Dual function radio access network node with wireless communication and sensing
A radio access network (“RAN”) node or basestation that includes dual functions with both wireless communications and wireless sensing. The sensing related signal may be integrated in the RAN node to provide sensing operations (e.g. sensing radio link S-RL) in addition to wireless communications (e.g. communication radio link RL) with user equipment (“UE”). The sensing signal can be used for detecting objects along a radio path between the RAN node and UE to improve the wireless communication through the communication radio link.
1 . A method for wireless sensing comprising:
transmitting a sensing signal for providing a sensing purpose; and
providing a sensing radio link for a wireless sensing operation, wherein the providing is by a base station and the sensing radio link is configured with a user equipment (“UE”), and the transmitting and the providing are independent of a radio resource channel (“RRC”) state of the UE for a communication purpose,
wherein the sensing radio link is configured by the base station for providing target UE's environmental or context details to the base station for improving ongoing or upcoming wireless communication between the UE and the base station.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving an echo signal in response to the sensing signal.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the echo signal is sent from the UE and is processed by the UE locally.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the processing by the UE includes at least one of reflecting the signal immediately, identifying and then reflecting the signal, or identifying, evaluating and then reflecting the signal.
5 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the base station configures the UE with dual functions of wireless communication via a communication radio link (“RL”) and wireless sensing via a sensing radio link (“S-RL”), wherein the RL and the S-RL are simultaneous.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the communication radio link and the sensing radio link utilize the same physical resources, such that the sensing and/or echo signal are physically integrated with a parallel communication signal when the UE is in a connected state.
7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the communication radio link and the sensing radio link utilize different physical resources, such that the sensing and/or echo signal are physically separated from a parallel communication signal.
8 . A method for wireless sensing comprising:
receiving a sensing signal for a sensing purpose;
transmitting an echo signal in response to receipt of the sensing signal; and
establishing a sensing radio link for a wireless sensing operation, wherein the receiving and the transmitting is by a user equipment (“UE”) and the sensing radio link is established with a base station, and the sensing radio link is independent of a radio resource channel (“RRC”) state of the UE for communication purpose,
wherein the sensing radio link is configured by the base station for providing target UE's environmental or context details to the base station for improving ongoing or upcoming wireless communication between the UE and the base station.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the UE is preconfigured by the base station.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the UE is configured by the base station with dual functions of wireless communication via a communication radio link (“RL”) and wireless sensing via a sensing radio link (“S-RL”), wherein the RL and the S-RL are simultaneous.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the communication radio link and sensing radio link utilize the same physical resources, such that the sensing and/or echo signal are physically integrated with a parallel communication signal.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the communication radio link and sensing radio link utilize different physical resources, such that the sensing and/or echo signal are physically separated from a parallel communication signal.
13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the communication radio link is independent of a RRC state of the UE for communication purpose.
14 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
processing, after receiving the sensing signal, the sensing signal by either being reflected immediately, or identifying and then reflecting the sensing signal, or by identifying, evaluating and then reflecting the sensing signal.