Four-step RACH procedure for energy harvesting user equipment

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communications. In some aspects, a network node may configure a set of energy harvesting categories associated with performing a four-step random access channel (RACH) procedure. The network node may perform the four-step RACH procedure based at least in part on an energy harvesting category of the set of energy harvesting categories. Numerous other aspects are described.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless communications, and to techniques and apparatus for a four-step random access channel (RACH) procedure for energy harvesting user equipment (UE). Background Art

[0002] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide a variety of telecommunication services, such as telephony, video, data, messaging, and broadcasting. Typical wireless communication systems may employ multiple access technologies that can support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., bandwidth, transmit power, etc.). Examples of such multiple access technologies include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) systems, and long term evolution (LTE). LTE / LTE-Advanced is a set of enhancements to the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) mobile standard promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

[0003] A wireless network may include one or more network nodes that support communications for one user equipment (UE) or multiple UEs. A UE may communicate with a base station via downlink communications and uplink communications. A "downlink" (or "DL") refers to the communication link from a base station to a UE, and an "uplink" (or "UL") refers to the communication link from a UE to a base station.

[0004] The above-mentioned multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different UEs to communicate at a city, country, region and / or global level. New Radio (NR) (which may be referred to as 5G) is a set of enhancements to the LTE mobile standard promulgated by 3GPP. NR is designed to improve spectrum efficiency, reduce costs, improve services, utilize new spectrum, and better integrate with other open standards by using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) (CP-OFDM) with cyclic prefix (CP) on the downlink, using CP-OFDM and / or single carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM) (also known as discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM)) on the uplink, and supporting beamforming, multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna technology and carrier aggregation, so as to better support mobile broadband Internet access. As the demand for mobile broadband access continues to increase, further improvements in LTE, NR and other radio access technologies remain useful. Summary of the invention

[0005] Some aspects described herein relate to a method of wireless communication performed by a network node. The method may include configuring a set of energy harvesting categories associated with performing a four-step random access channel (RACH) procedure. The method may include performing the four-step RACH procedure based at least in part on an energy harvesting category in the set of energy harvesting categories.

[0006] Some aspects described herein relate to a method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE). The method may include receiving a first indication of a set of energy harvesting categories associated with a network node. The method may include sending a second indication of an energy harvesting category in the set of energy harvesting categories to the network node. The method may include performing a four-step RACH procedure based at least in part on the energy harvesting category.

[0007] Some aspects described herein relate to a network node for wireless communication. The network node may include a memory and one or more processors coupled to the memory. The one or more processors may be configured to configure a set of energy harvesting categories associated with performing a four-step RACH procedure. The one or more processors may be configured to perform a four-step RACH procedure based at least in part on an energy harvesting category in the set of energy harvesting categories.

[0008] Some aspects described herein relate to a UE for wireless communication. The UE may include a memory and one or more processors coupled to the memory. The one or more processors may be configured to receive a first indication of a set of energy harvesting categories associated with a network node. The one or more processors may be configured to send a second indication of an energy harvesting category in the set of energy harvesting categories to the network node. The one or more processors may be configured to perform a four-step RACH procedure based at least in part on the energy harvesting category.

[0009] Some aspects described herein relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing an instruction set for wireless communication by a network node. The instruction set, when executed by one or more processors of the network node, may cause the network node to configure a set of energy harvesting categories associated with performing a four-step RACH procedure. The instruction set, when executed by one or more processors of the network node, may cause the network node to perform a four-step RACH procedure based at least in part on an energy harvesting category in the set of energy harvesting categories.

[0010] Some aspects described herein relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing an instruction set for wireless communication by a UE. The instruction set, when executed by one or more processors of the UE, may cause the UE to receive a first indication of a set of energy harvesting categories associated with a network node. The instruction set, when executed by one or more processors of the UE, may cause the UE to send a second indication of an energy harvesting category in the set of energy harvesting categories to the network node. The instruction set, when executed by one or more processors of the UE, may cause the UE to perform a four-step RACH procedure based at least in part on the energy harvesting category.

[0011] Some aspects described herein are directed to an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus may include means for configuring a set of energy harvesting categories associated with performing a four-step RACH procedure. The apparatus may include means for performing the four-step RACH procedure based at least in part on an energy harvesting category in the set of energy harvesting categories.

[0012] Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus may include means for receiving a first indication of a set of energy harvesting categories associated with a network node. The apparatus may include means for sending a second indication of an energy harvesting category in the set of energy harvesting categories to the network node. The apparatus may include means for performing a four-step RACH procedure based at least in part on the energy harvesting category.

[0013] The various aspects generally include methods, apparatuses, systems, computer program products, non-transitory computer-readable media, user equipment, base stations, wireless communication devices and / or processing systems as fully described herein with reference to the drawings and description and as illustrated in the drawings and description.

[0014] The features and technical advantages of the examples according to the present disclosure have been outlined quite extensively above in order to better understand the subsequent specific embodiments. Additional features and advantages will be described below. The disclosed concepts and specific examples can be easily used as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for the same purpose of achieving the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of protection of the appended claims. The characteristics of the concepts disclosed herein, both in terms of their organization and method of operation, and the associated advantages will be better understood by considering the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Each of the drawings is provided for the purpose of illustration and description, and not as a definition of the limitations of the claims.

[0015] Although various aspects are described in the present disclosure by illustrating some examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that such aspects can be implemented in many different arrangements and scenarios. The technology described herein can be implemented using different platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes and / or packaging arrangements. For example, some aspects can be implemented via integrated chip implementations or other devices based on non-module components (e.g., end-user devices, vehicles, communication equipment, computing equipment, industrial equipment, retail / shopping equipment, medical equipment and / or artificial intelligence devices). Various aspects can be implemented in chip-level components, modular components, non-modular components, non-chip-level components, device-level components and / or system-level components. The equipment incorporating the various aspects and features described may include additional components and features for implementing and practicing the various aspects claimed and described. For example, the transmission and reception of wireless signals may include one or more components (e.g., hardware components, including antennas, radio frequency (RF) chains, power amplifiers, modulators, buffers, processors, interleavers, adders and / or summers) for analog and digital purposes. The various aspects described herein are intended to be practiced in various devices, components, systems, distributed arrangements and / or end-user devices of various sizes, shapes and configurations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to fully understand the above-mentioned features of the present disclosure, a more specific description of the invention briefly summarized above can be obtained by referring to various aspects (some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings). However, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings only illustrate certain typical aspects of the present disclosure and are therefore not to be considered as limiting the scope thereof, as the specification may admit of other equally effective aspects. The same reference numerals in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.

[0017] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless network according to the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a base station communicating with a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network according to the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example decomposed base station architecture according to the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a four-step random access channel (RACH) procedure according to the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example associated with a four-step RACH procedure for energy harvesting UEs according to the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 6 and Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating an example procedure associated with a four-step RACH procedure for energy harvesting UEs in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 is a diagram of an example apparatus for wireless communications according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The various aspects of the present disclosure are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure can be embodied in many different forms, and should not be construed as being limited to any specific structure or function presented throughout the present disclosure. Instead, these aspects are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and the protection scope of the present disclosure will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein, whether it is implemented independently or in combination with any other aspect of the present disclosure. For example, any number of aspects set forth herein may be used to implement a device or practice method. In addition, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover such devices or methods implemented using other structures, functionality, or structures and functionality in addition to or different from the various aspects of the disclosure set forth herein. It should be understood that any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein may be embodied by one or more elements of the claims.

[0025] Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be presented with reference to various devices and techniques. These devices and techniques will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). These elements can be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof. Whether these elements are implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0026] Although various aspects may be described herein using terms generally associated with 5G or new radio (NR) radio access technology (RAT), various aspects of the present disclosure may be applicable to other RATs, such as 3G RAT, 4G RAT, and / or post-5G RATs (e.g., 6G).

[0027] Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless network 100 according to the present disclosure. The wireless network 100 may be a 5G (e.g., NR) network and / or a 4G (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE)) network or may include elements of a 5G (e.g., NR) network and / or a 4G (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE)) network, etc. The wireless network 100 may include one or more network nodes 110 (shown as BS110a, BS110b, BS110c, and BS110d), a user equipment (UE) 120 or multiple UEs 120 (shown as UE 120a, UE120b, UE 120c, UE 120d, and UE 120e), and / or other network entities. The network node 110 is an entity that communicates with the UE 120. The network node 110 (sometimes referred to as a BS) may include, for example, an NR base station, an LTE base station, a Node B, an eNB (e.g., in 4G), a gNB (e.g., in 5G), an access point, and / or a transmit receive point (TRP). Each network node 110 may provide communication coverage for a particular geographic area. In the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the term "cell" may refer to a coverage area of ​​a network node 110 and / or a subsystem of the network node 110 serving the coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used.

[0028] The network node 110 may provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a pico cell, a femto cell, and / or another type of cell. A macro cell may cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and may allow unrestricted access by a UE 120 with a service subscription. A pico cell may cover a relatively small geographic area and may allow unrestricted access by a UE 120 with a service subscription. A femto cell may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a home) and may allow restricted access by a UE 120 associated with the femto cell (e.g., a UE 120 in a closed subscriber group (CSG)). A network node 110 for a macro cell may be referred to as a macro base station. A network node 110 for a pico cell may be referred to as a pico base station. A network node 110 for a femto cell may be referred to as a femto base station or a home base station. In Figure 1 In the example shown, network node 110a may be a macro base station for macro cell 102a, network node 110b may be a pico base station for pico cell 102b, and network node 110c may be a femto base station for femto cell 102c. Network node 110 may support one or more (eg, three) cells.

[0029] In some examples, the cells may not necessarily be stationary, and the geographic area of ​​the cells may move depending on the location of the mobile network nodes 110 (e.g., mobile base stations). In some examples, the network nodes 110 may be interconnected with each other and / or to one or more other network nodes 110 (not shown) in the wireless network 100 using any suitable transport network via various types of backhaul interfaces (such as direct physical connections or virtual networks).

[0030] The wireless network 100 may include one or more relay stations. A relay station is an entity capable of receiving transmissions of data from an upstream station (e.g., a network node 110 or a UE 120) and transmitting transmissions of data to a downstream station (e.g., a UE 120 or a network node 110). A relay station may be a UE 120 that is capable of relaying transmissions for other UEs 120. Figure 1 In the example shown, network node 110d (e.g., a relay base station) may communicate with network node 110a (e.g., a macro base station) and UE 120d to facilitate communications between network node 110a and UE 120d. A network node 110 that relays communications may be referred to as a relay station, relay base station, relay, or the like.

[0031] The wireless network 100 may be a heterogeneous network that includes different types of network nodes 110, such as macro base stations, pico base stations, femto base stations, relay base stations, etc. These different types of network nodes 110 may have different transmit power levels, different coverage areas, and / or different impacts on interference in the wireless network 100. For example, a macro base station may have a high transmit power level (e.g., 5 watts to 40 watts), while a pico base station, a femto base station, and a relay base station may have a lower transmit power level (e.g., 0.1 watt to 2 watts).

[0032] The network controller 130 may be coupled to or in communication with a set of network nodes 110 and may provide coordination and control for the network nodes 110. The network controller 130 may communicate with the network nodes 110 via backhaul communication links. The network nodes 110 may also communicate directly with each other or indirectly via wireless or wired backhaul communication links.

[0033] UE 120 may be distributed throughout wireless network 100, and each UE 120 may be stationary or mobile. UE 120 may include, for example, an access terminal, a terminal, a mobile station, and / or a subscriber unit. UE 120 may be a cellular phone (e.g., a smart phone), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a tablet computer, a camera, a gaming device, a netbook, a smartbook, an ultrabook, a medical device, a biometric device, a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch, smart clothing, smart glasses, a smart wristband, smart jewelry (e.g., a smart ring or a smart bracelet)), an entertainment device (e.g., a music device, a video device, and / or a satellite radio), a vehicle component or sensor, a smart meter / sensor, an industrial manufacturing equipment, a global positioning system device, and / or any other suitable device configured to communicate via a wireless medium.

[0034] Some UEs 120 may be considered as machine type communication (MTC) or evolved or enhanced machine type communication (eMTC) UEs. MTC UEs and / or eMTC UEs may include, for example, robots, drones, remote devices, sensors, meters, monitors, and / or location tags that may communicate with a base station, another device (e.g., a remote device), or some other entity. Some UEs 120 may be considered as Internet of Things (IoT) devices and / or may be implemented as NB-IoT (narrowband IoT) devices. Some UEs 120 may be considered as customer premises equipment. UE 120 may be included inside a housing that houses components of UE 120, such as a processor component and / or a memory component. In some examples, the processor component and the memory component may be coupled together. For example, a processor component (e.g., one or more processors) and a memory component (e.g., a memory) may be operably coupled, communicatively coupled, electronically coupled, and / or electrically coupled.

[0035] In general, any number of wireless networks 100 may be deployed in a given geographic area. Each wireless network 100 may support a specific RAT and may operate on one or more frequencies. RAT may be referred to as a radio technology, air interface, etc. Frequency may be referred to as a carrier, frequency channel, etc. Each frequency may support a single RAT in a given geographic area to avoid interference between wireless networks of different RATs. In some cases, NR or 5G RAT networks may be deployed.

[0036] In some examples, two or more UEs 120 (e.g., shown as UE 120a and UE 120e) may communicate directly using one or more sidelink channels (e.g., without using network node 110 as an intermediary to communicate with each other). For example, UE 120 may communicate using peer-to-peer (P2P) communication, device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) protocols (e.g., which may include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) protocols, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) protocols, or vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) protocols), and / or mesh networks. In such examples, UE 120 may perform scheduling operations, resource selection operations, and / or other operations described elsewhere herein as being performed by network node 110.

[0037] The devices of the wireless network 100 may communicate using an electromagnetic spectrum that may be subdivided into various categories, bands, channels, etc., based on frequency or wavelength. For example, the devices of the wireless network 100 may communicate using one or more operating bands. In 5G NR, two initial operating bands have been identified as frequency ranges designated FR1 (410 MHz–7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz–52.6 GHz). It should be understood that, although portions of FR1 are greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is often (interchangeably) referred to as the “below 6 GHz” band in various documents and articles. Similar naming issues sometimes occur with respect to FR2, which is often (interchangeably) referred to as the “millimeter wave” band in documents and articles, although different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz-300 GHz) identified as the “millimeter wave” band by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

[0038] Frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are generally referred to as mid-band frequencies. Recent 5G NR research has identified the operating bands for these mid-band frequencies as frequency range designation FR3 (7.125GHz–24.25GHz). The bands falling within FR3 can inherit FR1 characteristics and / or FR2 characteristics, and therefore the features of FR1 and / or FR2 can be effectively extended to mid-band frequencies. In addition, higher frequency bands are currently being explored to extend 5G NR operations to more than 52.6GHz. For example, three higher operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6GHz–71GHz), FR4 (52.6GHz–114.25GHz), and FR5 (114.25GHz–300GHz). Each of these higher frequency bands falls within the EHF band.

[0039] Considering the above examples, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if the term "below 6 GHz" or the like is used herein, the term may broadly refer to frequencies that may be lower than 6 GHz, may be within FR1, or may include mid-band frequencies. In addition, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if the term "millimeter wave" or the like is used herein, the term may broadly refer to frequencies that may include mid-band frequencies, may be within FR2, FR4, FR4-a or FR4-1, and / or FR5, or may be within the EHF band. It is contemplated that the frequencies included in these operating bands (e.g., FR1, FR2, FR3, FR4, FR4-a, FR4-1, and / or FR5) may be modified, and the techniques described herein are applicable to those modified frequency ranges.

[0040] In some aspects, the network node 110 may include a communication manager 150. As described in more detail elsewhere herein, the communication manager 150 may configure a set of energy harvesting categories associated with performing a four-step random access channel (RACH) procedure; and perform the four-step RACH procedure based at least in part on an energy harvesting category in the set of energy harvesting categories. Additionally or alternatively, the communication manager 150 may perform one or more other operations described herein.

[0041] In some aspects, the UE 120 may include a communication manager 140. As described in more detail elsewhere herein, the communication manager 140 may receive a first indication of a set of energy harvesting categories associated with a network node; send a second indication of an energy harvesting category in the set of energy harvesting categories to the network node; and perform a four-step RACH procedure based at least in part on the energy harvesting category. Additionally or alternatively, the communication manager 140 may perform one or more other operations described herein.

[0042] As described herein, a node may be referred to as a "node", "network node", or "wireless node", which may be a base station (e.g., network node 110), a UE (e.g., UE 120), a relay device, a network controller, an apparatus, a device, a computing system, one or more components of any of these, and / or another processing entity configured to perform one or more aspects of the techniques described herein. For example, a network node may be a UE. As another example, a network node may be a base station. For example, a first network node may be configured to communicate with a second network node or a third network node. The adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc. are used to contextually distinguish between two or more of the modified nouns in conjunction with the discussion, and are not meant to be absolute modifiers that apply only to a corresponding node in the entire document. For example, a network node may be referred to as a "first network node" in conjunction with one discussion, and may be referred to as a "second network node" in conjunction with another discussion, and vice versa. References to UEs, base stations, apparatuses, devices, computing systems, etc. may include disclosure of UEs, base stations, apparatuses, devices, computing systems, etc. as network nodes. For example, the disclosure that the UE is configured to receive information from the base station also discloses that the first network node is configured to receive information from the second network node. Consistent with the present disclosure, once a specific example is expanded according to the present disclosure (e.g., the UE is configured to receive information from the base station also discloses that the first network node is configured to receive information from the second network node), the broader example of the narrower example can be interpreted in reverse, but in a broad, open-ended manner. In the above example that the UE is configured to receive information from the base station also discloses that the first network node is configured to receive information from the second network node, "first network node" may refer to a first UE configured to receive information from a second network, a first base station, a first device, a first equipment, a first computing system, a first one or more components, a first processing entity, etc.; and "second network node" may refer to a second UE, a second base station, a second device, a second equipment, a second computing system, a second one or more components, a second processing entity, etc.

[0043] As indicated above, Figure 1 are provided as examples. Other examples can be found in the Figure 1 The examples described are different.

[0044] Figure 2 1 is a diagram illustrating an example 200 of a network node 110 communicating with a UE 120 in a wireless network 100 according to the present disclosure. The network node 110 may be equipped with a set of antennas 234a to 234t, such as T antennas (T≥1). The UE 120 may be equipped with a set of antennas 252a to 252r, such as R antennas (R≥1).

[0045] At the network node 110, a transmit processor 220 may receive data intended for a UE 120 (or a set of UEs 120) from a data source 212. The transmit processor 220 may select one or more modulation and coding schemes (MCS) for the UE 120 based at least in part on one or more channel quality indicators (CQIs) received from the UE 120. The network node 110 may process (e.g., encode and modulate) the data for the UE 120 based at least in part on the MCS selected for the UE 120, and may provide data symbols for the UE 120. The transmit processor 220 may process system information (e.g., for semi-static resource allocation information (SRPI)) and control information (e.g., CQI requests, grants, and / or upper layer signaling), and provide overhead symbols and control symbols. The transmit processor 220 may generate reference symbols for reference signals (e.g., cell-specific reference signals (CRS) or demodulation reference signals (DMRS)) and synchronization signals (e.g., primary synchronization signals (PSS) or secondary synchronization signals (SSS)). The transmit (TX) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) processor 230 may perform spatial processing (e.g., precoding) on ​​data symbols, control symbols, overhead symbols, and / or reference symbols, where applicable, and may provide a set of output symbol streams (e.g., T output symbol streams) to a corresponding set of modems 232 (e.g., T modems) (shown as modems 232a to 232t). For example, each output symbol stream may be provided to a modulator component (shown as MOD) of the modem 232. Each modem 232 may process a corresponding output symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM) using a corresponding modulator component to obtain an output sample stream. Each modem 232 may also process (e.g., convert to analog, amplify, filter, and / or upconvert) the output sample stream using a corresponding modulator component to obtain a downlink signal. The modems 232a through 232t may transmit a set of downlink signals (eg, T downlink signals) via a corresponding set of antennas 234 (eg, T antennas) (shown as antennas 234a through 234t).

[0046] At the UE 120, a set of antennas 252 (shown as antennas 252a to 252r) may receive downlink signals from the network node 110 and / or other network nodes 110 and may provide a set of received signals (e.g., R received signals) to a set of modems 254 (e.g., R modems) (shown as modems 254a to 254r). For example, each received signal may be provided to a demodulator component (shown as DEMOD) of the modem 254. Each modem 254 may use a corresponding demodulator component to condition (e.g., filter, amplify, downconvert, and / or digitize) the received signal to obtain input samples. Each modem 254 may use a demodulator component to further process the input samples (e.g., for OFDM) to obtain received symbols. A MIMO detector 256 may obtain received symbols from the modem 254, may perform MIMO detection on the received symbols where applicable, and may provide detected symbols. The receive processor 258 may process (e.g., demodulate and decode) the detected symbols, may provide decoded data for the UE 120 to the data sink 260, and may provide decoded control information and system information to the controller / processor 280. The term "controller / processor" may refer to one or more controllers, one or more processors, or a combination thereof. The channel processor may determine a reference signal received power (RSRP) parameter, a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) parameter, a reference signal received quality (RSRQ) parameter, and / or a CQI parameter, among other things. In some examples, one or more components of the UE 120 may be included in the housing 284.

[0047] The network controller 130 may include a communication unit 294, a controller / processor 290, and a memory 292. The network controller 130 may include, for example, one or more devices in a core network. The network controller 130 may communicate with the network node 110 via the communication unit 294.

[0048] One or more antennas (e.g., antennas 234a to 234t and / or antennas 252a to 252r) may include or be included within one or more antenna panels, one or more antenna groups, one or more sets of antenna elements, and / or one or more antenna arrays, etc. Antenna panels, antenna groups, sets of antenna elements, and / or antenna arrays may include one or more antenna elements (in a single housing or multiple housings), sets of coplanar antenna elements, sets of non-coplanar antenna elements, and / or may be coupled to one or more transmit and / or receive components (such as, Figure 2 One or more antenna elements of one or more components in.

[0049] On the uplink, at the UE 120, the transmit processor 264 may receive and process data from the data source 262 and control information from the controller / processor 280 (e.g., for reports including RSRP, RSSI, RSRQ, and / or CQI). The transmit processor 264 may generate reference symbols for one or more reference signals. The symbols from the transmit processor 264 may be pre-decoded by the TX MIMO processor 266, where applicable, further processed by the modem 254 (e.g., for DFT-s-OFDM or CP-OFDM), and sent to the network node 110. In some examples, the modem 254 of the UE 120 may include a modulator and a demodulator. In some examples, the UE 120 includes a transceiver. The transceiver may include any combination of an antenna 252, a modem 254, a MIMO detector 256, a receive processor 258, a transmit processor 264, and / or a TX MIMO processor 266. The transceiver may be used by a processor (eg, controller / processor 280) and memory 282 to perform the functions described herein (eg, reference Figures 5 to 9 ) or any aspect of any of the methods described herein.

[0050] At the network node 110, uplink signals from the UE 120 and / or other UEs may be received by the antenna 234, processed by the modem 232 (e.g., a demodulator component (shown as DEMOD) of the modem 232), detected by the MIMO detector 236 (where applicable), and further processed by the receive processor 238 to obtain decoded data and control information transmitted by the UE 120. The receive processor 238 may provide the decoded data to the data sink 239 and the decoded control information to the controller / processor 240. The network node 110 may include a communication unit 244 and may communicate with the network controller 130 via the communication unit 244. The network node 110 may include a scheduler 246 to schedule one or more UEs 120 for downlink communication and / or uplink communication. In some examples, the modem 232 of the network node 110 may include a modulator and a demodulator. In some examples, the network node 110 includes a transceiver. The transceiver may include any combination of antenna 234, modem 232, MIMO detector 236, receive processor 238, transmit processor 220, and / or TX MIMO processor 230. The transceiver may be used by a processor (e.g., controller / processor 240) and memory 242 to perform the operations described herein (e.g., reference 2 Figures 5 to 9 ) or any aspect of any of the methods described herein.

[0051] The controller / processor 240 of the network node 110, the controller / processor 280 of the UE 120, and / or Figure 2 Any other components of the network node 110 may perform one or more techniques associated with the four-step RACH process for energy harvesting UEs, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. For example, the controller / processor 240 of the network node 110, the controller / processor 280 of the UE 120, and / or Figure 2 Any other component of the Figure 6 The process of 600 Figure 7 10 and / or operations of process 700 and / or other processes as described herein. Memory 242 and memory 282 may store data and program codes for network node 110 and UE 120, respectively. In some examples, memory 242 and / or memory 282 may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions (e.g., code and / or program code) for wireless communication. For example, the one or more instructions, when executed by one or more processors of network node 110 and / or UE 120 (e.g., directly, or after compilation, conversion, and / or interpretation), may cause the one or more processors, UE 120, and / or network node 110 to perform or direct, for example, Figure 6 The process of 600 Figure 7 The process 700 and / or operations of other processes as described herein. In some examples, executing instructions may include running instructions, converting instructions, compiling instructions, and / or interpreting instructions, etc.

[0052] In some aspects, the network node 110 includes means for configuring a set of energy harvesting categories associated with performing the four-step RACH procedure; and / or means for performing the four-step RACH procedure based at least in part on an energy harvesting category in the set of energy harvesting categories. In some aspects, the means for the network node 110 to perform operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of the following: the communication manager 150, the transmit processor 220, the TX MIMO processor 230, the modem 232, the antenna 234, the MIMO detector 236, the receive processor 238, the controller / processor 240, the memory 242, or the scheduler 246.

[0053] In some aspects, the UE 120 includes means for receiving a first indication of a set of energy harvesting categories associated with a network node; means for sending a second indication of an energy harvesting category in the set of energy harvesting categories to the network node; and / or means for performing a four-step RACH procedure based at least in part on the energy harvesting category. The means for the UE 120 to perform the operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of the communication manager 140, the antenna 252, the modem 254, the MIMO detector 256, the receive processor 258, the transmit processor 264, the TX MIMO processor 266, the controller / processor 280, or the memory 282.

[0054] Although Figure 2 The blocks in the 2000 and 2010 are illustrated as distinct components, but the functionality described above with respect to these blocks may be implemented in a single hardware, software, or combined component or in various combinations of components. For example, the functionality described with respect to the transmit processor 264, the receive processor 258, and / or the TX MIMO processor 266 may be performed by or under the control of the controller / processor 280.

[0055] In some aspects, the term "network node" (e.g., network node 110) may refer to one or more components of a converged base station, a decomposed base station, and / or a decomposed base station. For example, in some aspects, a "network node" may refer to a control unit, a distributed unit, multiple control units, multiple distributed units, and / or a combination thereof. In some aspects, a "network node" may refer to a device configured to perform one or more functions such as those described above in conjunction with network node 110. In some aspects, a "network node" may refer to multiple devices configured to perform the one or more functions. For example, in some distributed systems, each of a number of different devices (which may be located in the same geographic location or in different geographic locations) may be configured to perform at least a portion of a function, or to repeatedly perform at least a portion of the function, and the term "network node" may refer to any one or more of these different devices. In some aspects, a "network node" may refer to one or more virtual network nodes, one or more virtual network node functions, and / or a combination thereof. For example, in some cases, two or more network node functions may be instantiated on a single device. In some aspects, a "network node" may refer to one of the network node functions, but not another function. In this way, a single device may include more than one network node.

[0056] As indicated above, Figure 2 are provided as examples. Other examples can be found in the Figure 2 The examples described are different.

[0057] Figure 3is a diagram illustrating an example 300 decomposed base station architecture according to the present disclosure.

[0058] The deployment of a communication system (such as a 5G NR system) can be arranged with various components or constituent parts in a variety of ways. In a 5G NR system or network, a network node, a network entity, a mobility element of a network, a RAN node, a core network node, a network element or a network equipment (such as a base station (BS, e.g., network node 110) or one or more units (or one or more components) performing base station functionality can be implemented in an aggregated or decomposed architecture. For example, a BS (such as a Node B (NB), an eNB, an NRBS, a 5G NB, an access node (AP), a TRP, a cell, etc.) can be implemented as an aggregated base station (also called a stand-alone BS or a monolithic BS) or a decomposed base station.

[0059] A converged base station may be configured to utilize a radio protocol stack physically or logically integrated within a single RAN node. A decomposed base station may be configured to utilize a protocol stack physically or logically distributed between two or more units, such as one or more central or centralized units (CUs), one or more distributed units (DUs), or one or more radio units (RUs). In some aspects, a CU may be implemented within a RAN node, and one or more DUs may be co-located with the CU, or alternatively, may be geographically or virtually distributed in one or more other RAN nodes. A DU may be implemented to communicate with one or more RUs. Each of a CU, a DU, and a RU may also be implemented as a virtual unit (e.g., a virtual centralized unit (VCU), a virtual distributed unit (VDU), or a virtual radio unit (VRU)).

[0060] Base station type operations or network designs may take into account the aggregated nature of base station functionality. For example, a disaggregated base station may be used in an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network, an O-RAN (such as a network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance), or a virtualized radio access network (vRAN, also known as a cloud radio access network (C-RAN)). Decomposition may include distributing functionality across two or more units at various physical locations, as well as virtually distributing functionality of at least one unit, which may enable flexibility in network design. Individual units of a disaggregated base station or disaggregated RAN architecture may be configured for wired or wireless communication with at least one other unit.

[0061] Figure 3The disaggregated base station architecture shown may include one or more CUs 310 that may communicate directly with a core network 320 via a backhaul link, or indirectly with a core network 320 through one or more disaggregated base station units, such as a near real-time (near-RT) RAN intelligent controller (RIC) 325 via an E2 link, or a non-real-time (non-RT) RIC 315 associated with a service management and orchestration (SMO) framework 305, or both. The CU 310 may communicate with one or more DUs 330 via respective midhaul links, such as an F1 interface. The DU 330 may communicate with one or more RUs 340 via respective fronthaul links. The RU 340 may communicate with respective UEs 120 via one or more radio frequency (RF) access links. In some aspects, a UE 120 may be served simultaneously by multiple RUs 340.

[0062] Each of these units (e.g., CU 310, DU 330, RU 340), as well as near-RT RIC 325, non-RTRIC 315, and SMO framework 305 may include one or more interfaces, or be coupled to one or more interfaces configured to receive or send signals, data, or information (collectively referred to as signals) via a wired or wireless transmission medium. Each of these units or an associated processor or controller that provides instructions to the communication interface of these units may be configured to communicate with one or more of the other units via a transmission medium. For example, these units may include a wired interface that is configured to receive or send signals to one or more of the other units via a wired transmission medium. Additionally, these units may include a wireless interface that may include a receiver, a transmitter, or a transceiver (such as an RF transceiver) that is configured to receive or send signals or both to one or more of the other units on a wireless transmission medium.

[0063] In some aspects, CU 310 may host one or more higher layer control functions. Such control functions may include radio resource control (RRC), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), etc. Each control function may be implemented as having an interface configured to communicate signals with other control functions hosted by CU 310. CU310 may be configured to handle user plane functionality (e.g., central unit-user plane (CU-UP)), control plane functionality (e.g., central unit-control plane (CU-CP)), or a combination thereof. In some aspects, CU 310 may be logically split into one or more CU-UP units and one or more CU-CP units. When implemented in an O-RAN configuration, the CU-UP unit may communicate bidirectionally with the CU-CP unit via an interface (such as an E1 interface). As needed, CU 310 may be implemented to communicate with DU 330 for network control and signaling.

[0064] DU 330 may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more base station functions for controlling the operation of one or more RU 340. In some aspects, DU 330 may host one or more of the following: a radio link control (RLC) layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, and one or more high physical (PHY) layers (such as modules for forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling or modulation and demodulation, etc.) at least in part according to a functional split, such as a functional split defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). In some aspects, DU 330 may further host one or more low PHY layers. Each layer (or module) may be implemented with an interface that is configured to communicate signals with other layers (and modules) hosted by DU 330 or with control functions hosted by CU 310.

[0065] The lower layer functionality may be implemented by one or more RUs 340. In some deployments, a RU 340 controlled by a DU 330 may correspond to a logical node that hosts RF processing functions or low PHY layer functions (such as performing Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Inverse FFT (iFFT), digital beamforming, physical random access channel (PRACH) extraction and filtering, etc.), or both, based at least in part on a functional split (such as a lower layer functional split). In such an architecture, the RU 340 may be implemented to handle over-the-air (OTA) communications with one or more UEs 120. In some aspects, real-time and non-real-time aspects of control plane and user plane communications with the RU 340 may be controlled by the corresponding DU 330. In some scenarios, this configuration may enable the implementation of the DU 330 and the CU 310 in a cloud-based RAN architecture (such as a vRAN architecture).

[0066] The SMO framework 305 may be configured to support RAN deployment and provisioning of non-virtualized network elements and virtualized network elements. For non-virtualized network elements, the SMO framework 305 may be configured to support the deployment of dedicated physical resources for RAN coverage requirements, which may be managed via an operation and maintenance interface (such as an O1 interface). For virtualized network elements, the SMO framework 305 may be configured to interact with a cloud computing platform (such as an open cloud (O-Cloud) 390) to perform network element lifecycle management (such as instantiating virtualized network elements) via a cloud computing platform interface (such as an O2 interface). Such virtualized network elements may include, but are not limited to, CU 310, DU 330, RU 340, and near-RT RIC 325. In some aspects, the SMO framework 305 may communicate with hardware aspects of the 4G RAN (such as an open eNB (O-eNB) 311) via the O1 interface. Additionally, in some aspects, the SMO framework 305 may communicate directly with one or more RUs 340 via the O1 interface. The SMO framework 305 may also include a non-RT RIC 315 configured to support the functionality of the SMO framework 305 .

[0067] The non-RT RIC 315 may be configured to include logic functions that enable non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML) workflows including model training and updating, or policy-based guidance of applications / features in the near-RT RIC 325. The non-RT RIC 315 may be coupled to or in communication with the near-RT RIC 325 (such as via an A1 interface). The near-RT RIC 325 may be configured to include logic functions that enable near-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources via data collection and actions through an interface (such as via an E2 interface) that connects one or more CUs 310, one or more DUs 330, or both, and the O-eNB with the near-RT RIC 325.

[0068] In some aspects, in order to generate an AI / ML model to be deployed in the near-RT RIC 325, the non-RT RIC 315 may receive parameters or external enrichment information from an external server. Such information may be utilized by the near-RT RIC 325 and may be received from a non-network data source or from a network function at the SMO framework 305 or the non-RT RIC 315. In some examples, the non-RT RIC 315 or the near-RT RIC 325 may be configured to tune RAN behavior or performance. For example, the non-RT RIC 315 may monitor long-term trends and patterns of performance and employ AI / ML models to perform corrective actions through the SMO framework 305 (such as via reconfiguration of O1) or via creation of RAN management policies (such as A1 policies).

[0069] As indicated above, Figure 3 are provided as examples. Other examples can be found in the Figure 3 The examples described are different.

[0070] Figure 4 4 is a diagram illustrating an example 400 of a four-step random access procedure according to the present disclosure. Figure 4 As shown, the network node 110 and the UE 120 may communicate with each other to perform a four-step random access procedure.

[0071] As indicated by reference numeral 405, the network node 110 may send one or more synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) and random access configuration information, and the UE 120 may receive the one or more synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) and the random access configuration information. In some aspects, the random access configuration information may be sent and / or indicated by system information (e.g., one or more system information blocks (SIBs)) and / or SSBs, such as for contention-based random access. Additionally or alternatively, the random access configuration information may be sent in a radio resource control (RRC) message and / or a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) command message that triggers a RACH procedure, such as for contention-free random access. The random access configuration information may include one or more parameters to be used in a random access procedure, such as one or more parameters for sending a random access message (RAM) and / or one or more parameters for receiving a random access response (RAR).

[0072] As indicated by reference numeral 410, UE 120 may send a RAM that may include a preamble (sometimes referred to as a random access preamble, a PRACH preamble, or a RAM preamble). The message including the preamble may be referred to as message 1, msg1, MSG1, a first message, or an initial message in a four-step random access procedure. The RAM may include a random access preamble identifier.

[0073] As shown by reference numeral 415, the network node 110 may send a RAR as a response to the preamble. The message including the RAR may be referred to as message 2, msg2, MSG2, or a second message in the four-step random access procedure. In some aspects, the RAR may indicate a detected random access preamble identifier (e.g., received from the UE 120 in msg1). Additionally or alternatively, the RAR may indicate a resource allocation to be used by the UE 120 to send message 3 (msg3).

[0074] In some aspects, as part of the second step of the four-step random access procedure, the network node 110 may send a PDCCH communication for the RAR. The PDCCH communication may schedule a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) communication including the RAR. For example, the PDCCH communication may indicate a resource allocation for the PDSCH communication. Also as part of the second step of the four-step random access procedure, the network node 110 may send a PDSCH communication for the RAR as scheduled by the PDCCH communication. The RAR may be included in a MAC packet data unit (PDU) of the PDSCH communication.

[0075] As indicated by reference numeral 420, UE 120 may send an RRC connection request message. The RRC connection request message may be referred to as message 3, msg3, MSG3, or a third message of the four-step random access procedure. In some aspects, the RRC connection request may include a UE identifier, uplink control information (UCI), and / or a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communication (e.g., an RRC connection request).

[0076] As indicated by reference numeral 425, the network node 110 may send an RRC connection setup message. The RRC connection setup message may be referred to as message 4, msg4, MSG4, or a fourth message of the four-step random access procedure. In some aspects, the RRC connection setup message may include a detected UE identifier, a timing advance value, and / or contention resolution information. As indicated by reference numeral 430, if the UE 120 successfully receives the RRC connection setup message, the UE 120 may send a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) ACK.

[0077] As indicated above, Figure 4 are provided as examples. Other examples can be found in the Figure 4 The examples described are different.

[0078] Energy harvesting (EH) powered devices can opportunistically harvest energy from the environment (such as solar energy, heat, and / or ambient RF radiation) and store the energy in a rechargeable battery. The amount of energy that can be harvested by an EH powered device and / or the rate at which an EH powered device can harvest energy can depend on current environmental conditions. For example, an EH powered device configured to harvest solar energy may be able to harvest more energy and / or harvest energy at a faster rate on a sunny day than on a cloudy day or at night. Thus, the amount of energy available to an EH powered device for sending and / or receiving data can vary based at least in part on current environmental conditions.

[0079] Because the amount of energy available to an EH-powered device for sending and / or receiving data may vary based at least in part on current environmental conditions, an EH-powered device may not have a sufficient amount of energy to perform the entire four-step RACH process in a single activity duration (e.g., without having to collect additional energy before completing the four-step RACH process).

[0080] Some techniques and devices described herein enable a network node (e.g., network node 110) to configure multiple EH categories for performing a four-step RACH process. Each EH category may be associated with a UE having different EH capabilities. For example, each EH category may be configured with different RACH resources and / or RACH parameters, which are determined at least in part based on the maximum duty cycle that the UE can support. The multiple EH categories may enable each UE to select a specific EH category for performing a four-step RACH process based at least in part on the amount of energy currently available to the UE and / or at least in part on the rate at which the UE can collect energy. In some aspects, the UE may select the same EH category or different EH categories to perform RACH retransmissions and / or a new four-step RACH process.

[0081] Thus, the UE may reduce the likelihood that the UE may not complete the four-step RACH procedure due to an insufficient amount of available energy. Reducing the likelihood that the UE may not complete the four-step RACH procedure may reduce the number of failed RACH attempts, thereby saving resources that would otherwise be used to perform RACH retransmissions and / or new four-step RACH procedures.

[0082] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example 500 associated with a four-step RACH procedure for an EH UE according to the present disclosure. Figure 5 As shown, example 500 includes communication between network node 110 and EH UE 505 (e.g., EH-capable UE 120). In some aspects, network node 110 and EH UE 505 may be included in a wireless network, such as wireless network 100. Network node 110 and UE 505 may communicate via a wireless access link, which may include an uplink and a downlink.

[0083] like Figure 5 As indicated by reference numeral 510, the network node 110 may configure a set of EH categories. In some aspects, the EH categories in the set of EH categories may be configured for UEs with specific EH capabilities. For example, the EH categories may be configured for a maximum duty cycle that the UE can support, a UE that has a specific amount of available energy at the start of a four-step RACH procedure, and / or a UE that can harvest energy at a specific rate.

[0084] In some aspects, the network node 110 may configure a RACH parameter set and / or a RACH resource set for each EH category. In some aspects, the RACH parameters and RACH resources configured for each EH category may be different from the RACH parameters and RACH resources configured for other EH categories. As described in more detail below, in some aspects, the RACH parameter set configured for each EH category may include an access criterion associated with selecting an EH category, a PRACH preamble set, a PRACH opportunity set, a certain number of time slots after the transmission of the first message of the four-step RACH process that the UE will begin monitoring the transmission of the second message of the four-step RACH process, the number of RAR windows, the amount of time between two consecutive RAR windows, the number of retransmissions of the first message, the number of time slots between repetitions of the transmission of the third message of the four-step RACH process, the total number of repetitions of the third message that can be sent by the UE, and / or a time period associated with a contention resolution timer, etc.

[0085] As indicated by reference numeral 515, the network node 110 may send an indication of the configured set of EH categories, and the EH UE 505 may receive the indication. In some aspects, the network node 110 may advertise in system information the set of EH categories supported by the network node 110, the RACH parameters associated with each EH category, and / or the RACH resources configured with each EH category.

[0086] In some aspects, as indicated by reference numeral 520, the network node 110 may send RACH configuration information to the EH UE 505. In some aspects, the network node 110 may send RACH configuration information similar to that described above with respect to Figure 4 RACH configuration information is sent in the manner described. In some aspects, the RACH configuration information may include an indication of an EH category set.

[0087] As indicated by reference numeral 525, the EH UE 505 may select an EH category from a configured set of EH categories for performing the four-step RACH procedure. In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may select the EH category based at least in part on an amount of energy currently available to the EH UE 505 and / or a rate at which the EH UE 505 can harvest energy.

[0088] In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may select an EH category based at least in part on access criteria associated with each EH category. In some aspects, the access criteria for the EH category may be configured to ensure that the EH UE 505 has a sufficient amount of energy (the EH UE 505 must and / or does not need to collect energy during the four-step RACH process) to complete at least one RACH attempt.

[0089] In some aspects, the access criteria for an EH class may be associated with the amount of energy that the EH UE 505 is to have at the beginning of the four-step RACH process. k ), the network node 110 may be configured to indicate the minimum amount of energy (E min ) percentage (e.g., 25%, 50%, 75%, or 90%, etc.) of the value (X k ).

[0090] In some aspects, because the minimum amount of energy (E min ) may be different for different UEs, so the network node 110 may indicate the value (X k ) (For example, the network node 110 may not indicate a minimum amount of energy (E min )). A particular UE (eg, EHUE 505) may determine a value (X) required for the particular UE to complete a RACH attempt based at least in part on the value (X) required for the particular UE to complete a RACH attempt. k ) and the minimum amount of energy (E min ) determines the amount of energy that the UE is to have at the start of the four-step RACH procedure.

[0091] In some aspects, the access criteria for the EH class may be associated with the rate at which the UE can harvest energy. For example, the network node 110 may notify the UE to harvest energy for the EH class. k )'s minimum rate of energy (EH k In some aspects, the minimum rate (EH k ) can be expressed as a percentage (f k %), so that f k % multiplied by the minimum amount of UE energy (E min ) is equal to the minimum amount of energy that the UE will be able to harvest during the amount of time corresponding to one transmit timeslot.

[0092] In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may send an indication of the selected EH category prior to sending the first message of the four-step RACH procedure, as indicated by reference numeral 530. For example, the EH UE 505 may send a message indicating the selected EH category after (or before) performing RSRP measurements on downlink reference signals.

[0093] In some aspects, as shown by reference numeral 535, the EH UE 505 can send a first message of a four-step RACH procedure, the first message including an indication of the selected EH category. In some aspects, the EH UE 505 can send a first message of a four-step RACH procedure, the first message including an indication of the selected EH category. Figure 4 The described manner sends the first message of a four-step RACH procedure.

[0094] In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may delay sending the first message for a time period after performing RSRP measurements on the downlink reference signal. In some aspects, the time period may be determined based at least in part on the rate at which the EH UE 505 collects energy. For example, the time period may correspond to an amount of time for the EH UE 505 to collect enough energy to send the first message and / or monitor the transmission of the second message of the four-step RACH procedure.

[0095] As indicated by reference numeral 540, the network node 110 may send a second message of the four-step RACH procedure to the EH UE 505. In some aspects, the network node 110 may send a second message of the four-step RACH procedure similar to that described above with respect to Figure 4 The second message is sent in the described manner.

[0096] In some aspects, the amount of time (T1) may be configurable by the network node 110. The amount of time (T1) may correspond to a certain number of time slots after the first message of the four-step RACH procedure ends before the EH UE 505 will monitor for the transmission of the second message.

[0097] In some aspects, the amount of time (T1) may correspond to an amount of time required for the UE to collect an amount of energy for receiving the second message during at least one RAR window (described in more detail below). For example, the network node 110 may configure the amount of time (T1) for each EH category based at least in part on the rate at which the UE targets the EH category to collect energy.

[0098] In some aspects, the network node 110 may send multiple second messages. Each second message may be sent during a corresponding RAR window. The RAR window may correspond to a time period during which the UE will monitor the transmission of the second message.

[0099] In some aspects, the network node 110 configures a certain number of RAR windows (N1) and a duration (T2) between two consecutive RAR windows for a set of EH categories (e.g., configuring the same number of RAR windows (N1) and the same duration (T2) for each EH category). In some aspects, the network node 110 configures a corresponding number of RAR windows (N1) and a corresponding duration (T2) between two consecutive RAR windows for each EH category.

[0100] In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may identify a number of RAR windows (N1) configured for the selected EH category and a duration (T2) between two consecutive RAR windows. The EH UE 505 may select a RAR window from the number of RAR windows (N1) to monitor the transmission of the second message. In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may select the RAR window based at least in part on an amount of energy available to the EH UE 505 for monitoring the transmission of the second message, a rate at which the EH UE 505 collects energy, and / or an amount of time required for the EH UE 505 to collect an amount of energy for the EH UE 505 to have sufficient energy available for monitoring the transmission of the second message.

[0101] The EH UE 505 may monitor for transmission of the second message during the selected RAR window. In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may not receive the second message during the selected RAR window and / or may receive the second message having a preamble identifier that does not match the preamble identifier included in the first message. In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may monitor another RAR window based at least in part on not receiving the second message during the selected RAR window and / or at least in part on receiving the second message having a preamble identifier that does not match the preamble identifier included in the first message.

[0102] In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may determine that the RACH attempt was unsuccessful based at least in part on not receiving the second message during the selected RAR window (and / or during other RAR windows) and / or based at least in part on receiving the second message having a preamble identifier that does not match the preamble identifier included in the first message. The EH UE 505 may terminate a process associated with receiving the second message and may perform a retransmission of the first message based at least in part on the RACH attempt being unsuccessful.

[0103] In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may retransmit the first message of the four-step RACH procedure to the network node 110 and may monitor the transmission of the second message in a manner similar to that described above. In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may increase a count of a preamble transmission counter and / or a transmit power for retransmission of the first message based at least in part on the EH UE 505 not receiving the second message during the selected RAR window.

[0104] In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may select another EH category from a plurality of EH categories configured by the network node 110 based at least in part on the retransmitted first message. In some aspects, the retransmitted first message may include an indication of another EH category selected by the EH UE 505.

[0105] In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may retransmit the first message after harvesting an amount of energy to the network node 110. For example, the EH UE 505 may retransmit the first message after harvesting an amount of energy to satisfy access criteria associated with the selected EH category or another EH category selected by the EH UE 505, an amount of energy to retransmit the first message, and / or an amount of energy to retransmit the first message and monitor the second message, etc.

[0106] In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may not have sufficient energy to monitor the transmission of the second message during the entire RAR window (e.g., the EH UE 505 runs out of energy while monitoring the second message) and / or monitor the transmission of the second message during any of the RAR windows configured by the network node 110. The EH UE 505 may perform a retransmission of the first message based at least in part on the EH UE 505 not having sufficient energy to monitor the transmission of the second message during the entire RAR window (e.g., the EH UE 505 runs out of energy while monitoring the second message) and / or monitor the transmission of the second message during any of the RAR windows configured by the network node 110.

[0107] In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may be unable to determine whether the network node 110 received the initial transmission of the first message based at least in part on the EH UE 505 not having sufficient energy to monitor the second message. Because the EH UE 505 may be unable to determine whether the network node 110 received the initial transmission of the first message, the EH UE 505 may not increase the count of the preamble transmission counter and / or the transmit power for the retransmission of the first message. Alternatively, the EH UE 505 may increase the count of the preamble transmission counter and / or the transmit power for the retransmission of the first message in a manner similar to that described above.

[0108] In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may receive the second message during the selected RAR window. The EH UE 505 may determine that the preamble identifier included in the second message matches the preamble identifier included in the first message. The EH UE 505 may determine that the second message was successfully received based at least in part on receiving the second message having a preamble identifier that matches the preamble identifier included in the first message.

[0109] As indicated by reference numeral 545, the EH UE 505 may send a third message of the four-step RACH procedure to the network node 110 based at least in part on successful reception of the second message. In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may send a third message of the four-step RACH procedure to the network node 110 in a manner similar to that described above with respect to Figure 4 The third message is sent in the described manner.

[0110] In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may send the third message via a set of resources indicated in the second message. For example, the second message may include an uplink grant or may indicate a PUSCH resource for sending the third message. In some aspects, the network node 110 sends multiple second messages (e.g., one second message during each RAR window), and one or more of the multiple second messages may indicate a PUSCH resource different from a PUSCH resource indicated by one or more other second messages.

[0111] In some aspects, the EH UE 505 sends an indication of an earliest time slot in which the EH UE 505 can receive a fourth message of the four-step RACH procedure. In some aspects, the indication of the earliest time slot is sent via a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE). In some aspects, the logical channel priority associated with the MAC-CE can be the highest logical channel priority relative to other MAC-CEs. Additionally or alternatively, the indication of the earliest time slot can be included in the third message.

[0112] In some aspects, EH UE 505 may send an indication of an earliest time slot in which network node 110 is to send a retransmission of the fourth message.In some aspects, the indication of the earliest time slot in which network node 110 is to send a retransmission of the fourth message is included in the third message.

[0113] In some aspects, the third message may include an indication (e.g., a bit set to a specific value) of a request for an accelerated procedure for the four-step RACH procedure. The accelerated procedure may enable the EH UE 505 to have a sufficient amount of energy available to complete the four-step RACH procedure. For example, the accelerated procedure may include the network node 110 sending the fourth message at a higher transmit power and / or a lower MCS to reduce the amount of time associated with the EH UE 505 receiving the fourth message and / or enable the EH UE 505 to have a sufficient amount of energy to complete the four-step RACH procedure.

[0114] In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may have an amount of energy insufficient to transmit the third message via the set of resources indicated in the second message. The EH UE 505 may determine that the transmission of the third message was unsuccessful based at least in part on having an amount of energy insufficient to transmit the third message via the set of resources indicated in the second message. The EH UE 505 may retransmit the first message based at least in part on the unsuccessful transmission of the third message.

[0115] In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may select another EH category based at least in part on retransmitting the first message.In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may select another EH category and / or may send an indication of another EH category in a manner similar to that described above.

[0116] In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may not increase the count of the preamble transmission counter and / or the transmit power for the retransmission of the first message. The EH UE 505 may not increase the count of the preamble transmission counter and / or the transmit power for the retransmission of the first message based at least in part on the EH UE 505 having an insufficient amount of energy to transmit the third message via the set of resources (e.g., rather than the second message not being successfully received by the network node 110).

[0117] In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may retransmit the first message to the network node 110 based at least in part on a failure to send the third message before expiration of a timer configured by the network node 110. For example, the network node 110 may configure a timer for a timing alignment indication provided in the second message. The EH UE 505 may determine that the sending of the third message was unsuccessful based at least in part on a failure to send the third message before expiration of the timer and / or may retransmit the first message to the network node 110.

[0118] In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may begin monitoring for transmission of the fourth message at the earliest time slot indicated in the third message. In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may initiate a contention resolution timer based at least in part on the EH UE 505 beginning to monitor for transmission of the fourth message. When the EH UE 505 does not receive the fourth message before the contention resolution timer expires, the EH UE 505 may deem reception of the fourth message unsuccessful and / or may retransmit the first message to the network node 110.

[0119] In some aspects, the network node 110 may repeatedly configure the sending of the third message. For example, for each EH category, the network node 110 may configure a certain number of time slots between two consecutive repetitions of the third message and / or a total number of repetitions of the third message.

[0120] In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may determine which repetitions to send and / or which repetitions to skip based at least in part on the amount of energy available for the EH UE 505 and / or the rate at which the EH UE 505 can harvest energy. In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may restart the contention resolution timer after sending each repetition of the third message. In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may skip the transmission of the repetitions based at least in part on the EH UE 505 having an insufficient amount of energy. The EH UE 505 may stop the contention resolution timer based at least in part on the EH UE 505 skipping the transmission of the repetitions due to the EH UE 505 having an insufficient amount of energy.

[0121] As indicated by reference numeral 550, the network node 110 may send a fourth message of the four-step RACH procedure to the EH UE 505. In some aspects, the network node 110 may send a fourth message of the four-step RACH procedure similar to that described above with respect to Figure 4 The fourth message is sent in the described manner.

[0122] In some aspects, the EH UE 505 may receive the fourth message before the contention resolution timer expires. The EH UE 505 may determine that the fourth message includes an identifier associated with the EH UE 505 and / or an uplink grant addressed to a radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) associated with the EH UE 505. The EH UE 505 may determine that the fourth message is successfully received and / or the four-step RACH process is successfully completed based at least in part on receiving the fourth message including the identifier associated with the EH UE 505 and / or the uplink grant address to the RNTI associated with the EH UE 505 before the contention resolution timer expires. As shown by reference numeral 555, the EH UE 505 may send a HARQ confirmation to the network node 110 based at least in part on the successful reception of the fourth message and / or at least in part on the successful completion of the four-step RACH process.

[0123] As described above, by configuring multiple EH categories targeting UEs with various EH capabilities, the network node 110 can enable each UE to select an EH category for performing a four-step RACH procedure based at least in part on the amount of available energy and / or the rate at which each UE can collect energy. In this way, the likelihood that a UE cannot complete a four-step RACH procedure due to an insufficient amount of available energy can be reduced. Reducing the likelihood that a UE cannot complete a four-step RACH procedure can reduce the number of failed RACH attempts, thereby saving resources that would otherwise be used to perform RACH retransmissions and / or new four-step RACH procedures.

[0124] As indicated above, Figure 5 are provided as examples. Other examples can be found in relation to Figure 5 The examples described are different.

[0125] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example process 600, performed, for example, by a network node, in accordance with the present disclosure. Example process 600 is an example of a network node (eg, network node 110) performing operations associated with a four-step RACH procedure for an EH UE.

[0126] like Figure 6 As shown, in some aspects, process 600 may include configuring a set of energy harvesting categories associated with performing a four-step RACH process (block 610). For example, a network node (e.g., using communication manager 150 and / or configuration component 810, such as Figure 8 As depicted) a set of energy harvesting categories associated with performing a four-step RACH procedure may be configured, as described above.

[0127] like Figure 6 As further shown, in some aspects, process 600 may include performing a four-step RACH process based at least in part on an energy harvesting category in a set of energy harvesting categories (block 620). For example, a network node (e.g., using communication manager 150 and / or performance component 808, such as Figure 8 As depicted) may perform a four-step RACH procedure based at least in part on an energy harvesting category in a set of energy harvesting categories, as described above.

[0128] Process 600 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below and / or in conjunction with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0129] In a first aspect, process 600 includes providing an indication of a set of energy harvesting categories, and receiving an indication of the energy harvesting category, wherein a four-step RACH procedure is performed based at least in part on the energy harvesting category based at least in part on receiving the indication of the energy harvesting category.

[0130] In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, providing an indication of the set of energy harvesting categories includes announcing the set of energy harvesting categories in system information.

[0131] In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, the system information comprises an indication of a set of RACH parameters associated with each energy harvesting class in the set of energy harvesting classes.

[0132] In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to third aspects, the RACH parameter set associated with each EH category includes one or more of a PRACH preamble set or a PRACH opportunity set.

[0133] In a fifth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fourth aspects, an EH category is configured based at least in part on a first EH capability associated with a first group of UEs, and another EH category in the EH category set is configured based at least in part on a second EH capability associated with a second group of UEs.

[0134] In a sixth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fifth aspects, the first EH capability comprises a first maximum duty cycle supportable by a first UE included in a first group of UEs during a four-step RACH process, and the second EH capability comprises a second maximum duty cycle supportable by a second UE included in a second group of UEs during the four-step RACH process.

[0135] In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to sixth aspects, each EH class in the set of energy harvesting classes is configured with a different RACH resource.

[0136] In an eighth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to seventh aspects, each EH category in the set of EH categories is configured with different RACH parameters.

[0137] In a ninth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to eighth aspects, process 600 includes advertising access criteria associated with each EH category in the set of EH categories.

[0138] In a tenth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to ninth aspects, the access criteria include one or more of an amount of energy the UE will have before performing a four-step RACH procedure or a rate at which the UE collects energy.

[0139] In an eleventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to tenth aspects, the amount of energy the UE will have before performing the four-step RACH procedure corresponds to a percentage of the amount of energy required for the UE to complete at least one RACH attempt.

[0140] In a twelfth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to eleventh aspects, the access criteria indicates a percentage of an amount of energy required for the UE to complete at least one RACH attempt.

[0141] In a thirteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to twelfth aspects, the EH category is configured with a certain number of time slots before the UE will monitor the transmission of the second message of the four-step RACH process after the transmission of the first message of the four-step RACH process ends.

[0142] In a fourteenth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to thirteenth aspects, the number of time slots corresponds to an amount of time associated with the UE collecting at least an amount of energy associated with the UE monitoring the transmission of a second message during a time period.

[0143] In a fifteenth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fourteenth aspects, for each EH category in the set of EH categories, the network node configures a number of time periods during which the second message is sent and a duration between two consecutive time periods in the number of time periods.

[0144] In a sixteenth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fifteenth aspects, process 600 includes sending a first uplink grant for a first PUSCH indicating transmission of a third message for a four-step RACH process during a first time period in the number of time periods, and sending a second uplink grant for a second PUSCH indicating transmission of the third message during a second time period in the number of time periods.

[0145] In a seventeenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to seventeenth aspects, the first PUSCH is different from the second PUSCH.

[0146] although Figure 6 An example block diagram of process 600 is shown, but in some aspects, process 600 may include Figure 6 Additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or blocks arranged in a different manner than those depicted in the process 600. Additionally or alternatively, two or more of the blocks in the process 600 may be performed in parallel.

[0147] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating an example process 700 performed, for example, by a UE in accordance with the present disclosure. Example process 700 is an example of a UE (eg, UE 505) performing operations associated with a four-step RACH procedure for EH UEs.

[0148] like Figure 7 As shown, in some aspects, process 700 may include receiving a first indication of an EH category set associated with a network node (block 710). For example, a UE (e.g., using communication manager 140 and / or receiving component 902, such as Fig. 9 As depicted) may receive a first indication of a set of EH categories associated with a network node, as described above.

[0149] like Figure 7As further shown, in some aspects, process 700 may include sending a second indication of an EH category in the set of EH categories to a network node (block 720). For example, a UE (e.g., using communication manager 140 and / or transmitting component 904, such as Fig. 9 As depicted) may send a second indication of an EH category in the set of EH categories to the network node, as described above.

[0150] like Figure 7 As further shown, in some aspects, process 700 may include performing a four-step RACH process based at least in part on the EH category (block 730). For example, the UE (e.g., using communication manager 140 and / or performance component 908, such as Fig. 9 As depicted), a four-step RACH procedure may be performed based at least in part on the EH category, as described above.

[0151] Process 700 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below and / or in conjunction with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0152] In a first aspect, process 700 includes selecting an EH category from a set of EH categories based at least in part on one or more of an amount of available energy or an EH rate.

[0153] In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, process 700 includes sending an indication of another EH category in the set of EH categories, and performing a RACH retransmission or another four-step RACH process based at least in part on the another EH category.

[0154] In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, the another EH category is different from the EH category.

[0155] In a fourth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to third aspects, process 700 includes receiving access criteria for each EH category in a set of EH categories; determining that an energy level associated with the UE satisfies the access criteria for the EH category; and selecting an EH category from the set of EH categories based at least in part on the energy level associated with the UE satisfying the access criteria for the EH category.

[0156] In a fifth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fourth aspects, process 700 comprises: performing measurements on a downlink signal; and sending a first message of a four-step RACH process based at least in part on performing the measurements, wherein the first message is sent a certain number of time slots after performing the measurements on the downlink signal, and wherein the UE collects a certain amount of energy for sending the first message during a time period corresponding to the number of time slots.

[0157] In a sixth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fifth aspects, process 700 comprises: receiving a configuration indicating a number of time slots; and monitoring a second message of a four-step RACH process during a time period, wherein the start of the time period occurs the number of time slots after the transmission of the first message of the four-step RACH process.

[0158] In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to sixth aspects, process 700 includes harvesting an amount of energy for receiving the second message during a time period corresponding to the number of time slots.

[0159] In an eighth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to seventh aspects, process 700 includes: receiving a configuration indicating a certain number of time periods for monitoring a second message of a four-step RACH process and a duration between two consecutive time periods in the number of time periods; and monitoring the second message during a time period in the number of time periods, wherein the time period is selected at least in part based on an energy level of the UE.

[0160] In a ninth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to eighth aspects, process 700 includes determining that a second message is not received during the time period; and retransmitting a first message of the four-step RACH process based at least in part on the fact that the second message is not received during the time period.

[0161] In a tenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to ninth aspects, process 700 includes: selecting another EH category from the set of EH categories; and sending an indication of the other EH category, wherein the indication is sent before retransmitting the first message.

[0162] In an eleventh aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to tenth aspects, process 700 includes: receiving a second message during the time period; and sending an indication of an earliest time slot in which the UE can receive a fourth message of the four-step RACH process.

[0163] although Figure 7 An example block diagram of process 700 is shown, but in some aspects, process 700 may include Figure 7 Additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or blocks arranged in a different manner than those depicted in the process 700. Additionally or alternatively, two or more blocks of the blocks of process 700 may be performed in parallel.

[0164] Figure 8800 is a diagram of an example apparatus 800 for wireless communication. Apparatus 800 may be a network node, or a network node may include apparatus 800. In some aspects, apparatus 800 includes a receiving component 802 and a transmitting component 804, which may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses and / or one or more other components). As shown, apparatus 800 may communicate with another apparatus 806 (such as a UE, a base station, or another wireless communication device) using receiving component 802 and transmitting component 804. As further shown, apparatus 800 may include a communication manager 150. Communication manager 150 may include one or more of performance component 808 or configuration component 810, etc.

[0165] In some aspects, the apparatus 800 may be configured to perform Figure 5 Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus 800 may be configured to perform one or more processes described herein, such as Figure 6 The process 600. In some aspects, Figure 8 The device 800 and / or one or more components shown may include a combination of Figure 2 One or more components of the network node. Additionally or alternatively, Figure 8 One or more of the components shown may be combined with Figure 2 Additionally or alternatively, one or more components in the component set may be implemented at least in part as software stored in a memory. For example, a component (or a portion of a component) may be implemented as instructions or codes stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and may be executed by a controller or processor to perform the function or operation of the component.

[0166] The receiving component 802 may receive communications from the device 806, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or combinations thereof. The receiving component 802 may provide the received communications to one or more other components of the device 800. In some aspects, the receiving component 802 may perform signal processing (such as filtering, amplification, demodulation, analog-to-digital conversion, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, demapping, equalization, interference cancellation, or decoding, etc.) on the received communications and may provide the processed signals to one or more other components of the device 800. In some aspects, the receiving component 802 may include combining Figure 2 One or more antennas, modems, demodulators, MIMO detectors, receiving processors, controllers / processors, memories or combinations thereof of the network node.

[0167] The transmitting component 804 may transmit communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or combinations thereof, to the device 806. In some aspects, one or more other components of the device 800 may generate communications and may provide the generated communications to the transmitting component 804 for transmission to the device 806. In some aspects, the transmitting component 804 may perform signal processing (such as filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or encoding, etc.) on the generated communications and may transmit the processed signals to the device 806. In some aspects, the transmitting component 804 may include combining Figure 2 One or more antennas, modems, modulators, transmit MIMO processors, transmit processors, controllers / processors, memories, or combinations thereof of the network node. In some aspects, the transmit component 804 can be co-located with the receive component 802 in a transceiver.

[0168] Configuration component 810 can configure a set of energy harvesting categories associated with performing a four-step RACH procedure.Performance component 808 can perform a four-step RACH procedure based at least in part on an EH category in the set of EH categories.

[0169] Transmitting component 804 can provide an indication of a set of EH categories.

[0170] Receiving component 802 can receive an indication of an energy harvesting category, wherein a four-step RACH procedure is performed based at least in part on the EH category based at least in part on receiving the indication of the EH category.

[0171] Transmitting component 804 may transmit a first uplink grant during a first time period in the number of time periods, the first uplink grant indicating a first PUSCH for transmission of a third message of the four-step RACH procedure.

[0172] Transmitting component 804 may transmit a second uplink grant during a second time period in the number of time periods, the second uplink grant indicating a second PUSCH for transmission of a third message.

[0173] Figure 8 The number and arrangement of components shown are provided as examples. In practice, there may be Figure 8 Additional components, fewer components, different components, or components arranged in a different manner than those shown. Figure 8 Two or more components shown may be implemented in a single component, or Figure 8 The single component shown may be implemented as multiple distributed components. Additionally or alternatively, Figure 8 The component set (one or more components) shown may be described as being executable by Figure 8 Another component shown may be a collection of components that perform one or more functions.

[0174] Fig. 9 900 is a diagram of an example apparatus 900 for wireless communication. The apparatus 900 may be a UE, or the UE may include the apparatus 900. In some aspects, the apparatus 900 includes a receiving component 902 and a sending component 904, which may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses and / or one or more other components). As shown, the apparatus 900 may communicate with another apparatus 906 (such as a UE, a base station, or another wireless communication device) using the receiving component 902 and the sending component 904. As further shown, the apparatus 900 may include a communication manager 140. The communication manager 140 may include one or more of a performance component 908, a selection component 910, a determination component 912, a monitoring component 914, or an EH component 916, etc.

[0175] In some aspects, the apparatus 900 may be configured to perform Figure 5 Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus 900 may be configured to perform one or more processes described herein, such as Figure 7 The process 700. In some aspects, Fig. 9 The device 900 and / or one or more components shown may include a combination of Figure 2 One or more components of the UE. Additionally or alternatively, Fig. 9 One or more of the components shown may be combined with Figure 2 Additionally or alternatively, one or more components in the component set may be implemented at least in part as software stored in a memory. For example, a component (or a portion of a component) may be implemented as instructions or codes stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and may be executed by a controller or processor to perform the function or operation of the component.

[0176] The receiving component 902 may receive communications from the device 906, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or combinations thereof. The receiving component 902 may provide the received communications to one or more other components of the device 900. In some aspects, the receiving component 902 may perform signal processing (such as filtering, amplification, demodulation, analog-to-digital conversion, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, demapping, equalization, interference cancellation, or decoding, etc.) on the received communications and may provide the processed signals to one or more other components of the device 900. In some aspects, the receiving component 902 may include combining Figure 2 One or more antennas, modems, demodulators, MIMO detectors, receiving processors, controllers / processors, memories or combinations thereof of the UE.

[0177] The transmitting component 904 may transmit communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or combinations thereof, to the device 906. In some aspects, one or more other components of the device 900 may generate communications and may provide the generated communications to the transmitting component 904 for transmission to the device 906. In some aspects, the transmitting component 904 may perform signal processing (such as filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or encoding, etc.) on the generated communications and may transmit the processed signals to the device 906. In some aspects, the transmitting component 904 may include combining Figure 2 One or more antennas, modems, modulators, transmit MIMO processors, transmit processors, controllers / processors, memories, or combinations thereof of the UE. In some aspects, the transmit component 904 can be co-located with the receive component 902 in a transceiver.

[0178] Receiving component 902 can receive a first indication of a set of EH categories associated with a network node. Sending component 904 can send a second indication of an EH category in the set of EH categories to the network node. Performance component 908 can perform a four-step RACH procedure based at least in part on the EH category.

[0179] The selection component 910 can select an EH category from the set of EH categories based at least in part on one or more of an amount of available energy or an EH rate.

[0180] Transmitting component 904 can transmit an indication of another EH category in the set of EH categories.

[0181] Performance component 908 can perform RACH retransmissions or another four-step RACH procedure based at least in part on the another EH category.

[0182] Receiving component 902 can receive access criteria for each EH category in a set of EH categories.

[0183] Determining component 912 can determine that an energy level associated with the UE satisfies access criteria for the EH category.

[0184] Selecting component 910 can select an EH category from the set of EH categories based at least in part on an energy level associated with the UE satisfying access criteria for the EH category.

[0185] Performance component 908 can perform measurements on the downlink signal.

[0186] The transmitting component 904 can transmit a first message of the four-step RACH procedure based at least in part on performing the measurements. The first message can be transmitted a number of time slots after performing the measurements on the downlink signal, and the UE can harvest energy for transmitting the first message during a time period corresponding to the number of time slots.

[0187] Receiving component 902 can receive a configuration indicating a number of time slots.

[0188] Monitoring component 914 can monitor for a second message of the four-step RACH procedure during a time period, wherein a start of the time period occurs the number of time slots after transmission of a first message of the four-step RACH procedure.

[0189] The EH component 916 can sample the amount of energy used to receive the second message during a time period corresponding to the number of time slots.

[0190] Receiving component 902 can receive a configuration indicating a number of time periods for monitoring the second message of the four-step RACH procedure and a duration between two consecutive time periods in the number of time periods.

[0191] Monitoring component 914 can monitor for the second message during a time period in the number of time periods, wherein the time period is selected based at least in part on an energy level of the UE.

[0192] Determining component 912 can determine that the second message was not received during the time period.

[0193] Transmitting component 904 can retransmit the first message of the four-step RACH procedure based at least in part on not receiving the second message during the time period.

[0194] The selection component 910 can select another EH category from the set of EH categories.

[0195] Transmitting component 904 can transmit an indication of the another EH category, wherein the indication is transmitted prior to retransmitting the first message.

[0196] Receiving component 902 can receive a second message during the time period.

[0197] Transmitting component 904 can transmit an indication of an earliest time slot in which the UE can receive a fourth message of the four-step RACH procedure.

[0198] Fig. 9 The number and arrangement of components shown are provided as examples. In practice, there may be Fig. 9 Additional components, fewer components, different components, or components arranged in a different manner than those shown. Fig. 9 Two or more components shown may be implemented in a single component, or Fig. 9 The single component shown may be implemented as multiple distributed components. Additionally or alternatively, Fig. 9 The component set (one or more components) shown may be described as being executable by Fig. 9Another component shown may be a collection of components that perform one or more functions.

[0199] The following provides an overview of some aspects of the disclosure:

[0200] Aspect 1: A method of wireless communication performed by a network node, the method comprising: configuring an EH category set associated with performing a four-step RACH procedure; and performing the four-step RACH procedure based at least in part on an EH category in the EH category set.

[0201] Aspect 2: According to the method of Aspect 1, the method also includes: providing an indication of the EH category set; and receiving an indication of the EH category, wherein the four-step RACH process is performed at least partially based on the EH category at least partially based on receiving the indication of the EH category.

[0202] Aspect 3: The method according to aspect 2, wherein providing the indication of the EH category set includes: announcing the EH category set in system information.

[0203] Aspect 4: The method according to aspect 3, wherein the system information includes an indication of a set of RACH parameters associated with each EH category in the set of EH categories.

[0204] Aspect 5: The method according to aspect 4, wherein the RACH parameter set associated with each EH category includes one or more of a PRACH preamble set or a PRACH opportunity set.

[0205] Aspect 6: A method according to one or more of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein the EH category is configured at least in part based on a first EH capability associated with a first group of UEs, and another EH category in the EH category set is configured at least in part based on a second EH capability associated with a second group of UEs.

[0206] Aspect 7: A method according to Aspect 6, wherein the first EH capability includes a first maximum duty cycle that a first UE included in the first group of UEs can support during the four-step RACH process, and the second EH capability includes a second maximum duty cycle that a second UE included in the second group of UEs can support during the four-step RACH process.

[0207] Aspect 8: The method according to one or more of aspects 1 to 7, wherein each EH category in the set of EH categories is configured with different RACH resources.

[0208] Aspect 9: The method according to one or more of aspects 1 to 8, wherein each EH category in the set of EH categories is configured with different RACH parameters.

[0209] Aspect 10: The method according to one or more of aspects 1 to 9, further comprising: advertising access criteria associated with each EH category in the set of EH categories.

[0210] Aspect 11: The method according to aspect 10, wherein the access criteria includes one or more of an amount of energy that the UE will have before performing the four-step RACH procedure or a rate at which the UE collects energy.

[0211] Aspect 12: The method according to aspect 11, wherein the amount of energy that the UE will have before performing the four-step RACH procedure corresponds to a percentage of the amount of energy required for the UE to complete at least one RACH attempt.

[0212] Aspect 13: The method according to aspect 12, wherein the access criterion indicates the percentage of the amount of energy required for the UE to complete at least one RACH attempt.

[0213] Aspect 14: A method according to one or more of aspects 1 to 13, wherein the EH category is a certain number of time slots before the UE monitors the transmission of the second message of the four-step RACH procedure after the transmission of the first message of the four-step RACH procedure is completed.

[0214] Aspect 15: The method according to aspect 14, wherein the number of time slots corresponds to an amount of time associated with the UE collecting at least an amount of energy associated with the UE monitoring the transmission of the second message during a time period.

[0215] Aspect 16: The method according to aspect 15, wherein for each EH category in the set of EH categories, the network node configures a certain number of time periods during which the second message is sent and a duration between two consecutive time periods in the number of time periods.

[0216] Aspect 17: According to the method described in Aspect 16, the method also includes: sending a first uplink grant during a first time period in the number of time periods, the first uplink grant indicating a first PUSCH for sending a third message of the four-step RACH process; and sending a second uplink grant during a second time period in the number of time periods, the second uplink grant indicating a second PUSCH for the sending of the third message.

[0217] Aspect 18: The method according to aspect 17, wherein the first PUSCH is different from the second PUSCH.

[0218] Aspect 19: A method of wireless communication performed by a UE, the method comprising: receiving a first indication of an EH category set associated with a network node; sending a second indication of an EH category in the EH category set to the network node; and performing a four-step RACH process based at least in part on the EH category.

[0219] Aspect 20: The method of aspect 19, further comprising: selecting the EH category from the set of EH categories based at least in part on one or more of an amount of available energy or an EH rate.

[0220] Aspect 21: The method according to aspect 19, further comprising: sending an indication of another EH category in the set of EH categories; and performing RACH retransmission or another four-step RACH process based at least in part on the other EH category.

[0221] Aspect 22: The method according to aspect 21, wherein the another EH category is different from the EH category.

[0222] Aspect 23: The method according to one or more of Aspects 19 to 22, the method further comprising: receiving access criteria for each EH category in the EH category set; determining that an energy level associated with the UE satisfies the access criteria for the EH category; and selecting the EH category from the EH category set based at least in part on the energy level associated with the UE satisfying the access criteria for the EH category.

[0223] Aspect 24: A method according to one or more of Aspects 19 to 23, the method further comprising: performing measurements on a downlink signal; and sending a first message of the four-step RACH process based at least in part on performing the measurements, wherein the first message is sent a certain number of time slots after performing the measurements on the downlink signal, and wherein the UE collects a certain amount of energy for sending the first message during a time period corresponding to the number of time slots.

[0224] Aspect 25: A method according to one or more of Aspects 19 to 24, the method further comprising: receiving a configuration indicating a certain number of time slots; and monitoring a second message of the four-step RACH process during a time period, wherein the start of the time period occurs the number of time slots after the sending of the first message of the four-step RACH process.

[0225] Aspect 26: The method according to aspect 25, the method further comprising: collecting an amount of energy used to receive the second message during a time period corresponding to the number of time slots.

[0226] Aspect 27: According to the method according to one or more of Aspects 19 to 26, the method also includes: receiving a certain number of time periods indicating a second message for monitoring the four-step RACH process and a configuration of the duration between two consecutive time periods in the number of time periods; and monitoring the second message during a time period in the number of time periods, wherein the time period is selected at least in part based on the energy level of the UE.

[0227] Aspect 28: According to the method of Aspect 27, the method also includes: determining that the second message is not received during the time period; and retransmitting the first message of the four-step RACH process based at least in part on the fact that the second message is not received during the time period.

[0228] Aspect 29: The method according to aspect 28, the method further comprising: selecting another EH category from the set of EH categories; and sending an indication of the other EH category, wherein the indication is sent before retransmitting the first message.

[0229] Aspect 30: The method according to aspect 27 further comprises: receiving the second message during the time period; and sending an indication of an earliest time slot in which the UE can receive the fourth message of the four-step RACH procedure.

[0230] Aspect 31: An apparatus for performing wireless communications at a device, the apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform one or more of the methods described in Aspects 1 to 18.

[0231] Aspect 32: A device for wireless communication, the device comprising: a memory; and one or more processors coupled to the memory, the one or more processors configured to perform the method according to one or more of aspects 1 to 18.

[0232] Aspect 33: An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising: at least one means for performing the method according to one or more of aspects 1 to 18.

[0233] Aspect 34: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform the method according to one or more of aspects 1 to 18.

[0234] Aspect 35: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing an instruction set for wireless communication, the instruction set comprising one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the device to perform one or more of the methods described in aspects 1 to 18.

[0235] Aspect 36: An apparatus for wireless communication at a device, the apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform one or more of the methods described in Aspects 19 to 30.

[0236] Aspect 37: A device for wireless communication, the device comprising: a memory; and one or more processors coupled to the memory, the one or more processors configured to perform the method according to one or more of aspects 19 to 30.

[0237] Aspect 38: An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising: at least one means for performing the method according to one or more of aspects 19 to 30.

[0238] Aspect 39: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform the method according to one or more of aspects 19 to 30.

[0239] Aspect 40: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing an instruction set for wireless communication, the instruction set comprising one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the device to perform one or more of the methods described in aspects 19 to 30.

[0240] The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the aspects to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of these aspects.

[0241] As used herein, the term "component" is intended to be broadly interpreted as a combination of hardware and / or hardware and software. Whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language or other names, "software" should be broadly interpreted as meaning instructions, instruction sets, codes, code segments, program codes, programs, subroutines, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures and / or functions, etc. As used herein, a "processor" is implemented in a combination of hardware and / or hardware and software. It will be apparent that the systems and / or methods described herein can be implemented by a combination of hardware and / or hardware and software in different forms. The actual dedicated control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and / or methods does not limit various aspects. Therefore, there is no reference to a specific software code herein to describe the operation and behavior of the system and / or method, because those skilled in the art will understand that software and hardware can be designed to implement the system and / or method based at least in part on the description herein.

[0242] As used herein, "satisfying a threshold" may refer to a value being greater than a threshold, greater than or equal to a threshold, less than a threshold, less than or equal to a threshold, equal to a threshold, not equal to a threshold, etc., depending on the context.

[0243] Although the specific combination of features is set forth in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various aspects. Many of these features can be combined in a manner that is not specifically described in the claims and / or is not disclosed in the specification. The disclosure of various aspects includes each dependent claim combined with each other claim in the claim set. As used herein, the phrase "at least one of" the list of items refers to any combination of these items (which includes a single member). As an example, "at least one of a, b or c" is intended to cover a, b, c, a+b, a+c, b+c and a+b+c, and any combination with multiple identical elements (e.g., a+a, a+a+a, a+a+b, a+a+c, a+b+b, a+c+c, b+b, b+b+b, b+b+c, c+c and c+c+c, or any other ordering of a, b and c).

[0244] Any element, action or instruction used herein should not be interpreted as key or necessary, unless explicitly stated. In addition, as used herein, the article "one" is intended to include one or more items, and can be used interchangeably with "one or more". In addition, as used herein, the article "said" is intended to include one or more items connected to the article "said", and can be used interchangeably with "one or more". In addition, as used herein, the terms "set" and "group" are intended to include one or more items, and can be used interchangeably with "one or more". If only one item is intended to be referred to, the phrase "only one" or similar terms will be used. In addition, as used herein, the terms "have", "have", "have" etc. are intended to be open terms, which do not limit the elements they modify (for example, "having" an element of A can also have B). In addition, the phrase "based on" is intended to represent "based at least in part on", unless explicitly stated otherwise. Furthermore, as used herein, the term "or" when used in a series is intended to be open-ended and used interchangeably with "and / or" unless explicitly stated otherwise (eg, if used in conjunction with "either" or "only one of").

Claims

1. A network node for wireless communication, the network node comprising: Memory; and one or more processors coupled to the memory and configured to: configuring a set of energy harvesting categories associated with performing a four-step random access channel (RACH) procedure; and The four-step RACH procedure is performed based at least in part on an energy harvesting class from the set of energy harvesting classes.

2. The network node of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: providing an indication of the set of energy harvesting categories; and An indication of the energy harvesting class is received, wherein the four-step RACH procedure is performed based at least in part on the energy harvesting class based at least in part on receiving the indication of the energy harvesting class.

3. The network node of claim 2, wherein to provide the indication of the set of energy harvesting categories, the one or more processors are configured to: The energy harvesting class set is advertised in system information.

4. The network node of claim 3, wherein the system information comprises an indication of a set of RACH parameters associated with each energy harvesting category in the set of energy harvesting categories. 5 . The network node of claim 4 , wherein the set of RACH parameters associated with each energy harvesting category comprises one or more of a set of PRACH preambles or a set of PRACH opportunities.

6. A network node according to claim 1, wherein the energy harvesting category is configured at least in part based on a first energy harvesting capability associated with a first group of user equipment (UE), and another energy harvesting category in the energy harvesting category set is configured at least in part based on a second energy harvesting capability associated with a second group of UEs.

7. The network node according to claim 6, wherein the first energy harvesting capability comprises a first maximum duty cycle that a first UE included in the first group of UEs can support during the four-step RACH process, and the second energy harvesting capability comprises a second maximum duty cycle that a second UE included in the second group of UEs can support during the four-step RACH process. 8 . The network node according to claim 1 , wherein each energy harvesting category in the set of energy harvesting categories is configured with different RACH resources. 9 . The network node of claim 1 , wherein each energy harvesting class in the set of energy harvesting classes is configured with different RACH parameters.

10. The network node of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: Access criteria associated with each energy harvesting class in the set of energy harvesting classes are advertised.

11. The network node of claim 10, wherein the access criteria comprises one or more of an amount of energy a user equipment (UE) will have before performing the four-step RACH procedure or a rate at which the UE collects energy.

12. The network node of claim 11, wherein the amount of energy that the UE is to have before performing the four-step RACH procedure corresponds to a percentage of an amount of energy required for the UE to complete at least one RACH attempt.

13. The network node of claim 12, wherein the access criterion indicates the percentage of the amount of the energy required for the UE to complete at least one RACH attempt.

14. The network node of claim 1, wherein the energy harvesting class is configured with a certain number of time slots before a user equipment (UE) will monitor the transmission of a second message of the four-step RACH procedure after the transmission of the first message of the four-step RACH procedure ends.

15. The network node of claim 14, wherein the number of time slots corresponds to an amount of time associated with the UE collecting at least an amount of energy associated with the UE monitoring the transmission of the second message during a time period. 16 . The network node of claim 15 , wherein for each energy harvesting class in the set of energy harvesting classes, the network node configures a certain number of time periods during which the second message is sent and a duration between two consecutive time periods in the number of time periods.

17. The network node of claim 16, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: transmitting a first uplink grant during a first time period of the number of time periods, the first uplink grant indicating a first physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) for transmission of a third message of the four-step RACH procedure; and A second uplink grant is sent during a second time period in the number of time periods, the second uplink grant indicating a second PUSCH used for the sending of the third message.

18. The network node of claim 17, wherein the first PUSCH is different from the second PUSCH.

19. A user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, the user equipment (UE) comprising: Memory; and one or more processors coupled to the memory and configured to: receiving a first indication of a set of energy harvesting categories associated with a network node; sending a second indication of an energy harvesting category in the set of energy harvesting categories to the network node; as well as A four-step random access channel (RACH) procedure is performed based at least in part on the energy harvesting category.

20. The UE of claim 19, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: The energy harvesting class is selected from the set of energy harvesting classes based at least in part on one or more of an amount of available energy or an energy harvesting rate.

21. The UE of claim 19, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: sending an indication of another energy harvesting class in the set of energy harvesting classes; and A RACH retransmission or another four-step RACH procedure is performed based at least in part on the another energy harvesting category.

22. The UE of claim 21, wherein the another energy harvesting category is different from the energy harvesting category.

23. The UE of claim 19, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: receiving access criteria for each energy harvesting class in the set of energy harvesting classes; determining that an energy level associated with the UE satisfies the access criteria for the energy harvesting category; and The energy harvesting class is selected from the set of energy harvesting classes based at least in part on an energy level associated with the UE satisfying the access criteria for the energy harvesting class.

24. The UE of claim 19, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: performing measurements on downlink signals; and Sending a first message of the four-step RACH procedure based at least in part on performing the measurements, wherein the first message is sent a certain number of time slots after performing the measurements on the downlink signal, and wherein the UE collects a certain amount of energy for sending the first message during a time period corresponding to the number of time slots.

25. The UE of claim 19, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: receiving a configuration indicating a number of time slots; and The second message of the four-step RACH procedure is monitored during a time period, wherein the start of the time period occurs the number of time slots after the transmission of the first message of the four-step RACH procedure.

26. The UE of claim 25, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: An amount of energy used to receive the second message during a time period corresponding to the number of time slots is collected.

27. The UE of claim 19, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: receiving a configuration indicating a number of time periods for monitoring the second message of the four-step RACH procedure and a duration between two consecutive time periods in the number of time periods; and The second message is monitored during a time period in the number of time periods, wherein the time period is selected based at least in part on an energy level of the UE.

28. The UE of claim 27, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: determining that the second message was not received during the time period; and The first message of the four-step RACH procedure is retransmitted based at least in part on not receiving the second message during the time period.

29. The UE of claim 28, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: selecting another energy harvesting category from the set of energy harvesting categories; and An indication of the another energy harvesting category is sent, wherein the indication is sent before retransmitting the first message.

30. The UE of claim 27, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: receiving the second message during the time period; and An indication of an earliest time slot in which the UE can receive a fourth message of the four-step RACH procedure is sent.

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