signals reflected by an object 130is larger than or equal to a first threshold strength,

● the number of times that a strength of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a second threshold strength is larger than or equal to a second threshold number,

● a measured transmission delay between Tx and Rx of sensing signals reflected by an object 130 is smaller than or equal to a first threshold delay,

● a strength difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a first threshold strength difference and the strength of sensing signals is increasing,

● a transmission delay difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a first threshold delay difference and the transmission delay is decreasing.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, a second condition for transitioning from the further sensing state or the further sub-state to the sensing state or the sub-state may be determined to be satisfied if at least one of the following:

● the number of failing to detect sensing signals reflected by an object 130 to be sensed is larger than or equal to a third threshold number,

● a strength of sensing signals reflected by an object 130 is smaller than or equal to a third threshold strength,

● the number of times that a strength of sensing signals is smaller than or equal to a second threshold strength is larger than or equal to a fourth threshold number,

● a transmission delay of sensing signals reflected by an object 130 is larger than or equal to a second threshold delay,

● a strength difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a second threshold strength difference and the strength of sensing signals is decreasing,

● a transmission delay difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a second threshold delay difference and the transmission delay is increasing.

In some embodiments, the sensing state is the second sensing state and the further sensing state is the third sensing state.

Alternatibely, in some embodiments, the sub-state is a first sub-state of the third sensing state, and the further sub-state is a second sub-state of the third sensing state.

Alternatibely, in some embodiments, the sub-state is a second sub-state of the third sensing state, and the further sub-state is a third sub-state of the third sensing state.

In some embodiments, any of the above mentioned threshold may be a pre-defined value or configured by the second device 120 according to the sensing scenarios. Specifically, at least one of the following may be a pre-defined value or configured by the second device 120: the first threshold number, the second threshold number, the third threshold number, the fourth threshold number, the first threshold strength, the second threshold strength, the third threshold strength, the fourth threshold strength, the first threshold delay, the second threshold delay, the first threshold strength difference, the second threshold strength difference, a first threshold transmission delay, a second threshold transmission delay.

Further, any of the above mentioned threshold may be different according to different state transitions. Specifically, in a case of a transition from sensing state A (or sub-state A) to sensing state B (or sub-state B) , the first threshold number may be N1, the second threshold number may be N2, the first threshold strength may be P1, the second threshold strength may be P2, the first threshold delay may be T1, the first threshold strength difference may be D1, or a first threshold delay difference D2. Accordingly, in a case of a transition from sensing state B (or sub-state B) to sensing state C (or sub-state C) (or a transition from sensing state C (or sub-state C) to sensing state D (or sub-state D) , or a transition from sensing state D (or sub-state D) to sensing state A (or sub-state A) ) , the first threshold number may be N1', the second threshold number may be N2', the first threshold strength may be P1', the second threshold strength may be P2', the first threshold delay may be T1', the first threshold strength difference may be D1', a first threshold delay difference D2'.

In some embodiments, the first threshold strength may be larger than the third threshold strength, and/or the second threshold strength may be larger than the fourth threshold strength. In some embodiments, the first threshold delay may be smaller than the second threshold delay.

In order to better understanding the above embodiments, some example embodiments are discussed below.

A determination of transitioning from the first sensing state to the second sensing state may be made if at least one of the following:

● receiving a sensing requirement and the first device 110 agrees to switch to the second sensing state, such as, a power state of the first device 110 allows to perform sensing scan;

● the user of the first device 110 triggers the second sensing state, such as, the user of the first device 110 wants to detect or monitoring the environment around the first device 110.

A determination of transitioning from the second sensing state to the third sensing state may be made if at least one of the following:

● receiving a sensing signal in N0 consecutive times, N0 is large than one. Additionally, receiving a sensing signal means that the strength of the sensing signal is larger than a minimum detectable power (or the strength of the sensing signal is larger than P0, P0 is large than zero) . As one example, N0＜=4, and N0 may be pre-defined or pre-configured according to the sensing requirement;

● the object is close enough to the first device 110,

● the object is big enough,

● the transmission delay is less than T0 (N0 is large than zero) , especially when the first device 110 is in a monostatic sensing state,

● the RSRP difference in two adjacent time instants is larger than △RSRP0 and the RSRP increases,

● the transmission delay difference in two adjacent time instants is larger than △t0 and the transmission delay decreases.

A determination of transitioning from the first sub-state to the second/third sub-state may be made if at least one of the following:

● the strength of the sensing signal is larger than P1 in N1 consecutive times, where P1 is larger than zero and N1 is larger than one. Optionally, P1＞P0;

● the transmission delay is less than T1, where T1 is larger than zero. Optionally T1＜T0;

● the RSRP difference in two adjacent time instants is larger than △RSRP1 and the RSRP increases, e.g., △RSRP1 ＞ △RSRP0;

● the transmission delay difference in two adjacent time instants is larger than △t1 and the transmission delay decreases, e.g., △t1 ＞ △t0.

A determination of transitioning from the second/third sub-state to the first sub-state may be made if at least one of the following:

● the strength of the sensing signal is less than P2 in N2 consecutives times, where P2 is larger than zero and N2 is larger than one. Optionally, P2＜P1;

● the transmission delay is larger than T2, where T2 is larger than zero. Optionally, T2＞T1;

● the RSRP difference in two adjacent time instants is larger than △RSRP2 and the RSRP decreases, e.g., △RSRP2 ＞= △RSRP1;

● the transmission delay difference in two adjacent time instants is larger than △t2 and the transmission delay increases, e.g., △t2 ＞= △t1.

A determination of transitioning from the third sensing state to the second sensing state may be made if at least one of the following:

● the strength of the sensing signal is less (no larger) than P3 in N3 consecutives times, where P3 is larger than zero and N3 is larger than one. Optionally, P3＜P0;

● the transmission delay is larger than T3, where T3 is larger than zero. Optionally, T3>T0;

● the RSRP difference in two adjacent time instants is larger than △RSRP3 and the RSRP decreases, e.g., △RSRP3 >= △RSRP0;

● the transmission delay difference in two adjacent time instants is larger than △t3 and the transmission delay increases. e.g., △t3 ＞= △t0.

A determination of transitioning from the second sensing state to the first sensing state may be made if at least one of the following:

● the strength of the sensing signal is less (no larger) than P4 in N4 consecutives times, where P4 is larger than zero and N4 is larger than one. Optionally, P4＜P0, N4＞N0;

● receiving an indication to stop sensing;

● there is no need to monitoring;

● the user of the first device 110 triggers the sense-idle state, such as, navigation system;

● the first device 110 triggers to switch to the sense-idle state by considering its power/battery state or other factors, such as, battery is low, other service which is more important arrives.

In some embodiments, the first device 110 may receive a sensing requirement from the second device 120, where the sensing requirement indicates at least one of the following: location information of an area to be sensed or an object 130 to be sensed, a sensing range between an area to be sensed and the first device 110, or a sensing range between an object 130 to be sensed and the first device 110. The first device 110 may determine whether to perform the sensing requirement based at least in part on the sensing requirement, and then transmit the determination result to the second device 120.

In some embodiments, the location information, sensing range may indicate an accurate location or range of the area (or the object) to be sensed. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the location information, sensing range may indicate a general location or range of the area (or the object) to be sensed. Further, the location information, sensing range may be represented by at least one of the following: longitude, latitude, altitude, area identity, cell identity, distance and so on. The present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

Specifically, after receiving the sensing requirement, the first device 110 may determine whether to perform the sensing requirement based on the sensing requirement, the capability-information of the first device 110, the status of the first device 110. As one example, if the sensing area is far away from the first device 110, or the first device 110 is a device dedicated for sensing tracking, or the battery of the first device 110 is low, the first device 110 may reject (not respond) the sensing requirement.

As for the second device 120, after transmitting the sensing requirement, if the second device 110 determines that the sensing requirement is accepted by the first device 110, the second device may determine to transition the first device 110 from the first sensing state to the second sensing state. As a result, the second device 120 may transmit the second information indicating the first device 110 to transition to the second state (such as, performing a sensing scanning operation) .

Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which illustrates another example signaling flow 700 for communication in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the first device 110 may report the capability related to the second device 120, such as:

● the first device 110 may support sensing states: the second sensing state, the third sensing state, the first sub-state, the second sub-state and the third sub-state;

● the first device 110 may support sensing signal transmission for other objects/objects/areas;

● the first device 110 may support measuring sensing signals and reporting measurement or sensing results for detection/tracking other object (s) ;

● the first device 110 may support transmitting/receiving sensing signals for detection/tracking other object (s) .

After the second device 120 receiving the sensing requirement from higher layer or core network, the second device 120 may transmit the sensing requirement to the first device 110.

In some embodiments, the second device 120 may broadcast the sensing requirement to the first devices around the objects or the target area.

In some embodiments, the general location of the target area (objects to be sensed) maybe broadcasted together with the sensing requirement.

In some embodiments, the general range between the target area (objects to be sensed) and the first device is indicated by the second device 120 specifically to the certain first device together with the requirement. In this way, the sensing requirement is comprised in the dedicated signalling, such as, radio resource control (RRC) signalling.

In some embodiments, if the second device 120 is a gNB, the second device 120 may transmit the sensing requirement via communication specification stack (e.g., RRC) . Accordingly, if the second device 120 is an LMF/SF, the second device 120 may transmit the sensing requirement via sensing specification stack.

In the example of FIG. 7, the first device 110 may respond to the sensing requirement from the second device 120, such as, agree/disagree to sense the objects.

Additionally, if the first device 110 does not have the sensing capability, the first device may ignore the sensing requirement, or not respond to the sensing requirement.

Alternatibely, if the first device 110 has the sensing capability, the first device 110 may accept the sensing requirement if one of the following:

● power of the first device 110 is enough,

● the range between the monitoring area/object and the first device is close enough, for example, the range is smaller than a given value, which may be a fix value, or determined based on the power state of the first device 110;

● the user of the first device 110 agrees to sensing the object.

Else, the first device may reject the sensing requirement.

In the example of FIG. 7, the first device#1 does not support sensing other targets, and the first device#1 may not respond to the sensing requirement.

Further, the first device#2 is under a low battery state. In this event, the first device#2 may not respond to the sensing requirement or transit a message to indicate the sensing requirement is rejected by the first device#2 (such as, indicating a cause of low battery state) . As for the first device#3, the first device#3 is close enough to the monitoring area, and the first device#3 is under a high battery state. In this event, the first device#3 may transit a message (ACK) to indicate the sensing requirement is accepted by the first device#3.

As for the first device#4, the first device#4 is under a high battery state but too far to sense the monitoring area. In this event, the first device#4 may not respond to the sensing requirement or transit a message to indicate the sensing requirement is rejected by the first device#4 (such as, indicating a cause of too far from the target/area to be sensed or monitored) .

In some embodiments, the application time for each state switched to should consider. The application time may be a state switching delay of the first device. Additionally, in some embodiments, the state switching delay may be implemented as one kind of capability (i.e., UE capability) . In this event, the first device 110 may report the related switching delay to the second device 120 (such as, transmit first information comprising the state switching delay) to the second device.

Additionally, the state switching delay may be different according to different state transitions. Specifically, in a case of a transition from sensing state A (or sub-state A) to sensing state B (or sub-state B) , the state switching delay may be a first value, while in a case of a transition from sensing state B (or sub-state B) to sensing state C (or sub-state C) (or a transition from sensing state C (or sub-state C) to sensing state D (or sub-state D) , or a transition from sensing state D (or sub-state D) to sensing state A (or sub-state A) ) , the state switching delay may be a second value.

Example Methods

FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of a communication method 800 implemented at a first device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 800 will be described from the perspective of the first device 110 in FIG. 1A.

At block 810, the first device transmits, to a second device, first information indicating at least one of the following: device type information of the first device, capability-related information of the first device, the capability-related information indicating at least one sensing state supported or allowed by the first device or at least one sensing-related operation supported or allowed by the first device, a first indication indicating a sensing function is supported or is allowed to be enabled at the first device, a second indication indicating an event associated with sensing state switching, a third indication indicating a sensing state that the first device expects or prefers to be operated in, at least one time delay for transitioning from a sensing state to a further sensing state.

At block 820, the first device receives, from the second device, second information, indicating a sensing state of a plurality of sensing states for the first device.

At block 830, the first device transitions to the sensing state indicated by the second information.

In some example embodiments, the sensing state is one of the following: a first sensing state, wherein if the first device is in the first sensing state, the first device performs at least one of the following: not transmitting sensing signals for sensing an object; or de-prioritizing a priority of recourse configured for sensing an object, a second sensing state, wherein if the first device is in the second sensing state, the first device performs at least one of the following: detecting an object to be sensed by measuring sensing signals transmitted on at least one periodic resource; or not reporting measurement or sensing results; or a third sensing state, wherein if the first device is in the third sensing state, the first device performs at least one of the following: detecting at least one object, measuring sensing signals reflected by an object, or reporting measurement or sensing results.

In some example embodiments, a periodic resource of the at least one periodic resource is configured by the second device by at least one of the following: a start position of the periodic resource, a periodicity of the periodic resource, a duration of the periodic resource, a subcarrier spacing (SCS) of the periodic resource, or a priority of the periodic resource.

In some example embodiments, the at least one periodic resource comprises: a first resource with a first periodicity and a first priority, and a second resource with a second periodicity and a second priority, wherein the second periodicity is larger than or equal to the first periodicity and the second priority is higher than the first priority.

In some example embodiments, one of the at least one periodic resource is configured with a highest priority among priorities of other resources for sensing and communication.

In some example embodiments, if a periodic resource of the periodic resource collides with a further periodic resource of the periodic resource, resolve the collision according to priorities of the periodic resource and the further periodic resource; or if a periodic resource of the periodic resource collides with a resource for communication, resolve the collision according to a priority of the periodic resource and a priority of the resource for communication.

In some example embodiments, in a case that the first device is operated in the second sensing state, in accordance with a determination that a condition for transitioning from the second sensing state to the third sensing state is satisfied, the first device may transmit the second indication to the second device via a pre-configured resource.

In some example embodiments, the third sensing state is divided into a plurality of sub-states comprising at least one the following: a first sub-state, wherein the first device detects at least one object during the first sub-state; a second sub-state, wherein the first device tracks at least one detected object in a coarse manner during the second sub-state; or a third sub-state, wherein the first device tracks at least one detected object in a fine manner during the third sub-state.

In some example embodiments, the first device may transmit a first report to the second device, the first report indicating at least one of the following: presence information of at least one object to be sensed, the number of the at least one detected object, or location-related information of the at least one detected object. during the second or the third sub-state, transmit a second or a third report to the second device, the second or the third report indicating at least one of the following: speed related information, moving direction related information, size related information, height related information, or trajectory-related information.

In some example embodiments, during the second or third sub-state, the first device may receive trajectory information from the second device; and measure sensing signals reflected by an object based on the trajectory information.

In some example embodiments, a tracking accuracy associated with the third sub-state is larger than a tracking accuracy associated with the second sub-state; measurement or sensing results reported during the third sub-state are richer than the measurement or sensing results reported during the second sub-state; the number of transmission opportunities for sensing signals associated with the third sub-state is larger than the number of transmission opportunities for sensing signals associated with the second sub-state; a bandwidth of resources configured for the third sub-state is larger than a bandwidth of resources configured for the second sub-state; or the number of symbol configured for the third sub-state is more than the number of symbols configured for the second sub-state.

In some example embodiments, at least one sensing recourse is configured for the third sensing state, and a sensing recourse of the at least one sensing recourse is a periodic recourse, a semi-persistent recourse, or an aperiodic recourse.

In some example embodiments, each of the at least one sensing recourse is configured with a priority used for resolving a resource collision; in according with a determination that the priority used for resolving a resource collision is not configured, apply a first priority rule between different sensing resources, wherein the first priority rule from high to low is an aperiodic sensing resource, a semi-persistent sensing resource and a periodic sensing resource; or in according with a determination that the priority used for resolving a resource collision is not configured, apply a second priority rule between different sensing resources and a resource for communication, wherein the second priority rule from high to low is a common reference signal resource for communication, an aperiodic sensing resource, a control channel resource for communication, a shared channel resource for communication, a semi-persistent sensing resource and a periodic sensing resource.

In some example embodiments, the first device may receive, from the second device, a sensing requirement indicating at least one of the following: location information of an area to be sensed or an object to be sensed, a sensing range between an area to be sensed and the first device, or a sensing range between an object to be sensed and the first device; and determine, based at least in part on the sensing requirement, whether to perform the sensing requirement; and transmit the determination result to the second device.

In some example embodiments, the first device may transmit the second indication indicating a first condition for transitioning from a sensing state or a sub-state to a further sensing state or a further sub-state is satisfied if at least one of the following: the number of times of detecting sensing signals reflected by an object to be sensed is larger than or equal to a first threshold number, a strength of sensing signals reflected by an object is larger than or equal to a first threshold strength, the number of times that a strength of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a second threshold strength is larger than or equal to a second threshold number, a measured transmission delay of sensing signals reflected by an object is smaller than or equal to a first threshold delay, a strength difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a first threshold strength difference and the strength of sensing signals is increasing, a transmission delay difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a first threshold delay difference and the transmission delay is decreasing; or transmit the second indication indicating a second condition for transitioning from the further sensing state or the further sub-state to the sensing state or the sub-state is satisfied if at least one of the following: the number of failing to detect sensing signals reflected by an object to be sensed is larger than or equal to a third threshold number, a strength of sensing signals reflected by an object is smaller than or equal to a third threshold strength, the number of times that a strength of sensing signals is smaller than or equal to a second threshold strength is larger than or equal to a fourth threshold number, a transmission delay of sensing signals reflected by an object is larger than or equal to a second threshold delay, a strength difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a second threshold strength difference and the strength of sensing signals is decreasing, a transmission delay difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a second threshold delay difference and the transmission delay is increasing.

In some example embodiments, the sensing state is the second sensing state and the further sensing state is the third sensing state, the sub-state is a first sub-state of the third sensing state, and the further sub-state is a second sub-state of the third sensing state, or the sub-state is a second sub-state of the third sensing state, and the further sub-state is a third sub-state of the third sensing state.

In some example embodiments, at least one of the following is a pre-defined value or configured by the second device: the first threshold number, the second threshold number, the third threshold number, the fourth threshold number, the first threshold strength, the second threshold strength, the third threshold strength, the fourth threshold strength, the first threshold delay, the second threshold delay, the first threshold strength difference, the second threshold strength difference, a first threshold transmission delay, a second threshold transmission delay.

In some example embodiments, the first threshold strength is larger than the third threshold strength, the second threshold strength is larger than the fourth threshold strength, or the first threshold delay is smaller than the second threshold delay.

In some example embodiments, the first device is a terminal device or a network device, and the second device is a network device, a sensing function entity, or location management function entity.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of a communication method 900 implemented at a second device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 900 will be described from the perspective of the second device 120 in FIG. 1A.

At block 910, the second device obtains, first information indicating at least one of the following: device type information of the first device, capability-related information of the first device, the capability-related information indicating at least one sensing state supported or allowed by the first device or at least one sensing-related operation supported or allowed by the first device, a first indication indicating a sensing function is supported or is allowed to be enabled at the first device; a second indication indicating an event associated with sensing state switching; a third indication indicating a sensing state that the first device expects to be operated in; at least one time delay for transitioning from a sensing state to a further sensing state.

At block 920, the second device determines a sensing state for a first device based on the first information.

At block 930, the second device transmits, to the first device, second information indicating the sensing state.

In some example embodiments, the sensing state is one of the following: a first sensing state, wherein if the first device is in the first sensing state, the first device performs at least one of the following: not transmitting sensing signals for sensing an object; or de-prioritizing a priority of recourse configured for sensing an object, a second sensing state, wherein if the first device is in the second sensing state, the first device performs at least one of the following: detecting an object to be sensed by measuring sensing signals transmitted on at least one periodic resource; or not reporting measurement or sensing results; or a third sensing state, wherein if the first device is in the third sensing state, the first device performs at least one of the following: detecting at least one object; measuring sensing signals reflected by an object; or reporting measurement or sensing results.

In some example embodiments, the second device may transmit, configuration information indicating resources used by the first device for transmitting the second indication.

In some example embodiments, the third sensing state is divided into a plurality of sub-states comprising at least one the following: a first sub-state, wherein the first device detects at least one object during the first sub-state, a second sub-state, wherein the first device tracks at least one detected object in a coarse manner during the second sub-state, a third sub-state, wherein the first device tracks at least one detected object in a fine manner during the third sub-state.

In some example embodiments, the second device may receive a first report from the first device operating in the first sub-state, the first report indicating at least one of the following: presence information of at least one object to be sensed, the number of the at least one detected object, or location-related information of the at least one detected object. receive a second or a third report from the first device operating in the second or the third sub-state, the second or the third report indicating at least one of the following: speed related information, moving direction related information, size related information, height related information, or trajectory-related information.

In some example embodiments, the second device may receive, from the first device operating in the second or third sub-state, measurement or sensing results; determine, based on the measurement or sensing results, trajectory information; and transmit the trajectory information to the first device.

In some example embodiments, the second device may configure a priority used for resolving a resource collision for each of the at least one sensing recourse.

In some example embodiments, the second device may determine the sensing state to be the first sensing state if one of the following: the first indication indicates the sensing function is not supported or is not allowed to be enabled at the first device; the device type information or the capability-related information of the first device indicates the first device does not support or is not allowed to be operated in the second or third sensing state; the third indication indicates the first device expects to be operated in the first sensing state; determine the sensing state to be the second sensing state if one of the following: the device type information or the capability-related information of the first device indicates the first device supports or is allowed to be operated in the second sensing state, the third indication indicates the first device expects to be operated in the second sensing state; determine the sensing state to be the third sensing state if one of the following: the device type information or the capability-related information of the first device indicates the first device supports or is allowed to be operated in the third sensing state, a second indication indicating a condition for transitioning from the second sensing state to the third sensing state is satisfied, the third indication indicates the first device expects to be operated in the third sensing state.

In some example embodiments, the second device may transmit, to the first device, a sensing requirement indicating at least one of the following: location information of an area to be sensed or an object to be sensed, or a sensing range between an area to be sensed and the first device, or a sensing range between an object to be sensed and the first device.

In some example embodiments, the second device may after transmitting the sensing requirement, in accordance with a determination that the sensing requirement is accepted by the first device, determine to transition the first device from the first sensing state to the second sensing state.

In some example embodiments, based on measurement or sensing results from the first device, the second device may determine to transition the first device from a sensing state or a sub-state to a further sensing state or further sub-state if at least one of the following: the number of times of detecting sensing signals reflected by an object to be sensed is larger than or equal to a first threshold number, a strength of sensing signals reflected by an object is larger than or equal to a first threshold strength, the number of times that a strength of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a second threshold strength is larger than or equal to a second threshold number, a transmission delay of sensing signals reflected by an object is smaller than or equal to a first threshold delay, a strength difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a first threshold strength difference and the strength of sensing signals is increasing, a measured transmission delay difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a first threshold delay difference and the transmission delay is decreasing; or based on the measurement or sensing results from the first device, determine to transition the first device from the further sensing state or the further sub-state to the sensing state or the sub-state if at least one of the following: the number of failing to detect sensing signals reflected by an object to be sensed is larger than or equal to a third threshold number, a strength of sensing signals reflected by an object is smaller than or equal to a third threshold strength, the number of times that a strength of sensing signals is smaller than or equal to a second threshold strength is larger than or equal to a fourth threshold number, a transmission delay of sensing signals reflected by an object is larger than or equal to a second threshold delay, a strength difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a second threshold strength difference and the strength of sensing signals is decreasing, a transmission delay difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a second threshold delay difference and the transmission delay is increasing.

Example Devices and Apparatus

FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram of a device 1000 that is suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 1000 can be considered as a further example implementation of any of the devices as shown in FIG. 1A. Accordingly, the device 1000 can be implemented at or as at least a part of the first device 110 or the second device 120.

As shown, the device 1000 includes a processor 1010, a memory 1020 coupled to the processor 1010, a suitable transceiver 1040 coupled to the processor 1010, and a communication interface coupled to the transceiver 1040. The memory 1020 stores at least a part of a program 1030. The transceiver 1040 may be for bidirectional communications or a unidirectional communication based on requirements. The transceiver 1040 may include at least one of a transmitter 1042 and a receiver 1044. The transmitter 1042 and the receiver 1044 may be functional modules or physical entities. The transceiver 1040 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication, though in practice an Access Node mentioned in this application may have several ones. The communication interface may represent any interface that is necessary for communication with other network elements, such as X2/Xn interface for bidirectional communications between eNBs/gNBs, S1/NG interface for communication between a Mobility Management Entity (MME) /Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) /SGW/UPF and the eNB/gNB, Un interface for communication between the eNB/gNB and a relay node (RN) , or Uu interface for communication between the eNB/gNB and a terminal device.

The program 1030 is assumed to include program instructions that, when executed by the associated processor 1010, enable the device 1000 to operate in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure, as discussed herein with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. The embodiments herein may be implemented by computer software executable by the processor 1010 of the device 1000, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. The processor 1010 may be configured to implement various embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, a combination of the processor 1010 and memory 1020 may form processing means 1050 adapted to implement various embodiments of the present disclosure.

The memory 1020 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory, as non-limiting examples. While only one memory 1020 is shown in the device 1000, there may be several physically distinct memory modules in the device 1000. The processor 1010 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The device 1000 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slaved in time to a clock which synchronizes the main processor.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a first device comprising a circuitry is provided. The circuitry is configured to: transmit, to a second device, first information indicating at least one of the following: device type information of the first device, capability-related information of the first device, the capability-related information indicating at least one sensing state supported or allowed by the first device or at least one sensing-related operation supported or allowed by the first device, a first indication indicating a sensing function is supported or is allowed to be enabled at the first device, a second indication indicating an event associated with sensing state switching, a third indication indicating a sensing state that the first device expects or prefers to be operated in, at least one time delay for transitioning from a sensing state to a further sensing state; receive, from the second device, second information, indicating a sensing state of a plurality of sensing states for the first device; and transition to the sensing state indicated by the second information. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the circuitry may be configured to perform any method implemented by the first device as discussed above.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a second device comprising a circuitry is provided. The circuitry is configured to: obtain, first information indicating at least one of the following: device type information of the first device, capability-related information of the first device, the capability-related information indicating at least one sensing state supported or allowed by the first device or at least one sensing-related operation supported or allowed by the first device, a first indication indicating a sensing function is supported or is allowed to be enabled at the first device; a second indication indicating an event associated with sensing state switching; a third indication indicating a sensing state that the first device expects to be operated in; at least one time delay for transitioning from a sensing state to a further sensing state; determine a sensing state for a first device based on the first information; and transmit, to the first device, second information indicating the sensing state. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the circuitry may be configured to perform any method implemented by the second device as discussed above.

The term “circuitry” used herein may refer to hardware circuits and/or combinations of hardware circuits and software. For example, the circuitry may be a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuits with software/firmware. As a further example, the circuitry may be any portions of hardware processors with software including digital signal processor (s) , software, and memory (ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a terminal device or a network device, to perform various functions. In a still further example, the circuitry may be hardware circuits and or processors, such as a microprocessor or a portion of a microprocessor, that requires software/firmware for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation. As used herein, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (s) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor (s) and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a first apparatus is provided. The first apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a second device, first information indicating at least one of the following: device type information of the first device, capability-related information of the first device, the capability-related information indicating at least one sensing state supported or allowed by the first device or at least one sensing-related operation supported or allowed by the first device, a first indication indicating a sensing function is supported or is allowed to be enabled at the first device, a second indication indicating an event associated with sensing state switching, a third indication indicating a sensing state that the first device expects or prefers to be operated in, at least one time delay for transitioning from a sensing state to a further sensing state; means for receiving, from the second device, second information, indicating a sensing state of a plurality of sensing states for the first device; and means for transitioning to the sensing state indicated by the second information. In some embodiments, the first apparatus may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 800. In some example embodiments, the first apparatus may further comprise means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 800. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a second apparatus is provided. The second apparatus comprises means for obtaining, first information indicating at least one of the following: device type information of the first device, capability-related information of the first device, the capability-related information indicating at least one sensing state supported or allowed by the first device or at least one sensing-related operation supported or allowed by the first device, a first indication indicating a sensing function is supported or is allowed to be enabled at the first device; a second indication indicating an event associated with sensing state switching; a third indication indicating a sensing state that the first device expects to be operated in, or at least one time delay for transitioning from a sensing state to a further sensing state; means for determining a sensing state for a first device based on the first information; and means for transmitting, to the first device, second information indicating the sensing state. In some embodiments, the second apparatus may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 900. In some example embodiments, the second apparatus may further comprise means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 900. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

In summary, embodiments of the present disclosure provide the following aspects.

In an aspect, it is proposed a first device comprising: a processor configured to cause the first device to: transmit, to a second device, first information indicating at least one of the following: device type information of the first device, capability-related information of the first device, the capability-related information indicating at least one sensing state supported or allowed by the first device or at least one sensing-related operation supported or allowed by the first device, a first indication indicating a sensing function is supported or is allowed to be enabled at the first device, a second indication indicating an event associated with sensing state switching, a third indication indicating a sensing state that the first device expects or prefers to be operated in, at least one time delay for transitioning from a sensing state to a further sensing state; receive, from the second device, second information, indicating a sensing state of a plurality of sensing states for the first device; and transition to the sensing state indicated by the second information.

In some embodiments, the sensing state is one of the following: a first sensing state, wherein if the first device is in the first sensing state, the first device performs at least one of the following: not transmitting sensing signals for sensing an object; or de-prioritizing a priority of recourse configured for sensing an object, a second sensing state, wherein if the first device is in the second sensing state, the first device performs at least one of the following: detecting an object to be sensed by measuring sensing signals transmitted on at least one periodic resource; or not reporting measurement or sensing results; or a third sensing state, wherein if the first device is in the third sensing state, the first device performs at least one of the following: detecting at least one object, measuring sensing signals reflected by an object, or reporting measurement or sensing results.

In some embodiments, a periodic resource of the at least one periodic resource is configured by the second device by at least one of the following: a start position of the periodic resource, a periodicity of the periodic resource, a duration of the periodic resource, a subcarrier spacing (SCS) of the periodic resource, or a priority of the periodic resource.

In some embodiments, the at least one periodic resource comprises: a first resource with a first periodicity and a first priority, and a second resource with a second periodicity and a second priority, wherein the second periodicity is larger than or equal to the first periodicity and the second priority is higher than the first priority.

In some embodiments, one of the at least one periodic resource is configured with a highest priority among priorities of other resources for sensing and communication.

In some embodiments, if a periodic resource of the periodic resource collides with a further periodic resource of the periodic resource, resolve the collision according to priorities of the periodic resource and the further periodic resource; or if a periodic resource of the periodic resource collides with a resource for communication, resolve the collision according to a priority of the periodic resource and a priority of the resource for communication.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the first device to: in a case that the first device is operated in the second sensing state, in accordance with a determination that a condition for transitioning from the second sensing state to the third sensing state is satisfied, transmit the second indication to the second device via a pre-configured resource.

In some embodiments, the third sensing state is divided into a plurality of sub-states comprising at least one the following: a first sub-state, wherein the first device detects at least one object during the first sub-state; a second sub-state, wherein the first device tracks at least one detected object in a coarse manner during the second sub-state; and a third sub-state, wherein the first device tracks at least one detected object in a fine manner during the third sub-state.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the first device to: during the first sub-state, transmit a first report to the second device, the first report indicating at least one of the following: presence information of at least one object to be sensed, the number of the at least one detected object, or location-related information of the at least one detected object. during the second or the third sub-state, transmit a second or a third report to the second device, the second or the third report indicating at least one of the following: speed related information, moving direction related information, size related information, height related information, or trajectory-related information.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the first device to: during the second or third sub-state, receive trajectory information from the second device; and measure sensing signals reflected by an object based on the trajectory information.

In some embodiments, a tracking accuracy associated with the third sub-state is larger than a tracking accuracy associated with the second sub-state; measurement or sensing results reported during the third sub-state are richer than the measurement or sensing results reported during the second sub-state; the number of transmission opportunities for sensing signals associated with the third sub-state is larger than the number of transmission opportunities for sensing signals associated with the second sub-state; a bandwidth of resources configured for the third sub-state is larger than a bandwidth of resources configured for the second sub-state; or the number of symbol configured for the third sub-state is more than the number of symbols configured for the second sub-state.

In some embodiments, at least one sensing recourse is configured for the third sensing state, and a sensing recourse of the at least one sensing recourse is a periodic recourse, a semi-persistent recourse, or an aperiodic recourse.

In some embodiments, each of the at least one sensing recourse is configured with a priority used for resolving a resource collision; in according with a determination that the priority used for resolving a resource collision is not configured, apply a first priority rule between different sensing resources, wherein the first priority rule from high to low is an aperiodic sensing resource, a semi-persistent sensing resource and a periodic sensing resource; or in according with a determination that the priority used for resolving a resource collision is not configured, apply a second priority rule between different sensing resources and a resource for communication, wherein the second priority rule from high to low is a common reference signal resource for communication, an aperiodic sensing resource, a control channel resource for communication, a shared channel resource for communication, a semi-persistent sensing resource and a periodic sensing resource.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the first device to: receive, from the second device, a sensing requirement indicating at least one of the following: location information of an area to be sensed or an object to be sensed, a sensing range between an area to be sensed and the first device, or a sensing range between an object to be sensed and the first device; and determine, based at least in part on the sensing requirement, whether to perform the sensing requirement; and transmit the determination result to the second device.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the first device to: transmit the second indication indicating a first condition for transitioning from a sensing state or a sub-state to a further sensing state or a further sub-state is satisfied if at least one of the following: the number of times of detecting sensing signals reflected by an object to be sensed is larger than or equal to a first threshold number, a strength of sensing signals reflected by an object is larger than or equal to a first threshold strength, the number of times that a strength of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a second threshold strength is larger than or equal to a second threshold number, a measured transmission delay of sensing signals reflected by an object is smaller than or equal to a first threshold delay, a strength difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a first threshold strength difference and the strength of sensing signals is increasing, a transmission delay difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a first threshold delay difference and the transmission delay is decreasing; or transmit the second indication indicating a second condition for transitioning from the further sensing state or the further sub-state to the sensing state or the sub-state is satisfied if at least one of the following: the number of failing to detect sensing signals reflected by an object to be sensed is larger than or equal to a third threshold number, a strength of sensing signals reflected by an object is smaller than or equal to a third threshold strength, the number of times that a strength of sensing signals is smaller than or equal to a second threshold strength is larger than or equal to a fourth threshold number, a transmission delay of sensing signals reflected by an object is larger than or equal to a second threshold delay, a strength difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a second threshold strength difference and the strength of sensing signals is decreasing, a transmission delay difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a second threshold delay difference and the transmission delay is increasing.

In some embodiments, the sensing state is the second sensing state and the further sensing state is the third sensing state, the sub-state is a first sub-state of the third sensing state, and the further sub-state is a second sub-state of the third sensing state, or the sub-state is a second sub-state of the third sensing state, and the further sub-state is a third sub-state of the third sensing state.

In some embodiments, at least one of the following is a pre-defined value or configured by the second device: the first threshold number, the second threshold number, the third threshold number, the fourth threshold number, the first threshold strength, the second threshold strength, the third threshold strength, the fourth threshold strength, the first threshold delay, the second threshold delay, the first threshold strength difference, the second threshold strength difference, a first threshold transmission delay, a second threshold transmission delay.

In some embodiments, the first threshold strength is larger than the third threshold strength, the second threshold strength is larger than the fourth threshold strength, or the first threshold delay is smaller than the second threshold delay.

In some embodiments, the first device is a terminal device or a network device, and the second device is a network device, a sensing function entity, or location management function entity.

In an aspect, it is proposed a second device comprising: a processor configured to cause the second device to: obtain, first information indicating at least one of the following: device type information of the first device, capability-related information of the first device, the capability-related information indicating at least one sensing state supported or allowed by the first device or at least one sensing-related operation supported or allowed by the first device, a first indication indicating a sensing function is supported or is allowed to be enabled at the first device; a second indication indicating an event associated with sensing state switching; a third indication indicating a sensing state that the first device expects to be operated in, or at least one time delay for transitioning from a sensing state to a further sensing state; determine a sensing state for a first device based on the first information; and transmit, to the first device, second information indicating the sensing state.

In some embodiments, the sensing state is one of the following: a first sensing state, wherein if the first device is in the first sensing state, the first device performs at least one of the following: not transmitting sensing signals for sensing an object; or de-prioritizing a priority of recourse configured for sensing an object, a second sensing state, wherein if the first device is in the second sensing state, the first device performs at least one of the following: detecting an object to be sensed by measuring sensing signals transmitted on at least one periodic resource; or not reporting measurement or sensing results; or a third sensing state, wherein if the first device is in the third sensing state, the first device performs at least one of the following: detecting at least one object; measuring sensing signals reflected by an object; or reporting measurement or sensing results.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the second device to: transmit, configuration information indicating resources used by the first device for transmitting the second indication.

In some embodiments, the third sensing state is divided into a plurality of sub-states comprising at least one the following: a first sub-state, wherein the first device detects at least one object during the first sub-state, a second sub-state, wherein the first device tracks at least one detected object in a coarse manner during the second sub-state, or a third sub-state, wherein the first device tracks at least one detected object in a fine manner during the third sub-state.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the second device to: receive a first report from the first device operating in the first sub-state, the first report indicating at least one of the following: presence information of at least one object to be sensed, the number of the at least one detected object, or location-related information of the at least one detected object. receive a second or a third report from the first device operating in the second or the third sub-state, the second or the third report indicating at least one of the following: speed related information, moving direction related information, size related information, height related information, or trajectory-related information.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the second device to: receive, from the first device operating in the second or third sub-state, measurement or sensing results; determine, based on the measurement or sensing results, trajectory information; and transmit the trajectory information to the first device.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the second device to: configure a priority used for resolving a resource collision for each of the at least one sensing recourse.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the second device to: determine the sensing state to be the first sensing state if one of the following: the first indication indicates the sensing function is not supported or is not allowed to be enabled at the first device; the device type information or the capability-related information of the first device indicates the first device does not support or is not allowed to be operated in the second or third sensing state; the third indication indicates the first device expects to be operated in the first sensing state; determine the sensing state to be the second sensing state if one of the following: the device type information or the capability-related information of the first device indicates the first device supports or is allowed to be operated in the second sensing state, the third indication indicates the first device expects to be operated in the second sensing state; determine the sensing state to be the third sensing state if one of the following: the device type information or the capability-related information of the first device indicates the first device supports or is allowed to be operated in the third sensing state, a second indication indicating a condition for transitioning from the second sensing state to the third sensing state is satisfied, the third indication indicates the first device expects to be operated in the third sensing state.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the second device to: transmit, to the first device, a sensing requirement indicating at least one of the following: location information of an area to be sensed or an object to be sensed, or a sensing range between an area to be sensed and the first device, or a sensing range between an object to be sensed and the first device.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the second device to: after transmitting the sensing requirement, in accordance with a determination that the sensing requirement is accepted by the first device, determine to transition the first device from the first sensing state to the second sensing state.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the second device to: based on measurement or sensing results from the first device, determine to transition the first device from a sensing state or a sub-state to a further sensing state or further sub-state if at least one of the following: the number of times of detecting sensing signals reflected by an object to be sensed is larger than or equal to a first threshold number, a strength of sensing signals reflected by an object is larger than or equal to a first threshold strength, the number of times that a strength of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a second threshold strength is larger than or equal to a second threshold number, a transmission delay of sensing signals reflected by an object is smaller than or equal to a first threshold delay, a strength difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a first threshold strength difference and the strength of sensing signals is increasing, a measured transmission delay difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a first threshold delay difference and the transmission delay is decreasing; or based on the measurement or sensing results from the first device, determine to transition the first device from the further sensing state or the further sub-state to the sensing state or the sub-state if at least one of the following: the number of failing to detect sensing signals reflected by an object to be sensed is larger than or equal to a third threshold number, a strength of sensing signals reflected by an object is smaller than or equal to a third threshold strength, the number of times that a strength of sensing signals is smaller than or equal to a second threshold strength is larger than or equal to a fourth threshold number, a transmission delay of sensing signals reflected by an object is larger than or equal to a second threshold delay, a strength difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a second threshold strength difference and the strength of sensing signals is decreasing, a transmission delay difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a second threshold delay difference and the transmission delay is increasing.

In an aspect, a first device comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions thereon, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, causing the device to perform the method implemented by the first device discussed above.

In an aspect, a second device comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions thereon, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, causing the device to perform the method implemented by the second device discussed above.

In an aspect, a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed on at least one processor, causing the at least one processor to perform the method implemented by the first device discussed above.

In an aspect, a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed on at least one processor, causing the at least one processor to perform the method implemented by the second device discussed above.

In an aspect, a computer program comprising instructions, the instructions, when executed on at least one processor, causing the at least one processor to perform the method implemented by the first device discussed above.

In an aspect, a computer program comprising instructions, the instructions, when executed on at least one processor, causing the at least one processor to perform the method implemented by the second device discussed above.

Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. While various aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representation, it will be appreciated that the blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor, to carry out the process or method as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or controller of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the program codes, when executed by the processor or controller, cause the functions/operations specified in the flowcharts and/or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on a machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

The above program code may be embodied on a machine readable medium, which may be any tangible medium that may contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The machine readable medium may be a machine readable signal medium or a machine readable storage medium. A machine readable medium may include but not limited to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the machine readable storage medium would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM) , a read-only memory (ROM) , an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) , an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) , an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Further, while operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, while several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Although the present disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

A first device comprising:

a processor configured to cause the first device to:

transmit, to a second device, first information indicating at least one of the following:

device type information of the first device,

capability-related information of the first device, the capability-related information indicating at least one sensing state supported or allowed by the first device or at least one sensing-related operation supported or allowed by the first device,

a first indication indicating a sensing function is supported or is allowed to be enabled at the first device,

a second indication indicating an event associated with sensing state switching,

a third indication indicating a sensing state that the first device expects or prefers to be operated in, or

at least one time delay for transitioning from a sensing state to a further sensing state;

receive, from the second device, second information indicating a sensing state of a plurality of sensing states for the first device; and

transition to the sensing state indicated by the second information.
The first device of claim 1, wherein the sensing state is one of the following:

a first sensing state, wherein if the first device is in the first sensing state, the first device performs at least one of the following:

not transmitting sensing signals for sensing an object; or

de-prioritizing a priority of recourse configured for sensing an object,

a second sensing state, wherein if the first device is in the second sensing state, the first device performs at least one of the following:

detecting an object to be sensed by measuring sensing signals transmitted on at least one periodic resource; or

not reporting measurement or sensing results; or

a third sensing state, wherein if the first device is in the third sensing state, the first device performs at least one of the following:

detecting at least one object,

tracking at least one object,

measuring sensing signals reflected by an object, or

reporting measurement or sensing results.
The first device of claim 2, wherein the at least one periodic resource comprises:

a first resource with a first periodicity and a first priority, and

a second resource with a second periodicity and a second priority, wherein the second periodicity is larger than or equal to the first periodicity and the second priority is higher than the first priority.
The first device of claim 2, wherein the third sensing state is divided into a plurality of sub-states comprising at least one the following:

a first sub-state, wherein the first device detects at least one object during the first sub-state;

a second sub-state, wherein the first device tracks at least one detected object in a coarse manner during the second sub-state; or

a third sub-state, wherein the first device tracks at least one detected object in a fine manner during the third sub-state.
The first device of claim 4, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the first device to:

during the first sub-state, transmit a first report to the second device, the first report indicating at least one of the following:

presence information of at least one object to be sensed,

the number of the at least one detected object, or

location-related information of the at least one detected object.

during the second or the third sub-state, transmit a second or a third report to the second device, the second or the third report indicating at least one of the following:

speed related information,

moving direction related information,

size related information,

height related information, or

trajectory-related information.
The first device of claim 4, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the first device to:

during the second or third sub-state, receive trajectory information from the second device; and

measure sensing signals reflected by an object based on the trajectory information.
The first device of claim 4, wherein,

a tracking accuracy associated with the third sub-state is larger than a tracking accuracy associated with the second sub-state;

measurement or sensing results reported during the third sub-state are richer than the measurement or sensing results reported during the second sub-state;

the number of transmission opportunities for sensing signals associated with the third sub-state is larger than the number of transmission opportunities for sensing signals associated with the second sub-state;

a bandwidth of resources configured for the third sub-state is larger than a bandwidth of resources configured for the second sub-state; or

the number of symbol configured for the third sub-state is more than the number of symbols configured for the second sub-state.
The first device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the first device to:

receive, from the second device, a sensing requirement indicating at least one of the following:

location information of an area to be sensed or an object to be sensed,

a sensing range between an area to be sensed and the first device, or

a sensing range between an object to be sensed and the first device; and

determine, based at least in part on the sensing requirement, whether to perform the sensing requirement; and

transmit the determination result to the second device.
The first device of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the first device to:

transmit the second indication indicating a first condition for transitioning from a sensing state or a sub-state to a further sensing state or a further sub-state is satisfied if at least one of the following:

the number of times of detecting sensing signals reflected by an object to be sensed is larger than or equal to a first threshold number;

a strength of sensing signals reflected by an object is larger than or equal to a first threshold strength;

the number of times that a strength of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a second threshold strength is larger than or equal to a second threshold number;

a measured transmission delay of sensing signals reflected by an object is smaller than or equal to a first threshold delay;

a strength difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a first threshold strength difference and the strength of sensing signals is increasing; or

a transmission delay difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a first threshold delay difference and the transmission delay is decreasing; or

transmit the second indication indicating a second condition for transitioning from the further sensing state or the further sub-state to the sensing state or the sub-state is satisfied if at least one of the following:

the number of failing to detect sensing signals reflected by an object to be sensed is larger than or equal to a third threshold number;

a strength of sensing signals reflected by an object is smaller than or equal to a third threshold strength;

the number of times that a strength of sensing signals is smaller than or equal to a second threshold strength is larger than or equal to a fourth threshold number;

a transmission delay of sensing signals reflected by an object is larger than or equal to a second threshold delay;

a strength difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a second threshold strength difference and the strength of sensing signals is decreasing; or

a transmission delay difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a second threshold delay difference and the transmission delay is increasing.
The first device of claim 9, wherein,

the sensing state is the second sensing state and the further sensing state is the third sensing state,

the sub-state is a first sub-state of the third sensing state, and the further sub-state is a second sub-state of the third sensing state, or

the sub-state is a second sub-state of the third sensing state, and the further sub-state is a third sub-state of the third sensing state.
The first device of claim 9, wherein at least one of the following is a pre-defined value or configured by the second device:

the first threshold number, the second threshold number, the third threshold number, the fourth threshold number, the first threshold strength, the second threshold strength, the third threshold strength, the fourth threshold strength, the first threshold delay, the second threshold delay, the first threshold strength difference, the second threshold strength difference, a first threshold transmission delay, a second threshold transmission delay.
The first device of claim 9, wherein,

the first threshold strength is larger than the third threshold strength,

the second threshold strength is larger than the fourth threshold strength, or

the first threshold delay is smaller than the second threshold delay.
The first device of claim 1, wherein,

the first device is a terminal device or a network device, and

the second device is a network device, a sensing function entity, or location management function entity.
A second device comprising:

a processor configured to cause the second device to:

obtain, first information indicating at least one of the following:

device type information of the first device,

capability-related information of the first device, the capability-related information indicating at least one sensing state supported or allowed by the first device or at least one sensing-related operation supported or allowed by the first device,

a first indication indicating a sensing function is supported or is allowed to be enabled at the first device,

a second indication indicating an event associated with sensing state switching,

a third indication indicating a sensing state that the first device expects to be operated in, or

at least one time delay for transitioning from a sensing state to a further sensing state;

determine a sensing state for a first device based on the first information; and

transmit, to the first device, second information indicating the sensing state.
The second device of claim 14, the sensing state is one of the following:

a first sensing state, wherein if the first device is in the first sensing state, the first device performs at least one of the following:

not transmitting sensing signals for sensing an object; or

de-prioritizing a priority of recourse configured for sensing an object;

a second sensing state, wherein if the first device is in the second sensing state, the first device performs at least one of the following:

detecting an object to be sensed by measuring sensing signals transmitted on at least one periodic resource; or

not reporting measurement or sensing results; or

a third sensing state, wherein if the first device is in the third sensing state, the first device performs at least one of the following:

detecting at least one object;

measuring sensing signals reflected by an object; or

reporting measurement or sensing results.
The second device of claim 15, wherein the third sensing state is divided into a plurality of sub-states comprising at least one the following:

a first sub-state, wherein the first device detects at least one object during the first sub-state,

a second sub-state, wherein the first device tracks at least one detected object in a coarse manner during the second sub-state, or

a third sub-state, wherein the first device tracks at least one detected object in a fine manner during the third sub-state.
The second device of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the second device to:

receive, from the first device operating in the second or third sub-state, measurement or sensing results;

determine, based on the measurement or sensing results, trajectory information; and

transmit the trajectory information to the first device.
The second device of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the second device to:

determine the sensing state to be the first sensing state if one of the following:

the first indication indicates the sensing function is not supported or is not allowed to be enabled at the first device;

the device type information or the capability-related information of the first device indicates the first device does not support or is not allowed to be operated in the second or third sensing state;

the third indication indicates the first device expects to be operated in the first sensing state;

determine the sensing state to be the second sensing state if one of the following:

the device type information or the capability-related information of the first device indicates the first device supports or is allowed to be operated in the second sensing state,

the third indication indicates the first device expects to be operated in the second sensing state;

determine the sensing state to be the third sensing state if one of the following:

the device type information or the capability-related information of the first device indicates the first device supports or is allowed to be operated in the third sensing state,

a second indication indicating a condition for transitioning from the second sensing state to the third sensing state is satisfied,

the third indication indicates the first device expects to be operated in the third sensing state.
The second device of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the second device to:

after transmitting the sensing requirement, in accordance with a determination that the sensing requirement is accepted by the first device, determine to transition the first device from the first sensing state to the second sensing state.
The second device of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the second device to:

based on measurement or sensing results from the first device, determine to transition the first device from a sensing state or a sub-state to a further sensing state or further sub-state if at least one of the following:

the number of times of detecting sensing signals reflected by an object to be sensed is larger than or equal to a first threshold number,

a strength of sensing signals reflected by an object is larger than or equal to a first threshold strength,

the number of times that a strength of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a second threshold strength is larger than or equal to a second threshold number,

a transmission delay of sensing signals reflected by an object is smaller than or equal to a first threshold delay,

a strength difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a first threshold strength difference and the strength of sensing signals is increasing,

a measured transmission delay difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a first threshold delay difference and the transmission delay is decreasing; or

based on the measurement or sensing results from the first device, determine to transition the first device from the further sensing state or the further sub-state to the sensing state or the sub-state if at least one of the following:

the number of failing to detect sensing signals reflected by an object to be sensed is larger than or equal to a third threshold number,

a strength of sensing signals reflected by an object is smaller than or equal to a third threshold strength,

the number of times that a strength of sensing signals is smaller than or equal to a second threshold strength is larger than or equal to a fourth threshold number,

a transmission delay of sensing signals reflected by an object is larger than or equal to a second threshold delay,

a strength difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a second threshold strength difference and the strength of sensing signals is decreasing,

a transmission delay difference between two adjacent measurements of sensing signals is larger than or equal to a second threshold delay difference and the transmission delay is increasing.
The second device of claim 20, wherein,

the sensing state is the second sensing state and the further sensing state is the third sensing state,

the sub-state is a first sub-state of the third sensing state, and the further sub-state is a second sub-state of the third sensing state, or

the sub-state is a second sub-state of the third sensing state, and the further sub-state is a third sub-state of the third sensing state.