Tag segmentation of passive rfid tags

Abstract

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for radio frequency identification (RFID) tag segmentation. Certain aspects provide a method for wireless communication by a receiver, such as a passive RFID tag. The method generally includes receiving a value of a slot counter parameter from a transmitter (e.g., such as a reader); initializing a time slot counter based on the value of the time slot counter parameter; receiving, from the transmitter, a command to adjust the slot counter; adjusting the slot counter based on the command and a step value; and transmitting data to the transmitter via backscatter communication when the adjusted slot counter reaches a target value, where at least one of the step value is greater than one, or initialization of the slot counter is further based on a scaling factor.

Description

Background Art Technical Field

[0001] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to wireless communications, and more particularly to techniques for radio frequency identification (RFID) tag segmentation.

[0002] Related technologies

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various telecommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging, broadcasts or other similar types of services. These wireless communication systems may employ multiple-access technologies capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available wireless communication system resources.

[0004] Although wireless communication systems have made tremendous technical progress over the years, challenges still exist. For example, complex and dynamic environments can still attenuate or block signals between wireless transmitters and wireless receivers. Therefore, there is a continuous desire to improve the technical performance of wireless communication systems, including, for example: improving the speed and data carrying capacity of communications, improving the efficiency of using shared communication media, reducing the power used by transmitters and receivers when performing communications, improving the reliability of wireless communications, avoiding redundant transmission and / or reception and related processing, improving the coverage area of ​​wireless communications, increasing the number and types of devices that can access wireless communication systems, increasing the ability of different types of devices to communicate with each other, increasing the number and types of wireless communication media available for use, etc. Therefore, there is a need to further improve wireless communication systems to overcome the aforementioned technical challenges and other challenges. Summary of the invention

[0005] One aspect provides a method for wireless communication by a receiver. The method includes: receiving a value of a slot counter parameter from a transmitter; initializing a slot counter based on the value of the slot counter parameter; receiving a command to adjust the slot counter from the transmitter; adjusting the slot counter based on the command and a step value; and when the adjusted slot counter reaches a target value, sending data to the transmitter via backscatter communication, wherein at least one of the following items: the step value is greater than one, or initializing the slot counter is further based on a scaling factor.

[0006] Another aspect provides a method for wireless communication by a transmitter. The method includes: sending a value of a slot counter parameter to a receiver; sending a command to the receiver to adjust a slot counter initialized based on the value of the slot counter parameter using a step value; and when the adjusted slot counter reaches a target value, receiving data from the transmitter via backscatter communication, wherein at least one of the following items: the step value is greater than one, or the slot counter is initialized further based on a scaling factor.

[0007] Another aspect provides a method for wireless communication by a receiver. The method includes: receiving a command including information identifying at least one device from a transmitter to send data to the transmitter via backscatter communication; and when the information identifies the receiver, sending the data to the transmitter via backscatter communication.

[0008] Another aspect provides a method for wireless communication by a transmitter. The method includes: sending a command including information identifying at least one device to a receiver to send data to the transmitter via backscatter communication; and when the information identifies the receiver, receiving the data from the receiver via backscatter communication.

[0009] Other aspects provide: an apparatus operable to, configured to, or otherwise adapted to perform any one or more of the foregoing methods and / or those described elsewhere herein; a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor of the apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the foregoing methods and those described elsewhere herein; a computer program product embodied on a computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium comprising: code for performing the foregoing methods and those described elsewhere herein; and / or an apparatus comprising components for performing the foregoing methods and those described elsewhere herein. By way of example, an apparatus may include a processing system, a device having a processing system, or a processing system cooperating through one or more networks.

[0010] For purposes of illustration, the following detailed description and drawings set forth certain features. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings depict certain features of the various aspects described herein and should not be considered to limit the scope of the disclosure.

[0012] Figure 1 An example wireless communication network is depicted.

[0013] Figure 2 An example disaggregated base station architecture is depicted.

[0014] Figure 3 Aspects of an example base station and example user equipment are depicted.

[0015] Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 4C and Figure 4D Various example aspects of data structures for a wireless communication network are described.

[0016] Figure 5A radio frequency identification (RFID) system is illustrated.

[0017] Figure 6 is a call flow diagram illustrating example signaling between a reader and a passive RFID tag performing an example inventory procedure.

[0018] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B is a call flow diagram illustrating example signaling between a reader and a passive RFID tag performing an example inventory procedure using an increased adjustment step size.

[0019] Fig. 8A and Figure 8B is a call flow diagram illustrating example signaling between a reader and a passive RFID tag performing an example inventory procedure in which a range of slot counter values ​​selected by the RFID tag is reduced.

[0020] Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B is a call flow diagram illustrating example signaling between a reader and passive RFID tags performing an example inventory procedure, wherein the ranges of slot counter values ​​selected by the passive RFID tags are different.

[0021] Fig.10 is a call flow diagram illustrating example signaling between a reader and a passive RFID tag to perform an example inventory procedure using explicit indication to the passive RFID tag.

[0022] Fig.11 A method for wireless communication is described.

[0023] Fig.12

[0013] Another method for wireless communication is described.

[0024] Fig.13

[0013] Another method for wireless communication is described.

[0025] Fig.14

[0013] Another method for wireless communication is described.

[0026] Fig.15 Aspects of an example communications device are depicted.

[0027] Fig.16 Aspects of an example communications device are depicted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Aspects of the present disclosure provide apparatus, methods, processing systems, and computer-readable media for radio frequency identification (RFID) tag segmentation, and more specifically, segmentation of passive RFID tags.

[0029] A new generation of wireless devices may overcome conventional limitations of onboard energy storage by harvesting energy from wireless signals (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signals) to perform wireless communications. Such energy harvesting devices (e.g., user equipment) may include, for example, RFID devices (e.g., RFID tags) that are capable of receiving signals and "backscattering" them to another device to perform wireless communications. These aforementioned devices may typically be passive, in which case the devices do not include onboard energy storage and rely entirely on energy harvested from received signals to perform wireless communications (e.g., via backscattered signals). Thus, energy harvesting devices are a type of user equipment that provides a low-cost and low-power solution for many applications in wireless communication systems.

[0030] Segmentation is the process of isolating (e.g., distinguishing) a unique RFID tag (e.g., a passive RFID tag) from a population of RFID tags. Specifically, a reader (e.g., such as a network entity) can use the following three operations to manage a population of RFID tags: (1) selection, (2) inventory, and (3) access. Selection generally refers to the procedure by which a reader selects a population of RFID tags for inventory and access. Inventory generally refers to the procedure by which a reader identifies one or more RFID tags from a population. Additionally, access generally refers to the procedure by which a reader transacts with (i.e., reads from or writes to) a single tag that is uniquely identified prior to access (via an inventory procedure). Operations such as selection, inventory, and access can be used for tag segmentation.

[0031] The reader may start an inventory procedure with passive RFID tags by broadcasting a Query command. The broadcasted Query command may include the value of the slot counter parameter Q. Upon receiving the Query command, each passive RFID tag may Q -1] to initialize its slot counter. A passive RFID tag that initializes its slot counter to a target value (such as zero) can respond (e.g., via backscatter communication) to a Query command broadcast by a reader. Although aspects of this document use a target value of zero, other target values ​​are also contemplated.

[0032] However, in some cases, when the reader broadcasts the Query command, no passive RFID tag slot counter may reach zero. Thus, no RFID tag may backscatter a signal to the reader. Therefore, the reader may send another command.

[0033] In some cases, the command sent prompts each of the passive RFID tags to adjust the value of the slot counter parameter Q based on the command. The command may be referred to as a "QueryAdjust" command. Thus, each of the passive RFID tags may adjust the value of Q and set the value of the slot counter parameter Q to [0,2 Q -1] (eg, where Q is the newly adjusted Q) as their corresponding slot counter values.

[0034] In some other cases, the sent command prompts each of the passive RFID tags to decrement their slot counter value (e.g., a random number) by one. Each passive RFID tag decrements its slot counter by one whenever the command is received. This command may be referred to as a "QueryRep" command.

[0035] In any of the above cases, if the slot counter of the passive RFID tag reaches zero, the passive RFID tag backscatters a signal to the reader. This procedure continues until at least one passive RFID tag selects a value for its slot counter equal to the target value and thus sends a signal to the reader (e.g., via backscatter communication).

[0036] In some cases, multiple iterations of the above procedure may occur before the passive RFID tag selects a value for its slot counter that is equal to the target value.Thus, the inventory procedure may result in increased signaling overhead and / or reduced resource availability.

[0037] Thus, aspects of the present disclosure provide different approaches to reducing the amount of resources consumed and / or signaling overhead during an inventory procedure. For example, the different approaches described herein may: (1) use a step value greater than one to adjust the slot counter value; (2) reduce the range of slot counter values ​​used by passive RFID tags to initialize the slot counter value; (3) initialize the slot counter by randomly selecting the slot counter value using a weighted distribution; and / or (4) explicitly indicate which passive RFID tag(s) will transmit signals via backscatter communication. Thus, using one or more of the approaches described herein, the probability that the slot counter of an RFID tag reaches a target value (e.g., zero) may be increased. Thus, the number of iterations required before the slot counter value reaches the target value (e.g., zero) may be reduced, thereby reducing the amount of resources consumed and the signaling overhead required to perform an inventory procedure.

[0038] Introduction to wireless communication networks

[0039] The techniques and methods described herein can be used in various wireless communication networks. Although various aspects may be described herein using terms commonly associated with 3G, 4G and / or 5G wireless technologies, various aspects of the present disclosure may also be applicable to other communication systems and standards not explicitly mentioned herein.

[0040] Figure 1 An example of a wireless communication network 100 is depicted in which various aspects described herein may be implemented.

[0041] In general, the wireless communication network 100 includes various network entities (alternatively, network elements or network nodes). A network entity is typically a communication device and / or a communication function performed by a communication device (e.g., user equipment (UE), base station (BS), component of a BS, server, etc.). For example, various functions of a network and various devices associated with and interacting with the network may be considered network entities. In addition, the wireless communication network 100 includes ground aspects, such as ground-based network entities (e.g., BS 102), and non-ground aspects, such as satellites 140 and aircraft 145, which may include airborne network entities (e.g., one or more BSs) capable of communicating with other network elements (e.g., ground BSs) and user equipment.

[0042] In the depicted example, the wireless communication network 100 includes a BS 102, a UE 104, and one or more core networks (such as an evolved packet core (EPC) 160 and a 5G core (5GC) network 190) that interoperate to provide communication services over various communication links (including wired links and wireless links).

[0043] Figure 1 Various example UEs 104 are depicted, which may more generally include: a cellular phone, a smart phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a satellite radio, a global positioning system, a multimedia device, a video device, a digital audio player, a camera, a game console, a tablet computer, a smart device, a wearable device, a vehicle, an electric meter, a gas pump, a large or small kitchen appliance, a healthcare device, an implant, a sensor / actuator, a display, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Always-On (AON) device, an edge processing device, or other similar devices. UE 104 may also be more generally referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a station, a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a remote device, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, and other user equipment.

[0044] BS 102 wirelessly communicates with (e.g., transmits signals to or receives signals from) UE 104 via communication link 120. Communication link 120 between BS 102 and UE 104 may include uplink (UL) (also referred to as a reverse link) transmissions from UE 104 to BS 102 and / or downlink (DL) (also referred to as a forward link) transmissions from BS 102 to UE 104. In various aspects, communication link 120 may employ multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity.

[0045] BS 102 may generally include: NodeB, enhanced NodeB (eNB), next generation enhanced NodeB (ng-eNB), next generation NodeB (gNB or gNodeB), access point, base transceiver station, radio base station, radio transceiver, transceiver function, transmit and receive point, and / or other base stations. Each BS in BS 102 may provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 110, which may sometimes be referred to as a cell, and may overlap in some cases (e.g., a small cell 102' may have a coverage area 110' that overlaps with the coverage area 110 of a macro cell). For example, a BS may provide communication coverage for a macro cell (covering a relatively large geographic area), a pico cell (covering a relatively small geographic area, such as a stadium), a femto cell (relatively small geographic area (e.g., a home)), and / or other types of cells.

[0046] Although BS102 is depicted as a single communication device in various aspects, BS102 can be implemented in various configurations. For example, one or more components of the base station may be decomposed, including a central unit (CU), one or more distributed units (DU), one or more radio units (RU), a near real-time (near RT) RAN intelligent controller (RIC), or a non-real-time (non-RT) RIC, to name a few examples. In another example, various aspects of the base station may be virtualized. More generally, a base station (e.g., BS102) may include components located at a single physical location or components located at various physical locations. In an example in which the base station includes components located at various physical locations, the various components may each perform a function so that the various components together implement functionality similar to that of a base station located at a single physical location. In some aspects, a base station including components located at various physical locations may be referred to as a decomposed radio access network architecture (such as an open RAN (O-RAN) or virtualized RAN (VRAN) architecture). Figure 2 An example decomposed base station architecture is depicted and described.

[0047] Different BSs 102 within the wireless communication network 100 may also be configured to support different radio access technologies (such as 3G, 4G, and / or 5G). For example, a BS 102 configured for 4G LTE (collectively referred to as Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) may interface with the EPC 160 via a first backhaul link 132 (e.g., an S1 interface). A BS 102 configured for 5G (e.g., 5G NR or Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN)) may interface with the 5GC 190 via a second backhaul link 184. The BSs 102 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via the EPC 160 or the 5GC 190) over a third backhaul link 134 (e.g., an X2 interface), which may be wired or wireless.

[0048] The wireless communication network 100 may subdivide the electromagnetic spectrum into various categories, frequency bands, channels, or other characteristics. In some aspects, the subdivision is provided based on wavelength and frequency, where frequency may also be referred to as a carrier, subcarrier, channel, tone, or subband. For example, 3GPP currently defines frequency range 1 (FR1) as including 410 MHz to 7125 MHz, which is often (interchangeably) referred to as "below 6 GHz". Similarly, 3GPP currently defines frequency range 2 (FR2) as including 24,250 MHz to 52,600 MHz, which is sometimes (interchangeably) referred to as "millimeter wave" ("mmW" or "mmWave"). A base station (e.g., a mmWave base station such as BS180) configured to communicate using mmWave / near mmWave radio bands may utilize beamforming (e.g., 182) with a UE (e.g., 104) to improve path loss and range.

[0049] The communication link 120 between the BS 102 and, for example, the UE 104 may be through one or more carriers, which may have different bandwidths (e.g., 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz, 20 MHz, 100 MHz, 400 MHz, and / or other MHz) and may be aggregated in various aspects. The carriers may or may not be adjacent to each other. The allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated for DL ​​than for UL).

[0050] Communications using higher frequency bands may have higher path loss and shorter range than communications at lower frequencies. Figure 1180) may utilize beamforming 182 with UE 104 to improve path loss and range. For example, BS 180 and UE 104 may each include multiple antennas, such as antenna elements, antenna panels, and / or antenna arrays, to facilitate beamforming. In some cases, BS 180 may send beamformed signals to UE 104 in one or more transmit directions 182'. UE 104 may receive beamformed signals from BS 180 in one or more receive directions 182". UE 104 may also send beamformed signals to BS 180 in one or more transmit directions 182". BS 180 may also receive beamformed signals from UE 104 in one or more receive directions 182'. BS 180 and UE 104 may then perform beam training to determine an optimal receive direction and an optimal transmit direction for each of BS 180 and UE 104. It is noteworthy that the transmit direction and receive direction of BS 180 may be the same or different. Similarly, the transmit direction and receive direction of UE 104 may be the same or different.

[0051] Wireless communication network 100 also includes Wi-Fi AP 150 that communicates with Wi-Fi station (STA) 152 via communication link 154 in, for example, the 2.4 GHz and / or 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum.

[0052] Certain UEs 104 may communicate with each other using a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 158. The D2D communication link 158 may use one or more sidelink channels, such as a physical sidelink broadcast channel (PSBCH), a physical sidelink discovery channel (PSDCH), a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH), a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH), and / or a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH).

[0053] The EPC 160 may include various functional components, including: a mobility management entity (MME) 162, other MMEs 164, a serving gateway 166, a multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) gateway 168, a broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC) 170, and / or a packet data network (PDN) gateway 172, such as in the depicted example. The MME 162 may communicate with a home subscriber server (HSS) 174. The MME 162 is a control node that handles signaling between the UE 104 and the EPC 160. In general, the MME 162 provides bearer and connection management.

[0054] Generally speaking, user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are delivered through the Serving Gateway 166, which itself is connected to the PDN Gateway 172. The PDN Gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. The PDN Gateway 172 and the BM-SC 170 are connected to the IP Services 176, which may include, for example, the Internet, an Intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a Packet Switched (PS) streaming media service, and / or other IP services.

[0055] The BM-SC 170 may provide functionality for MBMS user service provisioning and delivery. The BM-SC 170 may serve as an entry point for content provider MBMS delivery, may be used to authorize and initiate MBMS bearer services within a public land mobile network (PLMN), and / or may be used to schedule MBMS delivery. The MBMS Gateway 168 may be used to distribute MBMS services to BSs 102 belonging to a multicast broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) area broadcasting a specific service, and / or may be responsible for session management (start / stop) and for collecting eMBMS related charging information.

[0056] 5GC 190 may include various functional components, including: access and mobility management function (AMF) 192, other AMFs 193, session management function (SMF) 194, and user plane function (UPF) 195. AMF 192 may communicate with unified data management (UDM) 196.

[0057] AMF 192 is a control node that handles signaling between UE 104 and 5GC 190. AMF 192 provides, for example, Quality of Service (QoS) flow and session management.

[0058] Internet Protocol (IP) packets are delivered through UPF 195, which is connected to IP Services 197 and provides IP address allocation for UEs and other functions for 5GC 190. IP Services 197 may include, for example, the Internet, Intranet, IMS, PS streaming services, and / or other IP services.

[0059] In various aspects, a network entity or network node may be implemented as a converged base station, a decomposed base station, a component of a base station, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a relay node, a sidelink node, to name a few examples.

[0060] Figure 2An example disaggregated base station 200 architecture is depicted. The disaggregated base station 200 architecture may include one or more central units (CUs) 210 that may communicate directly with a core network 220 via a backhaul link, or indirectly with the core network 220 through one or more disaggregated base station units, such as a near real-time (near-RT) RAN intelligent controller (RIC) 225 via an E2 link, or a non-real-time (non-RT) RIC 215 associated with a service management and orchestration (SMO) framework 205, or both. The CU 210 may communicate with one or more distributed units (DUs) 230 via respective midhaul links, such as an F1 interface. The DU 230 may communicate with one or more radio units (RUs) 240 via respective fronthaul links. The RU 240 may communicate with respective UEs 104 via one or more radio frequency (RF) access links. In some implementations, a UE 104 may be served simultaneously by multiple RUs 240.

[0061] Each of these units (e.g., CU 210, DU 230, RU 240, and near-RT RIC 225, non-RT RIC 215, and SMO framework 205) may include 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 configured to receive or send signals to one or more of the other units via a wired transmission medium. Additionally or alternatively, these units may include a wireless interface that may include a receiver, a transmitter, or a transceiver (such as a radio frequency (RF) transceiver) configured to receive signals on a wireless transmission medium or to send signals to one or more of the other units, or both.

[0062] In some aspects, CU 210 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 using an interface that is configured to communicate signals with other control functions hosted by CU 210. CU 210 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 specific implementations, CU 210 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 210 may be implemented to communicate with DU 230 for network control and signaling.

[0063] DU 230 may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more base station functions for controlling the operation of one or more RUs 240. In some aspects, DU 230 may host one or more of 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, modulation and demodulation, etc.) at least in part according to a functional split such as those defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). In some aspects, DU 230 may further host one or more low PHY layers. Each layer (or module) may be implemented using an interface that is configured to communicate signals with other layers (and modules) hosted by DU 230 or with control functions hosted by CU 210.

[0064] The lower layer functionality may be implemented by one or more RUs 240. In some deployments, a RU 240 controlled by a DU 230 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 240 may be implemented to handle over-the-air (OTA) communications with one or more UEs 104. In some implementations, real-time and non-real-time aspects of control plane and user plane communications with the RU 240 may be controlled by the corresponding DU 230. In some scenarios, this configuration may enable the implementation of the DU 230 and the CU 210 in a cloud-based RAN architecture (such as a vRAN architecture).

[0065] The SMO framework 205 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 205 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 205 may be configured to interact with a cloud computing platform (such as an open cloud (O-Cloud) 290) to perform network element lifecycle management (such as to instantiate 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 210, DU 230, RU 240, and near-RT RIC 225. In some specific implementations, the SMO framework 205 may communicate with hardware aspects of the 4G RAN (such as an open eNB (O-eNB) 211) via the O1 interface. Additionally, in some specific implementations, the SMO framework 205 may communicate directly with one or more RUs 240 via the O1 interface. The SMO framework 205 may also include a non-RT RIC 215 configured to support the functionality of the SMO framework 205 .

[0066] The non-RT RIC 215 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 225. The non-RT RIC 215 may be coupled to or in communication with the near-RT RIC 225 (such as via an A1 interface). The near-RT RIC 225 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 210, one or more DUs 230, or both, and the O-eNB with the near-RT RIC 225.

[0067] In some implementations, in order to generate an AI / ML model to be deployed in the near-RT RIC 225, the non-RT RIC 215 may receive parameters or external enrichment information from an external server. Such information may be utilized by the near-RT RIC 225 and may be received from a non-network data source or from a network function at the SMO framework 205 or the non-RT RIC 215. In some examples, the non-RT RIC 215 or the near-RT RIC 225 may be configured to tune RAN behavior or performance. For example, the non-RT RIC 215 may monitor long-term trends and patterns of performance and employ AI / ML models to perform corrective actions through the SMO framework 205 (such as via reconfiguration of O1) or via the creation of RAN management policies (such as A1 policies).

[0068] Figure 3 Aspects of an example BS 102 and UE 104 are depicted.

[0069] In general, BS 102 includes various processors (e.g., 320, 330, 338, and 340), antennas 334a to 334t (collectively 334), transceivers 332a to 332t (collectively 332) including modulators and demodulators, and other aspects that enable wireless transmission of data (e.g., data source 312) and wireless reception of data (e.g., data sink 339). For example, BS 102 can transmit and receive data between BS 102 and UE 104. BS 102 includes a controller / processor 340 that can be configured to implement various functions described herein related to wireless communication.

[0070] In general, the UE 104 includes various processors (e.g., 358, 364, 366, and 380), antennas 352a to 352r (collectively 352), transceivers 354a to 354r (collectively 354) including modulators and demodulators, and other aspects that enable wireless transmission of data (e.g., retrieved from a data source 362) and wireless reception of data (e.g., provided to a data sink 360). The UE 104 includes a controller / processor 380 that can be configured to implement various functions described herein related to wireless communications.

[0071] Regarding example downlink transmissions, BS 102 includes a transmit processor 320 that can receive data from a data source 312 and control information from a controller / processor 340. The control information can be for a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), a physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH), a physical HARQ indicator channel (PHICH), a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a group common PDCCH (GC PDCCH), and / or other channels. In some examples, the data can be for a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[0072] The transmit processor 320 may process (e.g., encode and symbol map) data and control information to obtain data symbols and control symbols, respectively. The transmit processor 320 may also generate reference symbols (such as for a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a PBCH demodulation reference signal (DMRS), and a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS)).

[0073] The transmit (TX) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) processor 330 may perform spatial processing (e.g., pre-coding) on ​​data symbols, control symbols, and / or reference symbols, where applicable, and may provide an output symbol stream to a modulator (MOD) in transceivers 332a to 332t. Each modulator in transceivers 332a to 332t may process a corresponding output symbol stream to obtain an output sample stream. Each modulator may further process (e.g., convert to analog, amplify, filter, and up-convert) the output sample stream to obtain a downlink signal. The downlink signals from the modulators in transceivers 332a to 332t may be transmitted via antennas 334a to 334t, respectively.

[0074] To receive downlink transmissions, UE 104 includes antennas 352a to 352r that can receive downlink signals from BS 102 and can provide received signals to demodulators (DEMODs) in transceivers 354a to 354r, respectively. Each demodulator in transceivers 354a to 354r can condition (e.g., filter, amplify, downconvert, and digitize) a corresponding received signal to obtain input samples. Each demodulator can further process the input samples to obtain received symbols.

[0075] A MIMO detector 356 may obtain received symbols from all demodulators in transceivers 354a through 354r, perform MIMO detection on the received symbols if applicable, and provide detected symbols. A receive processor 358 may process (e.g., demodulate, deinterleave, and decode) the detected symbols, provide decoded data for the UE 104 to a data sink 360, and provide decoded control information to a controller / processor 380.

[0076] With respect to example uplink transmissions, the UE 104 also includes a transmit processor 364 that may receive and process data from a data source 362 (e.g., for a PUSCH) and control information from a controller / processor 380 (e.g., for a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH)). The transmit processor 364 may also generate reference symbols for reference signals (e.g., for a sounding reference signal (SRS)). The symbols from the transmit processor 364 may be pre-decoded by a TX MIMO processor 366, if applicable, further processed by modulators in the transceivers 354a to 354r (e.g., for SC-FDM), and transmitted to the BS 102.

[0077] At BS 102, uplink signals from UE 104 may be received by antennas 334 a through 334 t, processed by demodulators in transceivers 332 a through 332 t, detected by MIMO detector 336 if applicable, and further processed by receive processor 338 to obtain decoded data and decoded control information transmitted by UE 104. Receive processor 338 may provide decoded data to data sink 339 and decoded control information to controller / processor 340.

[0078] Memories 342 and 382 may store data and program codes for BS 102 and UE 104, respectively.

[0079] The scheduler 344 may schedule UEs to transmit data on the downlink and / or uplink.

[0080] In various aspects, BS 102 may be described as sending and receiving various types of data associated with the methods described herein. In these contexts, "sending" may refer to various mechanisms for outputting data, such as outputting data from a data source 312, a scheduler 344, a memory 342, a transmit processor 320, a controller / processor 340, a TX MIMO processor 330, transceivers 332a to 332t, antennas 334a to 334t, and / or other aspects described herein. Similarly, "receiving" may refer to various mechanisms for obtaining data, such as obtaining data from antennas 334a to 334t, transceivers 332a to 332t, RX MIMO detectors 336, controller / processor 340, receive processor 338, scheduler 344, memory 342, and / or other aspects described herein.

[0081] In various aspects, the UE 104 may also be described as sending and receiving various types of data associated with the methods described herein. In these contexts, "sending" may refer to various mechanisms for outputting data, such as outputting data from a data source 362, a memory 382, ​​a transmit processor 364, a controller / processor 380, a TX MIMO processor 366, a transceiver 354a to 354t, an antenna 352a to 352t, and / or other aspects described herein. Similarly, "receiving" may refer to various mechanisms for obtaining data, such as obtaining data from an antenna 352a to 352t, a transceiver 354a to 354t, a RX MIMO detector 356, a controller / processor 380, a receive processor 358, a memory 382, ​​and / or other aspects described herein.

[0082] In some aspects, the processor may be configured to perform various operations (such as those associated with the methods described herein) and respectively send (output) data to another interface configured to send data or receive (obtain) data from another interface configured to receive data.

[0083] Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 4C and Figure 4D Describes a method for use in a wireless communication network such as Figure 1 Various aspects of the data structure of the wireless communication network 100).

[0084] Specifically, Figure 4A is a diagram 400 illustrating an example of a first subframe within a 5G (e.g., 5G NR) frame structure, Figure 4B is a diagram 430 illustrating an example of a DL channel within a 5G subframe, Figure 4C is a diagram 450 illustrating an example of a second subframe within a 5G frame structure, and Figure 4D FIG480 is a diagram illustrating an example of UL channels within a 5G subframe.

[0085] Wireless communication networks can utilize orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with a cyclic prefix (CP) on both the uplink and downlink. Such systems can also support half-duplex operation using time division duplex (TDD). OFDM and single carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM) will (for example, Figure 4B and Figure 4D The system bandwidth (as depicted in FIG. 1 ) is divided into multiple orthogonal subcarriers. Each subcarrier can be modulated with data. Modulation symbols can be transmitted in the frequency domain using OFDM and / or in the time domain using SC-FDM.

[0086] The wireless communication frame structure may be frequency division duplex (FDD), where for a particular set of subcarriers, subframes within the set of subcarriers are dedicated to either DL or UL. The wireless communication frame structure may also be time division duplex (TDD), where for a particular set of subcarriers, subframes within the set of subcarriers are dedicated to both DL and UL.

[0087] exist Figure 4A and Figure 4C In the wireless communication frame structure, TDD is used, where D is DL, U is UL, and X is used flexibly between DL / UL. The UE can configure the time slot format (dynamically configured by DL control information (DCI) or semi-statically / statically configured by radio resource control (RRC) signaling) through the received time slot format indicator (SFI). In the depicted example, the 10ms frame is divided into 10 equally sized 1ms subframes. Each subframe may include one or more time slots. In some examples, each time slot may include 7 or 14 symbols, depending on the time slot format. The subframe may also include micro-slots, which typically have fewer symbols than the entire time slot. Other wireless communication technologies may have different frame structures and / or different channels.

[0088] In certain aspects, the number of slots within a subframe is based on the slot configuration and parameter set. For example, for slot configuration 0, different parameter sets (μ) 0 to 5 allow for 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 slots per subframe, respectively. For slot configuration 1, different parameter sets 0 to 2 allow for 2, 4, and 8 slots per subframe, respectively. Thus, for slot configuration 0 and parameter set μ, there are 14 symbols / slot and 2μ slots / subframe. The subcarrier spacing and symbol length / duration are a function of the parameter set. The subcarrier spacing may be equal to 2 μ × 15kHz, where μ is parameter set 0 to 5. Thus, parameter set μ=0 has a subcarrier spacing of 15kHz, and parameter set μ=5 has a subcarrier spacing of 480kHz. The symbol length / duration is inversely related to the subcarrier spacing. Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 4C and Figure 4D An example is provided for slot configuration 0 with 14 symbols per slot and parameter set μ=2 with 4 slots per subframe. The slot duration is 0.25 ms, the subcarrier spacing is 60 kHz, and the symbol duration is approximately 16.67 μs.

[0089] like Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 4C and Figure 4DAs depicted in , a resource grid can be used to represent a frame structure. Each time slot includes a resource block (RB) (also referred to as a physical RB (PRB)) extending, for example, 12 consecutive subcarriers. The resource grid is divided into a plurality of resource elements (REs). The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[0090] like Figure 4A As illustrated in FIG. , some of the REs carry data for UEs (eg, Figure 1 and Figure 3 The RS may include a demodulation RS (DMRS) and / or a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) for channel estimation at the UE. The RS may also include a beam measurement RS (BRS), a beam refinement RS (BRRS), and / or a phase tracking RS (PT-RS).

[0091] Figure 4B Examples of various DL channels within a subframe of a frame are illustrated.The Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) carries DCI within one or more Control Channel Elements (CCEs), each CCE comprising, for example, nine RE Groups (REGs), each REG comprising, for example, four consecutive REs in an OFDM symbol.

[0092] The primary synchronization signal (PSS) may be in symbol 2 of a particular subframe of a frame. The PSS is transmitted by a UE (e.g., Figure 1 and Figure 3 104) is used to determine subframe / symbol timing and physical layer identification.

[0093] A Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS) may be within symbol 4 of a particular subframe of a frame. The SSS is used by the UE to determine the physical layer cell identity group number and radio frame timing.

[0094] Based on the physical layer identifier and the physical layer cell identifier group number, the UE can determine the physical cell identifier (PCI). Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the location of the aforementioned DMRS. The physical broadcast channel (PBCH) carrying the master information block (MIB) can be logically grouped with the PSS and SSS to form a synchronization signal (SS) / PBCH block. The MIB provides the system bandwidth and the number of RBs in the system frame number (SFN). The physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information (such as system information blocks (SIBs)) that is not sent via the PBCH, and / or paging messages.

[0095] like Figure 4CAs illustrated in , some of the REs carry DMRS for channel estimation at the base station (indicated as R for a specific configuration, but other DMRS configurations are possible). The UE may send a DMRS for the PUCCH and a DMRS for the PUSCH. The PUSCH DMRS may be sent, for example, in the first one or two symbols of the PUSCH. The PUCCH DMRS may be sent in different configurations depending on whether a short PUCCH or a long PUCCH is sent and depending on the specific PUCCH format used. UE104 may send a sounding reference signal (SRS). The SRS may be sent, for example, in the last symbol of a subframe. The SRS may have a comb structure, and the UE may send the SRS on one of the teeth of the comb. The SRS may be used by the base station for channel quality estimation to achieve frequency-dependent scheduling of the UL.

[0096] Figure 4D Examples of various UL channels within a subframe of a frame are illustrated. The PUCCH may be located at a position as indicated in one configuration. The PUCCH carries uplink control information (UCI), such as scheduling requests, channel quality indicator (CQI), precoding matrix indicator (PMI), rank indicator (RI), and HARQ ACK / NACK feedback. The PUSCH carries data and may additionally be used to carry a buffer status report (BSR), a power headroom report (PHR), and / or UCI.

[0097] Introduction to Energy Harvesting in RFID Systems

[0098] Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a rapidly growing technology that is impacting many industries due to its potential economic value in, to name a few example applications, inventory / asset management within warehouses, the Internet of Things (IoT), sustainable sensor networks in factories and / or agriculture, and smart homes. RFID technology includes an RFID device (or backscatter device), such as a transponder or tag, which transmits an information-bearing signal upon receiving an excitation signal.

[0099] In some aspects, RFID devices may operate without a battery. Generally speaking, RFID devices that operate without a battery are referred to as passive RFID devices. Passive RFID devices may operate by harvesting energy from received radio frequency signals (e.g., "in the air") to power receive and transmit circuitry within the RFID device. This harvested energy allows the passive RFID device to transmit information, sometimes referred to as backscatter modulated information, without requiring a local power source within the RFID device. On the other hand, in some aspects, RFID devices may be semi-passive and include onboard energy storage to supplement their ability to harvest energy from received signals (however, at a higher cost).

[0100] In some aspects, in addition to harvesting power from RF sources, energy harvesting devices may also accumulate energy from other direct energy sources (such as solar energy) to supplement their power needs. Semi-passive energy harvesting devices may in some cases include power consuming RF components such as analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), mixers, and oscillators.

[0101] Therefore, RFID devices are a type of user equipment that provides low-cost and low-power solutions for many applications in wireless communication systems. Such devices can be very high-efficiency, sometimes requiring less than 0.1mW of power to operate. In addition, their relatively simple architecture and lack of batteries in some cases mean that such devices can be small, lightweight and easy to install or integrate in many types of environments or host devices. In general, RFID devices provide practical and necessary solutions for many networking applications that require low-cost, small footprint, durable, maintenance-free and long-life communication devices. For example, RFID devices can be configured as long-durability industrial sensors, which alleviates the problem of replacing batteries in and around dangerous machines.

[0102] Figure 5 An RFID system 500 is shown. As shown, the RFID system 500 includes a reader 510 and an RFID tag 550. The reader 510 may also be referred to as an interrogator or a scanner. The RFID tag 550 may also be referred to as an interrogator, an RFID tag, or an electronic tag. In some aspects, the reader 510 is a network entity (e.g., such as a gNB), and the RFID tag 550 is a user equipment (UE).

[0103] The reader 510 includes an antenna 520 and an electronics unit 530. The antenna 520 transmits signals sent by the reader 510 and receives signals from RFID tags and / or other devices. The electronics unit 530 may include a transmitter and a receiver for reading RFID tags (such as RFID tag 550). The same pair of transmitters and receivers (or another pair of transmitters and receivers) may support two-way communication with a wireless network, a wireless device, etc. The electronics unit 530 may include a processing circuit system (e.g., a processor) to process data sent and received by the RFID reader 510.

[0104] As shown, the RFID tag 550 includes an antenna 560 and a data storage element 570. The antenna 560 transmits the signal sent by the RFID tag 550 and receives the signal from the RFID reader 510 and / or other devices. The data storage element 570 stores the information for the RFID tag 550 in, for example, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) or another type of memory. The RFID tag 550 may also include an electronic unit that can process the received signal and generate a signal to be transmitted.

[0105] In some aspects, the RFID tag 550 can be a passive RFID tag without a battery. In this case, induction can be used to power the RFID tag 550. For example, in some cases, the magnetic field from the signal sent by the reader 510 can induce a current in the RFID tag 550, and the RFID tag can then operate based on the induced current. The RFID tag 550 can transmit its signal in response to receiving a signal from the RFID reader 510 or some other device. In certain other aspects, the RFID tag 550 can optionally include an energy storage device 590, such as a battery, a capacitor, etc., for storing energy harvested using the energy harvesting circuit system 555, as described below.

[0106] In one example, the RFID tag 550 may be read by placing the reader 510 in close proximity to the RFID tag 550. The reader 510 may transmit a first signal 525 via the antenna 520. In some cases, the first signal 525 may be referred to as an interrogation signal or an energy signal. In some cases, the energy of the first signal 525 may be coupled from the reader antenna 520 to the RFID tag antenna 560 via magnetic coupling and / or other phenomena. In other words, the RFID tag 550 may receive the first signal 525 from the reader 510 via the antenna 560, and the energy of the first signal 525 may be harvested using an energy harvesting circuit system 555 (e.g., an RF transducer) and used to power the RFID tag 550. For example, the energy of the first signal 525 received by the RFID tag 550 may be used to power a microprocessor 545 of the RFID tag 550. The microprocessor 545 may in turn retrieve information stored in the data storage element 570 of the RFID tag 550 and transmit the retrieved information via the second signal 535 using the antenna 560. For example, in some cases, the microprocessor 545 can generate the second signal 535 by modulating a baseband signal (e.g., generated using the energy of the first signal 525) with information retrieved from the data storage element 570. In some cases, this second signal 535 can be referred to as a backscatter modulated information signal. Then, as described, the microprocessor 545 sends the second signal 535 to the reader 510. The reader 510 can receive the second signal 535 from the RFID tag 550 via the antenna 520, and can process (e.g., demodulate) the received signal to obtain the information of the data storage element 570 transmitted in the second signal 535.

[0107] In some cases, the RFID system 500 may be designed to operate at 13.56 MHz or some other frequency (e.g., the 900 MHz ultra-high frequency (UHF) band). The reader 510 may have a specified maximum transmit power level, which may be regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States or other regulatory agencies in other countries. The specified maximum transmit power level of the reader 510 may limit the distance at which the RFID tag 550 can be read by the reader 510.

[0108] Wireless technologies are increasingly useful in industrial applications such as ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) and machine-type communications (MTC). In such and other areas, it is desirable to support devices (e.g., passive RFID tags) that can harvest energy (e.g., RF signals, thermal energy, solar energy, etc.) from wireless energy sources (e.g., instead of or in combination with batteries or other energy storage devices (such as capacitors)).

[0109] Aspects related to tag segmentation of passive RFID tags

[0110] Various aspects of the present disclosure provide improved techniques for tag segmentation of passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. As described above, segmentation is the process of isolating (e.g., distinguishing) a unique RFID tag from a population of RFID tags. Specifically, a reader can use the following three operations to manage a population of RFID tags: (1) selection, (2) inventory, and (3) access. Selection generally refers to the procedure by which a reader selects a population of RFID tags for inventory and access. Inventory generally refers to the procedure by which a reader identifies one or more RFID tags. Additionally, access refers to the procedure by which a reader transacts with (i.e., reads from or writes to) a single tag that is uniquely identified prior to access. Operations such as selection, inventory, and access can be used for tag segmentation.

[0111] With respect to the inventory procedure, a sequence of commands may be transmitted and received between the reader and the RFID tag to allow the reader to identify an identifier code of the RFID tag, such as an Electronic Product Code (EPC) of the RFID tag. For example, the reader may begin the inventory procedure by broadcasting a Query command. The broadcasted Query command may include a value for a slot counter parameter Q, where the value of the slot counter parameter is between zero and fifteen. Upon receiving the Query command, each RFID tag may respond by sending a Query command in the range [0,2 Q Initialize its slot counter to the value zero (e.g., from [0,2 Q -1], a randomly selected RFID tag (0) can respond to the Query command broadcast by the reader.

[0112] In the case where the RFID tag is a passive device, the RFID tag can reply via backscatter communication. Backscatter is a method of sending data using an incident radio frequency (RF) signal without a battery or power source. For example, an RFID tag can use an EH circuit system (such as Figure 5 The energy harvesting circuit system 555 illustrated in FIG. 1 harvests energy (e.g., energy signal) from the Query command. The RFID tag can use the harvested energy to: (1) power one or more other components of the second device, and (2) reflect a signal back to the first device. This type of communication can be referred to as backscatter communication.

[0113] In the reply signal to the reader, the RFID may transmit a 16-bit random number to the reader. At the same time, the RFID tag may transition to the Reply state, while the other RFID tags transition to the Arbitrate state. Upon successful receipt of a response from the RFID tag, the RFID reader may respond by transmitting an acknowledgment (ACK) along with the same 16-bit random number. The response may then allow the RFID tag to transmit its tag ID and / or EPC back to the reader.

[0114] However, in some cases, when the reader broadcasts a Query command, none of the RFID tags that receive the signal may select a value of the slot counter equal to zero. In this way, no RFID tag may backscatter the signal to the reader. Conventionally, a reader may send a command after a (pre)defined time period has passed without receiving a response from an RFID tag.

[0115] In some cases, the command sent prompts each of the passive RFID tags to adjust the value of the slot counter parameter Q based on the command. The command may be referred to as a "QueryAdjust" command. Thus, upon receiving the command, each of the passive RFID tags adjusts the value of Q and sets the value of Q to the interval [0,2 Q -1] (eg, where Q is the newly adjusted Q) as their corresponding slot counter values.

[0116] In some other cases, the command requires each of the RFID tags to decrement their slot counter value (e.g., a random number) by one. Thus, each passive RFID tag decrements its slot counter by one whenever the command is received. This command may be referred to as a "QueryRep" command.

[0117] This procedure continues until the RFID tags select a value equal to zero for their slot counters and thus transmit a signal to the reader (e.g., via backscatter communication, where the RFID tags are passive RFID devices). In some cases, multiple iterations of the above procedure may occur before the RFID tags select a value equal to zero for their slot counters. In some cases, the procedure may involve the use of both a "QueryAdjust" command and a "QueryRep" command until the RFID tags select a value equal to zero for their slot counters.

[0118] Figure 6 The example procedure described above is illustrated in . Specifically, Figure 6 600 is a call flow diagram illustrating example signaling 600 between a sender 602 and a receiver 604 performing an example inventory procedure. In some aspects, the sender 602 is a reader, such as Figure 5 , and the receiver 604 is a passive RFID tag such as Figure 5 , wherein the RFID tag 550 is a passive RFID device. However, in other aspects, the transmitter 602 can be another type of wireless communication device (e.g., a network entity, a network node, etc.), and similarly, the receiver 604 can be another type of wireless communication device (e.g., a UE, etc.), such as those described herein. Figure 6 In an example inventory procedure of , three iterations of the above procedure may be performed until the slot counter value of the passive RFID tag is equal to zero and can therefore send a signal back to the reader via backscatter communication.

[0119] although Figure 6 The example inventory procedure illustrated in FIG. 1 only illustrates the use of a “QueryRep” command (e.g., a command that prompts each of the passive RFID tags to decrement their time slot counter value), but in some embodiments, a “QueryAdjust” command (e.g., a command that prompts each of the passive RFID tags to adjust the value of Q and select a value in [0,2 Q -1] (e.g., commands where Q is the newly adjusted Q) as their corresponding slot counter values) may be used as an alternative to or in addition to the illustrated "QueryRep" command.

[0120] As shown, the inventory procedure begins with the transmitter 602 sending the value of the slot counter parameter Q via a broadcast communication. As mentioned, in some aspects, the value of the slot counter parameter is between zero and fifteen. One or more receivers 604 (although Figure 6 A receiver 604 (shown as only one) may receive the broadcasted slot counter parameter value and, in response, initialize a slot counter value Y. In some aspects, initializing the slot counter value Y includes: (1) determining a time interval between zero and 2. Q -1 and including these two values; and (2) from the first value range [0,2 Q The initial value Y of the time slot counter is randomly selected in [0, 2 4 The receiver 604 may randomly select an initial value for the slot counter within a range between [0, -1] or [0, 15], inclusive. In this example, the receiver 604 may randomly select an initial value for the slot counter equal to three (eg, Y=3).

[0121] In this example, the receiver 604 may select an initial value Y for the slot counter that is not equal to zero. As such, the receiver 604 does not backscatter a signal to the transmitter 602. Furthermore, in this example, other receivers receiving the broadcasted parameter Q also select an initial value Y for the slot counter that is not equal to zero. Therefore, no receiver (including the receiver 604) backscatters a signal to the transmitter 602.

[0122] The sender 602 may wait for a response from the receiver for a (pre)defined amount of time. In the event that no response is received from the receiver within the window having the (pre)defined amount of time, the sender 602 may then send a command (e.g., a "QueryRep" command) to adjust the value Y of the slot counter using a step value equal to one. More specifically, the command may require each receiver (including the receiver 604) to subtract one from the value Y of their slot counter (e.g., adjusted slot counter Y). 调整后 =Y-1). For example, in the case where the previously selected time slot counter value is equal to three, the adjusted time slot counter value is equal to two (eg, Y 调整后 =3 -1=2).

[0123] Likewise, the value of the slot counter is not equal to zero (e.g., 2≠0), and the receiver 604 does not backscatter a signal to the transmitter 602. Other receivers may also not have a slot counter value equal to zero after subtracting the value of their slot counters. Therefore, the transmitter 602 may not receive a response from the receivers within a window having a (pre)defined amount of time.

[0124] This process may be repeated twice until the value of the slot counter parameter of the receiver 604 is equal to zero. When the slot counter value is equal to zero, the receiver 604 transmits data to the transmitter 602 via backscatter communication. This example assumes that for three iterations, no other receivers except the receiver 604 have a slot counter value equal to zero.

[0125] As exemplified, Figure 6 The example inventory procedure illustrated in can result in increased signaling overhead and increased resources consumed until the slot counter value of the receiver 604 is equal to zero. Increased signaling overhead and / or reduced resource availability can result in poor wireless communication.

[0126] According to various aspects described herein, a first approach for reducing the amount of resources consumed and / or signaling overhead during an inventory procedure involves increasing the step value to be greater than one. Thus, instead of responding to a signal from a reader (e.g., Figure 6 When the transmitter 602 in receives a command to reduce the value of the time slot counter and subtracts one from the value of the time slot counter, the value can be reduced by a number greater than one, thereby reducing the number of iterations required before the value of the time slot counter reaches the value zero.

[0127] In some aspects, the step value (e.g., having a value greater than one) is predefined. In some other aspects, the reader dynamically indicates the step value (e.g., having a value greater than one) to the RFID tag.

[0128] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B is a call flow diagram illustrating example signaling 700 between a sender 702 and a receiver 704 to perform an example inventory procedure using an increased adjustment step size. For purposes of explanation, Figure 7B Provided Fig. 7A More specifically, in Figure 7B In the illustrative example of , the value of the slot counter parameter is equal to four (eg, Q=4), and the value of the step value is equal to three (eg, X=3).

[0129] In some aspects, the transmitter 702 is a reader, such as Figure 5 , and the receiver 704 is a passive RFID tag such as Figure 5 , wherein the RFID tag 550 is a passive RFID device. However, in other aspects, the transmitter 702 can be another type of wireless communication device (e.g., a network entity, a network node, etc.), and similarly, the receiver 704 can be another type of wireless communication device (e.g., a UE, etc.), such as those described herein.

[0130] exist Fig. 7A and Figure 7B In the example inventory procedure of , the incremental adjustment step is a step value greater than one. In some cases, the step value is predefined. In some cases, the step value is dynamically indicated by the transmitter 702 to the receiver 704.

[0131] like Fig. 7A and Figure 7B As shown, similar to Figure 6 The example inventory procedure of , the inventory procedure begins with the sender 702 sending the value of the slot counter parameter Q via broadcast communication, and the receiver 704 initializing the slot counter value Y. For example, as Figure 7B As shown, the transmitter 702 transmits a slot counter parameter value equal to four (eg, Q=4) via a broadcast communication. The receiver 704: (1) determines the value between zero and 2 Q -1 and including these two values ​​or [0,15] (e.g., 2 4-1=15), and (2) randomly selecting the initial value Y of the time slot counter from the first value range [0,15], ie, Y=4. Since the initial value Y of the time slot counter is not equal to zero, the receiver 704 does not backscatter the signal to the transmitter 702.

[0132] In addition, similar to Figure 6 , in which other receivers receiving the broadcasted parameter Q may also select an initial value Y for the slot counter that is not equal to zero. Therefore, no receivers (including receiver 704) backscatter the signal to transmitter 702. As such, transmitter 702 may not receive a response and subsequently send a command to adjust the value Y of the slot counter using the step value X.

[0133] However, with Figure 6 Different, in Fig. 7A and Figure 7B In the embodiment, the step value X is greater than one, so that in response to receiving a command to adjust the value Y of the time slot counter, the receiver 704 subtracts the value Y of its time slot counter from a value greater than one (e.g., the adjusted time slot counter Y 调整后 =Y–X, where X>1).

[0134] In some aspects, the step value X is predefined (e.g., having a value greater than one). In some other aspects, such as Fig. 7A and Figure 7B As shown, the transmitter 702 dynamically indicates the step value (eg, having a value greater than one) to the receiver 704 .

[0135] For example, Figure 7B As shown, the transmitter 702 provides an indication to the receiver 704 that the step value X is equal to three (e.g., X=3). Thus, when the receiver 704 receives a command to adjust the time slot counter Y, the receiver 704 subtracts three from the time slot counter Y. In other words, the receiver 704 subtracts three from the value of the time slot counter (Y=4) (e.g., the adjusted time slot counter Y 调整后 =(Y-3)=(4-3)=1). Therefore, the adjusted slot counter value is equal to three. Likewise, because the adjusted slot counter value is not equal to zero, the receiver 704 does not backscatter a signal to the transmitter 702. For this example, it can be assumed that the other receivers also do not have adjusted slot counter values ​​equal to zero; therefore, no signal is backscattered to the transmitter 702.

[0136] The sender 702 may not receive a response from the receiver within a window having a (pre)defined amount of time; therefore, the sender 702 sends another command to adjust the value Y of the slot counter using the step value.

[0137] In some cases, the receiver 704 may determine that the step value (X) is greater than the time slot counter value Y or the adjusted time slot counter value Y after receiving the command to adjust the time slot counter value Y. 调整后 Thus, subtracting the step value (X) from the slot counter / adjusted slot counter may result in a negative slot counter (eg, a target value for the slot counter that is less than or equal to zero). For example, Figure 7B As shown, the receiver 704 determines that the step value (X=3)> the adjusted time slot counter (Y 调整后 =1) (e.g., 3>1). Therefore, subtracting three from one will result in an adjusted slot counter value equal to negative two (e.g., (Y-X)=(1-3)=-2). Therefore, aspects of the present disclosure introduce two options for adjusting the slot counter value when the step value is greater than the slot counter value.

[0138] In a first option, in response to (1) receiving a command to adjust the value Y of the time slot counter and (2) determining that the step value X is greater than the value Y of the time slot counter (e.g., X>Y), the receiver 704 adjusts the value of the time slot counter Y to be equal to [(2 Q -1)–(X–Y)], where X is a step value greater than one and Y is the previously adjusted slot counter value. Figure 7B As shown in the first option illustrated in FIG. 1 , the receiver 704 adjusts the value of the time slot counter (Y) to be equal to [(2 4 -1)-(3-1)] = [15-2] = 13. Because the slot counter value is not equal to zero when the first option is used, the receiver 704 may not backscatter the signal to the transmitter 702. Fig. 7A and Figure 7B The described process may be repeated until the slot counter value equals zero, thereby enabling the receiver 704 to backscatter a signal to the transmitter 702 (or until another receiver selects a slot counter value equal to zero).

[0139] In a second option, in response to (1) receiving a command to adjust the value Y of the time slot counter and (2) determining that the step value X is greater than the value Y of the time slot counter (e.g., X>Y), the receiver 704 adjusts the value Y of the time slot counter to be equal to zero (e.g., Y 调整后 =0). Since the slot counter value is equal to zero when the second option is used, the receiver 704 can backscatter the signal to the transmitter 702.

[0140] like Fig. 7A and Figure 7B As illustrated in , in some cases, using a step value greater than one can help reduce (1) signaling overhead and (2) the amount of resources consumed until the slot counter value of the receiver 704 is equal to zero. Fig. 7Aand Figure 7B In the case where option 2 is used, the signaling and adjustment need only be iterated twice to adjust the slot counter value so that the slot counter value is equal to zero (e.g., when the slot counter parameter is indicated to be equal to four (e.g., Q=4) and the receiver 704 initializes the slot counter value to be equal to four (e.g., Y=4)). However, in Figure 6 In the case where the slot counter parameter is indicated to be equal to four (e.g., Q=4) and the receiver 604 initializes the value of the slot counter to be equal to four (e.g., Y=4), the signaling and adjustment need to be iterated three times to adjust the slot counter value so that the slot counter value is equal to zero.

[0141] According to various aspects described herein, a second approach for reducing the amount of resources consumed and / or signaling overhead during an inventory procedure involves reducing a range of slot counter values ​​that are used by an RFID tag (e.g., a receiver) to initialize a value for a slot counter. For example, instead of initializing a slot counter based solely on a value of a slot counter parameter Q (e.g., broadcast by a reader or transmitter), the RFID tag may initialize the slot counter based on the value of the slot counter parameter Q and a scaling factor. For example, instead of randomly selecting an initial value for the slot counter from a first range of values ​​between and including zero and a first limit value calculated based solely on the value of the slot counter parameter Q (e.g., from [0, 2 Q -1]), the RFID tag may randomly select an initial value of the slot counter from a first value range between and including zero and a first limit value calculated based on the value of the slot counter parameter Q and the scaling factor (e.g., from [0, 2 wQ -1] to select a random value).

[0142] In some aspects, the scaling factor w is a value greater than or equal to zero and less than or equal to one (e.g., 0≤w≤1). In some aspects, the scaling factor w is based on at least one of: (1) a priority associated with the data to be sent from the RFID tag to the reader via backscatter communication, or (2) a type of data to be sent from the RFID tag to the reader via backscatter communication. Specifically, different data may be associated with different scaling factors w. For example, higher priority data may be associated with a smaller scaling factor than lower priority data, such that a time slot counter of an RFID tag sending higher priority data is more likely to be initialized or adjusted to a value equal to zero. When the value of the time slot counter is first initialized, a smaller scaling factor may reduce the range of values ​​from which the RFID tag can choose. For example, from [0,2 wQThe initial value of the slot counter is randomly selected from [0,2 (1 / 4)(4) The value of the time slot counter is randomly selected from [0,2 wQ The initial value of the slot counter is randomly selected from [0,2 (1 / 2)(4) The probability that the RFID tag randomly selects a slot counter value equal to zero from the two numbers 0 and 1 may be higher than the probability that the RFID tag randomly selects a slot counter value equal to zero from the four numbers 0, 1, 2 and 3.

[0143] Fig. 8A and Figure 8B 800 is a call flow diagram illustrating example signaling 800 between a transmitter 802 and one or more receivers (e.g., a first receiver 804 and / or a second receiver 806) performing an example inventory procedure in which a range of slot counter values ​​selected by one or more of the receivers is reduced. For purposes of explanation, Figure 8B Provided Fig. 8A Illustrative examples of example inventory procedures are described.

[0144] In some aspects, the transmitter 802 is a reader, such as Figure 5 In the RFID reader 510 illustrated in FIG. 8 , the first receiver 804 is a passive RFID tag, such as Figure 5 , wherein the RFID tag 550 is a passive RFID device, and the second receiver 806 is a passive RFID tag, such as Figure 5 , wherein the RFID tag 550 is a passive RFID device. However, in other aspects, the transmitter 802 can be another type of wireless communication device (e.g., a network entity, a network node, etc.), and similarly, the first receiver 804 and the second receiver 806 can be another type of wireless communication device (e.g., a UE, etc.), such as those described herein.

[0145] like Fig. 8A and Figure 8B As shown, similar to Figure 6 The example inventory procedure of , the inventory procedure begins with the sender 802 sending the value of the slot counter parameter Q via a broadcast communication, and the receiver 704 initializing the slot counter value Y. For example, Figure 8BAs shown, the transmitter 802 transmits a value of a slot counter parameter equal to four (eg, Q=4) via a broadcast communication. The first receiver 804 and the second receiver 806 each initialize a slot counter value Y.

[0146] However, with Figure 6 The receiver 604 selects from a first value range [0,2 Q -1] randomly selects the initial value Y of the time slot counter to initialize the time slot counter. Fig. 8A and Figure 8B , the first receiver 804 and the second receiver 806 are from the value range [0,2 wQ -1] to initialize the time slot counter by randomly selecting an initial value Y of the time slot counter, where w is the scaling factor associated with each receiver.

[0147] For example, Figure 8B As shown, for the first receiver 804, w=0.5, and for the second receiver 806, w=1. In some aspects, the scaling factor w of the first receiver 804 is less than the scaling factor w of the second receiver 806 because the priority of the data to be sent by the first receiver 804 (e.g., via backscatter communication) is higher than the priority associated with the data to be sent by the second receiver 806 (e.g., via backscatter communication). In some aspects, the scaling factor w of the first receiver 804 is less than the scaling factor w of the second receiver 806 because the data being sent by the first receiver 804 and the second receiver 806 is different (e.g., different types of data have different weighting factors).

[0148] First receiver 804: (1) Determine between zero and 2 wQ -1 and including these two values ​​or [0,3] (for example, 2 (0.5)(4) -1=3), and (2) randomly selects the initial value Y of the time slot counter from the first value range [0,3], that is, Y=2. Similarly, the second receiver 806: (1) determines the interval between zero and 2 wQ -1 and including these two values ​​or [0,15] (e.g., 2 (1)(4) -1=15), and (2) randomly select the initial value Y of the time slot counter from the first value range [0,15], that is, Y=7. Since the initial value Y of the time slot counter of the first receiver 804 and the initial value Y of the time slot counter of the second receiver 806 are not equal to zero, both the first receiver 804 and the second receiver 806 do not backscatter the signal to the transmitter 802.

[0149] Furthermore, in this example, other receivers receiving the broadcasted parameter Q may also select an initial value Y for the time slot counter that is not equal to zero. Therefore, no receivers (including the first receiver 804 and the second receiver 806) backscatter the signal to the transmitter 802. As such, the transmitter 802 does not receive a response and subsequently sends a command to adjust the value Y of the time slot counter using the step value X.

[0150] In some aspects, as a first option for adjusting the time slot counter value Y, the first receiver 804 and the second receiver 806 decrement their time slot counters Y by one (eg, the adjusted time slot counter Y 调整后 =Y–X, where X>1). For example, Figure 8B As shown, the first receiver 804 subtracts one from the value of its time slot counter (Y=2) (eg, the adjusted time slot counter Y 调整后 =(Y-1)=(2-1)=1). Similarly, the second receiver 806 subtracts one from the value of its time slot counter (Y=7) (eg, the adjusted time slot counter Y 调整后 =(Y–1)=(7-1)=6).

[0151] In some aspects, as a second option for adjusting the slot counter value Y, the first receiver 804 and the second receiver 806 subtract a step value X from their slot counters Y, the step value X being based on each of their respective scaling factors. In some aspects, the step value (X) may be equal to (1 / w) (e.g., the adjusted slot counter Y 调整后 =Y–X, where X = 1 / w). For example, Figure 8B As shown, the first receiver 804 subtracts 1 / w=1 / 0.5=2 from the value of its time slot counter (Y=2) (eg, the adjusted time slot counter Y 调整后 =(Y-2)=(2-2)=0). Similarly, the second receiver 806 subtracts 1 / w=1 / 1=1 from the value of its time slot counter (Y=7) (eg, the adjusted time slot counter Y 调整后 =(Y–1)=(7-1)=6).

[0152] In certain aspects, as a third option for adjusting the slot counter value Y, the first receiver 804 and the second receiver 806 decrement their slot counters Y by a step value X that is based on a priority associated with data to be sent by each of the first receiver 804 and the second receiver 806 (e.g., via backscatter communication) and / or a type of data to be sent by each of the first receiver 804 and the second receiver 806 (e.g., via backscatter communication). For example, different data types and / or priorities may be mapped to different step values ​​X. For example, if Figure 8BAs shown, the priority and / or type of data to be sent by the first receiver 804 is mapped to a step value X equal to two. Thus, the first receiver 804 subtracts X=2 from the value of its time slot counter (Y=2), so that Y 调整后 =(Y-2)=(2-2)=0. Similarly, the priority and / or type of data to be sent by the second receiver 806 is mapped to a step value X equal to one. Thus, the second receiver 806 subtracts X=1 from the value of its slot counter (Y=7), so that Y 调整后 =(Y–1)=(7-1)=6.

[0153] For any of the three options, in the case where the first receiver 804 and / or the second receiver 806 have a slot counter value equal to zero, the first receiver 804 and / or the second receiver 806 transmits a signal to the transmitter 802 via backscatter communication. On the other hand, for any of the three options, in the case where the first receiver 804 and / or the second receiver 806 do not have a slot counter value equal to zero, the first receiver 804 and the second receiver 806 may (e.g., in response to receiving a command from the transmitter 802) continue to adjust their slot counter values ​​until the slot counters of the first receiver 804 and / or the second receiver 806 are equal to zero (e.g., to backscatter a signal to the transmitter 802).

[0154] According to various aspects described herein, a third approach for reducing the amount of resources consumed and / or signaling overhead during an inventory procedure involves reducing a range of slot counter values ​​used by an RFID tag (e.g., a receiver) to initialize a value of a slot counter based on a priority and / or type of data to be transmitted by the RFID tag (e.g., via backscatter communication). For example, instead of randomly selecting an initial value of the slot counter from a first range of values ​​between and including zero and a first limit value calculated based solely on the value of a slot counter parameter Q (e.g., from [0, 2 Q -1]), the first value range may be divided into two value sets, and the RFID tag may randomly select an initial value of the time slot counter from one of the two sets based on the priority and / or type of data to be sent by the RFID tag.

[0155] Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B 900 is a call flow diagram illustrating example signaling 900 between a transmitter 902 and a receiver (e.g., a first receiver 904 and / or a second receiver 906) performing an example inventory procedure, wherein the range of slot counter values ​​selected by the receivers is different. For purposes of explanation, Fig. 9B Provided Fig. 9AIllustrative examples of example inventory procedures are described.

[0156] In some aspects, the transmitter 902 is a reader, such as Figure 5 In the RFID reader 510 illustrated in FIG. 1 , the first receiver 904 is a passive RFID tag, such as Figure 5 , wherein the RFID tag 550 is a passive RFID device, and the second receiver 906 is a passive RFID tag, such as Figure 5 , wherein the RFID tag 550 is a passive RFID device. However, in other aspects, the transmitter 902 can be another type of wireless communication device (e.g., a network entity, a network node, etc.), and similarly, the first receiver 904 and the second receiver 906 can be another type of wireless communication device (e.g., a UE, etc.), such as those described herein.

[0157] like Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B As shown, similar to Figure 6 The example inventory procedure of , the inventory procedure begins with the transmitter 902 sending the value of the slot counter parameter Q via a broadcast communication, and the receiver 904 and the receiver 906 each initialize the slot counter value Y. For example, Fig. 9B As shown, the transmitter 902 transmits a value of a slot counter parameter equal to four (eg, Q=4) via broadcast communication. The first receiver 904 and the second receiver 906 each initialize a slot counter value Y.

[0158] However, with Figure 6 The receiver 604 selects from a first value range [0,2 Q -1] randomly selects the initial value of the time slot counter Y to initialize the time slot counter. Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B In the example, the first receiver 904 and the second receiver 906 randomly select the initial value Y of the time slot counter from different value sets. Specifically, the value range is [0,2 Q -1] can be divided into a first value set [0, limit] and a second value set [(limit+1), 2 Q -1]. In some cases, the limit is predefined. In some cases, the limit is equal to the step value X, so that the first value set includes [0, X] and the second value set includes [X+1,2 Q-1]. In some aspects, the set of values ​​from which each receiver selects the random value depends on the priority and / or type of data to be sent by each receiver (e.g., via backscatter communication). This can help prevent higher priority data to be sent by a first receiver from colliding with lower priority data to be sent by a second receiver (e.g., in the case where both receivers select their slot counters to have a value equal to zero and backscatter data).

[0159] For example, Fig. 9B As shown, the priority of data to be sent by the first receiver 904 (e.g., via backscatter communication) is higher than the priority associated with data to be sent by the second receiver 906 (e.g., via backscatter communication). As such, the first receiver 904 randomly selects an initial value for its slot counter Y from a first set of values ​​[0, X=3] (e.g., including 0 and 3), and the second receiver 906 randomly selects an initial value for its slot counter Y from a second set of values ​​[X=3+1,2 Q –1] or [4,15] (e.g., including 4 and 15), where Q=4. In the illustrated example, the first receiver 904 randomly selects the initial value Y of its time slot counter from the first value set [0,3], i.e., Y=1, and the second receiver 906 randomly selects the initial value Y of its time slot counter from the second value set [4,15], i.e., Y=6. Given that the initial value Y of the time slot counter of the first receiver 904 and the initial value Y of the time slot counter of the second receiver 906 are not equal to zero, both the first receiver 904 and the second receiver 906 do not backscatter signals to the transmitter 902.

[0160] In the event that the first receiver 904 and / or the second receiver 906 do not have a time slot counter value equal to zero, the first receiver 904 and the second receiver 906 may (e.g., in response to receiving a command from the transmitter 902) continue to adjust their time slot counter values ​​until the time slot counters of the first receiver 904 and / or the second receiver 906 are equal to zero (e.g., to backscatter the signal to the transmitter 802). The adjustment of their time slot counters may be based on the previously described method for adjusting the time slot counters in 7A to 8B The method of the time slot counter.

[0161] In certain aspects, more than one RFID tag may have a slot counter value equal to zero (e.g., after initializing the slot counter value or after adjusting the slot counter value); therefore, more than one RFID tag may send data to the reader via backscatter communications. Backscattered data from more than one RFID tag may result in conflicts that the reader may not be able to resolve (may not be able to distinguish which data is from which RFID tag). Therefore, the reader may issue a QueryAdjust command or a QueryRep command (or a negative ACK (NACK)).

[0162] In some cases, the reader may instruct, with the issued command, to decrement the slot counter value by one. In response to receiving the command, the slot counter of the RFID tag that backscatters the collision data (e.g., referred to as the "colliding RFID tag") may be equal to (2 wQ -1), where w is a scaling factor and Q is a slot counter parameter. As mentioned, in some aspects, the scaling factor w is based on the priority associated with the data sent from the RFID tag to the reader via backscatter communication (or the priority of the RFID tag). Therefore, the slot counter values ​​of RFID tags sending data with the same priority (or RFID tags with the same priority) can be the same, while the slot counter values ​​of RFID tags sending data with different priorities (or RFID tags with different priorities) can be different.

[0163] In some other cases, the reader may indicate a new slot counter parameter Q for the conflicting RFID tag using the issued command. 新 The colliding RFID tags will randomly select their slot counter values ​​using one of the methods described above (e.g., from zero to a value based on the slot counter parameter Q 新 The RFID tags that receive the original slot counter parameters and initialize the slot counters (e.g., based on the original slot counter parameters) may continue to use (e.g., maintain) their current slot counter values.

[0164] According to various aspects described herein, a fourth approach for reducing the amount of resources consumed and / or signaling overhead during an inventory procedure involves initializing a slot counter by randomly selecting a value for the slot counter using a weighted distribution. In other words, a probability that a first RFID tag (e.g., a first receiver) selects a slot counter value equal to zero may be greater than a probability that a second RFID tag (e.g., a second receiver) selects a slot counter value equal to zero. In certain aspects, an RFID tag having a higher priority (or having higher priority data to send) has a higher probability of selecting a slot counter value equal to zero than an RFID tag having a lower priority (or having lower priority data to send).

[0165] Specifically, the probability that the RFID tag selects a time slot counter value (q) = i is Where T = ∑ i w i In some ways, w i For example, in the case where only RFID tags with a slot counter value (q) = 0 are to transmit signals via backscatter communication, w0 will be equal to 1, 2, 3, ... (e.g., w0 = 1, 2, 3, ...) for different priorities, and for i ≥ 1, other weights w i =1.

[0166]

[0013] According to various aspects described herein, a fifth approach for reducing the amount of resources consumed and / or signaling overhead during an inventory procedure involves the reader explicitly indicating which RFID tag(s) are to transmit signals via backscatter communications.

[0167] although 7A to 9B The example inventory procedure illustrated in FIG. 1 only illustrates the use of a “QueryRep” command (e.g., a command that prompts each of the passive RFID tags to decrement their time slot counter value), but in some embodiments, a “QueryAdjust” command (e.g., a command that prompts each of the passive RFID tags to adjust the value of Q and select a value in [0,2 Q -1] (e.g., commands where Q is the newly adjusted Q) as their corresponding slot counter values) may be used as an alternative to or in addition to the illustrated "QueryRep" command.

[0168] Fig.10 is a call flow diagram illustrating example signaling between a sender 1002 and a receiver 1004 to perform an example inventory procedure using explicit instructions to the receiver 1004. In some aspects, the sender 1002 is a reader, such as Figure 5, and the receiver 1004 is a passive RFID tag such as Figure 5 1004 (wherein the RFID tag 550 is a passive RFID device). However, in other aspects, the transmitter 1002 can be another type of wireless communication device (e.g., a network entity, a network node, etc.), and similarly, the receiver 1004 can be another type of wireless communication device (e.g., a UE, etc.), such as those described herein.

[0169] like Fig.10 As shown, the inventory procedure begins with the transmitter 1002 sending a command including information identifying at least one device to send data to the transmitter via backscatter communication. Fig.10 In the example illustrated in , the information at least identifies that the receiver 1004 is to send data to the transmitter via backscatter communication. Therefore, in response to receiving the information, the receiver 1004 sends data to the transmitter 1002 via backscatter communication.

[0170] In some aspects, the information identifying at least one device includes a portion of an ID associated with the at least one device. For example, the information may include a portion of an ID associated with the receiver 1004 to indicate that the receiver 1004 is to send data via backscatter communication. In some aspects, a portion of the ID of the receiver 1004 may include the first M most significant bits (MSBs) of the ID of the receiver 1004, where M is an integer greater than zero. For example, in some aspects, a portion of the ID of the receiver 1004 may include the first six MSBs of the ID of the receiver 1004, where M is equal to six (e.g., M=6). In some aspects, M may be dynamically indicated by the network.

[0171] In some aspects, the information identifying at least one device includes a first value (Y) and a second value (X), the first value being equal to a modulo function of at least a portion of an ID associated with the at least one device. For example, the information indicates that the receiver 1004 is to transmit data via backscatter communication when the first value (Y) is equal to a modulo function of at least a portion of an ID associated with the receiver 1004 and the second value (X) (e.g., when Y=mod(all / part of the tag ID of the receiver 1004, X)). In some aspects, the information identifying at least one device also includes a second value (X). In some aspects, the second value (X) is predefined.

[0172] In some aspects, the information identifying the at least one device includes an indication of a type of the at least one device. For example, the information may include a device type of the receiver 1004 to indicate that the receiver 1004 is to send data via backscatter communication. In some aspects, the indication of the type includes a selected tag (SL tag) associated with the at least one device.

[0173] In some aspects, different devices including the receiver 1004 may be grouped into different device types. As such, an indication of the type of at least one device may indicate to the receiver 1004 that one other device is to send data via backscatter communication, where the receiver 1004 and the other device belong to the same group (e.g., are of the same type).

[0174] In some aspects, the information identifies the receiver and at least one other device that will send data to the transmitter via backscatter communication (e.g., more than one device may be indicated to backscatter data). Thus, in some aspects, the command also includes a value for a slot counter parameter Q to prevent contention between the indicated devices. Thus, in order to send data to the transmitter 1002 via backscatter communication, the receiver 1004 may need to be identified by the information in the command and select a slot counter value equal to zero (e.g., based on the indicated slot counter parameter Q).

[0175] In some aspects, the value of the slot counter parameter Q included in the command is based on the number of devices identified in the information. For example, the information included in the command may include 4 MSBs of different tag IDs. These 4 MSBs may be the MSBs of five different devices. In order to prevent contention between each of these five devices, the command may further indicate a slot counter parameter Q equal to four (e.g., Q=4). The five devices may use Q=4 to initialize their corresponding slot counters. One or more of the five devices that initialize the slot counter to zero may backscatter data. However, in another example, the information included in the command may include 6 MSBs of different tag IDs. These 6 MSBs may be the MSBs of two different devices (rather than five different devices). In order to prevent contention between each of these two devices, the command may further indicate a slot counter parameter Q equal to two (e.g., Q=2). In this case, because the information indicates fewer devices (e.g., two devices < five devices), the slot counter parameter Q may be smaller (e.g., (Q=2) < (Q=4)).

[0176] In some aspects, more than one RFID tag may have a slot counter value equal to zero (e.g., after initializing the slot counter value or after adjusting the slot counter value); therefore, more than one RFID tag may send data to the reader via backscatter communication. Backscattered data from more than one RFID tag may result in conflicts that the reader may not be able to resolve (may not be able to distinguish which data came from which RFID tag). Therefore, the reader may issue a QueryAdjust command or a QueryRep command. The reader may indicate the new slot counter parameter Q of the RFID tag. 新 , the RFID tag backscatters the conflicting data (e.g., referred to as a "colliding RFID tag"). The conflicting RFID tags will randomly select the value of their slot counter using one of the methods described above (e.g., from zero to a value based on the slot counter parameter Q 新 The RFID tags that receive the original slot counter parameters and initialize the slot counters (e.g., based on the original slot counter parameters) may continue to use (e.g., maintain) their current slot counter values.

[0177] An example approach to group-based access of passive RFID tags is described in more detail in commonly owned International Patent Application No. ______ (Agent Docket No. 2202192WO1), filed on the same day, entitled “GROUP-BASED ACCESS OF PASSIVE RFID TAGS”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0178] Example Operation of Receiver

[0179] Fig.11 An example of a method 1100 for wireless communication by a receiver is shown. In some aspects, the receiver may be a UE (such as, Figure 1 and Figure 3 UE 104).

[0180] Method 1100 begins at step 1105: receiving a value of a slot counter parameter from a transmitter. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation described in reference to Fig.15 The circuit system for receiving and / or the code for receiving may be executed by the circuit system and / or the code.

[0181] Then, the method 1100 proceeds to step 1110: initializing the time slot counter based on the value of the time slot counter parameter. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation described in reference to Fig.15 The circuit system for initialization and / or the code for initialization may be executed by the circuit system and / or the code.

[0182] Then, the method 1100 proceeds to step 1115: receiving a command from the transmitter to adjust the time slot counter. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation of Fig.15 The circuit system for receiving and / or the code for receiving may be executed by the circuit system and / or the code.

[0183] Then, the method 1100 proceeds to step 1120: adjusting the time slot counter based on the command and the step value. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation described in reference to Fig.15 The circuit system for adjustment and / or the code for adjustment may be executed by the circuit system and / or the code.

[0184] Then, the method 1100 proceeds to step 1125: when the adjusted time slot counter reaches the target value, sending data to the transmitter via backscatter communication, wherein at least one of the following items: the step value is greater than one, or initializing the time slot counter is further based on the scaling factor. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to as described in reference Fig.15 The circuit system for sending and / or the code for sending may be executed by the circuit system and / or the code.

[0185] In some aspects, the receiver comprises a UE and the transmitter comprises a network entity.

[0186] In some aspects, initializing the slot counter includes randomly selecting an initial value for the slot counter from a first range of values ​​between and including zero and a first limit value, the first limit value calculated based on a value of a slot counter parameter.

[0187] In some aspects, adjusting the time slot counter based on the command and the step value includes: determining that the initial value of the time slot counter is less than the step value; and based on determining that the initial value of the time slot counter is less than the step value, using a value equal to the first limit value minus the difference between the step value and the initial value of the time slot counter as the adjusted time slot counter.

[0188] In some aspects, adjusting the slot counter based on the command and the step value includes: determining that the slot counter is initialized to a value less than the step value; and selecting a value equal to zero for the adjusted slot counter based on determining that the slot counter is initialized to a value less than the step value.

[0189] In some aspects, adjusting the slot counter based on the command and the step value includes: determining that the slot counter is initialized to a value greater than the step value; and subtracting the step value from the value of the slot counter based on determining that the slot counter is initialized to a value greater than the step value.

[0190] In some aspects, the step value is predefined.

[0191] In some aspects, the method 1100 further includes: receiving the step value from the transmitter. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be performed by the circuit system for receiving and / or the code for receiving as described with reference to FIG. 17.

[0192] In some aspects, the scaling factor is based on at least one of: a priority associated with data to be sent to the transmitter via backscatter communications; or a type of data to be sent to the transmitter via backscatter communications.

[0193] In some aspects, initializing the slot counter includes randomly selecting an initial value for the slot counter from a first range of values ​​between and including zero and a first limit value, the first limit value calculated based on a value of a slot counter parameter and a scaling factor.

[0194] In some aspects, the step size value is based on a scaling factor.

[0195] In some aspects, initializing a time slot counter includes determining a first value range between and including zero and a first limiting value, the first limiting value being calculated based on a value of a time slot counter parameter; dividing the first value range into a first value set and a second value set; and randomly selecting a value of the time slot counter from the first value set or the second value set based on the type of data.

[0196] In some aspects, the step value is based on the type of data.

[0197] In some aspects, initializing the slot counter includes randomly selecting an initial value for the slot counter from a first range of values ​​between and including zero and a first limiting value, the first limiting value being calculated based on a value of a slot counter parameter, wherein a probability of the receiver selecting the initial value of the slot counter equal to the target value is based on a priority associated with the data.

[0198] In one aspect, method 1100 or any aspect related thereto may be performed by an apparatus such as Fig.15 The method 1100 is performed by a communication device 1500 that includes various components operable, configured, or adapted to perform the method 1100. The communication device 1500 is described in more detail below.

[0199] Please note that Fig.11 This is merely one example of a method, and other methods including fewer, additional, or alternative steps may also be consistent with the present disclosure.

[0200] Fig.12 An example of a method 1200 for wireless communication by a receiver is shown. In some aspects, the receiver may be a UE (such as, Figure 1 and Figure 3 UE 104).

[0201] Method 1200 begins at step 1205: receiving a command from a transmitter including information identifying at least one device to send data to the transmitter via backscatter communication. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation described in reference to Fig.15 The circuit system for receiving and / or the code for receiving may be executed by the circuit system and / or the code.

[0202] Then, method 1200 proceeds to step 1210: when the information identifies the receiver, sending data to the transmitter via backscatter communication. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation of referring to Fig.15 The circuit system for sending and / or the code for sending may be executed by the circuit system and / or the code.

[0203] In some aspects, the receiver comprises a UE and the transmitter comprises a network entity.

[0204] In some aspects, the information identifying the at least one device includes a portion of an ID associated with the at least one device.

[0205] In some aspects, the information identifying the at least one device includes a first value and a second value, the first value being equal to a modulo function of at least a portion of an ID associated with the at least one device.

[0206] In some aspects, the information identifying the at least one device also includes a second value.

[0207] In some aspects, the second value is predefined.

[0208] In some aspects, the information identifying the at least one device includes an indication of a type of the at least one device.

[0209] In some aspects, the indication of the type includes an SL flag associated with at least one device.

[0210] In some aspects, the information identifies the receiver and at least one other device to transmit data to the transmitter via backscatter communication; and the command also includes a value for a slot counter parameter.

[0211] In some aspects, the method 1200 further includes: selecting a value for the time slot counter based on a value of a time slot counter parameter, wherein sending data to the transmitter is further based on the receiver selecting a value for the time slot counter equal to the target value. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to as described in reference Fig.15 The circuit system for selecting and / or the code for selecting may be executed by the circuit system and / or the code.

[0212] In some aspects, the value of the slot counter parameter is based on the number of devices identified in the information.

[0213] In one aspect, method 1200 or any aspect related thereto may be performed by an apparatus such as Fig.15 The method 1200 is performed by a communication device 1500 that includes various components operable, configured, or adapted to perform the method 1200. The communication device 1500 is described in more detail below.

[0214] Please note that Fig.12 This is merely one example of a method, and other methods including fewer, additional, or alternative steps may also be consistent with the present disclosure.

[0215] Example Operation of the Transmitter

[0216] Fig.13 An example of a method 1300 of wireless communication by a transmitter is shown. In some aspects, the transmitter is a network entity such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 BS102 or such Figure 2 The decomposed base station in question.

[0217] Method 1300 begins at step 1305: sending a value of a slot counter parameter to a receiver. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation described in reference to Fig.16 The circuit system for sending and / or the code for sending may be executed by the circuit system and / or the code.

[0218] Then, the method 1300 proceeds to step 1310: sending a command to the receiver to adjust the time slot counter initialized based on the value of the time slot counter parameter using the step value. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation described in reference to Fig.16 The circuit system for sending and / or the code for sending may be executed by the circuit system and / or the code.

[0219] Then, the method 1400 proceeds to step 1315: when the adjusted time slot counter reaches the target value, receiving data from the transmitter via backscatter communication, wherein at least one of the following items: the step value is greater than one, or the time slot counter is initialized based on the scaling factor. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to as described in reference Fig.16 The circuit system for receiving and / or the code for receiving may be executed by the circuit system and / or the code.

[0220] In some aspects, the transmitter comprises a network entity and the receiver comprises a UE.

[0221] In some aspects, initializing the slot counter includes randomly selecting an initial value for the slot counter from a first range of values ​​between and including zero and a first limit value, the first limit value calculated based on a value of a slot counter parameter.

[0222] In some aspects, the step value is predefined.

[0223] In some aspects, method 1300 further includes: sending the step value to the receiver. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the Fig.16 The circuit system for sending and / or the code for sending may be executed by the circuit system and / or the code.

[0224] In some aspects, the scaling factor is based on at least one of: a priority associated with data to be received by the transmitter via backscatter communications; or a type of data to be received by the transmitter via backscatter communications.

[0225] In some aspects, the step size value is based on a scaling factor.

[0226] In some aspects, the step value is based on the type of data.

[0227] In one aspect, method 1300 or any aspect related thereto may be performed by an apparatus such as Fig.16 The method 1300 is performed by a communication device 1600 that includes various components operable, configured, or adapted to perform the method 1300. The communication device 1600 is described in more detail below.

[0228] Please note that Fig.13 This is merely one example of a method, and other methods including fewer, additional, or alternative steps may also be consistent with the present disclosure.

[0229] Fig.14 An example of a method 1400 for wireless communication by a transmitter is shown. In some aspects, the transmitter is a network entity such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 BS102 or such Figure 2 The decomposed base station in question.

[0230] Method 1400 begins at step 1405 by sending a command to a receiver including information identifying at least one device to send data to a transmitter via backscatter communication. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation described in reference to Fig.16 The circuit system for sending and / or the code for sending may be executed by the circuit system and / or the code.

[0231] Then, method 1400 proceeds to step 1410: when the information identifies the receiver, receiving data from the receiver via backscatter communication. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation of Fig.16 The circuit system for receiving and / or the code for receiving may be executed by the circuit system and / or the code.

[0232] In some aspects, the transmitter comprises a network entity and the receiver comprises a UE.

[0233] In some aspects, the information identifying the at least one device includes a portion of an ID associated with the at least one device.

[0234] In some aspects, the information identifying the at least one device includes a first value and a second value, the first value being equal to a modulo function of at least a portion of an ID associated with the at least one device.

[0235] In some aspects, the information identifying the at least one device also includes a second value.

[0236] In some aspects, the second value is predefined.

[0237] In some aspects, the information identifying the at least one device includes an indication of a type of the at least one device.

[0238] In some aspects, the indication of the type includes an SL flag associated with at least one device.

[0239] In some aspects, the information identifies the receiver and at least one other device to transmit data to the transmitter via backscatter communication; and the command also includes a value for a slot counter parameter.

[0240] In some aspects, receiving data from the receiver is further based on the receiver selecting a value for the slot counter equal to the target value based on the value of the slot counter parameter.

[0241] In some aspects, the value of the slot counter parameter is based on the number of devices identified in the information.

[0242] In one aspect, method 1400 or any aspect related thereto may be performed by an apparatus such as Fig.16 The method 1400 is performed by a communication device 1600 that includes various components operable, configured, or adapted to perform the method 1400. The communication device 1600 is described in more detail below.

[0243] Please note that Fig.14 This is merely one example of a method, and other methods including fewer, additional, or alternative steps may also be consistent with the present disclosure.

[0244] Example Communication Device

[0245] Fig.15 Various aspects of an example communications device 1500 are depicted. In some aspects, communications device 1500 is a user equipment (UE), such as described above with respect to Figure 1 and Figure 3 The UE 104.

[0246] The communication device 1500 includes a processing system 1505 coupled to a transceiver 1575 (e.g., a transmitter and / or a receiver). The transceiver 1575 is configured to transmit and receive signals for the communication device 1500, such as the various signals described herein, via an antenna 1580. The processing system 1505 may be configured to perform processing functions for the communication device 1500, including processing signals received and / or to be transmitted by the communication device 1500.

[0247] The processing system 1505 includes one or more processors 1510. In various aspects, such as with respect to Figure 3 As described, the one or more processors 1510 may represent one or more of the receive processor 358, the transmit processor 364, the TX MIMO processor 366, and / or the controller / processor 380. The one or more processors 1510 are coupled to the computer-readable medium / memory 1540 via the bus 1570. In some aspects, the computer-readable medium / memory 1540 is configured to store instructions (e.g., computer-executable code) that, when executed by the one or more processors 1510, cause the one or more processors 1510 to perform operations related to the processing of the data transmission. Fig.11 The method 1100 or any aspect thereof, and / or any aspect related thereto Fig.12 The method 1200 or any aspect related thereto. Note that references to a processor performing a function of the communication device 1500 may include one or more processors 1510 performing that function of the communication device 1500.

[0248] In the depicted example, computer readable medium / memory 1540 stores code (e.g., executable instructions) such as code for receiving 1545, code for initializing 1550, code for adjusting 1555, code for sending 1560, and code for selecting 1565. Processing of code for receiving 1545, code for initializing 1550, code for adjusting 1555, code for sending 1560, and code for selecting 1565 may cause the communication device 1500 to perform operations related to the communication device 1500. Fig.11 The method 1100 or any aspect thereof, and / or any aspect related thereto Fig.12 The method 1200 described herein or any aspect related thereto.

[0249] One or more processors 1510 include circuitry configured to implement (e.g., execute) code stored in computer-readable medium / memory 1540, including circuitry such as circuitry for receiving 1515, circuitry for initializing 1520, circuitry for adjusting 1525, circuitry for transmitting 1530, and circuitry for selecting 1535. Processing using circuitry for receiving 1515, circuitry for initializing 1520, circuitry for adjusting 1525, circuitry for transmitting 1530, and circuitry for selecting 1535 may enable communication device 1500 to perform operations related to Fig.11 The method 1100 or any aspect thereof, and / or any aspect related thereto Fig.12 The method 1200 described herein or any aspect related thereto.

[0250] The various components of the communication device 1500 may provide for performing Fig.11 The method 1100 or any aspect thereof, and / or any aspect related thereto Fig.12 The components of the method 1200 or any aspect related thereto. For example, the components for sending, transmitting, or outputting for sending may include Figure 3 The transceiver 354 and / or antenna 352 and / or Fig.15 The transceiver 1575 and antenna 1580 of the communication device 1500 in FIG. 1 may include Figure 3 The transceiver 354 and / or antenna 352 and / or Fig.15 The transceiver 1575 and antenna 1580 of the communication device 1500.

[0251] Fig.16 Aspects of an example communications device 1600 are depicted. In some aspects, communications device 1600 is a network entity such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 BS102 or such Figure 2 The decomposed base station in question.

[0252] The communication device 1600 includes a processing system 1605 coupled to a transceiver 1645 (e.g., a transmitter and / or a receiver) and / or a network interface 1655. The transceiver 1645 is configured to transmit and receive signals for the communication device 1600 via an antenna 1650, such as the various signals described herein. The network interface 1655 is configured to transmit and receive signals for the communication device 1600 via a communication link (such as the various signals described herein). Figure 2 The backhaul link, midhaul link and / or fronthaul link) obtains and transmits signals for the communication device 1600. The processing system 1605 can be configured to perform processing functions of the communication device 1600, including processing signals received and / or to be sent by the communication device 1600.

[0253] The processing system 1605 includes one or more processors 1610. In various aspects, such as with respect to Figure 3 As described, the one or more processors 1610 may represent one or more of the receive processor 338, the transmit processor 320, the TX MIMO processor 330, and / or the controller / processor 340. The one or more processors 1610 are coupled to the computer-readable medium / memory 1625 via the bus 1640. In certain aspects, the computer-readable medium / memory 1625 is configured to store instructions (e.g., computer-executable code) that, when executed by the one or more processors 1610, cause the one or more processors 1610 to perform operations related to the processing of the data transmission. Fig.13 The method 1300 or any aspect thereof, and / or any aspect related thereto Fig.14 The method 1400 or any aspect related thereto. Note that references to a processor of the communication device 1600 that performs a function may include one or more processors 1610 of the communication device 1600 that perform that function.

[0254] In the depicted example, computer readable medium / memory 1625 stores code (e.g., executable instructions), such as code for transmitting 1630 and code for receiving 1635. Processing of code for transmitting 1630 and code for receiving 1635 may cause communication device 1600 to perform operations related to Fig.13 The method 1300 or any aspect thereof, and / or any aspect related thereto Fig.14 As described method 1400 or any aspect related thereto.

[0255] One or more processors 1610 include circuitry configured to implement (e.g., execute) code stored in computer-readable medium / memory 1625, including circuitry such as circuitry for transmitting 1615 and circuitry for receiving 1620. Processing using circuitry for transmitting 1615 and circuitry for receiving 1620 may enable communication device 1600 to perform operations related to Fig.13 The method 1300 or any aspect thereof, and / or any aspect related thereto Fig.14 As described method 1400 or any aspect related thereto.

[0256] The various components of the communication device 1600 may provide for performing Fig.13 The method 1300 or any aspect thereof, and / or any aspect related thereto Fig.14 Means for sending, transmitting or outputting for sending may include Figure 3 The transceiver 332 and / or antenna 334 and / or Fig.16 The transceiver 1645 and antenna 1650 of the communication device 1600 in FIG. 1 may include Figure 3 The transceiver 332 and / or antenna 334 and / or Fig.16 The transceiver 1645 and antenna 1650 of the communication device 1600 in FIG.

[0257] Sample Clauses

[0258] Specific implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses:

[0259] Clause 1: A method for wireless communication by a receiver, the method comprising: receiving a value of a slot counter parameter from a transmitter; initializing a slot counter based on the value of the slot counter parameter; receiving a command to adjust the slot counter from the transmitter; adjusting the slot counter based on the command and a step value; and when the adjusted slot counter reaches a target value, sending data to the transmitter via backscatter communication, wherein at least one of the following items: the step value is greater than one, or initializing the slot counter is further based on a scaling factor.

[0260] Clause 2: The method of clause 1, wherein the step value is greater than one.

[0261] Clause 3: A method according to clause 2, wherein initializing the time slot counter comprises randomly selecting an initial value of the time slot counter from a first value range between zero and a first limit value and including zero and the first limit value, the first limit value being calculated based on the value of the time slot counter parameter.

[0262] Clause 4: A method according to Clause 3, wherein adjusting the time slot counter based on the command and the step value includes: determining that the initial value of the time slot counter is less than the step value; and based on determining that the initial value of the time slot counter is less than the step value, using a value equal to the first limit value minus the difference between the step value and the initial value of the time slot counter as the adjusted time slot counter.

[0263] Clause 5: A method according to any one of clauses 2 to 4, wherein adjusting the time slot counter based on the command and the step value includes: determining that the time slot counter is initialized to a value less than the step value; and selecting a value equal to zero for the adjusted time slot counter based on determining that the time slot counter is initialized to the value less than the step value.

[0264] Clause 6: A method according to any one of clauses 2 to 5, wherein adjusting the time slot counter based on the command and the step value includes: determining that the time slot counter is initialized to a value greater than the step value; and subtracting the step value from the value of the time slot counter based on determining that the time slot counter is initialized to the value greater than the step value.

[0265] Clause 7: A method according to any one of clauses 2 to 6, wherein the step value is predefined.

[0266] Clause 8: A method as described in any one of clauses 2 to 7, further comprising: receiving the step value from the transmitter.

[0267] Clause 9: The method of any of clauses 1 to 8, wherein initializing the slot counter is further based on the scaling factor.

[0268] Clause 10: A method according to clause 9, wherein the scaling factor is based on at least one of: a priority associated with the data to be sent to the transmitter via the backscatter communication; or a type of the data to be sent to the transmitter via the backscatter communication.

[0269] Clause 11: A method according to any one of clauses 9 to 10, wherein initializing the time slot counter comprises randomly selecting an initial value of the time slot counter from a first value range between zero and a first limiting value and including zero and the first limiting value, the first limiting value being calculated based on the value of the time slot counter parameter and the scaling factor.

[0270] Clause 12: The method of clause 11, wherein the step value is based on the scaling factor.

[0271] Clause 13: A method according to any one of clauses 9 to 12, wherein initializing the time slot counter comprises: determining a first value range between zero and a first limiting value and including zero and the first limiting value, the first limiting value being calculated based on the value of the time slot counter parameter; dividing the first value range into a first value set and a second value set; and randomly selecting a value of the time slot counter from the first value set or the second value set based on the type of the data.

[0272] Clause 14: The method of clause 13, wherein the step value is based on the type of the data.

[0273] Clause 15: A method according to any one of clauses 9 to 14, wherein initializing the time slot counter comprises randomly selecting an initial value of the time slot counter from a first range of values ​​between and including zero and a first limiting value, the first limiting value being calculated based on the value of the time slot counter parameter, wherein the probability of the receiver selecting the initial value of the time slot counter equal to the target value is based on a priority associated with the data.

[0274] Clause 16: A method for wireless communication by a transmitter, the method comprising: sending a value of a time slot counter parameter to a receiver; sending a command to the receiver to adjust a time slot counter initialized based on the value of the time slot counter parameter using a step value; and when the adjusted time slot counter reaches a target value, receiving data from the transmitter via backscatter communication, wherein at least one of the following items: the step value is greater than one, or the time slot counter is further initialized based on a scaling factor.

[0275] Clause 17: The method of clause 16, wherein the step value is greater than one.

[0276] Clause 18: A method according to clause 17, wherein initializing the time slot counter comprises randomly selecting an initial value of the time slot counter from a first range of values ​​between and including zero and a first limit value, the first limit value being calculated based on the value of the time slot counter parameter.

[0277] Clause 19: A method according to any one of clauses 17 to 18, wherein the step value is predefined.

[0278] Clause 20: A method as described in any one of clauses 17 to 19, further comprising: sending the step value to the receiver.

[0279] Clause 21: The method of any of clauses 16 to 20, wherein initializing the time slot counter is further based on the scaling factor.

[0280] Clause 22: A method according to clause 21, wherein the scaling factor is based on at least one of: a priority associated with the data to be received by the transmitter via the backscatter communication; or a type of the data to be received by the transmitter via the backscatter communication.

[0281] Clause 23: A method as described in any of clauses 21 to 22, wherein the step value is based on the scaling factor.

[0282] Clause 24: A method according to any one of clauses 21 to 23, wherein the step value is based on the type of the data.

[0283] Clause 25: A method of wireless communication by a receiver, the method comprising: receiving a command including information identifying at least one device from a transmitter to send data to the transmitter via backscatter communication; and when the information identifies the receiver, sending the data to the transmitter via backscatter communication.

[0284] Clause 26: The method of clause 25, wherein the information identifying the at least one device comprises a portion of an identifier (ID) associated with the at least one device.

[0285] Clause 27: The method of any of clauses 25 to 26, wherein the information identifying the at least one device comprises a first value and a second value, the first value being equal to a modulo function of at least a portion of an ID associated with the at least one device.

[0286] Clause 28: The method of clause 27, wherein the information identifying the at least one device further comprises the second value.

[0287] Clause 29: A method according to any one of clauses 27 to 28, wherein the second value is predefined.

[0288] Clause 30: A method as recited in any one of clauses 27 to 29, wherein the information identifying the at least one device comprises an indication of a type of the at least one device.

[0289] Clause 31: The method of clause 30, wherein the indication of the type comprises an SL flag associated with at least one device.

[0290] Clause 32: A method as described in any of clauses 25 to 31, wherein the information identifies the receiver and at least one other device is to send the data to the transmitter via the backscatter communication; and the command also includes a value for a slot counter parameter.

[0291] Clause 33: The method of clause 32, further comprising: selecting a value of a slot counter based on the value of the slot counter parameter, wherein sending the data to the transmitter is further based on the receiver selecting the value of the slot counter equal to a target value.

[0292] Clause 34: A method as described in any of clauses 32 to 33, wherein the value of the slot counter parameter is based on the number of devices identified in the information.

[0293] Clause 35: A method of wireless communication by a transmitter, the method comprising: sending a command including information identifying at least one device to a receiver to send data to the transmitter via backscatter communication; and when the information identifies the receiver, receiving the data from the receiver via backscatter communication.

[0294] Clause 36: The method of clause 35, wherein the information identifying the at least one device comprises a portion of an identifier (ID) associated with the at least one device.

[0295] Clause 37: A method as described in any of clauses 35 to 36, wherein the information identifying the at least one device comprises a first value and a second value, the first value being equal to a modulo function of at least a portion of an ID associated with the at least one device.

[0296] Clause 38: The method of clause 37, wherein the information identifying the at least one device further comprises the second value.

[0297] Clause 39: A method according to any one of clauses 37 to 38, wherein the second value is predefined.

[0298] Clause 40: The method of any of clauses 37 to 39, wherein the information identifying the at least one device comprises an indication of a type of the at least one device.

[0299] Clause 41: The method of clause 40, wherein the indication of the type comprises an SL flag associated with at least one device.

[0300] Clause 42: A method as described in any of clauses 35 to 41, wherein the information identifies the receiver and at least one other device is to send the data to the transmitter via the backscatter communication; and the command also includes a value for a slot counter parameter.

[0301] Clause 43: The method of clause 42, receiving the data from the receiver further based on the receiver selecting the value of the slot counter equal to a target value based on the value of the slot counter parameter.

[0302] Clause 44: A method as described in any of clauses 42 to 43, wherein the value of the slot counter parameter is based on the number of devices identified in the information.

[0303] Clause 45: An apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a memory including executable instructions; and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions and cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of clauses 1 to 44.

[0304] Clause 46: An apparatus comprising: means for performing the method of any of clauses 1 to 44.

[0305] Clause 47: A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising: executable instructions that, when executed by a processor of an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of clauses 1 to 44.

[0306] Clause 48: A computer program product embodied on a computer readable storage medium, the computer program product comprising code for performing the method according to any one of clauses 1 to 44.

[0307] Additional considerations

[0308] The foregoing description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. The examples discussed herein do not limit the scope, applicability, or aspects set forth in the claims. Various modifications to these aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the functions and arrangements of the elements discussed may be changed. Various examples may omit, replace, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For example, the described methods may be performed in a sequence different from the sequence described, and various actions may be added, omitted, or combined. In addition, the features described with respect to some examples may be combined in some other examples. 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 practiced using other structures, functionality, or structures and functionality other than the various aspects of the present disclosure set forth herein or different from the various aspects of the present 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.

[0309] The various illustrative logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the present disclosure may be implemented or performed using a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device (PLD), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof, designed to perform the functions described herein. Although a general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, in an alternative, the processor may be any commercially available processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, a system on a chip (SoC), or any other such configuration.

[0310] As used herein, a phrase referring to "at least one of" a list of items refers to any combination of those items (including single members). As an example, "at least one of a, b, or c" is intended to cover a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, and abc, as well as any combination with multiples of the same element (e.g., aa, aaa, aab, aac, abb, acc, bb, bbb, bbc, cc, and ccc, or any other ordering of a, b, and c).

[0311] As used herein, the term "determining" encompasses a wide variety of actions. For example, "determining" may include computing, calculating, processing, deriving, investigating, searching (e.g., searching in a table, a database, or another data structure), ascertaining, and the like. Additionally, "determining" may include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory), and the like. Additionally, "determining" may include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like.

[0312] The method disclosed herein includes one or more actions for implementing the method. The method actions may be interchangeable with each other without departing from the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specified order of actions is specified, the order and / or use of specific actions may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims. In addition, the various operations of the above-mentioned method may be performed by any suitable component capable of performing the corresponding function. The component may include various hardware and / or software components and / or modules, including but not limited to circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or processors.

[0313] The following claims are not intended to be limited to the various aspects shown herein, but should be given the full scope consistent with the language of the claims. Within the claims, unless explicitly stated, reference to an element in the singular form is not intended to mean "one and only one", but "one or more". Unless otherwise specified, the term "some" refers to one or more. Any claim element is not interpreted according to the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f) unless the element is explicitly stated using the phrase "parts for...". All structural and functional equivalents of the elements throughout the various aspects described in this disclosure that are known or will be known later to a person of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be covered by the claims. In addition, regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly stated in the claims, anything disclosed herein is not intended to be disclosed to the public.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication by a receiver, the method comprising: receiving a value of a slot counter parameter from a transmitter; initializing a slot counter based on the value of the slot counter parameter; receiving a command from the transmitter to adjust the time slot counter; adjusting the time slot counter based on the command and a step value; as well as When the adjusted time slot counter reaches the target value, data is transmitted to the transmitter via backscatter communication, wherein at least one of the following items: The step value is greater than one, or Initializing the slot counter is further based on a scaling factor. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step value is greater than one.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein initializing the time slot counter comprises: An initial value of the slot counter is randomly selected from a first range of values ​​between and including zero and a first limit value, the first limit value being calculated based on the value of the slot counter parameter.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein adjusting the time slot counter based on the command and the step value comprises: Determining that the initial value of the time slot counter is less than the step value; as well as Based on determining that the initial value of the time slot counter is less than the step value, a value equal to the first limit value minus a difference between the step value and the initial value of the time slot counter is used as an adjusted time slot counter.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein adjusting the time slot counter based on the command and the step value comprises: determining that the time slot counter is initialized to a value less than the step value; as well as A value equal to zero is selected for the adjusted slot counter based on determining that the slot counter is initialized to the value less than the step value.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein adjusting the time slot counter based on the command and the step value comprises: determining that the time slot counter is initialized to a value greater than the step value; as well as The step value is subtracted from the value of the slot counter based on determining that the slot counter is initialized to the value greater than the step value. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the step value is predefined.

8. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: The step value is received from the transmitter.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein initializing the slot counter is further based on the scaling factor.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the scaling factor is based on at least one of: a priority associated with the data to be sent to the transmitter via the backscatter communication; or The type of the data to be sent to the transmitter via the backscatter communication.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein initializing the time slot counter comprises: An initial value of the slot counter is randomly selected from a first range of values ​​between and including zero and a first limit value, the first limit value being calculated based on the value of the slot counter parameter and the scaling factor. The method of claim 11 , wherein the step size value is based on the scaling factor.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein initializing the time slot counter comprises: determining a first range of values ​​between and including zero and a first limit value, the first limit value being calculated based on the value of the slot counter parameter; dividing the first value range into a first value set and a second value set; as well as The value of the slot counter is randomly selected from the first set of values ​​or the second set of values ​​based on the type of the data. The method of claim 13 , wherein the step value is based on the type of the data.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein initializing the time slot counter comprises: An initial value of the time slot counter is randomly selected from a first range of values ​​between and including zero and a first limiting value, the first limiting value being calculated based on the value of the time slot counter parameter, wherein a probability of the receiver selecting the initial value of the time slot counter equal to the target value is based on a priority associated with the data.

16. A method for wireless communication by a transmitter, the method comprising: sending the value of the slot counter parameter to the receiver; sending a command to the receiver to adjust a slot counter initialized based on the value of the slot counter parameter using a step value; as well as When the adjusted slot counter reaches the target value, data is received from the transmitter via backscatter communication, wherein at least one of the following: The step value is greater than one, or The slot counter is further initialized based on the scaling factor. The method of claim 16 , wherein the step value is greater than one.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein initializing the time slot counter comprises: An initial value of the slot counter is randomly selected from a first range of values ​​between and including zero and a first limit value, the first limit value being calculated based on the value of the slot counter parameter.

19. A method for wireless communication by a receiver, the method comprising: receiving a command including information identifying at least one device from a transmitter to transmit data to the transmitter via backscatter communication; as well as When the information identifies the receiver, the data is transmitted to the transmitter via backscatter communication.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the information identifying the at least one device comprises a portion of an identifier (ID) associated with the at least one device.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the information identifying the at least one device comprises a first value and a second value, the first value being equal to a modulo function of at least a portion of an ID associated with the at least one device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the information identifying the at least one device further comprises the second value. The method of claim 21 , wherein the second value is predefined.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the information identifying the at least one device comprises an indication of a type of the at least one device.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the indication of the type comprises a SL flag associated with at least one device.

26. The method of claim 19, wherein: The information identifies the receiver and at least one other device is to transmit the data to the transmitter via the backscatter communication; and The command also includes a value for a slot counter parameter.

27. The method according to claim 26, further comprising: A value of a slot counter is selected based on the value of the slot counter parameter, wherein sending the data to the transmitter is further based on the receiver selecting the value of the slot counter equal to a target value.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the value of the slot counter parameter is based on a number of devices identified in the information.

29. A method for wireless communication by a transmitter, the method comprising: sending a command including information identifying at least one device to a receiver to send data to the transmitter via backscatter communication; as well as When the information identifies the receiver, the data is received from the receiver via backscatter communication.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the information identifying the at least one device comprises a portion of an identifier (ID) associated with the at least one device.

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