WO2025217816A1

WO2025217816A1 - Network node, terminal device, methods and computer readable media for integrated sensing and communication

Info

Publication number: WO2025217816A1
Application number: PCT/CN2024/088102
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jin Yang; Gang Wang
Original assignee: NEC Corp
Current assignee: NEC Corp
Priority date: 2024-04-16
Filing date: 2024-04-16
Publication date: 2025-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-16

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to network node, method and computer readable medium for ISAC. A network node determines a paging configuration for sensing. In turn, the network node transmits a paging message based on the paging configuration for sensing.The paging message indicates information of at least one sensing target.

Description

NETWORK NODE, TERMINAL DEVICE, METHODS AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIA FOR INTEGRATED SENSING AND COMMUNICATION

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunication, and in particular, to a network node, a terminal device, methods and computer readable media for Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) .

BACKGROUND

ISAC is listed as a new key feature of six scenarios in the sixth generation (6G) system. In the early stage of ISAC discussion in the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) , it may aim to build communication based sensing system.

To discover and select at least one sensing node for a given sensing target or given sensing requirement based on positioning information, sensing node discovery is triggered through paging procedure.

SUMMARY

In general, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a network node, a terminal device, methods and computer readable media for ISAC.

In a first aspect, there is provided a network node. The network node comprises a processor. The processor is configured to cause the network node to: determine a paging configuration for sensing; and transmit a paging message based on the paging configuration for sensing, wherein the paging message indicates information of at least one sensing target.

In a second aspect, there is provided a terminal device. The terminal device comprises a processor. The processor is configured to cause the terminal device to: obtain a paging configuration for sensing; receive a paging message based on the paging configuration, wherein the paging message indicates information of at least one sensing target; and determine whether the terminal device is a target sensing node for the paging message.

In a third aspect, there is provided a method for ISAC. The method comprises: determining a paging configuration for sensing; and transmitting a paging message based on the paging configuration for sensing, wherein the paging message indicates information of at least one sensing target.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a method for ISAC. The method comprises: obtaining a paging configuration for sensing; receiving a paging message based on the paging configuration, wherein the paging message indicates information of at least one sensing target; and determining whether the terminal device is a target sensing node for the paging message.

In a fifth aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon. The instructions, when executed on at least one processor of a device, cause the device to perform the method according to the third or fourth aspect.

It is to be understood that the summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 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 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:

Figs. 1A, 1B and 1C illustrate an example communication network in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented, respectively;

Fig. 2 illustrates an example sensing network in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented;

Fig. 3 illustrates a signaling chart illustrating an example process for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Figs. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D illustrate an example of the paging message for sensing in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively;

Fig. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 6 illustrates a signaling chart illustrating an example process for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a method for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 8 illustrates a flowchart of a method for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

Fig. 9 is a simplified block diagram of a device that is suitable for implementing 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 limitations as to the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure 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, device on vehicle for V2X communication where X means pedestrian, vehicle, or infrastructure/network, devices for Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) , Small Data Transmission (SDT) , mobility, Multicast and Broadcast Services (MBS) , positioning, dynamic/flexible duplex in commercial networks, reduced capability (RedCap) , 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 has ‘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) , Network-controlled Repeaters, 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 (410 MHz –7125 MHz) , FR2 (24.25GHz to 71GHz) , frequency band larger than 100GHz 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 network device may have the function of network energy saving, Self-Organizing Networks (SON) /Minimization of Drive Tests (MDT) . The terminal may have the function of power saving.

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

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 6G networks.

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 ‘some embodiments’ and ‘an embodiment’ are to be read as ‘at least some embodiments. ’ 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.

Fig. 1A illustrates a schematic diagram of an example communication network 100A in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. As shown in Fig. 1A, the communication network 100A may include a terminal device 110, a terminal device 120, a network device 130, an Access and Mobility management Function (AMF) 140 and a Sensing Function (SF) 150.

It is to be understood that the number of devices in Fig. 1A is given for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitations to the present disclosure. The communication network 100A may include any suitable number of devices adapted for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may comprise at least one of a sensing module and a communication module. For example, as shown in Fig. 1A, the terminal device 110 comprises a Uu sensing module 110-11, a sidelink sensing module 110-12 and a communication module 110-2.

In some embodiments, the Uu sensing module 110-11 may be configured to perform a Uu sensing function based on the network assistance or control, and the Uu sensing function may comprise at least one of a downlink sensing function and an uplink sensing function. The sidelink sensing module 110-12 may be configured to perform a sidelink sensing function.

Similarly, in some embodiments, the terminal device 120 may comprise at least one of a sensing module and a communication module. For example, as shown in Fig. 1A, the terminal device 120 comprises a Uu sensing module 120-11, a sidelink sensing module 120-12 and a communication module 120-2.

In some embodiments, the network device 130 may comprise at least one of a sensing module and a communication module. For example, as shown in Fig. 1A, the network device 130 comprises a sensing module 130-1 and a communication module 130-2.

In some embodiments, the network device 130 may be implemented as a gNB in NR.

In some embodiments, the AMF 140 may be a node in a core network. The AMF 140 may provide matching information about the network device 130 or the terminal device 110 according to sensing service requirement.

In some embodiments, the SF 150 may comprise no interface with the network device 130. Thus, the SF 150 indirectly exchanges information with the network device 130 through the AMF 140.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the SF 150 may comprise an interface with the network device 130. Thus, the SF 150 directly exchanges information with the network device 130.

The communications in the communication network 100A may conform to any suitable standards including, but not limited to, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) , LTE, LTE-Evolution, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) , Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) , Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) , GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN) , Machine Type Communication (MTC) and the like. Furthermore, the communications 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) , the sixth generation (6G) communication protocols.

In some embodiments, the communications in the communication network 100A may comprise ISAC. The communication network with ISAC may structure sharing hardware architectures, channel characteristics and signal processing, and integrate types of sensing information, such as sensory data from the environment and radar based sensing information, and communication information to achieve higher resource efficiency and provide more intelligent and integrated network solutions. The ISAC network can be applied to more extensive scenarios, including smart home, smart manufacturing, environmental monitoring, and so on.

In some embodiments, the network device 130 may comprise at least one of the following:

· an interface between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110, or

· an interface between the sensing module 130-1 and the communication module 130-2.

In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may comprise at least one of the following:

· the interface between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110,

· the interface between the terminal device 120 and the terminal device 110,

· an interface between the Uu sensing module 110-11 and the communication module 110-2,

· an interface between the sidelink sensing module 110-12 and the communication module 110-2, or

· an interface between the Uu sensing module 110-11 and the sidelink sensing module 110-12.

In some embodiments, the terminal device 120 may comprise at least one of the following:

· the interface between the terminal device 120 and the terminal device 110,

· an interface between the Uu sensing module 120-11 and the communication module 120-2,

· an interface between the sidelink sensing module 120-12 and the communication module 120-2, or

· an interface between the Uu sensing module 120-11 and the sidelink sensing module 120-12.

In embodiments where the network device 130 is a gNB, the interface between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110 may be a Uu interface. In some embodiments, between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110, sidelink sensing related information may be exchanged on the Uu interface.

In some embodiments, Uu sensing procedure may be performed between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110, and Uu sensing function related information may be exchanged, e.g., between the sensing module 130-1 of the network device 130 and the Uu sensing module 110-11 of the terminal device 110.

In some embodiments, the interface between the terminal device 110 and the terminal device 120 may be a Unified Air Interface, such as PC5 interface. In such embodiments, between the terminal device 110 and the terminal device 120, a sidelink sensing procedure may be performed and sidelink sensing function related information may be exchanged on the PC5 interface, i.e., between the sidelink sensing module 110-12 of the terminal device 110 and the sidelink sensing module 120-12 of the terminal device 120.

Fig. 1B illustrates a schematic diagram of another example communication network 100B in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. The example communication network 100B is similar to the example communication network 100A. The example communication network 100B is different from the example communication network 100A mainly in that in the example communication network 100B, the network device 130 does not comprise the sensing module 130-1 but comprises a sensing control module 130-3. In addition, the example communication network 100B further comprises a sensing transmission reception point (TRP) 160 and a sensing TRP 170.

· an interface between the sensing control module 130-3 and the communication module 130-2,

· an interface between the network device 130 and the sensing TRP 160, or

· an interface between the network device 130 and the sensing TRP 170.

In some embodiments, the sensing control module 130-3 of the network device 130 may be configured to perform sensing management and control. The sensing control module 130-3 may be also configured to generate a sensing control signal and transmit the sensing control signal to at least one of the sensing TRP 160 or the sensing TRP 170.

In some embodiments, the sensing TRP 160 may comprise a sensing module 160-1. The sensing module 160-1 may be configured to transmit, receive or measure a sensing signal based on the sensing control signal received from the network device 130.

In some embodiments, the sensing TRP 160 may comprise at least one of the following:

· the interface between the sensing TRP 160 and the network device 130, or

· an interface between the sensing TRP 160 and the terminal device 110.

In some embodiments, the interface between the sensing TRP 160 and the terminal device 110 may be a Uu interface. In other words, the interface may be transparent from the perspective of the terminal device 110. Alternatively, the interface may be a new interface for the sensing TRP 160.

Similarly, the sensing TRP 170 may comprise a sensing module 170-1. The sensing module 170-1 may be configured to transmit, receive or measure a sensing signal based on the sensing control signal received from the network device 130.

In some embodiments, the sensing TRP 170 may comprise at least one of the following:

· the interface between the sensing TRP 170 and the network device 130, or

· an interface between the sensing TRP 170 and the terminal device 110.

In some embodiments, the interface between the sensing TRP 170 and the terminal device 110 may be a Uu interface. In other words, the interface may be transparent from the perspective of the terminal device 110. Alternatively, the interface may be a new interface for the sensing TRP 170.

· the interface between the network device 130 and the terminal device 110,

· the interface between the terminal device 120 and the terminal device 110,

· the interface between the Uu sensing module 110-11 and the communication module 110-2,

· the interface between the Uu sensing module 110-12 and the communication module 110-2,

· the interface between the Uu sensing module 110-11 and the sidelink sensing module 110-12,

· the interface between the sensing TRP 160 and the terminal device 110, or

· the interface between the sensing TRP 170 and the terminal device 110.

Fig. 1C illustrates a schematic diagram of a further example communication network 100C in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. The example communication network 100C is similar to the example communication network 100B. The example communication network 100C is different from the example communication network 100B in that in the example communication network 100C, the network device 130 does not comprise the sensing control module 130-3. Each of the sensing module 160-1 of the sensing TRP 160 and the sensing module 170-1 of the sensing TRP 170 performs sensing management and control.

For some use cases in sensing service, such as intruder detection, trajectory tracing, and so on, a sensing procedure may need to discover available sensing nodes in the proximity of a target object or within a target sensing service area, i.e., position based sensing nodes discovery may be needed.

Then, with the found sensing nodes near the target object or the target sensing service area, a sensing mode should be determined and sensing procedure should be performed according to the sensing requirement.

In view of the above, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for ISAC. In this solution, a network node determines a paging configuration for sensing. In turn, the network node transmits a paging message based on the paging configuration for sensing. The paging message indicates information of at least one sensing target. With this solution, at least one available sensing node for a sensing service may be found.

Hereinafter, principle of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 9.

Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example sensing network 200 in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented.

As shown in Fig. 2, the sensing network 200 may comprise a network node 210 and a sensing node 220.

In some embodiments, the network node 210 may be implemented as one of the following: the SF 150 in Fig. 1A, the network device 130 in Fig. 1A, 1B or 1C, the AMF 140 in Fig. 1A, or the sensing TRP 160 or 170 in Fig. 1B or 1C.

In some embodiments, the sensing node 220 has sensing function, i.e., sensing signal transmission and/or receiving capability.

In some embodiments, the sensing node 220 may be implemented as a terminal device. For example, the terminal device may comprise one of the following: the terminal device 110 in Fig. 1A, 1B or 1C, the terminal device 120 in Fig. 1A, or the sensing TRP 160 or 170 in Fig. 1B or 1C.

It is to be understood that the number of sensing nodes in Fig. 2 is given for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitations to the present disclosure. The sensing network 200 may include any suitable number of sensing nodes adapted for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 illustrates a signaling chart illustrating an example process 300 for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the process 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The process 300 may involve the network node 210 and the sensing node 220.

As shown in Fig. 3, the network node 210 determines 310 a paging configuration for sensing.

The network node 210 transmits 320 the paging configuration for sensing. Accordingly, the sensing node 220 obtains the paging configuration for sensing.

In turn, the network node 210 transmits 330 a paging message based on the paging configuration for sensing. Accordingly, the sensing node 220 receives the paging message based on the paging configuration for sensing. The paging message indicates information of at least one sensing target. The information of at least one sensing target may provide relevant indicators for sensing service requirement to discovery suitable sensing nodes for the sensing service.

In some embodiments, the network node 210 may transmit the paging message through broadcast or groupcast signal.

In some embodiments, the sensing node 220 may detect and receive the paging message periodically.

The sensing node 220 determines 340 whether the sensing node 220 is a target sensing node for the paging message.

In some embodiments, if the sensing node 220 satisfies requirement for the target sensing node indicated in the paging message, the sensing node 220 determines that the sensing node 220 is the target sensing node for the paging message.

The process 300 provides a procedure to find at least one available sensing node for a sensing service. The process 300 may reduce the latency of sensing service procedure. In addition, the process 300 may improve sensing resource efficiency with suitable sensing nodes and sensing modes.

As described above, the paging message indicates information of at least one sensing target. In some embodiments, the information of at least one sensing target may comprise first information of a first sensing target, and the first information of the first sensing target may comprise at least one of the following:

· a type of the first sensing target,

· an identity (ID) associated with the first sensing target,

· a position associated with the first sensing target, or

· a threshold for a sensing range associated with the first sensing target.

In some embodiments, the type of the first sensing target may comprise one of the following: a target object, or a target area.

In some embodiments, the ID associated with the first sensing target may comprise one of the following:

· a first ID of a target object,

· a second ID of a target area,

· a third ID of an anchor point, or

· a beam index of a sensing signal.

In some embodiments, the position associated with the first sensing target may comprise one of the following:

· a first position of a target object,

· a second ID of a target area, or

· a second position of an anchor point.

In some embodiments, the target area may comprise a zone. In such embodiments, the second ID of the target area may comprise a zone ID. The zone ID may be determined based on geodesic location in longitude and latitude of the zone.

In some embodiments, the second ID of the target area (such as the zone ID) may implicitly indicate the position of the target area, there is no need for additional position information for the target area. In such embodiments, if the sensing node 220 is within the target area, the sensing node 220 is a target sensing node for the paging message.

In some embodiments, the threshold for the sensing range may comprise a distance threshold. Nodes within the distance threshold centered on the target object are target sensing nodes for the paging message. For example, if a distance between the sensing node 220 and the target object is below the distance threshold, the sensing node 220 is a target sensing node for the paging message.

In some embodiments, the threshold for the sensing range may comprise a distance threshold. Nodes within the distance threshold centered on the anchor point are target sensing nodes for the paging message. For example, if a distance between the sensing node 220 and the anchor point is below the distance threshold, the sensing node 220 is a target sensing node for the paging message.

Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the threshold for the sensing range may comprise a direction range threshold. In some embodiments, the direction range threshold may comprise a directional range centered on the anchor point. Nodes within the direction range threshold centered on the anchor point are target sensing nodes for the paging message.

Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the threshold for the sensing range may comprise a sensing signal receiving power threshold. Nodes which receive a sensing signal or a reflected signal of a sensing signal with a receiving power exceed the sensing signal receiving power threshold are target sensing nodes for the paging message. The sensing signal receiving power threshold is presented in RSRP, RSRQ, or RSSI, etc. For example, if the RSRP of an indicated sensing signal of the sensing node 220 is higher than the sensing signal receiving power threshold, the sensing node 220 is a target sensing node for the paging message.

Consider a first example of the paging message for sensing. In the first example, the paging message is transmitted through higher layer signaling as below:

· PagingforSensing: : = SEQUENCE {

– PagingforSensinglist

}

· PagingforSensinglist : : = SEQUENCE (SIZE (1.. maxNrofPageSenRec) ) OF PagingforSensingRecord

· PagingforSensingRecord : : = SEQUENCE {

– SensingTargetType

– Target ID

– Position

– SensingRangeThreshold

}

where

– PagingforSensing is the paging message for sensing, and it may include a list of sensing information, i.e., PagingforSensinglist;

– PagingforSensinglist indicates a list of items of paging information of sensing, i.e., PagingforSensingRecord;

– PagingforSensingRecord is one item comprised in the PagingforSensinglist, and it indicates information of one sensing target, i.e., the first information of a first sensing target;

– SensingTargetType indicates the type of the sensing target, i.e., a target object or a target area;

– Target ID indicates a target object ID, a target area ID, a zone ID, or an anchor point ID, a beam index of a sensing signal;

– Position indicates a position of the target object, or a position of the anchor point;

– SensingRangeThreshold indicates a sensing range threshold which may include a distance threshold, a direction range threshold or a sensing signal receiving power threshold;

– maxNrofPageSenRec indicates the maximum number of PagingforSensingRecord involved in PagingforSensinglist.

Fig. 4A illustrates a second example of the paging message for sensing in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In the second example, the network device 130 in Fig. 1A, 1B or 1C acts as the network node 210, and the terminal devices 110 and 120 in Fig. 1A act as sensing nodes, and a terminal devices 180 which is not shown in Fig. 1A, 1B or 1C also acts as a sensing node.

The network device 130 transmits a paging message for sensing on Uu interface and the paging message may indicate at least one of the following:

· PagingforSensinglist : : = SEQUENCE (2) OF PagingforSensingRecord

· PagingforSensingRecord : : = SEQUENCE {

– SensingTargetType: object

– Target ID: object ID = “1111”

– Position: position of target object

– SensingRangeThreshold: distance range = “100”

}

· PagingforSensingRecord : : = SEQUENCE {

– SensingTargetType: object

– Target ID: object ID = “0011”

– Position: position of target object

– SensingRangeThreshold: distance range = “50”

}

The network device 130 indicates the following information through the paging message:

· for a given target object with the object ID “1111” ,

– target sensing nodes are the ones within a range of 100 meters from the position of the target object;

– according to the paging message, the terminal devices 120 and 180 may response to the network device 130;

· for a given target object with the object ID “0011” ,

– target sensing nodes are the ones within a range of 50 meters from the position of the target object;

– according to the paging message, the terminal device 110 may response to the network device 130.

Fig. 4B illustrates a third example of the paging message for sensing in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In the third example, the sensing TRP 160 in Fig. 1B or 1C acts as the network node 210, and the terminal devices 110 and 120 in Fig. 1A act as sensing nodes.

The sensing TRP 160 transmits a paging message for sensing and the paging message may indicate the following:

· PagingforSensingRecord : : = SEQUENCE {

– SensingTargetType: target area

– Target ID: zone ID = “FFEC”

Based on the paging message, the sensing TRP 160 indicates the following:

· this paging message for sensing aims to a given target area with the given zone ID;

– zone ID identifies a range of geodesic location;

· target sensing nodes are the ones within the range of the target area.

According to the paging message, the terminal devices 110 and 120 may response to the sensing TRP 160.

Fig. 4C illustrates a fourth example of the paging message for sensing in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In the fourth example, the network device 130 in Fig. 1A, 1B or 1C acts as the network node 210, and the terminal devices 110 and 120 in Fig. 1A act as sensing nodes.

The network device 130 transmits a paging message for sensing on Uu interface and the paging message may indicate the following:

· PagingforSensingRecord : : = SEQUENCE {

– SensingTargetType: target area

– Target ID: anchor point ID = cell ID

– Position: position of anchor point

– SensingRangeThreshold: direction range = “+/-30 degree”

The network device 130 indicates the following:

· this paging message for sensing aims to a given sensing target area:

– an anchor point is the network device 130 as an anchor point ID is cell ID that identifies the network device 130;

– a direction range is determined based on the anchor point;

· target sensing nodes are the ones within the direction of +/-30 degrees, wherein the anchor point is marked as the origin and the horizonal direction as zero degree.

According to the paging message, the terminal devices 110 and 120 may response to the network device 130.

Fig. 4D illustrates a fifth example of the paging message for sensing in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In the fifth example, the network device 130 in Fig. 1A, 1B or 1C acts as the network node 210, and the terminal devices 110 and 120 in Fig. 1A act as sensing nodes.

· PagingforSensingRecord : : = SEQUENCE {

– SensingTargetType: target area

– Target ID: anchor point ID = ID of the sensing TRP 160

– Position: position of anchor point

– SensingRangeThreshold:

◆ direction range = “-30～150 degree”

◆ distance range = “150”

The paging message indicates the following:

· an anchor point is the sensing TRP 160;

· a target area is determined based on the anchor point;

– with direction range = -30～150 degree; and

– distance range within 150m around the anchor point.

According to the paging message, the terminal device 110 may response to the sensing TRP 160.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of responding to the paging message will be described by taking the terminal device 110 as an example of the sensing node 220.

In some embodiments, for the terminal device 110 with sensing function, when detecting a paging message for sensing, the terminal device 110 may determine whether the terminal device 110 is the target sensing node for the paging message.

In some embodiments, if the terminal device 110 satisfies requirement for the target sensing node indicated in the paging message, the terminal device 110 may determine that the terminal device 110 is the target sensing node for the paging message.

In some embodiments, if the terminal device 110 is the target sensing node for the paging message, the terminal device 110 may determine whether to respond to the paging message.

In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may respond to the paging message based on a radio resource control (RRC) state of the terminal device 110.

In some embodiments, if the terminal device 110 is in an RRC idle state or RRC inactive state, the terminal device 110 may respond to the paging message by triggering a random access (RA) procedure for sensing.

In some embodiments, if the terminal device 110 is in an RRC connected state or RRC inactive state, the terminal device 110 may respond to the paging message by transmitting, to the network node 210, an indication indicating that the terminal device 110 can act as the target sensing node. For example, the terminal device 110 may transmit the indication on physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources or physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) resources.

Fig. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method 500 for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 500 may be considered as an example implementation of the process 300. For the purpose of discussion, the method 500 will be described with reference to Fig. 1A.

As shown in Fig. 5, at 510, the terminal device 110 receives a paging message based on the paging configuration. The paging message indicates information of at least one sensing target.

At 520, the terminal device 110 determines whether the terminal device 110 is a target sensing node for the paging message.

If the terminal device 110 is not the target sensing node for the paging message, the terminal device 110 performs no action for the paging message at 530.

If the terminal device 110 is the target sensing node for the paging message, the terminal device 110 further determines, at 540, whether to respond to the paging message.

If the terminal device 110 determines to respond to the paging message, the terminal device 110 further determines, at 550, whether it is in an RRC connected state.

If the terminal device 110 is in an RRC connected state, the terminal device 110 may respond to the paging message by transmitting an indication to the network node 210 at 560. The indication indicates that the terminal device 110 can act as the target sensing node. For example, the terminal device 110 may transmit the indication on PUCCH resources or PUSCH resources.

If the terminal device 110 is not in an RRC connected state, the terminal device 110 may respond to the paging message by triggering an RA procedure for sensing at 570.

On the other hand, if the terminal device 110 determines, at 540, not to respond to the paging message, the terminal device 110 performs no action for the paging message at 530.

It shall be noted that for the action 540 “whether to respond to the paging message” , even if the terminal device 110 satisfies requirement for the target sensing node indicated in the paging message, the terminal device 110 may choose to Not respond to the paging message, as there may be other factors which impact the determination, such as capability of the terminal device 110, current state of the terminal device 110, power consumption, priority of communication, and so on.

Fig. 6 illustrates a signaling chart illustrating an example process 600 for ISAC in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The process 600 may be considered as an example implementation of the process 300. For the purpose of discussion, the process 600 will be described with reference to Fig. 1A.

Generally, in the process 600, the sensing TRP 160 in Fig. 1B or 1C acts as the network node 210, and the terminal device 110 in Fig. 1B or 1C acts as the sensing node 220.

As shown in Fig. 6, the sensing TRP 160 transmits a paging message for sensing and the paging message may indicate a zone ID and a beam index of a sensing signal.

The terminal device 110 with a sensing function detected the paging message.

In turn, the terminal device 110 obtains the information of sensing requirement from the paging message.

The terminal device 110 determines whether it is a target sensing node for the paging message. For example, if the terminal device 110 determines 620 it is within the area indicated by the zone ID, the terminal device 110 determines to respond to the paging message to the sensing TRP 160.

The terminal device 110 also measures 630 the sensing signal with assigned beam index, and generates measurement report of the assigned sensing signal beam.

Because the terminal device 110 is in RRC idle state, the terminal device 110 may trigger an RA procedure to respond to the sensing TRP 160.

The terminal device 110 also reports the sensing signal beam measurement report through message 3 or message A in the RA procedure.

Consider another example implementation of the process 300. In this example implementation, the network device 130 transmits a paging message for sensing and the paging message indicates the target sensing node is a target object. In addition, the paging message indicates an ID of the target object, a position of the target object, and a range of the target sensing nodes around the target object.

The terminal devices 110, 120 and 180 may receive and detect the paging message. Each of the terminal devices 110, 120 and 180 may obtain the information of sensing requirement from the paging message and determine whether it is a target sensing node for the paging message.

If the terminal device 110 is out of the range of the target sensing nodes around the target object, the terminal device 110 may not respond to the paging message.

If the terminal devices 120 and 180 are within the range of the target sensing nodes around the target object, they determine to respond to the paging message.

The terminal device 120 may be in RRC connected state, and priority of communication is lower than the priority of the sensing requirement. The terminal device 120 may transmit, to the network device 130, an indication indicating that the terminal device 120 can act as the target sensing node for the paging message. The terminal device 120 may multiplex the indication (1 bit) on a PUCCH resource which is assigned for communication feedback.

The terminal device 180 may be in RRC inactive state, and the priority of the sensing requirement is not exceed a threshold of priority. Thus, the terminal device 180 may determine not to respond to the paging message.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the paging configuration for sensing will be described.

In some embodiments, the paging configuration for sensing may be common to a cell.

In some embodiments, the network node 210 may transmit the paging configuration for sensing through system information.

In some embodiments, the paging configuration for sensing may comprise an allocation of periodical resources configured for the paging message.

In some embodiments, the allocation of periodical resources is unrelated to an ID of a terminal device.

In some embodiments, the periodical resources configured for the paging message are configured per sensing factor.

In some embodiments, the sensing factor may comprise at least one of the following:

– a sensing group,

– a sensing area,

– a sensing service type,

– a sensing service priority,

– a sensing mode,

– a sensing signal index, or

– a sensing beam index.

In some embodiments, sensing modes may be defined based on transmission (Tx) /reception (Rx) node of sensing signal. For example, the sensing modes may comprise at least one of the following:

· sensing mode 1: a sensing signal is transmitted by a network node, e.g., gNB (such as the network device 130) , and received/measured by the network node itself;

· sensing mode 2: a sensing signal is transmitted by a network node (such as the network device 130) , and received/measured by a UE (such as the terminal device 110 or 120) ;

· sensing mode 3: a sensing signal is transmitted by a network node A (such as the network device 130) , and received/measured by a network node B (such as a network device which is not shown in Fig. 1A or 1B) ;

· sensing mode 4: a sensing signal is transmitted by a UE (such as the terminal device 110 or 120) , and received/measured by the UE itself;

· sensing mode 5: a sensing signal is transmitted by a UE (such as the terminal device 110 or 120) , and received/measured by a network node (such as the network device 130) ; or

· sensing mode 6: a sensing signal is transmitted by a UE A (such as the terminal device 110) , and received/measured by a UE B (such as the terminal device 120) .

In some embodiments, the paging configuration for sensing may comprise a configuration of paging control channel (PCCH) for sensing in system information block (SIB) as below:

· PCCHforSensing: : = SEQUENCE {PCCHforSensinglist}

· PCCHforSensinglist : : = SEQUENCE (SIZE (1.. maxNrofPCCHSen) ) OF PCCH-Sen-Config

where

– PCCHforSensing indicates a list of configuration for paging resource allocation for sensing, i.e., PCCHforSensinglist;

– PCCHforSensinglist indicates one or more PCCH-Sen-Config as below.

· PCCH-Sen-Config : : = SEQUENCE {

– SensingFactor

– SensingFactorID

– PagingCycle

– PagingFrameOffset

– nrofPagingFrame-inCycle

– PagingSearchSpace

– Psen-RNTI

}

where

– SensingFactor indicates the type of a sensing factor;

– SensingFactorID indicates the ID of the assigned sensing factor, e.g., sensing area ID (such as zone ID) , sensing group ID, sensing beam index and so on;

– PagingCycle indicates the period (or cycle) of allocation of resources configured for the paging message;

– PagingFrameOffset indicates a frame offset from SFN #0 to the first paging frame for sensing;

– nrofPagingFrame-inCycle indicates the number of paging frames for sensing in a paging cycle;

– PagingSearchSpace indicates a search space for PDCCH resources may carry DCI of the paging message for sensing;

– Psen-RNTI indicates a radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) of the paging message for sensing.

In some embodiments, the configuration of PCCH for sensing may be included in a dedicated or new information element (IE) in SIB.

Consider a first example of the paging configuration for sensing. In the first example, the network device 130 transmits the paging configuration for sensing in SIB and the paging configuration for sensing indicates the following:

· PCCH-Sen-Config : : = SEQUENCE {

– SensingFactor = Sensing area

– SensingFactorID = zone ID “FFEA”

– PagingCycle = 128 frame

– PagingFrameOffset = 0

– nrofPagingFrame-inCycle = 6

}

· PCCH-Sen-Config : : = SEQUENCE {

– SensingFactor = Sensing area

– SensingFactorID = zone ID “FFEB”

– PagingCycle = 128 frame

– PagingFrameOffset = 10

– nrofPagingFrame-inCycle = 6

}

· PCCH-Sen-Config : : = SEQUENCE {

……

According to the paging configuration for sensing in SIB, a terminal device with sensing function determines relevant resources for the paging message as below:

· paging frame for sensing is determined as:

– (SFN + PF_offset) mod T = (T div N) * (zone_ID mod N)

where

◆ T = PagingCycle

◆ N = nrofPagingFrame-inCycle;

◆ PF_offset = PagingFrameOffset;

◆ zone_ID = zone ID.

Based on the paging configuration for sensing, each sensing zone has a unique set of paging frames for sensing.

Consider a second example of the paging configuration for sensing. In the second example, the network device 130 transmits the paging configuration for sensing in SIB and the paging configuration for sensing indicates the following:

· PCCH-Sen-Config : : = SEQUENCE {

– SensingFactor = Sensing beam

– SensingFactorID = sensing beam index

– PagingCycle

– PagingFrameOffset

– nrofPagingFrame-inCycle

}

· PCCH-Sen-Config : : = SEQUENCE {

……

· paging frame for sensing is determined as:

– (SFN + PF_offset) mod T = (T div N) * (beam_ID mod N)

where

◆ T = PagingCycle

◆ N = nrofPagingFrame-inCycle;

◆ PF_offset = PagingFrameOffset;

◆ beam_ID = sensing signal beam index.

Based on the configuration of paging resource for sensing, each sensing signal beam has a unique set of paging frames for sensing.

In some embodiments, the network node 210 may transmit downlink control information (DCI) comprising information about the paging message.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the DCI will be described.

In some embodiments, the DCI may comprise a first indication indicating whether the DCI is for paging for communication or for paging for sensing. Hereinafter, the first indication is also referred to as a paging indicator.

In some embodiments, if a dedicated Psen-RNTI is assigned for the paging message for sensing, the paging indicator is not present in the DCI.

Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the DCI may comprise a type of a sensing factor. The type of the sensing factor may indicate the type of paging for sensing factor is related for this DCI.

Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the DCI may comprise an index of the sensing factor. Some embodiments of the sensing factor and the index of the sensing factor have been described above with respect to the paging configuration for sensing. Thus, such embodiments are omitted for brevity.

Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the DCI may comprise a resource for the paging message. For example, the DCI may comprise time domain and frequency domain resources for PDSCH carrying the paging message for sensing.

Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the DCI may comprise at least one of the following: a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for the paging message, a redundancy version (RV) for the paging message, or at least one reserved bit.

In some embodiments, the DCI is scrambled with a paging radio network temporary identifier (P-RNTI) .

In some embodiments, the P-RNTI may be dedicated to paging for sensing. For example, the P-RNTI is configured for detecting the DCI of the paging message for sensing.

Alternatively, the P-RNTI may be configured as a fixed value.

Alternatively, the P-RNTI may be configured per sensing factor.

Consider a first example of the DCI. In the first example, DCI format 1_0 is used for paging with cyclic redundancy check (CRC) scrambled by P-RNTI.

DCI format 1_0 may indicate at least one of the following:

· Paging indicator = “1” , it means this DCI is for paging for sensing, and the following indicators in DCI are for sensing related information;

– if Paging indicator = “0” , it means this DCI is for paging for communication;

· Type of sensing factor = sensing mode;

· Sensing factor index = 4;

– i.e., sensing mode 4, it means to find a terminal device with capability of transmitting a sensing signal, and receiving an echo signal of the sensing signal;

· Time domain and frequency domain resources for PDSCH carrying the paging message;

– as this DCI is for paging for sensing and sensing related information is directly indicated in DCI, no PDSCH resource is assigned for the paging message for sensing;

– i.e., resource allocation for PDSCH is reserved in this case.

The terminal device 110 may monitor the DCI format 1_0, and obtain the indicators in DCI format 1_0. If the terminal device 110 has sensing function and it can work in sensing mode 4, the terminal device 110 may further determine whether to respond to the network device 130 that it can act as a target sensing node. Otherwise, the terminal device 110 may not respond to the paging message indicated in the DCI format 1_0.

Consider a second example of the DCI. In the second example, DCI format 1_0 is used for scheduling of PDSCH for paging for sensing with CRC scrambled by Psen-RNTI.

DCI format 1_0 may indicate at least one of the following:

· Type of sensing factor = sensing service priority;

· Sensing factor index = priority of sensing service;

· Time domain and frequency domain resources for PDSCH carrying the paging message for sensing;

– the paging message further indicates the information of sensing area, e.g., anchor point, distance threshold, and so on.

The terminal device 110 may detect and decode DCI format 1_0 to obtain the indicators in DCI format 1_0.

If priority of sensing service is higher than a threshold configured for the terminal device 110, or higher than priority of communication service of the terminal device 110, the terminal device 110 may further decode the paging message carried on PDSCH. Then, the terminal device 110 may further determine whether to respond to the paging message for sensing.

If priority of sensing service is lower than the threshold configured for the terminal device 110, or lower than priority of communication service of the terminal device 110, the terminal device 110 may not respond to the paging message indicated in the DCI format 1_0.

Fig. 7 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 700 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the method 700 can be implemented at a network node, such as the network node 210 as shown in Fig. 2. For the purpose of discussion, the method 700 will be described with reference to Fig. 2.

At block 710, the network node 210 determines a paging configuration for sensing.

At block 720, the network node 210 transmits a paging message based on the paging configuration for sensing. The paging message indicates information of at least one sensing target.

In some embodiments, the information of at least one sensing target comprises first information of a first sensing target, and the first information of the first sensing target comprises at least one of the following: a type of the first sensing target, an identity (ID) associated with the first sensing target, a position associated with the first sensing target, or a threshold for a sensing range associated with the first sensing target.

In some embodiments, the type of the first sensing target comprises one of the following: a target object, or a target area.

In some embodiments, the ID associated with the first sensing target comprises one of the following: a first ID of a target object, a second ID of a target area, a third ID of an anchor point, or a beam index of a sensing signal.

In some embodiments, the position associated with the first sensing target comprises one of the following: a first position of a target object, a second ID of a target area, or a second position of an anchor point.

In some embodiments, the threshold for the sensing range comprises one of the following: a distance threshold, a direction range threshold, or a sensing signal receiving power threshold.

In some embodiments, the paging configuration for sensing comprises an allocation of periodical resources configured for the paging message.

In some embodiments, the periodical resources are configured per sensing factor.

In some embodiments, the network node may transmit downlink control information (DCI) comprising information about the paging message.

In some embodiments, the DCI comprises at least one of the following: a first indication indicating whether the DCI is for paging for communication or for paging for sensing, a type of a sensing factor, an index of the sensing factor, a resource for the paging message, a modulation and coding scheme for the paging message, a redundancy version for the paging message, or at least one reserved bit.

In some embodiments, the DCI is scrambled with a P-RNTI.

In some embodiments, the P-RNTI is one of the following: the P-RNTI dedicated to paging for sensing, the P-RNTI configured as a fixed value, or the P-RNTI configured per sensing factor.

In some embodiments, the sensing factor comprises at least one of the following: a sensing group, a sensing area, a sensing service type, a sensing service priority, a sensing mode, a sensing signal index, or a sensing beam index.

Fig. 8 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 800 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the method 800 can be implemented at a sensing node, such as the terminal device 110 or the terminal device 120, as shown in Fig. 1A or 1B. For the purpose of discussion, the method 800 will be described with reference to Fig. 1A or 1B by taking the terminal device 110 as an example of the sensing node.

At block 810, the terminal device 110 obtains a paging configuration for sensing.

At block 820, the terminal device 110 receives a paging message based on the paging configuration. The paging message indicates information of at least one sensing target; and

At block 830, the terminal device 110 determines whether the terminal device is a target sensing node for the paging message.

In some embodiments, the threshold for the sensing range comprises one of the following: a distance threshold, or a direction range threshold, or a sensing signal receiving power threshold.

In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may determine whether the terminal device 110 is the target sensing node for the paging message by: based on determining that the terminal device 110 satisfies requirement for the target sensing node indicated in the paging message, determining that the terminal device 110 is the target sensing node for the paging message.

In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may determine whether to respond to the paging message based on determining that the terminal device 110 is the target sensing node for the paging message.

In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may respond to the paging message by:based on determining that the terminal device 110 is in a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or RRC inactive state, triggering a random access procedure for sensing.

In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may respond to the paging message by: based on determining that the terminal device 110 is in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state or RRC inactive state, transmitting, to a network node, an indication indicating that the terminal device 110 can act as the target sensing node.

In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may receive downlink control information (DCI) comprising information about the paging message.

In some embodiments, the DCI is scrambled with a P-RNTI.

In some embodiments, the P-RNTI is one of the following: the P-RNTI is dedicated to paging for sensing, the P-RNTI is configured as a fixed value, or the P-RNTI is configured per sensing factor.

Fig. 9 is a simplified block diagram of a device 900 that is suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 900 can be considered as a further example embodiment of the network node 210 or the terminal device 110. Accordingly, the device 900 can be implemented at or as at least a part of the network node 210 or the terminal device 110.

As shown, the device 900 includes a processor 910, a memory 920 coupled to the processor 910, a suitable transceiver 940 coupled to the processor 910, and a communication interface coupled to the transceiver 940. The memory 910 stores at least a part of a program 930. The transceiver 940 may be for bidirectional communications or a unidirectional communication based on requirements. The transceiver 940 may include at least one of a transmitter 942 and a receiver 944. The transmitter 942 and the receiver 944 may be functional modules or physical entities. The transceiver 940 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 components included in the apparatuses and/or devices of the present disclosure may be implemented in various manners, including software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, one or more units may be implemented using software and/or firmware, for example, machine-executable instructions stored on the storage medium. In addition to or instead of machine-executable instructions, parts or all of the units in the apparatuses and/or devices may be implemented, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components. For example, and without limitation, illustrative types of hardware logic components that can be used include Field-programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) , Application-specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) , Application-specific Standard Products (ASSPs) , System-on-a-chip systems (SOCs) , Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs) , and the like.

Claims

A network node, comprising:

a processor configured to cause the network node to:

determine a paging configuration for sensing; and

transmit a paging message based on the paging configuration for sensing, wherein the paging message indicates information of at least one sensing target.
The network node of claim 1, wherein the information of at least one sensing target comprises first information of a first sensing target, and the first information of the first sensing target comprises at least one of the following:

a type of the first sensing target,

an identity (ID) associated with the first sensing target,

a position associated with the first sensing target, or

a threshold for a sensing range associated with the first sensing target.
The network node of claim 2, wherein the type of the first sensing target comprises one of the following:

a target object, or

a target area.
The network node of claim 2, wherein the ID associated with the first sensing target comprises one of the following:

a first ID of a target object,

a second ID of a target area,

a third ID of an anchor point, or

a beam index of a sensing signal.
The network node of claim 2, wherein the position associated with the first sensing target comprises one of the following:

a first position of a target object,

a second ID of a target area, or

a second position of an anchor point.
The network node of claim 2, wherein the threshold for the sensing range comprises one of the following:

a distance threshold,

a direction range threshold, or

a sensing signal receiving power threshold.
The network node of claim 1, wherein the paging configuration for sensing comprises an allocation of periodical resources configured for the paging message, wherein the periodical resources are configured per sensing factor.
The network node of claim 1, wherein the network node is further caused to:

transmit downlink control information (DCI) comprising information about the paging message.
The network node of claim 8, wherein the DCI comprises at least one of the following:

a first indication indicating whether the DCI is for paging for communication or for paging for sensing,

a type of a sensing factor,

an index of the sensing factor,

a resource for the paging message,

a modulation and coding scheme for the paging message,

a redundancy version for the paging message, or

at least one reserved bit.
The network node of claim 8, wherein the DCI is scrambled with a paging radio network temporary identifier (P-RNTI) , wherein the P-RNTI is one of the following:

the P-RNTI dedicated to paging for sensing,

the P-RNTI configured as a fixed value, or

the P-RNTI configured per sensing factor.
The network node of claim 7, 9 or 10, wherein the sensing factor comprises at least one of the following:

a sensing group,

a sensing area,

a sensing service type,

a sensing service priority,

a sensing mode,

a sensing signal index, or

a sensing beam index.
A terminal device, comprising:

a processor configured to cause the terminal device to:

obtain a paging configuration for sensing;

receive a paging message based on the paging configuration, wherein the paging message indicates information of at least one sensing target; and

determine whether the terminal device is a target sensing node for the paging message.
The terminal device of claim 12, wherein the information of at least one sensing target comprises first information of a first sensing target, and the first information of the first sensing target comprises at least one of the following:

a type of the first sensing target,

an identity (ID) associated with the first sensing target,

a position associated with the first sensing target, or

a threshold for a sensing range associated with the first sensing target.
The terminal device of claim 13, wherein the type of the first sensing target comprises one of the following:

a target object, or

a target area.
The terminal device of claim 13, wherein the ID associated with the first sensing target comprises one of the following:

a first ID of a target object,

a second ID of a target area,

a third ID of an anchor point, or

a beam index of a sensing signal.
The terminal device of claim 13, wherein the position associated with the first sensing target comprises one of the following:

a first position of a target object,

a second ID of a target area, or

a second position of an anchor point.
The terminal device of claim 13, wherein the threshold for the sensing range comprises one of the following:

a distance threshold,

a direction range threshold, or

a sensing signal receiving power threshold.
The terminal device of claim 12, wherein the terminal device is caused to determine whether the terminal device is the target sensing node for the paging message by:

based on determining that the terminal device satisfies requirement for the target sensing node indicated in the paging message, determining that the terminal device is the target sensing node for the paging message.
The terminal device of claim 18, wherein the terminal device is further caused to:

based on determining that the terminal device is the target sensing node for the paging message, determine whether to respond to the paging message.
The terminal device of claim 19, wherein the terminal device is caused to respond to the paging message by:

based on determining that the terminal device is in a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or RRC inactive state, triggering a random access procedure for sensing.
The terminal device of claim 19, wherein the terminal device is caused to respond to the paging message by:

based on determining that the terminal device is in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state or RRC inactive state, transmitting, to a network node, an indication indicating that the terminal device can act as the target sensing node.
The terminal device of claim 12, wherein the paging configuration for sensing comprises an allocation of periodical resources configured for the paging message, wherein the periodical resources are configured per sensing factor.
The terminal device of claim 12, wherein the terminal device is further caused to:

receive downlink control information (DCI) comprising information about the paging message.
The terminal device of claim 23, wherein the DCI comprises at least one of the following:

a first indication indicating whether the DCI is for paging for communication or for paging for sensing,

a type of a sensing factor,

an index of the sensing factor,

a resource for the paging message,

a modulation and coding scheme for the paging message,

a redundancy version for the paging message, or

at least one reserved bit.
The terminal device of claim 23, wherein the DCI is scrambled with a paging radio network temporary identifier (P-RNTI) , wherein the P-RNTI is one of the following:

the P-RNTI dedicated to paging for sensing,

the P-RNTI configured as a fixed value, or

the P-RNTI configured per sensing factor.
The terminal device of claim 22, 24 or 25, wherein the sensing factor comprises at least one of the following:

a sensing group,

a sensing area,

a sensing service type,

a sensing service priority,

a sensing mode,

a sensing signal index, or

a sensing beam index.
A method for communications, comprising:

determining a paging configuration for sensing; and

transmitting a paging message based on the paging configuration for sensing, wherein the paging message indicates information of at least one sensing target.
A method for communications, comprising:

obtaining a paging configuration for sensing;

receiving a paging message based on the paging configuration, wherein the paging message indicates information of at least one sensing target; and

determining whether the terminal device is a target sensing node for the paging message.
A computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed on at least one processor of a device, causing the device to carry out the method according to claim 27 or 28.