5G Wireless Sensing

Description

5G Wireless Sensing is a feature of the 5G System (5GS) introduced in 3GPP Release 19, as specified in TS 22.137 and TS 22.837. It provides the capability to obtain information about the characteristics of the environment and/or objects within the environment using NR radio frequency signals. This includes parameters such as shape, size, orientation, speed, location, distances, and relative motion between objects. In some cases, this sensing information can be extended by data created via previously specified functionalities in the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and/or Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN).

The fundamental principle of 5G Wireless Sensing is to leverage the radio signals used for communication to also perform radar-like sensing. The 5G network, particularly the NR air interface, transmits and receives radio signals that interact with the environment. By analyzing the reflected signals, the network can detect and characterize objects, their movement, and the surrounding environment. This is achieved through advanced signal processing techniques, including time-of-flight measurements, Doppler shift analysis, and angle-of-arrival estimation. The sensing can be performed by the network (e.g., gNB) or by the UE, depending on the deployment scenario and requirements.

Architecturally, 5G Wireless Sensing involves several network functions and entities. The sensing service is typically managed by the core network, which coordinates with the RAN to configure and execute sensing operations. The 5G core network may include a Sensing Function (SF) or similar entity that handles sensing requests, processes sensing data, and exposes sensing results to authorized applications. The RAN, specifically the gNB, is responsible for transmitting and receiving the sensing signals and may perform initial processing. The UE may also participate in sensing, either as a sensing target or as a sensing node, depending on its capabilities.

The sensing procedures can be categorized into different modes: monostatic sensing (where the same node transmits and receives), bistatic sensing (where different nodes transmit and receive), and multistatic sensing (involving multiple nodes). The choice of mode depends on the use case and deployment. For example, in automotive scenarios, vehicles may act as sensing nodes to detect pedestrians and other vehicles. In indoor environments, small cells or UEs can perform sensing to detect occupancy and movement.

5G Wireless Sensing enables a wide range of applications, including intrusion detection, health monitoring, autonomous driving, smart cities, and industrial automation. It provides a cost-effective way to add sensing capabilities to the network without deploying dedicated sensors. By reusing the existing 5G infrastructure, it reduces deployment costs and enables seamless integration with communication services. The feature is expected to evolve in future releases, with enhancements in accuracy, latency, and integration with AI/ML for advanced sensing applications.

Purpose & Motivation

5G Wireless Sensing was created to address the growing demand for environmental awareness and object detection in various industries, leveraging the ubiquitous connectivity of 5G networks. Traditional sensing systems, such as radar and lidar, require dedicated hardware and spectrum, which can be costly and limited in coverage. By using the 5G NR radio signals for sensing, the network can provide sensing-as-a-service without additional infrastructure, enabling new applications and business models.

The motivation for 5G Wireless Sensing stems from the need for integrated communication and sensing (ICAS) in future networks. In autonomous driving, for example, vehicles need to detect their surroundings with high reliability and low latency. 5G sensing can complement onboard sensors by providing a network-based view of the environment, enhancing safety and efficiency. In smart factories, sensing can monitor equipment and personnel, improving productivity and safety. In healthcare, it can enable contactless monitoring of vital signs.

Previous approaches to sensing relied on separate systems, which led to fragmentation and increased costs. 5G Wireless Sensing integrates sensing into the cellular network, allowing operators to offer new services and monetize their spectrum assets. It also addresses the limitations of existing sensing technologies, such as limited range, high power consumption, and susceptibility to environmental conditions. By leveraging the advanced capabilities of 5G, such as massive MIMO, beamforming, and high bandwidth, sensing can achieve high accuracy and reliability.

The standardization of 5G Wireless Sensing in 3GPP ensures interoperability and global adoption. It defines the requirements, architecture, and procedures for sensing, enabling multi-vendor deployments. As 5G evolves towards 6G, sensing is expected to become a native capability, further integrating communication and sensing for a wide range of applications.