Joint Communication and Sensing: 5G NR Compliant Ranging Using the Sounding Reference Signal

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a 5G-compliant method for user-equipment sensing using sounding reference signals, achieving centimeter-level range estimation accuracy through simulation and measurement.

Contribution

It introduces a novel 5G NR-based radar ranging technique utilizing existing sounding reference signals for joint communication and sensing.

Findings

Range estimation error of centimeters achieved

Simulation and measurement results validate the approach

Method is compliant with 3GPP 5G standards

Abstract

In this work, a proof of concept for 5G-compliant user-equipment side sensing is presented. It is based on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing radar-based ranging which is realized in this work by using the sounding reference signal from the 5G New Radio standard. The signal configuration and thus the corresponding waveform is generated in compliance with the existing 3rd Generation Partnership Project standard for 5G. It is an uplink physical signal and is originally intended, amongst others, for channel estimation. The used model is introduced, followed by the sounding reference signal. This leads to a first proof of concept by presenting simulation and measurement results. We show, that a range estimation error in the order of centimeters is achievable.