Initial network access configuration for energy harvesting capable user equipment

Abstract

A user equipment (UE) with energy harvesting capability (e.g., a UE including an energy harvesting device) has a low energy state (e.g., a battery level below a threshold), a low charge rate (e.g., a battery charge rate below a first threshold), and / or a high discharge rate (e.g., a battery level below a second threshold) when the UE has a low energy state (e.g., a battery level below the first threshold). An initial network access procedure with a network node of a wireless communication network may be difficult to perform in scenarios where a battery discharge rate is greater than or equal to a second threshold; in aspects described herein, a UE receives configuration information associated with an initial network access procedure, where the configuration information is based on at least one of an energy harvesting category of the UE, a current charge rate of the UE, a current discharge rate of the UE, or a current energy state of the UE. The UE performs at least part of the initial network access procedure based on the configuration information.

Description

Background Art Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, and more particularly to initial network access configuration for user equipment (UE) with energy harvesting capabilities. Background Art

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide a variety of telecommunication services, such as telephony, video, data, messaging, and broadcast. Typical wireless communication systems may employ multiple access technologies capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources. Examples of such multiple access technologies include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, and time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) systems.

[0004] These multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless devices to communicate at city, country, region, and even global levels. An example telecommunication standard is 5G New Radio (NR). 5G NR is part of the continuous mobile broadband evolution promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to meet new requirements associated with latency, reliability, security, scalability (e.g., with the Internet of Things (IoT)) and other requirements. 5G NR includes services associated with enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type communication (mMTC), and ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC). Certain aspects of 5G NR may be based on 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) standards. It is necessary to further improve 5G NR technology. In addition, these improvements may also be applicable to other multiple access technologies and telecommunication standards that employ these technologies. Summary of the invention

[0005] The following presents the summary of one or more aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of these aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is neither intended to identify the key or important elements of all aspects, nor to describe the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description presented later.

[0006] The various aspects described herein include a threshold value for a UE based on one or more of the energy harvesting category of the UE, the current charging rate of the UE, the current discharge rate of the UE, and the current energy state of the UE, a power control parameter, and other parameters and information associated with an initial network access process (e.g., a four-step RACH process, a two-step RACH process). Configuration. For example, the current discharge rate of the UE may include power consumption at the UE due to operation of one or more of radio frequency (RF) components, hardware components, and signal processing components, any charge or energy loss over time due to leakage or defects in the UE's power supply (e.g., an energy storage unit such as a battery), and / or other reasons or circumstances that may cause the power supply of the UE to discharge. The various aspects described herein also include a manner of indicating the threshold value, the power control parameter, and other parameters and information associated with an initial network access process (also referred to as an initial access process) to the UE.

[0007] The various aspects described herein also include configuration of the earliest time at which the UE can perform the next communication of the initial network access message and a manner of indicating the earliest time to the network node. These aspects can adjust the timing (e.g., delay) of one or more communications of the initial network access process to allow a device with energy harvesting capability (e.g., a UE including an energy harvesting device) to have sufficient time to harvest a sufficient amount of energy to perform the next communication of the initial network access process.

[0008] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a user equipment (UE). The UE receives configuration information associated with an initial network access procedure, wherein the configuration information is based on at least one of an energy harvesting class of the apparatus, a current charging rate of the apparatus, a current discharging rate of the apparatus, or a current energy state of the apparatus. The UE performs at least part of the initial network access procedure based on the configuration information.

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a network node. The network node sends configuration information associated with an initial network access procedure, wherein the configuration information is based on at least one of an energy harvesting category of a user equipment (UE), a current charging rate of the UE, a current discharging rate of the UE, or a current energy state of the UE. The network access node performs at least part of the initial network access procedure based on the configuration information.

[0010] To achieve the foregoing and related ends, one or more aspects include the features fully described below and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the accompanying drawings set forth in detail some illustrative features of one or more aspects. However, these features are merely indicative of some of the various ways in which the principles of the various aspects may be employed, and this specification is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and an access network.

[0012] Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 2C and Figure 2D 2 are diagrams illustrating examples of a first 5G / NR frame, a DL channel within a 5G / NR subframe, a second 5G / NR frame, and a UL channel within a 5G / NR subframe, respectively.

[0013] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a base station and a user equipment (UE) in an access network.

[0014] Figure 4 A diagram illustrating an example decomposed base station architecture is shown.

[0015] Figure 5 is a signal flow diagram illustrating an example four-step random access procedure performed between a UE and a network node.

[0016] Figure 6 is a signal flow diagram illustrating an example two-step random access procedure performed between a UE and a network node.

[0017] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B is a signal flow diagram according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 8 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication.

[0019] Fig. 9 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication.

[0020] Fig.10 is a conceptual data flow diagram illustrating the flow of data between different parts / components in an example apparatus.

[0021] Fig.11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus employing a processing system.

[0022] Fig.12 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication.

[0023] Fig.13 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication.

[0024] Fig.14 is a conceptual data flow diagram illustrating the flow of data between different parts / components in an example apparatus.

[0025] Fig.15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus employing a processing system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The specific embodiments described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings are intended as descriptions of various configurations and are not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. In order to provide a thorough understanding of the various concepts, the specific embodiments include specific details. However, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring such concepts.

[0027] Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be presented with reference to various apparatus and methods. These apparatus and methods will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). These elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0028] As an example, an element, or any part of an element, or any combination of elements can be implemented as a "processing system", which includes one or more processors. The example of a processor includes a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processor, a system on a chip (SoC), a baseband processor, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device (PLD), a state machine, a gate logic piece, a discrete hardware circuit and other suitable hardware configured to perform various functionalities described throughout the present disclosure. One or more processors in a processing system can execute software. Whether it is referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language or other names, software should be widely interpreted as meaning instructions, instruction sets, codes, code segments, program codes, programs, subroutines, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, processes, functions, etc.

[0029] Therefore, in one or more example embodiments, the described functions can be implemented with hardware, software or any combination thereof. If implemented with software, the functions can be stored or encoded on a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or codes. Computer-readable media include computer storage media. Storage media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disk storage device, magnetic disk storage device, other magnetic storage devices, a combination of computer-readable media of the above type, or any other medium that can be used to store computer executable code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed by a computer.

[0030] Figure 1 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and an access network 100. The wireless communication system (which is also referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) includes a base station 102, a UE 104, an evolved packet core (EPC) 160, and another core network 190 (e.g., a 5G core (5GC)). The base station 102 may include a macro cell (a high-power cellular base station) and / or a small cell (a low-power cellular base station). A macro cell includes a base station. A small cell includes a femto cell, a pico cell, and a micro cell.

[0031] Base stations 102 configured for 4G LTE (collectively referred to as Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) may interface with EPC 160 via a backhaul link 132 (e.g., an S1 interface). Base stations 102 configured for 5G NR (collectively referred to as Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN)) may interface with core network 190 via a backhaul link 184. Base stations 102 may perform one or more of the following functions, among other functions: transmission of user data, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection setup and release, load balancing, distribution of non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, radio access network (RAN) sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and equipment tracking, RAN information management (RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of warning messages. Base stations 102 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (eg, through EPC 160 or core network 190) via backhaul links 134 (eg, X2 interfaces). Backhaul links 134 may be wired or wireless.

[0032] Base station 102 can communicate wirelessly with UE 104. Each of base stations 102 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 110. There may be overlapping geographic coverage areas 110. For example, a small cell 102' can have a coverage area 110' that overlaps with the coverage area 110 of one or more macro base stations 102. A network including both small cells and macro cells can be referred to as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network can also include a home evolved Node B (eNB) (HeNB), which can provide services to a restricted group called a closed subscriber group (CSG). The communication link 120 between base station 102 and UE 104 can include an uplink (UL) (also called a reverse link) transmission from UE 104 to base station 102 and / or a downlink (DL) (also called a forward link) transmission from base station 102 to UE 104. The communication link 120 can use multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming and / or transmit diversity. The communication link can be through one or more carriers. For each carrier allocated in the carrier aggregation for a total of up to Yx MHz (x component carriers) for transmission in each direction, the base station 102 / UE 104 can use spectrum with a bandwidth of up to Y MHz (e.g., 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz, 20 MHz, 100 MHz, 400 MHz, etc.). The carriers may be adjacent to each other 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 ​​compared to UL). The component carrier may include a primary component carrier and one or more secondary component carriers. The primary component carrier may be referred to as a primary cell (PCell) and the secondary component carrier may be referred to as a secondary cell (SCell).

[0033] Some UEs 104 may communicate with each other using a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 158. The D2D communication link 158 may use DL / UL WWAN spectrum. 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), and a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH). The D2D communication may be through various wireless D2D communication systems, such as, for example, FlashLinQ, WiMedia, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi based on IEEE 802.11 standards, LTE, or NR.

[0034] The wireless communication system may also include a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 150 that communicates with a Wi-Fi station (STA) 152 via a communication link 154 in the 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum. When communicating in the unlicensed spectrum, the STA 152 / AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) to determine whether the channel is available prior to communication.

[0035] The small cell 102' may operate in licensed and / or unlicensed spectrum. When operating in the unlicensed spectrum, the small cell 102' may employ NR and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum used by the Wi-Fi AP 150. The small cell 102' employing NR in the unlicensed spectrum may improve the coverage of the access network and / or increase the capacity of the access network.

[0036] The base station 102, whether a small cell 102' or a large cell (e.g., a macro base station), may include an eNB, a gNodeB (gNB), or another type of base station. Some base stations, such as gNB 180, may operate in traditional sub-6 GHz spectrum, millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies, and / or near mmW frequencies to communicate with UE 104. When the gNB 180 operates at mmW or near mmW frequencies, the gNB 180 may be referred to as a mmW base station. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is a portion of the RF in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz and a wavelength between 1 mm and 10 mm. Radio waves in this band may be referred to as millimeter waves. Near mmW may extend down to frequencies of 3 GHz, where the wavelength is 100 mm. The super high frequency (SHF) band extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz, which is also referred to as centimeter waves. Communications using mmW / near mmW radio frequency bands (e.g., 3 GHz-300 GHz) have extremely high path losses and shorter distances. The mmW base station 180 may use beamforming 182 with the UE 104 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range.

[0037] Base station 180 may send beamformed signals to UE 104 in one or more transmit directions 182'. UE 104 may receive beamformed signals from base station 180 in one or more receive directions 182". UE 104 may also send beamformed signals to base station 180 in one or more transmit directions. Base station 180 may receive beamformed signals from UE 104 in one or more receive directions. Base station 180 / UE 104 may perform beam training to determine the best receive direction and transmit direction for each of base station 180 / UE 104. The transmit direction and receive direction of base station 180 may be the same or different. The transmit direction and receive direction of UE 104 may be the same or different.

[0038] The EPC 160 may include 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 a packet data network (PDN) gateway 172. 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. Typically, the MME 162 provides bearer and connection management. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are transmitted 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 IP services 176. The IP services 176 may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), a PS streaming service, and / or other IP services. 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 in a public land mobile network (PLMN), and may be used to schedule MBMS delivery. The MBMS gateway 168 may be used to distribute MBMS services to base stations 102 belonging to a multicast broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) area that broadcasts a specific service, and may be responsible for session management (start / stop) and for collecting eMBMS-related billing information.

[0039] The core network 190 may include an access and mobility management function (AMF) 192, other AMFs 193, a session management function (SMF) 194, and a user plane function (UPF) 195. The AMF 192 may communicate with a unified data management (UDM) 196. The AMF 192 is a control node that handles signaling between the UE 104 and the core network 190. Generally speaking, the AMF 192 provides QoS flow and session management. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are transmitted through the UPF 195. The UPF 195 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. The UPF 195 is connected to an IP service 197. The IP service 197 may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), a PS streaming service, and / or other IP services.

[0040] Base stations may also be referred to as gNBs, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs), access points, base transceivers, radio base stations, radio transceivers, transceiver functions, basic service sets (BSSs), extended service sets (ESSs), transmit receive points (TRPs), or some other suitable terminology. Base stations 102 provide access points to EPC 160 or core network 190 for UEs 104. Examples of UEs 104 include cellular phones, smart phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs), satellite radios, global positioning systems, multimedia devices, video devices, digital audio players (e.g., MP3 players), cameras, game consoles, tablets, smart devices, wearable devices, vehicles, electric meters, gas pumps, large or small kitchen appliances, healthcare devices, implants, sensors / actuators, displays, or any other similarly functional devices. Some of the UEs 104 may be referred to as IoT devices (e.g., parking meters, gas pumps, toasters, vehicles, heart monitors, etc.). UE 104 may also be referred to as a station, a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable terminology.

[0041] Reference again Figure 1 In some aspects, the UE 104 may be configured to use the configuration information to perform at least a portion of the initial network access procedure (198) based on the UE's energy harvesting class, the UE's current charging rate, the UE's current discharging rate (e.g., the rate at which energy (power) is consumed at the UE and / or the rate at which energy is leaked from the UE's power source (e.g., battery) due to damage or defects, etc.), and / or the UE's current energy state. Although the following description may focus on 5G NR, the concepts described herein may be applicable to other similar fields, such as LTE, LTE-A, CDMA, GSM, and other wireless technologies.

[0042] Figure 2A 200 is a diagram illustrating an example of a first subframe within a 5G / NR frame structure. Figure 2B FIG230 is a diagram illustrating an example of DL channels within a 5G / NR subframe. Figure 2C 250 is a diagram illustrating an example of a second subframe within a 5G / NR frame structure. Figure 2DFIG280 is a diagram illustrating an example of UL channels within a 5G / NR subframe. The 5G / NR frame structure may be FDD, where for a particular set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), subframes within that subcarrier set are dedicated to either DL or UL, or may be TDD, where for a particular set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), subframes within that subcarrier set are dedicated to both DL and UL. Figure 2A , Figure 2C In the example provided, it is assumed that the 5G / NR frame structure is TDD, where subframe 4 is configured with slot format 28 (mainly DL), where D is DL, U is UL, and X is used flexibly between DL / UL, and subframe 3 is configured with slot format 34 (mostly UL). Although subframes 3 and 4 are shown as having slot formats 34 and 28, respectively, any particular subframe may be configured with any of the various available slot formats 0-61. Slot formats 0 and 1 are both DL and both UL, respectively. Other slot formats 2-61 include a mixture of DL, UL and flexible symbols. The slot format is configured for the UE by a received slot format indicator (SFI) (dynamically configured by DL control information (DCI) or semi-statically / statically configured by radio resource control (RRC) signaling). Note that the following description also applies to the 5G / NR frame structure for TDD.

[0043] Other wireless communication technologies may have different frame structures and / or different channels. A frame (10ms) may be divided into 10 subframes of equal size (1ms). Each subframe may include one or more time slots. A subframe may also include a microslot, which may include 7, 4, or 2 symbols. Each time slot may include 7 or 14 symbols, depending on the time slot configuration. For time slot configuration 0, each time slot may include 14 symbols, and for time slot configuration 1, each time slot may include 7 symbols. The symbols on the DL may be cyclic prefix (CP) OFDM (CP-OFDM) symbols. The symbols on the UL may be CP-OFDM symbols (for high throughput scenarios) or discrete Fourier transform (DFT) spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) symbols (also called single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) symbols) (for power-limited scenarios; limited to single stream transmission). The number of time slots in a subframe is based on the time slot configuration and parameter set. For slot configuration 0, different parameter sets μ0 to 5 allow 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 slots per subframe, respectively. For slot configuration 1, different parameter sets 0 to 2 allow 2, 4, and 8 slots per subframe, respectively. Accordingly, for slot configuration 0 and parameter set μ, there are 14 symbols per slot and 2 per subframe. μ time slots. The subcarrier spacing and symbol length / duration are functions of the parameter set. The subcarrier spacing can be equal to 2 μ*15kKz, where μ is parameter set 0 to 5. Therefore, the subcarrier spacing for parameter set μ=0 is 15kHz, and the subcarrier spacing for parameter set μ=5 is 480kHz. The symbol length / duration is inversely related to the subcarrier spacing. FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D An example is provided for slot configuration 0 with 14 symbols per slot and parameter set μ=0 with 1 slot per subframe. The subcarrier spacing is 15 kHz and the symbol duration is about 66.7 μs.

[0044] A resource grid may be used to represent the frame structure. Each slot includes a resource block (RB) (also referred to as a physical RB (PRB)) extending over 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.

[0045] like Figure 2A As illustrated, some of the REs carry reference (pilot) signals (RS) for the UE. The RS may include a demodulation RS (DM-RS) for channel estimation at the UE (indicated as R for a particular configuration). x , where 100x is the port number, but other DM-RS configurations are possible) and a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). RS may also include a beam measurement RS (BRS), a beam refinement RS (BRRS), and a phase tracking RS (PT-RS).

[0046] Figure 2B 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 including nine RE groups (REGs), each REG including four consecutive REs in an OFDM symbol. The primary synchronization signal (PSS) may be within symbol 2 of a specific subframe of the frame. The PSS is used by UE 104 to determine the subframe / symbol timing and the physical layer identity. The secondary synchronization signal (SSS) may be within symbol 4 of a specific subframe of the frame. The SSS is used by the UE to determine the physical layer cell identity group number and the radio frame timing. Based on the physical layer identity and the physical layer cell identity group number, the UE can determine the physical cell identifier (PCI). Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the location of the aforementioned DM-RS. 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 (abbreviated as SSB in this article). The MIB provides the system frame number (SFN) and the number of RBs in the system bandwidth. The Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information such as System Information Blocks (SIBs) not sent through the PBCH, and paging messages.

[0047] like Figure 2CAs illustrated, some of the REs carry DM-RS (indicated as R for a particular configuration, but other DM-RS configurations are possible) for channel estimation at the base station. The UE may send DM-RS for a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and DM-RS for a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). The PUSCH DM-RS may be sent in the first or first two symbols of the PUSCH. Depending on whether a short PUCCH or a long PUCCH is sent and depending on the specific PUCCH format used, the PUCCH DM-RS may be sent in different configurations. Although not shown, the UE may send a sounding reference signal (SRS). The SRS may be used by the base station for channel quality estimation to enable frequency-dependent scheduling of the UL.

[0048] Figure 2D 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 hybrid automatic repeat request (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.

[0049] Figure 33 is a block diagram of a base station 310 in an access network communicating with a UE 350. In the DL, IP packets from the EPC 160 may be provided to a controller / processor 375. The controller / processor 375 implements layer 3 and layer 2 functionality. Layer 3 includes a radio resource control (RRC) layer, and layer 2 includes a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, and a medium access control (MAC) layer. The controller / processor 375 provides RRC layer functionality associated with broadcasting of system information (e.g., MIB, SIB), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter-radio access technology (RAT) mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression, security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functionality associated with delivery of upper layer packet data units (PDUs), error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0050] The transmit (TX) processor 316 and receive (RX) processor 370 implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1 (which includes the physical (PHY) layer) may include error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (FEC) coding / decoding of the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping to the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing. The TX processor 316 processes the mapping to the signal constellation based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), M-order phase shift keying (M-PSK), M-order quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The coded and modulated symbols can then be split into parallel streams. Each stream can then be mapped to an OFDM subcarrier, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., pilot) in the time and / or frequency domain, and then combined using an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a time domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM stream is spatially pre-coded to generate multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from a channel estimator 374 may be used to determine the coding and modulation schemes, as well as for spatial processing. Channel estimates may be derived based on reference signals and / or channel condition feedback sent by the UE 350. Each spatial stream may then be provided to a different antenna 320 via a separate transmitter 318TX. Each transmitter 318TX may modulate an RF carrier with a corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0051] At the UE 350, each receiver 354RX receives a signal through its corresponding antenna 352. Each receiver 354RX recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides the information to a receive (RX) processor 356. The TX processor 368 and the RX processor 356 implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. The RX processor 356 can perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial stream destined for the UE 350. If multiple spatial streams are destined for the UE 350, they can be combined into a single OFDM symbol stream by the RX processor 356. The RX processor 356 then converts the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain using a fast Fourier transform (FFT). The frequency domain signal includes a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on each subcarrier and the reference signal are recovered and demodulated by determining the signal constellation point most likely to be sent by the base station 310. These soft decisions can be based on channel estimates calculated by the channel estimator 358. The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally sent on the physical channel by the base station 310. The data and control signals are then provided to the controller / processor 359, which implements layer 3 and layer 2 functionality.

[0052] The controller / processor 359 may be associated with a memory 360 that stores program codes and data. The memory 360 may be referred to as a computer readable medium. In the UL, the controller / processor 359 provides demultiplexing between transport channels and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the EPC 160. The controller / processor 359 is also responsible for error detection using an ACK and / or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

[0053] Similar to the functionality described in conjunction with DL transmissions performed by the base station 310, the controller / processor 359 provides RRC layer functionality associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) acquisition, RRC connection, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functionality associated with delivery of upper layer PDUs, error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation and reassembly of RLC SDUs, resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto TBs, demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0054] Channel estimates derived by the channel estimator 358 based on a reference signal or feedback transmitted by the base station 310 may be used by the TX processor 368 to select appropriate coding and modulation schemes and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by the TX processor 368 may be provided to different antennas 352 via corresponding transmitters 354TX. Each transmitter 354TX may modulate an RF carrier with a corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0055] UL transmissions are processed at the base station 310 in a manner similar to that described in conjunction with the receiver functionality at the UE 350. Each receiver 318RX receives a signal through its respective antenna 320. Each receiver 318RX recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to a RX processor 370.

[0056] The controller / processor 375 may be associated with a memory 376 that stores program codes and data. The memory 376 may be referred to as a computer readable medium. In the UL, the controller / processor 375 provides demultiplexing between transport channels and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, control signal processing to recover IP packets from the UE 350. The IP packets from the controller / processor 375 may be provided to the EPC 160. The controller / processor 375 is also responsible for error detection using ACK and / or NACK protocols to support HARQ operations.

[0057] At least one of the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359 may be configured to combine Figure 1 The 198 came to execute all aspects.

[0058] The deployment of a communication system (such as a 5G New Radio (NR) system) can be arranged with various components or constituent parts in a variety of ways. In a 5G NR system or network, a network node, a network entity, a mobility element of a network, a radio access network (RAN) node, a core network node, a network element or a network equipment (such as a base station (BS), or one or more units (or one or more components) that perform base station functionality can be implemented in an aggregated or decomposed architecture. For example, a BS (such as a Node B (NB), an evolved NB (eNB), an NR BS, a 5G NB, an access point (AP), a transmit receive point (TRP) or a cell, etc.) can be implemented as an aggregated base station (also referred to as an independent BS or a monolithic BS) or a decomposed base station.

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

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

[0061] Figure 4 A diagram illustrating an example disaggregated base station 400 architecture is shown. The disaggregated base station 400 architecture may include one or more central units (CUs) 410 that may communicate directly with a core network 420 via a backhaul link, or indirectly with the core network 420 through one or more disaggregated base station units, such as a near real-time (near-RT) RAN intelligent controller (RIC) 425 via an E2 link, or a non-real-time (non-RT) RIC 415 associated with a service management and orchestration (SMO) framework 405, or both. The CU 410 may communicate with one or more distributed units (DUs) 430 via respective midhaul links, such as an F1 interface. The DU 430 may communicate with one or more radio units (RUs) 440 via respective fronthaul links. The RU 440 may communicate with respective UEs 120 via one or more radio frequency (RF) access links. In some implementations, a UE 120 may be served simultaneously by multiple RUs 440.

[0062] Each of the units (i.e., CU 410, DU 430, RU 440, and near-RT RIC 425, non-RT RIC 415, and SMO framework 405) may include or be coupled to one or more interfaces configured to receive or send signals, data, or information (collectively, signals) via a wired or wireless transmission medium. Each of the 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, 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 or send signals, or both, to one or more of the other units on a wireless transmission medium.

[0063] In some aspects, CU 410 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 configured to communicate signals with other control functions hosted by CU 410. CU410 may be configured to handle user plane functionality (i.e., central unit-user plane (CU-UP)), control plane functionality (i.e., central unit-control plane (CU-CP)), or a combination thereof. In some specific implementations, CU 410 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 410 may be implemented to communicate with DU 430 for network control and signaling.

[0064] DU 430 may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more base station functions for controlling the operation of one or more RUs 440. In some aspects, DU 430 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 that defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). In some aspects, DU 430 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 430 or with control functions hosted by CU 410.

[0065] The lower layer functionality may be implemented by one or more RUs 440. In some deployments, a RU 440 controlled by a DU 430 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 440 may be implemented to handle over-the-air (OTA) communications with one or more UEs 120. In some implementations, real-time and non-real-time aspects of control plane and user plane communications with the RU 440 may be controlled by the corresponding DU 430. In some scenarios, this configuration may enable the implementation of the DU 430 and the CU 410 in a cloud-based RAN architecture (such as a vRAN architecture).

[0066] The SMO framework 405 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 405 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 405 may be configured to interact with a cloud computing platform (such as an open cloud (O-Cloud) 490) to perform network element lifecycle management (such as instantiating virtualized network elements) via a cloud computing platform interface (such as an O2 interface). Such virtualized network elements may include, but are not limited to, CU 410, DU 430, RU 440, and near-RT RIC 425. In some specific implementations, the SMO framework 405 may communicate with hardware aspects of the 4G RAN (such as an open eNB (O-eNB) 411) via the O1 interface. Additionally, in some specific implementations, the SMO framework 405 may communicate directly with one or more RUs 440 via the O1 interface. The SMO framework 405 may also include a non-RT RIC 415 configured to support the functionality of the SMO framework 405 .

[0067] The non-RT RIC 415 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 425. The non-RT RIC 415 may be coupled to or in communication with the near-RT RIC 425 (such as via an A1 interface). The near-RT RIC 425 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 410, one or more DUs 430, or both, and the O-eNB with the near-RT RIC 425.

[0068] In some implementations, in order to generate an AI / ML model to be deployed in the near-RT RIC 425, the non-RT RIC 415 may receive parameters or external enrichment information from an external server. Such information may be utilized by the near-RT RIC 425 and may be received from a non-network data source or from a network function at the SMO framework 405 or the non-RT RIC 415. In some examples, the non-RT RIC 415 or the near-RT RIC 425 may be configured to tune RAN behavior or performance. For example, the non-RT RIC 415 may monitor long-term trends and patterns of performance and employ AI / ML models to perform corrective actions through the SMO framework 405 (such as via reconfiguration of O1) or via the creation of RAN management policies (such as A1 policies).

[0069] Energy harvesting technology has gained attention in the context of UEs with reduced capabilities (e.g., RedCap devices) and passive Internet of Things (PIoT) devices (e.g., radio frequency identification (RFID) tags). Devices powered by energy harvesting can opportunistically harvest energy from sources available in their environment (such as solar energy, thermal energy, and ambient RF radiation, etc.) and can store this energy in a rechargeable battery.

[0070] In some examples, a UE (e.g., including an advanced UE such as a smart phone) may implement an energy harvesting device to charge a battery of the UE. In other examples, a sensor device for sending identification and / or tracking information may implement an energy harvesting device to provide all or part of the energy required for the operation of the sensor device. For example, if the sensor device needs to send a tracking signal intermittently, the sensor device may use the energy harvested during the period after sending the tracking signal to power the next sending of the tracking signal.

[0071] Protocol enhancements that support operations using intermittently available energy harvested from the environment are becoming increasingly valuable. For example, mobile communication networks (e.g., 5G NR networks) may support energy harvesting-capable communication services (EHECS) for UEs with energy harvesting capabilities, which may include power supply, security, access control / connectivity management, positioning, and other functions. Such protocol enhancements may take into account the amount of energy harvested at the UE and changes in the UE's network services. However, devices operating with intermittently available energy harvested from the environment may not be able to perform continuous communications within a certain time window and / or may not be able to maintain continuous reception / transmission for a long time. It should be noted that devices powered by energy harvesting may not be limited to RedCap use cases, and the solution should also be applicable to non-RedCap use cases.

[0072] A UE with energy harvesting capability may have difficulty performing an initial network access procedure with a network node of a wireless communication network in a scenario where the UE has a low energy state (e.g., a battery level below a threshold), a low charging rate (e.g., a battery charging rate below a first threshold), and / or a high discharging rate (e.g., a battery discharging rate greater than or equal to a second threshold). Various aspects described herein may overcome these difficulties encountered by a UE when performing an initial network access procedure.

[0073] Figure 5 5 is a signal flow diagram 500 illustrating an example four-step random access channel (RACH) procedure performed between a UE 502 and a network node 504. The network node 504 may be a base station. The four-step RACH procedure may be a contention-based random access procedure (CBRA) and may be initiated by the UE 502 to achieve initial access to the network (e.g., to achieve UL synchronization with the network node 504).

[0074] UE 502 may receive SSB 506 and system information block (SIB1) 508. SIB1 508 may include random access channel (RACH) configuration information. UE 502 may receive SIB1 508 using PDSCH resources indicated by PDCCH.

[0075] The UE 502 may initiate a four-step RACH procedure by sending a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble in a message 1 (Msg1) 510. The message 1 (Msg1) 510 may be referred to as a random access message and may be the initial message of the four-step RACH procedure. Upon detecting the PRACH preamble, the network node 504 responds with a message 2 (Msg2) 512 including a random access response (RAR). The network node 504 may use the PDCCH for scheduling and the PDSCH for sending the message 2 (Msg2) 512. The message 2 512 may include a timing advance, an UL grant, and a temporary cell radio network temporary identifier (TC-RNTI) for the UE 502 to send a message 3 (Msg3) 514 using the PUSCH.

[0076] UE 502 may use PUSCH to send message 3 (Msg3) 514. Message 3 (Msg3) 514 may include RRC connection request, scheduling request, buffer status and / or other information (e.g., small data). Network node 504 may use PDCCH for scheduling and PDSCH for sending message 4 (Msg4) 516 to send contention resolution via message 4 (Msg4) 516.

[0077] Figure 66 is a signal flow diagram illustrating an example two-step random access channel (RACH) procedure performed between a UE 602 and a network node 604. Use cases of the two-step RACH procedure include transitioning from an RRC idle or inactive state to an RRC connected state, sending small data in an RRC idle or inactive state, and handing over from a source cell to a target cell in an RRC connected mode. In an RRC connected mode, the UE 602 recovers from a loss of UL synchronization.

[0078] The two-step RACH procedure may be a contention-based random access procedure (CBRA) and may be initiated by the UE 602 to achieve initial access to the network (eg, to achieve UL synchronization with the network node 604). Figure 6 As shown, UE 602 may receive cell detection information 606 from network node 604. In some aspects of the present disclosure, cell detection information 606 may include SSB, SIB, RS and / or RRC signaling. At 608, UE 602 may acquire downlink synchronization, decode system information (SI), and may perform one or more measurements.

[0079] UE 602 may initiate a two-step RACH procedure by sending a message A (msgA) preamble 610 to network node 604. The msgA preamble 610 may be referred to as a random access message and may be sent on the PRACH. UE 602 may use the PUSCH to send a message A (msgA) payload 612. The msgA payload 612 may carry an RRC request, a buffer status report, and / or other suitable information. In some examples, the msgA payload 612 may include a reference Figure 5 The information (eg, small data) contained in message 3 (Msg3) 514 of the four-step RACH procedure is depicted. The transmission of the msgA preamble 610 and msgA payload 612 represents step 1 of the two-step RACH procedure.

[0080] At 614, the network node 604 processes the msgA preamble 610. Upon detecting the preamble, at 616, the network node 604 processes the msgA payload 612.

[0081] The network node 604 responds by sending a message B (msgB) PDCCH 618 for scheduling a message B (msgB) PDSCH. The network node 604 sends a msgB PDSCH 620, which may include at least a reference Figure 5 The four-step RACH process is described with reference to the information contained in message 2 (Msg2) 512 and message 4 (Msg4) 516. The UE 602 may acknowledge the Message B PDSCH 620 via a HARQ Acknowledgement (ACK) message 622 using the PUCCH.

[0082] The various aspects described herein include configuration of a threshold value, a power control parameter, and other parameters and information associated with an initial network access procedure (e.g., a four-step RACH procedure, a two-step RACH procedure) for a UE based on one or more of an energy harvesting category of the UE, a current charging rate of the UE, a current discharging rate of the UE, and a current energy state of the UE. The various aspects described herein also include a manner of indicating the threshold value, the power control parameter, and other parameters and information associated with an initial network access procedure (also referred to as an initial access procedure) to the UE.

[0083] The various aspects described herein also include configuration of the earliest time at which the UE can perform the next communication of the initial network access message and a manner of indicating the earliest time to the network node. These aspects can adjust the timing (e.g., delay) of one or more communications of the initial network access process to allow a device with energy harvesting capability (e.g., a UE including an energy harvesting device) to have sufficient time to harvest a sufficient amount of energy to perform the next communication of the initial network access process.

[0084] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B 7 is a signal flow diagram 700 in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The signal flow diagram 700 includes a UE 702 and a network node 704. In some examples, the network node 704 may be a base station.

[0085] UE 702 may send message 706 including capability information (also referred to as a capability report) of UE 702. The capability information may indicate one or more of an energy harvesting class of UE 702, a current charging rate of UE 702, a current discharging rate of UE 702, and a current energy state of UE 702.

[0086] In some aspects, the energy harvesting class of the UE 702 may be associated with one or more of a minimum charging rate of the UE 702, a default charging rate of the UE 702, a minimum discharge rate of the UE 702, a default discharge rate of the UE 702, energy harvesting types supported at the UE 702, a minimum time gap between communications at the UE 702, and a capacity of an energy source of the UE 702. For example, multiple energy harvesting classes may be defined, and a UE (e.g., the UE 702) may belong to one of the multiple energy harvesting classes.

[0087] In some examples, each energy harvesting class may be assigned a different numerical value or a different label (e.g., "class_1," "class_2," "class_3," etc.). In some examples, the energy harvesting class of a UE may be an indication of the performance level of the UE with respect to energy harvesting and / or use and management of a power source (e.g., a battery). In one non-limiting example, a first UE having a higher minimum or default charging rate, a lower minimum or default discharge rate, a higher minimum time gap between communications, and a higher capacity energy source (e.g., a battery) may belong to a higher energy harvesting class (e.g., class_1) relative to a second UE having a lower minimum or default charging rate, a higher minimum or default discharge rate, a higher minimum time gap between communications, and a lower capacity energy source (e.g., a battery). In such an example, the second UE may belong to a lower energy harvesting class (e.g., class_3) relative to the first UE.

[0088] For example, the minimum charge rate of UE 702 may indicate a minimum rate at which a battery of UE 702 may receive charge (e.g., from one or more energy harvesting devices of UE 702). For example, the minimum rate of charge may be indicated as a numerical value in ampere-hours (Ah). For example, the default charge rate of UE 702 may indicate an average or expected rate at which a battery of UE 702 may receive charge (e.g., from one or more energy harvesting devices of UE 702). For example, the default rate of charge may be indicated as a numerical value in ampere-hours (Ah).

[0089] For example, the minimum discharge rate of the UE may indicate the minimum power consumption at the UE due to the operation of one or more of the radio frequency (RF) components, hardware components, and signal processing components of the UE, any charge or energy loss over time due to leakage or defects of the UE's power supply (e.g., an energy storage unit such as a battery), and / or other reasons or circumstances that may cause the UE's power supply to be discharged. For example, the default discharge rate of the UE may indicate the average or expected power consumption at the UE due to the operation of one or more of the radio frequency (RF) components, hardware components, and signal processing components of the UE, any charge or energy loss over time due to leakage or defects of the UE's power supply (e.g., an energy storage unit such as a battery), and / or other reasons or circumstances that may cause the UE's power supply to be discharged.

[0090] For example, the types of energy harvesting supported at the UE 702 may include one or more types of energy harvesting technologies, such as radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting, solar energy harvesting, laser-based energy harvesting, and any other suitable types of energy harvesting technologies. In some implementations, the UE 702 may include at least one energy harvesting device to support one type of energy harvesting technology. In other implementations, the UE 702 may include multiple energy harvesting devices to support multiple types of energy harvesting technologies.

[0091] In some aspects, the minimum time gap between communications at UE 702 may indicate a minimum amount of time that may be required for UE 702 to perform two communications. In some examples, the two communications performed at UE 702 may be consecutive communications. In some examples, the two communications may include sending a first signal from UE 702, followed by sending a second signal from UE 702. In some examples, the two communications may include receiving a first signal at UE 702, followed by receiving a second signal at UE 702. In some examples, the two communications may include sending a first signal from UE 702, followed by receiving a second signal at UE 702. In some examples, the two communications may include receiving a first signal at UE 702, followed by sending a second signal from UE 702.

[0092] In some aspects, the capacity of the energy source of the UE 702 may indicate the total amount of charge that can be stored by the battery of the UE 702. In some examples, the capacity of the energy source of the UE 702 may be indicated as a numerical value in ampere-hours (Ah) or other suitable units. The capacity of the energy source of the UE 702 may determine the number of signal receptions and / or signal transmissions that the UE 702 can perform within a certain duration.

[0093] The current charging rate of UE 702 may indicate the rate at which charge is currently being delivered to a battery of UE 702. For example, the rate of charge may be indicated as a numerical value in ampere-hours (Ah). In some examples, all or a portion of the charge currently being delivered to a battery of UE 702 may be generated by one or more energy harvesting devices of UE 702. For example, if UE 702 includes a solar energy harvesting device configured to charge a battery of UE 702, the current charging rate of UE 702 may increase as the amount of sunlight reaching the solar energy harvesting device increases, or may decrease as the amount of sunlight reaching the solar energy harvesting device decreases.

[0094] The current discharge rate of the UE 702 may indicate a rate at which energy (power) is consumed at the UE 702 and / or a rate at which energy is leaking from a power source (e.g., a battery) of the UE 702 due to damage or defects, etc. In some examples, the current charge and / or discharge rate of the UE 702 may be quantified (mapped to a smaller set of possible values) at the UE 702 based on (pre-)configured thresholds as defined in a communication standard or specification or as indicated to the UE 702 by explicit signaling from the network node 704. In some examples, such thresholds may be updated and provided to the UE 702 via signaling (e.g., using L1 / L2 / L3 signaling).

[0095] The current energy state of UE 702 may indicate an amount of electrical energy (e.g., charge) currently stored in a battery of UE 702. In some examples, the amount of electrical energy currently stored in the battery of UE 702 may be indicated as a numerical value in ampere-hours (Ah). In some examples, the amount of electrical energy currently stored in the battery of UE 702 may be indicated as a percentage relative to a total storage capacity of the battery.

[0096] At 707, the network node 704 may generate configuration information associated with an initial network access procedure (e.g., a four-step RACH procedure, a two-step RACH procedure) based on at least one of the energy harvesting class of the UE, the current charging rate of the UE, the current discharging rate of the UE, or the current energy state of the UE. The network node 704 may send a message 708 including the configuration information.

[0097] UE 702 may receive a message 708 including configuration information associated with an initial network access procedure (e.g., a four-step RACH procedure, a two-step RACH procedure). In various aspects described herein, the configuration information is based on one or more of the energy harvesting category of the UE, the current charging rate of the UE, the current discharging rate of the UE, and the current energy state of the UE as previously described.

[0098] The configuration information in the message 708 may include one or more thresholds for one or more signal measurements associated with the initial network access process. For example, the configuration information may include a reference signal received power (RSRP) threshold for CSI-RS (rsrp-ThresholdCSI-RS), an RSRP threshold for SSB (rsrp-ThresholdSSB), and / or an RSRP threshold for selecting between a normal UL (NUL) carrier and a secondary UL (SUL) carrier (rsrp-ThresholdSSB-SUL). In some examples, the RSRP threshold for SSB may serve as an RSRP threshold for beam failure recovery at the UE 702.

[0099] The configuration information in the message 708 may include power control information for signal transmissions (such as random access preamble transmissions) from the UE 702. For example, the power control information may include a preamble received target power (preambleReceivedTargetPower) indicating the amount of power to be used by the UE 702 for random access preamble transmissions. The power control information may include a maximum number of random access preamble transmissions that the UE 702 is allowed to perform.

[0100] The power control information may include one or more of a power ramp factor (powerRampingStep), a power ramp factor (powerRampingStepHighPriority) for a prioritized random access procedure, and a scaling factor (scalingFactorBI) for a prioritized random access procedure.

[0101] The configuration information in message 708 may indicate one or more opportunities for sending signals associated with a random access procedure (e.g., a four-step RACH procedure, a two-step RACH procedure). In one example, the one or more opportunities may be indicated using a random access opportunity list parameter (ra-OccasionList), which defines a PRACH opportunity associated with a CSI-RS in which a MAC entity may send a random access preamble. In another example, the one or more opportunities may be indicated using a PRACH mask index (ra-ssb-OccasionMaskIndex), which defines a PRACH opportunity associated with an SSB in which a MAC entity may send a random access preamble.

[0102] In some examples, UE 702 may determine the amount of power to use for random access preamble transmission based on the following formula (1):

[0103] P PRACH = preambleReceivedTargetPower + DP + (PPRC-1)(PPRS) (Formula 1)

[0104] Where P PRACHrepresents the amount of power to be used for random access preamble transmission, preambleReceivedTargetPower represents an RRC parameter (e.g., from the network node 704) representing the amount of power to be used for random access preamble transmission, DP (also known as DELTA_PREAMBLE) represents a power offset value, PPRC (also known as PREAMBLE_POWER_RAMPING_COUNTER) represents the value of a counter that is incremented after each retransmission of the preamble, and PPRS (also known as PREAMBLE_POWER_RAMPING_STEP) represents a value derived from an RRC parameter indicating a power ramping factor (e.g., powerRampingStep).

[0105] In some examples, for a contention-free random access (CFRA) procedure, the UE 702 may be configured with SSB or CSI-RS random access resources. In one example, if the resources configured for the CFRA procedure include SSB resources, the UE may select an SSB with an SS-RSRP higher than rsrp-ThresholdSSB from the associated SSBs, and may select the corresponding random access resource. In another example, if the resources configured for the CFRA procedure include CSI-RS resources, the UE may select a CSI-RS with a CSI-RSRP higher than rsrp-ThresholdCSI-RS from the associated CSI-RSs, and may select the corresponding random access resource.

[0106] In some aspects, if the current energy state of the UE 702 is below a threshold, one or more signal measurement thresholds (e.g., rsrp-ThresholdSSB) associated with the beam selection operation may be reduced. This may enable a UE 702 with a low energy state (e.g., low battery charge) to search for and accept at least one beam more quickly, thereby reducing power consumption at the UE 702 and extending the operating time of the UE 702. In some aspects, if the current energy state of the UE 702 is greater than or equal to a threshold, one or more signal measurement thresholds (e.g., rsrp-ThresholdSSB) associated with the beam selection operation may be increased. This may enable the UE 702 to identify at least one high-quality beam before connecting to the network node 704 in a scenario where the UE 702 needs to reduce transmission / reception errors and avoid energy consumption due to retransmissions.

[0107] In some aspects, the configuration information in the message 708 may indicate one or more sizes of a time gap (also referred to as a maximum allowed time gap or a maximum time offset) that the UE 702 is allowed to request or apply. As described herein, the time gap may represent a minimum amount of time that the UE 702 may require between two communications performed at the UE. The one or more sizes of the time gap may be based on one or more of a current charging rate of the UE 702, a current discharging rate of the UE 702, a current energy state of the UE 702, and a parameter defined for an energy harvesting category of the UE 702.

[0108] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the UE 702 may receive a message 708 including configuration information via dedicated signaling during initial access or in connected mode. In some examples, the network node 704 may support multiple types of energy harvesting devices (e.g., RF energy harvesting devices, such as radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, solar energy harvesting devices, laser-based energy harvesting devices, etc.). Therefore, when the UE 702 reports its capability information, the network node 704 may determine the configuration information (e.g., one or more parameters and / or one or more parameter values) based on one or more of the energy harvesting category of the UE 702, the current charging rate of the UE 702, the current discharge rate of the UE 702, and the current energy state of the UE 702.

[0109] In some examples, the network node 704 may provide the configuration information via an SSB. Thus, in these examples, the message 708 may be an SSB. For example, the network node 704 may include the configuration information in a master information block (MIB) carried on a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) (e.g., a PBCH in an SSB).

[0110] In some examples, the network node 704 may provide the configuration information via a system information block (e.g., SIB1). Thus, in these examples, the message 708 may be SIB1. In one example, the network node 704 may include the configuration information in SIB1 and may send SIB1 on the PDSCH. In another example, the network node 704 may include the configuration information in a DCI for SIB1 and may send the DCI on the PDCCH. In some examples, the network node 704 may provide the configuration information via one or more other SIBs (OSIBs) that may be different from SIB1. The network node 704 may send one or more other SIBs on the PDCCH or PDSCH.

[0111] In some examples, the network node 704 may provide the configuration information in a message of the RACH procedure. For example, if the RACH procedure is a four-step RACH procedure (e.g., as described in reference Figure 7BIf the network node 704 includes the configuration information in a message 2 (Msg2) of the four-step RACH procedure (also referred to as a random access response (RAR) message) of the four-step RACH procedure, the network node 704 may provide the configuration information in a message 2 (Msg2) of the four-step RACH procedure. In one example, the network node 704 may include the configuration information in a PDDCH for the message 2 (Msg2). In another example, the network node 704 may include the configuration information in the message 2 (Msg2) and may send the message 2 (Msg2) in the PDSCH.

[0112] For example, if the RACH procedure is a four-step RACH procedure, the network node 704 may provide the configuration information in message 4 (Msg4) (also referred to as a contention resolution message) of the four-step RACH procedure. In one example, the network node 704 may include the configuration information in the DCI for message 4 (Msg4) and may send the DCI in the PDCCH. In another example, the network node 704 may include the configuration information in message 4 (Msg4) and may send the message 4 (Msg4) in the PDSCH.

[0113] For example, if the RACH procedure is a two-step RACH procedure (eg, as described in reference Figure 7B If the two-step RACH procedure 736 described in the foregoing description is used, the network node 704 may provide the configuration information in a message of the two-step RACH procedure (e.g., msgB PDCCH 742). In one example, the network node 704 may include the configuration information in a DCI, and may send the DCI in msgB PDCCH 742. In another example, the network node 704 may include the configuration information in msgB PDSCH 744.

[0114] As described above, the UE 702 may receive a message 708 including configuration information via dedicated signaling in the connected mode. For example, the message 708 may be an RRC message, a MAC control element (CE) message (also referred to as a MAC-CE message), a DCI, a SIB, a message sent in a PDSCH, or a wake-up signal (WUS) sent to the UE 702 using a Uu interface (also referred to as Uu-WUS signaling).

[0115] like Fig. 7AAs shown, at 710, UE 702 may obtain one or more signal measurements (e.g., reference signal measurements). In some examples, UE 702 may measure one or more signals from network node 704. For example, if a first signal (Signal_1) 712 from network node 704 is a reference signal (e.g., CSI-RS), UE 702 may measure the strength (e.g., RSRP) of the first signal (Signal_1) 712. In some examples, UE 702 may use other signals (such as Nth signal 714) from network node 704 to obtain additional or other signal measurements.

[0116] At 716, UE 702 may select resources for communications associated with the initial network access procedure based on one or more thresholds and one or more signal measurements in the configuration information. The resources may be NUL carriers, SUL carriers, or non-contention random access resources associated with SSB or CSI-RS.

[0117] refer to Figure 7B , UE 702 may perform at least a portion of the initial network access procedure based on the configuration information in message 708. For example, UE 702 may perform a four-step RACH procedure 718 (in Figure 7B Option A) or two-step RACH procedure 736 (indicated as option A in Figure 7B Indicates option B).

[0118] In the four-step RACH procedure 718, the UE 702 may initiate the four-step RACH procedure by sending a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble in a message 1 (Msg1) 720 at time t0 728. The message 1 (Msg1) 720 may be referred to as a random access message and may be the initial message of the four-step RACH procedure. Upon detecting the PRACH preamble, the network node 704 responds with a message 2 (Msg2) 722 (also referred to as a RAR message) received at the UE 702 at time t1 730. The network node 704 may use the PDCCH for scheduling and the PDSCH for sending the message 2 (Msg2) 722. The message 2 (Msg2) 722 may include an UL grant for the UE 702 to send a message 3 (Msg3) 724 using the PUSCH at time t2 732. The network node 704 may send contention resolution via message 4 (Msg4) 726 (which is received at the UE 702 at time t3 734) using the PDCCH for scheduling and the PDSCH for sending message 4 (Msg4) 726.

[0119] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the UE 702 may indicate a minimum amount of time (e.g., a minimum time gap) required between two communications associated with the four-step RACH procedure 718. In some examples, the UE 702 may indicate in message 1 (Msg1) 720 a first amount of time 762 required for the UE 702 to receive message 2 (Msg2) 722, wherein the first amount of time 762 is relative to sending message 1 (Msg1) 720 at time t0 728. In some examples, the UE 702 may indicate in message 1 (Msg1) 720 a second amount of time 764 required for the UE 702 to send message 3 (Msg3) 724, wherein the second amount of time 764 is relative to sending message 1 (Msg1) 720 at time t0 728. In some examples, UE 702 may indicate in message 1 (Msg1) 720 a third amount of time 766 required for UE 702 to send message 3 (Msg3) 724 , where third amount of time 766 is relative to receiving message 2 (Msg2) 722 at time t1 730 .

[0120] In some examples, UE 702 may indicate in message 1 (Msg1) 720 a fourth amount of time 768 required for UE 702 to receive message 4 (Msg4) 726, where the fourth amount of time 768 is relative to sending message 1 (Msg1) 720 at time t0 728. In some examples, UE 702 may indicate in message 1 (Msg1) 720 a fifth amount of time 770 required for UE 702 to receive message 4 (Msg4) 726, where the fifth amount of time 770 is relative to receiving message 2 (Msg2) 722 at time t1 730. In some examples, UE 702 may indicate in message 1 (Msg1) 720 or message 3 (Msg3) 724 a sixth amount of time 772 required for UE 702 to receive message 4 (Msg4) 726, where the sixth amount of time 772 is relative to sending message 3 (Msg3) 724 at time t2 732.

[0121] In some aspects of the present disclosure, when performing two communications associated with the four-step RACH procedure 718, the UE 702 may determine any of the time amounts 762, 764, 766, 768, 770, 772 based on the current charging rate of the UE 702, the current discharging rate of the UE, and the amount of power consumed at the UE 702. As discussed herein, the two communications may be two signal transmissions, two signal receptions, a signal transmission followed by a signal reception, or a signal reception followed by a signal transmission. In one example, the UE 702 may determine a lower value for the first time amount 762 when the current charging rate increases, and may determine a higher value for the first time amount 762 when the current charging rate decreases.

[0122] In some aspects, the UE 702 may indicate any of the amounts of time 762, 764, 766, 768, 770, 772 as a duration relative to a reference time, a duration relative to an absolute time, or a duration relative to a code point from one or more preconfigured code points. For example, the reference time or the absolute time may be a time at which a message of the four-step RACH procedure 718 is sent or received at the UE 702 (e.g., time t0 728, time t1 730, time t2 732, or time t3 734).

[0123] In the two-step RACH procedure 736, the UE 702 may initiate the two-step RACH procedure by sending a message A (msgA) preamble 738 to the network node 704 at time t4 748. The msgA preamble 738 may be referred to as a random access message and may be sent on the PRACH. The UE 702 may send a message A (msgA) payload 740 using the PUSCH at time t5 750. The msgA payload 740 may carry an RRC request, a buffer status report, and / or other suitable information. In some examples, the msgA payload 740 may include information (e.g., small data) included in the message 3 (Msg3) 724 in the previous four-step RACH procedure 718. The transmission of the msgA preamble 738 and the msgA payload 740 represents step 1 of the two-step RACH procedure 736.

[0124] The network node 704 may process the msgA preamble 738. When the network node 704 detects the msgA preamble 738, the network node 704 may process the msgA payload 740.

[0125] The network node 704 may transmit a message B (msgB) PDCCH 742 for scheduling a message B (msgB) PDSCH at time t6 752. The network node 704 transmits a msgB PDSCH 744 at time t7 757, which is received at the UE 702. The msgB PDSCH 744 may include at least the information included in the message 2 (Msg2) 722 and the message 4 (Msg4) 726 in the four-step RACH procedure 718 described previously. The UE 702 may acknowledge the message B PDSCH 744 using the PUCCH at time t8 756 via a HARQ ACK message 746. The transmission of the msgB PDCCH 742 and the msgB PDSCH 744 at the network node 704 represents step 2 of the two-step RACH procedure 736.

[0126] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the UE 702 may indicate a minimum amount of time required between two communications associated with the two-step RACH procedure 736. In some examples, the UE 702 may indicate in the msgA preamble 738 a first amount of time 774 required for the UE 702 to send the msgA payload 740, where the first amount of time 774 is relative to sending the msgA preamble 738 at time t4 748. In some examples, the UE 702 may indicate in the msgA preamble 738 a second amount of time 776 required for the UE 702 to receive the msgB PDCCH 742, where the second amount of time 776 is relative to sending the msgA preamble 738 at time t4 748. In some examples, the UE 702 may indicate in the msgA payload 740 a third amount of time 778 required for the UE 702 to receive the msgB PDCCH 742 , where the third amount of time 778 is relative to sending the msgA payload 740 at time t5 750 .

[0127] In some examples, the UE 702 may indicate in the msgA preamble 738 and / or the msgA payload 740 a fourth amount of time 780 required for the UE 702 to receive the msgB PDSCH 744, where the fourth amount of time 780 is relative to receiving the msgB PDCCH 742 at time t6 752. In some examples, the UE 702 may indicate in the msgA preamble 738 and / or the msgA payload 740 a fifth amount of time 782 required for the UE 702 to send the HARQ ACK message 746 using the PUCCH at time t8 756, where the fifth amount of time 782 is relative to receiving the msgB PDSCH 744 at time t7 754.

[0128] In some examples, the UE 702 may indicate in the msgA preamble 738 and / or the msgA payload 740 a sixth amount of time 784 required for the UE 702 to send the HARQ ACK message 746 using the PUCCH at time t8 756, where the sixth amount of time 784 is relative to receiving the msgB PDCCH 742 at time t6 752. In some examples, the UE 702 may indicate in the msgA preamble 738 a seventh amount of time 786 required for the UE 702 to send the HARQ ACK message 746 using the PUCCH at time t8 756, where the seventh amount of time 786 is relative to sending the msgA preamble 738 at time t4 748. In some examples, the UE 702 may indicate in the msgA payload 740 an eighth amount of time 788 required for the UE 702 to send the HARQ ACK message 746 using the PUCCH at time t8 756 , where the eighth amount of time 788 is relative to sending the msgA payload 740 at time t5 750 .

[0129] In some aspects of the present disclosure, when performing two communications associated with the two-step RACH procedure 736, the UE 702 may determine any of the amounts of time 774, 776, 778, 780, 782, 784, 786, 788 based on the current charging rate of the UE 702, the current discharging rate of the UE, and the amount of power consumed at the UE 702. As discussed herein, the two communications may be two signal transmissions, two signal receptions, a signal transmission followed by a signal reception, or a signal reception followed by a signal transmission. In one example, the UE 702 may determine a lower value for the first amount of time 774 when the current charging rate increases, and may determine a higher value for the first amount of time 774 when the current charging rate decreases.

[0130] In some aspects, the UE 702 may indicate any of the amounts of time 774, 776, 778, 780, 782, 784, 786, 788 as a duration relative to a reference time (e.g., a delta value relative to a reference time), a duration relative to an absolute time, or a duration relative to a code point from one or more preconfigured code points. For example, the reference time or the absolute time may be a time at which a message of the two-step RACH procedure 736 is sent or received at the UE 702 (e.g., time t4 748, time t5 750, time t6 752, time t7 754, or time t8 756).

[0131] In some examples, the network node 704 may indicate in a message of a random access channel procedure one or more sizes of a time gap that may be applied by the UE 702 between two communications at the UE 702. For example, if the random access channel procedure is a four-step RACH procedure (e.g., as described in reference Figure 7B If the four-step RACH process 718 described in the embodiment of the present invention is used, the network node 704 may indicate one or more sizes of the time gap in message 2 (Msg2) 722 of the four-step RACH process. In one example, the network node 704 may indicate one or more sizes of the time gap via a PDDCH (e.g., in a DCI) for message 2 (Msg2) 722. In another example, the network node 704 may indicate one or more sizes of the time gap via a PDSCH (e.g., in message 2 (Msg2) 722 sent on a PDSCH). In some examples, the network node 704 may indicate one or more sizes of the time gap via a combination of a PDDCH and a PDSCH.

[0132] In some examples, one or more sizes of the time gap indicated in message 2 (Msg2) 722 may indicate an allowable time gap (e.g., a maximum allowable time gap) between receiving message 2 (Msg2) 722 and sending message 3 (Msg3) 724 at UE 702 and / or an allowable time gap (e.g., a maximum allowable time gap) between sending message 3 (Msg3) 724 and receiving message 4 (Msg4) 726. In some examples, each of the one or more sizes of the time gap may be based on a different energy harvesting category of the UE.

[0133] In some examples, one or more sizes of the time gap indicated in message 2 (Msg2) 722 may indicate an allowable time gap (e.g., a maximum allowable time gap) between receiving message 2 (Msg2) 722 and receiving a message that arrives after message 4 (Msg4) 726 (e.g., message 758 received at t9 760). For example, message 758 may be an OSIB.

[0134] For example, if the RACH procedure is a four-step RACH procedure, the network node 704 may indicate in message 4 (Msg4) 726 one or more sizes of time gaps that the UE 702 may apply between two communications at the UE 702 (e.g., including a maximum allowed time gap). In one example, the network node 704 may indicate the one or more sizes of the time gap via a PDDCH (e.g., in a DCI) for message 4 (Msg4) 726. In another example, the network node 704 may indicate the one or more sizes of the time gap via a PDSCH (e.g., in a message 4 (Msg4) 726 sent on a PDSCH). In some examples, the network node 704 may indicate the one or more sizes of the time gap via a combination of a PDDCH and a PDSCH.

[0135] In some examples, one or more sizes of the time gap indicated in message 4 (Msg4) 726 may indicate an allowable time gap between receiving message 4 (Msg4) 726 and receiving a message after message 4 (Msg4) 726. For example, UE 702 may apply an allowable time gap between receiving message 4 (Msg4) 726 and receiving message 758. For example, message 758 may be an OSIB.

[0136] For example, if the RACH procedure is a two-step RACH procedure (eg, as described in reference Figure 7B If a two-step RACH procedure 736 is described in detail, the network node 704 may indicate one or more sizes of the time gap in the msgB PDCCH 742 of the two-step RACH procedure.

[0137] In some examples, one or more sizes of the time gap indicated in msgB PDCCH 742 may indicate an allowable time gap between receiving msgB PDCCH 742 and receiving msgB PDSCH 744 and / or an allowable time gap between receiving msgB PDSCH 744 and receiving a message (e.g., message 758) that arrives after msgB PDSCH 744. In some examples, each of the one or more sizes of the time gap may be based on a different energy harvesting class of the UE. For example, message 758 may be an OSIB.

[0138] For example, if the RACH procedure is a two-step RACH procedure, the network node 704 may indicate in the msgB PDSCH 744 one or more sizes of a time gap that the UE 702 may apply between two communications at the UE 702. In some examples, the one or more sizes of the time gap indicated in the msgB PDSCH 744 may indicate an allowable time gap between receiving the msgB PDSCH 744 and receiving a message (e.g., message 758) that arrives after the msgB PDSCH 744. In some examples, each of the one or more sizes of the time gap may be based on a different energy harvesting category of the UE. For example, the message 758 may be an OSIB.

[0139] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the UE 702 may indicate that after sending an acknowledgment of a message for an initial network access procedure (e.g., the HARQ ACK message 746), the UE 702 receives a message (e.g., the message 758) or sends a message (e.g., at t 10For example, message 758 may be the next downlink message (e.g., a data message), SIB, or other appropriate message. For example, message 759 may be the next uplink message (e.g., a data message) or other appropriate message.

[0140] Figure 8 800 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a UE (e.g., UE 104, 702; apparatus 1002 / 1002'; processing system 1114, which may include memory 360 and may be the entire UE 104, 702 or a component of UE 104, 702, such as TX processor 368, RX processor 356 and / or controller / processor 359).

[0141] At 802, the UE receives configuration information associated with an initial network access procedure, wherein the configuration information is based on at least one of an energy harvesting class of the UE, a current charging rate of the UE, a current discharging rate of the UE, or a current energy state of the UE. Fig. 7A , UE 702 may receive a message 708 including configuration information.

[0142] In some examples, the configuration information includes one or more parameter values ​​for signal transmission or signal reception based on at least one of an energy harvesting category of the device, a current charging rate of the device, a current discharge rate of the device, or a current energy state of the device. In some examples, the configuration information includes one or more thresholds for one or more signal measurements associated with an initial network access process. In some examples, the initial network access process includes at least one signal transmission from the UE, and the configuration information includes power control information for signal transmission, a maximum number of transmissions for signal transmission, or at least one of one or more timings for signal transmission. For example, the at least one signal transmission from the UE may be a message 1 (Msg1) 720 including a PRACH preamble, and the power control information may include a preamble received target power (preambleReceivedTargetPower), which indicates the amount of power that the UE 702 is to use to send the message 1 (Msg1) 720.

[0143] In some aspects, the configuration information is received before or during an initial network access procedure (e.g., before or during the four-step RACH procedure 718 or the two-step RACH procedure 736). In some aspects, the configuration information is received in at least one of an SSB, a SIB, or a random access message. In some aspects, the configuration information is received via dedicated signaling in connected mode. In some aspects, the configuration information includes a maximum allowed time gap between two communications associated with the initial network access procedure, wherein the maximum allowed time gap is based at least on an energy harvesting category of the device.

[0144] At 804, the UE performs at least a portion of an initial network access procedure based on the configuration information. In some aspects, the initial network access procedure includes a four-step RACH procedure (e.g., four-step RACH procedure 718). In these aspects, the UE may send a first message (e.g., Msg1 720) of the four-step RACH procedure, wherein the first message indicates at least one of a first amount of time (e.g., first amount of time 762) for receiving a second message (e.g., Msg2 722) of the four-step RACH procedure, a second amount of time (e.g., second amount of time 764) for sending a third message (e.g., Msg3 724) of the four-step RACH procedure, or a third amount of time (e.g., fourth amount of time 768) for receiving a fourth message (e.g., Msg4 726) of the four-step RACH procedure. In some examples, the second amount of time is relative to a time of sending the first message or a time of receiving the second message, and wherein the third amount of time is relative to a time of sending the first message, a time of receiving the second message, or a time of sending the third message. In some aspects, the UE sends a message for a four-step RACH procedure, where the message indicates an amount of time to receive a last message (e.g., Msg4 726) of the four-step RACH procedure.

[0145] In some aspects, the initial network access procedure includes a two-step RACH procedure (e.g., the two-step RACH procedure 736). In these aspects, the UE may send a first message associated with a first step of the two-step RACH procedure (e.g., the msgA preamble 738), wherein the first message includes the preamble and indicates a first amount of time (e.g., the msgA payload 740) for sending a second message associated with the first step. Figure 7B a first amount of time 774 for receiving a third message associated with a second step of the two-step RACH procedure (e.g., msgB PDCCH 742) and a second amount of time (e.g., Figure 7B 776), a third amount of time (e.g., msgB PDSCH 744) for receiving a fourth message associated with the second step. Figure 7B780) or a fourth amount of time (e.g., a fourth amount of time for sending an acknowledgment (e.g., HARQ ACK message 746) for the fourth message. Figure 7B In some examples, at least one of the first time amount, the second time amount, the third time amount, or the fourth time amount is indicated as one of a duration relative to a reference time, a duration relative to an absolute time, or a duration relative to a code point from one or more preconfigured code points. In some examples, the first time amount, the second time amount, and the third time amount are relative to a transmission time of the first message. In some examples, the third time amount is relative to a reception time of the second message of the two-step RACH procedure. In some examples, the fourth time amount is relative to a transmission time of the first message or a reception time of the second message.

[0146] Fig. 9 900 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a UE (e.g., UE 104, 702; apparatus 1002 / 1002'; processing system 1114, which may include memory 360 and may be the entire UE 104, 702 or a component of UE 104, 702, such as TX processor 368, RX processor 356 and / or controller / processor 359). Fig. 9 In the figure, a box indicated by a dotted line indicates an optional box.

[0147] At 902, the UE sends capability information indicating at least one of an energy harvesting category of the UE, a current charging rate of the UE, a current discharging rate of the UE, or a current energy state of the UE. Fig. 7A , UE 702 sends a message 706 including capability information. In some examples, the energy harvesting category of the UE is associated with at least one of a minimum charging rate of the UE, a default charging rate of the UE, a minimum discharge rate of the UE, a default discharge rate of the UE, a type of energy harvesting supported at the UE, a minimum time gap between two communications at the UE, or a capacity of an energy source of the UE.

[0148] At 904, the UE receives configuration information associated with an initial network access procedure, wherein the configuration information is based on at least one of an energy harvesting class of the UE, a current charging rate of the UE, a current discharging rate of the UE, or a current energy state of the UE. Fig. 7A , UE 702 may receive a message 708 including configuration information.

[0149] In some examples, the configuration information includes one or more parameter values ​​for signal transmission or signal reception based on at least one of an energy harvesting category of the device, a current charging rate of the device, a current discharge rate of the device, or a current energy state of the device. In some examples, the configuration information includes one or more thresholds for one or more signal measurements associated with an initial network access process. In some examples, the initial network access process includes at least one signal transmission from the UE, and the configuration information includes power control information for signal transmission, a maximum number of transmissions for signal transmission, or at least one of one or more timings for signal transmission. For example, the at least one signal transmission from the UE may be a message 1 (Msg1) 720 including a PRACH preamble, and the power control information may include a preamble received target power (preambleReceivedTargetPower), which indicates the amount of power that the UE 702 is to use to send the message 1 (Msg1) 720.

[0150] In some aspects, the configuration information is received before or during an initial network access procedure (e.g., before or during the four-step RACH procedure 718 or the two-step RACH procedure 736). In some aspects, the configuration information is received in at least one of an SSB, a SIB, or a random access message. In some aspects, the configuration information is received via dedicated signaling in connected mode. In some aspects, the configuration information includes a maximum allowed time gap between two communications associated with the initial network access procedure, wherein the maximum allowed time gap is based at least on an energy harvesting category of the device.

[0151] At 906, the UE obtains one or more signal measurements. Fig. 7A As described, UE 702 may measure one or more signals from network node 704. For example, if first signal (Signal_1) 712 from network node 704 is a reference signal (e.g., CSI-RS), UE 702 may measure the strength (e.g., RSRP) of first signal (Signal_1) 712. In some examples, UE 702 may use other signals (such as Nth signal 714) from network node 704 to obtain additional or other signal measurements.

[0152] At 908, the UE selects resources for communications associated with the initial network access procedure based on one or more thresholds and one or more signal measurements in the configuration information. Fig. 7AAt 716, the UE 702 may select a resource for communication associated with the initial network access procedure based on one or more thresholds and one or more signal measurements in the configuration information. The resource may be a NUL carrier, a SUL carrier, or a non-contention random access resource associated with an SSB or CSI-RS.

[0153] At 910, the UE performs at least a portion of an initial network access procedure based on the configuration information. In some aspects, the initial network access procedure includes a four-step RACH procedure (e.g., four-step RACH procedure 718). In these aspects, the UE may send a first message (e.g., Msg1 720) of the four-step RACH procedure, wherein the first message indicates at least one of a first amount of time (e.g., first amount of time 762) for receiving a second message (e.g., Msg2 722) of the four-step RACH procedure, a second amount of time (e.g., second amount of time 764) for sending a third message (e.g., Msg3 724) of the four-step RACH procedure, or a third amount of time (e.g., fourth amount of time 768) for receiving a fourth message (e.g., Msg4 726) of the four-step RACH procedure. In some examples, the second amount of time is relative to a time of sending the first message or a time of receiving the second message, and wherein the third amount of time is relative to a time of sending the first message, a time of receiving the second message, or a time of sending the third message. In some aspects, the UE sends a message for a four-step RACH procedure, where the message indicates an amount of time to receive a last message (e.g., Msg4 726) of the four-step RACH procedure.

[0154] In some aspects, the initial network access procedure includes a two-step RACH procedure (e.g., the two-step RACH procedure 736). In these aspects, the UE may send a first message associated with a first step of the two-step RACH procedure (e.g., the msgA preamble 738), wherein the first message includes the preamble and indicates a first amount of time (e.g., the msgA payload 740) for sending a second message associated with the first step. Figure 7B a first amount of time 774 for receiving a third message associated with a second step of the two-step RACH procedure (e.g., msgB PDCCH 742) and a second amount of time (e.g., Figure 7B 776), a third amount of time (e.g., msgB PDSCH 744) for receiving a fourth message associated with the second step. Figure 7B 780) or a fourth amount of time (e.g., a fourth amount of time for sending an acknowledgment (e.g., HARQ ACK message 746) for the fourth message. Figure 7BIn some examples, at least one of the first time amount, the second time amount, the third time amount, or the fourth time amount is indicated as one of a duration relative to a reference time, a duration relative to an absolute time, or a duration relative to a code point from one or more preconfigured code points. In some examples, the first time amount, the second time amount, and the third time amount are relative to a transmission time of the first message. In some examples, the third time amount is relative to a reception time of the second message of the two-step RACH procedure. In some examples, the fourth time amount is relative to a transmission time of the first message or a reception time of the second message.

[0155] At 912, the UE sends an acknowledgment message (e.g., HARQ ACK message 746) for the last message of the RACH procedure, wherein the acknowledgment message indicates an amount of time for the next communication at the UE (e.g., receiving the message 758 received at t9 760). For example, an initial network access procedure may include a RACH procedure.

[0156] Fig.10 is a conceptual data flow diagram 1000 illustrating the data flow between different parts / components in an example apparatus 1002. The apparatus may be a UE.

[0157] The apparatus includes a receiving component 1004 that receives a downlink signal from a network node 1050 .

[0158] The device includes a capability information sending component 1006, which sends capability information 1020 (e.g., via a sending component 1018), the capability information indicating at least one of an energy harvesting class of the device, a current charging rate of the device, a current discharging rate of the device, or a current energy state of the device.

[0159] The device includes a configuration information receiving component 1008, which receives (e.g., via a receiving component 1004) configuration information 1022 associated with an initial network access process, wherein the configuration information is based on at least one of an energy harvesting class of the device, a current charging rate of the device, a current discharging rate of the device, or a current energy state of the device.

[0160] The apparatus includes a signal measurement obtaining component 1010 that obtains one or more signal measurements. For example, the signal measurement obtaining component 1010 can receive a signal 1024 (eg, a reference signal such as a CSI-RS) from a network node 1050 and can measure the signal 1024.

[0161] The apparatus includes a resource selection component 1012 that selects resources for communications associated with an initial network access procedure based on one or more thresholds and one or more signal measurements in the configuration information. For example, the resource selection component 1012 can receive the one or more signal measurements from the signal measurement obtaining component 1010 via signal 1026. For example, the resource selection component 1012 can receive the configuration information 1022 from the configuration information receiving component 1008.

[0162] The apparatus includes an initial network access process execution component 1014 that performs at least a portion of an initial network access process based on the configuration information. For example, the initial network access process execution component 1014 can receive configuration information 1022 from the configuration information receiving component 1008. For example, the initial network access process execution component 1014 can receive information indicating a selected resource from the resource selection component 1012 via a signal 1028. For example, the initial network access process execution component 1014 can receive a message 1030 associated with the initial network access process (e.g., via the receiving component 1004) and can send a message 1032 associated with the initial network access process (e.g., via the sending component 1018).

[0163] The apparatus includes a confirmation message sending component 1016 that sends a confirmation message 1036 for a last message of a RACH procedure (e.g., via a sending component 1018), wherein the confirmation message 1036 indicates an amount of time for a next communication at the apparatus. For example, the confirmation message sending component 1016 can receive the last message of the RACH procedure from the initial network access procedure performing component 1014 via a signal 1034.

[0164] The apparatus includes a transmitting component 1018 that transmits an uplink signal to a network node 1050 .

[0165] The device may include executing Figure 8 and Fig. 9 Each of the boxes in the algorithm in the preceding flowchart is an additional component. Therefore, Figure 8 and Fig. 9 Each block in the aforementioned flow chart of can be performed by a component, and the apparatus may include one or more of these components. These components may be one or more hardware components, which are specifically configured to perform the process / algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to perform the process / algorithm, stored in a computer-readable medium so as to be implemented by a processor, or some combination thereof.

[0166] Fig.111 is a diagram 1100 illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus 1002' employing a processing system 1114. The processing system 1114 may be implemented using a bus architecture, which is generally represented by a bus 1124. The bus 1124 may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges, depending on the specific application of the processing system 1114 and the overall design constraints. The bus 1124 links together various circuits including one or more processors and / or hardware components (represented by the processor 1104, components 1004, 1006, 1008, 1010, 1012, 1014, 1016, 1018, and computer readable medium / memory 1106). The bus 1124 may also link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further.

[0167] The processing system 1114 may be coupled to the transceiver 1110. The transceiver 1110 is coupled to one or more antennas 1120. The transceiver 1110 provides components for communicating with various other devices through a transmission medium. The transceiver 1110 receives signals from the one or more antennas 1120, extracts information from the received signals, and provides the extracted information to the processing system 1114 (specifically, the receiving component 1004). In addition, the transceiver 1110 receives information from the processing system 1114 (specifically, the transmitting component 1018), and generates signals to be applied to the one or more antennas 1120 based on the received information. The processing system 1114 includes a processor 1104, which is coupled to a computer-readable medium / memory 1106. The processor 1104 is responsible for general processing, including executing software stored on the computer-readable medium / memory 1106. The software, when executed by the processor 1104, causes the processing system 1114 to perform the various functions described above for any particular device. The computer-readable medium / memory 1106 may also be used to store data that is manipulated by the processor 1104 when executing software. The processing system 1114 also includes at least one of the components 1004, 1006, 1008, 1010, 1012, 1014, 1016, 1018. These components may be software components that run in the processor 1104, reside / stored in the computer-readable medium / memory 1106, one or more hardware components coupled to the processor 1104, or some combination thereof. The processing system 1114 may be a component of the UE 350 and may include the memory 360 and / or at least one of the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359. Alternatively, the processing system 1114 may be the entire UE (e.g., see Figure 3 of 350).

[0168] The device 1002' can be a device with energy harvesting capabilities. For example, the device 1002' can be coupled to or can include an energy harvesting device 1150. In some implementations, the energy harvesting device 1150 can generate and provide electrical energy for powering the device 1002'. In some implementations, the energy harvesting device 1150 can provide the electrical energy to a rechargeable power source 1152 (e.g., a rechargeable battery) of the device 1002'.

[0169] In one configuration, an apparatus 1002 / 1002' for wireless communication includes a component for receiving configuration information associated with an initial network access procedure, wherein the configuration information is based on at least one of an energy harvesting class of the apparatus, a current charging rate of the apparatus, a current discharging rate of the apparatus, or a current energy state of the apparatus; a component for performing at least a portion of the initial network access procedure based on the configuration information; a component for obtaining one or more signal measurements; a component for selecting resources for communications associated with the initial network access procedure based on one or more thresholds in the configuration information and the one or more signal measurements; a component for sending capability information indicating at least one of an energy harvesting class of the apparatus, a current charging rate of the apparatus, a current discharging rate of the apparatus, or a current energy state of the apparatus; a component for sending a first message for a four-step RACH procedure, wherein the first message indicates a second message for receiving the four-step RACH procedure. A method of transmitting a RACH message to a user of the present invention relates to a method of transmitting a RACH message to a user of the present invention, wherein the method comprises transmitting a RACH message to the ...

[0170] The aforementioned means may be one or more of the aforementioned components of the processing system 1114 of the device 1002 and / or the device 1002' configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means. As described above, the processing system 1114 may include the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359. Therefore, in one configuration, the aforementioned means may be the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359 configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means.

[0171] Fig.12 1200 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a network node (e.g., network node 102, 704; device 1402 / 1402'; processing system 1514, which may include memory 376 and may be an entire base station or a component of a base station, such as TX processor 316, RX processor 370 and / or controller / processor 375).

[0172] At 1202, a network node sends configuration information associated with an initial network access procedure, wherein the configuration information is based on at least one of an energy harvesting category of the UE, a current charging rate of the UE, a current discharging rate of the UE, or a current energy state of the UE. In some examples, the energy harvesting category of the UE is associated with at least one of a minimum charging rate of the UE, a default charging rate of the UE, a minimum discharging rate of the UE, a default discharging rate of the UE, a type of energy harvesting supported at the UE, a minimum time gap between two communications at the UE, or a capacity of an energy source of the UE. In some examples, the configuration information includes one or more parameter values ​​for signal transmission at the UE or signal reception at the UE based on at least one of the energy harvesting category of the UE, the current charging rate of the UE, the current discharging rate of the UE, or the current energy state of the UE. In some examples, the configuration information includes a maximum allowed time gap between two communications associated with the initial network access procedure, wherein the maximum allowed time gap is based at least on the energy harvesting category of the UE.

[0173] At 1204, the network node performs at least a portion of an initial network access procedure based on the configuration information. In some aspects, the initial network access procedure includes a four-step RACH procedure. In these aspects, the network node receives a first message for the four-step RACH procedure, wherein the first message indicates at least one of a first amount of time for sending a second message of the four-step RACH procedure, a second amount of time for receiving a third message of the four-step RACH procedure, or a third amount of time for sending a fourth message of the four-step RACH procedure.

[0174] Fig.131300 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a network node (e.g., network node 102, 704; device 1402 / 1402'; processing system 1514, which may include memory 376 and may be an entire base station or a component of a base station (e.g., when the network node is implemented as a base station), such as TX processor 316, RX processor 370 and / or controller / processor 375). Fig.13 In the figure, a box indicated by a dotted line indicates an optional box.

[0175] At 1302, the network node receives capability information indicating at least one of an energy harvesting class of the UE, a current charging rate of the UE, a current discharging rate of the UE, or a current energy state of the UE. Fig. 7A , the network node 704 may receive a message 706 including capability information. In some examples, the energy harvesting category of the UE is associated with at least one of a minimum charging rate of the UE, a default charging rate of the UE, a minimum discharge rate of the UE, a default discharge rate of the UE, a type of energy harvesting supported at the UE, a minimum time gap between two communications at the UE, or a capacity of an energy source of the UE.

[0176] At 1304, the network node sends configuration information associated with an initial network access procedure, wherein the configuration information is based on at least one of an energy harvesting class of the UE, a current charging rate of the UE, a current discharging rate of the UE, or a current energy state of the UE. Fig. 7A , the network node 704 may send a message 708 including configuration information.

[0177] In some examples, the configuration information includes one or more parameter values ​​for signal transmission at the UE or signal reception at the UE based on at least one of the energy collection category of the UE, the current charging rate of the UE, the current discharge rate of the UE, or the current energy state of the UE. In some examples, the configuration information includes one or more thresholds for one or more signal measurements associated with the initial network access process (e.g., one or more signal measurements to be obtained by the UE). In some examples, the initial network access process includes at least one signal transmission from the UE, and the configuration information includes power control information for signal transmission, a maximum number of transmissions for signal transmission, or at least one of one or more timings for signal transmission. For example, the at least one signal transmission from the UE may be a message 1 (Msg1) 720 including a PRACH preamble, and the power control information may include a preamble received target power (preambleReceivedTargetPower), which preamble received target power indicates the amount of power that the UE 702 is to use to send the message 1 (Msg1) 720.

[0178] In some aspects, the configuration information is sent before or during an initial network access procedure (e.g., before or during the four-step RACH procedure 718 or the two-step RACH procedure 736). In some aspects, the configuration information is sent in at least one of an SSB, a SIB, or a random access message. In some aspects, the configuration information is sent via dedicated signaling in connected mode. In some aspects, the configuration information includes a maximum allowed time gap between two communications associated with the initial network access procedure, wherein the maximum allowed time gap is based at least on an energy harvesting category of the UE.

[0179] At 1306, the network node performs at least a portion of an initial network access procedure based on the configuration information. In some aspects, the initial network access procedure includes a four-step RACH procedure (e.g., four-step RACH procedure 718). In these aspects, the network node 704 receives a first message (e.g., Msg1 720) of the four-step RACH procedure, wherein the first message indicates at least one of a first amount of time (e.g., first amount of time 762) for sending a second message (e.g., Msg2 722) of the four-step RACH procedure, a second amount of time (e.g., second amount of time 764) for receiving a third message (e.g., Msg3 724) of the four-step RACH procedure, or a third amount of time (e.g., fourth amount of time 768) for sending a fourth message (e.g., Msg4 726) of the four-step RACH procedure. In some examples, the second amount of time is relative to a reception time of the first message or a transmission time of the second message, and wherein the third amount of time is relative to a reception time of the first message, a transmission time of the second message, or a reception time of the third message. In some aspects, the UE sends a message for a four-step RACH procedure, where the message indicates an amount of time to receive a last message (e.g., Msg4 726) of the four-step RACH procedure.

[0180] In some aspects, the initial network access procedure includes a two-step RACH procedure (e.g., the two-step RACH procedure 736). In these aspects, the network node 704 may receive a first message associated with a first step of the two-step RACH procedure (e.g., the msgA preamble 738), wherein the first message includes the preamble and indicates a first amount of time (e.g., the msgA payload 740) for receiving a second message associated with the first step. Figure 7B a first amount of time 774 in the two-step RACH procedure), a second amount of time (e.g., msgB PDCCH 742) for sending a third message associated with the second step of the two-step RACH procedure. Figure 7B 776), a third amount of time (e.g., msgB PDSCH 744) for sending a fourth message associated with the second step. Figure 7B780) or a fourth amount of time (e.g., a fourth amount of time for receiving an acknowledgment (e.g., HARQ ACK message 746) for a fourth message. Figure 7B In some examples, at least one of the first, second, third, or fourth time amounts is indicated as one of a duration relative to a reference time, a duration relative to an absolute time, or a duration relative to a code point from one or more preconfigured code points. In some examples, the first, second, and third time amounts are relative to a time of receipt of the first message.

[0181] At 1308, the network node receives an acknowledgement message (eg, HARQ ACK message 746) for the last message of the RACH procedure (eg, msgB PDSCH 744), wherein the acknowledgement message indicates an amount of time for the next communication at the UE. In some aspects, the initial network access procedure may include a RACH procedure.

[0182] Fig.14 1400 is a conceptual data flow diagram illustrating the data flow between different parts / components in an example apparatus 1402. The apparatus may be a network node. The apparatus includes a receiving component 1404 that receives an uplink signal from a UE 1450.

[0183] The apparatus also includes a capability information receiving component 1406 that receives capability information 1416 (eg, via receiving component 1404) indicating at least one of an energy harvesting class of the UE, a current charging rate of the UE, a current discharging rate of the UE, or a current energy state of the UE.

[0184] The apparatus also includes a configuration information sending component 1408 that sends configuration information 1418 associated with an initial network access procedure, wherein the configuration information 1418 is based on at least one of an energy harvesting class of the UE 1450, a current charging rate of the UE, a current discharging rate of the UE, or a current energy state of the UE. For example, the configuration information sending component 1408 receives the capability information 1416 from the capability information receiving component 1406.

[0185] The apparatus also includes an initial network access procedure performing component 1410 that performs at least a portion of the initial network access procedure based on the configuration information 1418. For example, the initial network access procedure performing component 1410 can receive the configuration information 1418 from the configuration information sending component 1408. For example, the initial network access procedure performing component 1410 can receive a message 1420 associated with the initial network access procedure (e.g., via the receiving component 1404) and can send a message 1422 associated with the initial network access procedure (e.g., via the sending component 1414).

[0186] The apparatus also includes a confirmation message receiving component 1412 that receives a confirmation message 1424 for the last message of the RACH process (e.g., via the receiving component 1404), wherein the confirmation message 1424 indicates an amount of time for the next communication at the UE. For example, the confirmation message receiving component 1412 can receive the configuration information 1418 from the configuration information sending component 1408.

[0187] The apparatus also includes a transmitting component that transmits a downlink signal to the UE 1450 .

[0188] The device may include executing Fig.12 and Fig.13 Each of the boxes in the algorithm in the preceding flowchart is an additional component. Therefore, Fig.12 and Fig.13 Each block in the aforementioned flow chart of can be performed by a component, and the apparatus may include one or more of these components. These components may be one or more hardware components, which are specifically configured to perform the process / algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to perform the process / algorithm, stored in a computer-readable medium so as to be implemented by a processor, or some combination thereof.

[0189] Fig.1515 is a diagram 1500 illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus 1402' employing a processing system 1514. The processing system 1514 may be implemented using a bus architecture, which is generally represented by a bus 1524. The bus 1524 may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges, depending on the specific application of the processing system 1514 and the overall design constraints. The bus 1524 links together various circuits including one or more processors and / or hardware components (represented by the processor 1504, components 1404, 1406, 1408, 1410, 1412, 1414, and computer readable medium / memory 1506). The bus 1524 may also link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further.

[0190] The processing system 1514 may be coupled to the transceiver 1510. The transceiver 1510 is coupled to one or more antennas 1520. The transceiver 1510 provides components for communicating with various other devices through a transmission medium. The transceiver 1510 receives signals from the one or more antennas 1520, extracts information from the received signals, and provides the extracted information to the processing system 1514 (specifically, the receiving component 1404). In addition, the transceiver 1510 receives information from the processing system 1514 (specifically, the transmitting component 1414), and generates signals to be applied to the one or more antennas 1520 based on the received information. The processing system 1514 includes a processor 1504, which is coupled to a computer-readable medium / memory 1506. The processor 1504 is responsible for general processing, including executing software stored on the computer-readable medium / memory 1506. The software, when executed by the processor 1504, causes the processing system 1514 to perform the various functions described above for any particular device. The computer-readable medium / memory 1506 may also be used to store data that is manipulated by the processor 1504 when executing software. The processing system 1514 also includes at least one of the components 1404, 1406, 1408, 1410, 1412, 1414. These components may be software components that run in the processor 1504, reside / stored in the computer-readable medium / memory 1506, one or more hardware components coupled to the processor 1504, or some combination thereof. The processing system 1514 may be a component of the base station 310 and may include the memory 376 and / or at least one of the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and the controller / processor 375. Alternatively, the processing system 1514 may be the entire base station (e.g., see Figure 3 310).

[0191] In one configuration, an apparatus 1402 / 1402' for wireless communication includes: a component for sending configuration information associated with an initial network access procedure, wherein the configuration information is based on at least one of an energy harvesting category of the UE, a current charging rate of the UE, a current discharging rate of the UE, or a current energy state of the UE; a component for performing at least part of the initial network access procedure based on the configuration information; receiving capability information indicating at least one of an energy harvesting category of the UE, a current charging rate of the UE, a current discharging rate of the UE, or a current energy state of the UE; a component for receiving a first message of a four-step RACH procedure, wherein the first message indicates at least one of a first amount of time for sending a second message of the four-step RACH procedure, a second amount of time for receiving a third message of the four-step RACH procedure, or a third amount of time for sending a fourth message of the four-step RACH procedure; and a component for receiving a confirmation message for a last message of the RACH procedure, wherein the confirmation message indicates an amount of time for a next communication at the UE.

[0192] The aforementioned means may be one or more of the aforementioned components of the processing system 1514 of the device 1402 and / or the device 1402' configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means. As described above, the processing system 1514 may include the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and the controller / processor 375. Therefore, in one configuration, the aforementioned means may be the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and the controller / processor 375 configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means.

[0193] The following provides an overview of various aspects of the disclosure:

[0194] Aspect 1: A device for wireless communication, the device comprising: a memory; and at least one processor, the at least one processor being coupled to the memory and configured to: receive configuration information associated with an initial network access process, wherein the configuration information is based on at least one of an energy harvesting category of the device, a current charging rate of the device, a current discharging rate of the device, or a current energy state of the device; and perform at least part of the initial network access process based on the configuration information.

[0195] Aspect 2: A device according to Aspect 1, wherein the energy harvesting category of the device is associated with at least one of the minimum charging rate of the device, the default charging rate of the device, the minimum discharge rate of the device, the default discharge rate of the device, the energy harvesting type supported at the device, the minimum time gap between two communications at the device, or the capacity of the energy source of the device.

[0196] Aspect 3: A device according to Aspect 1 or 2, wherein the configuration information includes one or more parameter values ​​for sending or receiving signals based on at least one of the energy harvesting category of the device, the current charging rate of the device, the current discharging rate of the device, or the current energy state of the device.

[0197] Aspect 4: An apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the configuration information includes one or more thresholds for one or more signal measurements associated with the initial network access process, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: obtain the one or more signal measurements; and select resources for communications associated with the initial network access process based on the one or more thresholds in the configuration information and the one or more signal measurements.

[0198] Aspect 5: An apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein the initial network access process includes at least one signal transmission from the apparatus, and wherein the configuration information includes power control information for the signal transmission, a maximum number of transmissions for the signal transmission, or at least one of one or more timings for transmitting the signal.

[0199] Aspect 6: An apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: send capability information, wherein the capability information indicates at least one of the energy harvesting category of the apparatus, the current charging rate of the apparatus, the current discharging rate of the apparatus, or the current energy state of the apparatus.

[0200] Aspect 7: The apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein the configuration information is received before or during the initial network access procedure.

[0201] Aspect 8: An apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein the configuration information is received in at least one of a synchronization signal block (SSB), a system information block (SIB), or a random access message.

[0202] Aspect 9: The apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, wherein the configuration information is received via dedicated signaling in a connected mode.

[0203] Aspect 10: An apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 9, wherein the initial network access procedure includes a four-step random access channel (RACH) procedure, wherein the at least one processor configured to perform at least the part of the initial network access procedure based on the configuration information is further configured to: send a first message of the four-step RACH procedure, wherein the first message indicates at least one of a first amount of time for receiving a second message of the four-step RACH procedure, a second amount of time for sending a third message of the four-step RACH procedure, or a third amount of time for receiving a fourth message of the four-step RACH procedure.

[0204] Aspect 11: An apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 10, wherein the second amount of time is relative to the sending time of the first message or the receiving time of the second message, and wherein the third amount of time is relative to the sending time of the first message, the receiving time of the second message, or the sending time of the third message.

[0205] Aspect 12: An apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 11, wherein the initial network access procedure includes a four-step random access channel (RACH) procedure, wherein the at least one processor configured to perform at least the part of the initial network access procedure based on the configuration information is further configured to: send a message of the four-step RACH procedure, wherein the message indicates the amount of time used to receive the last message of the four-step RACH procedure.

[0206] Aspect 13: An apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 12, wherein the initial network access procedure includes a two-step random access channel (RACH) procedure, wherein the at least one processor configured to perform at least the part of the initial network access procedure based on the configuration information is further configured to: send a first message associated with a first step of the two-step RACH procedure, wherein the first message includes a preamble code and indicates at least one of a first amount of time for sending a second message associated with the first step, a second amount of time for receiving a third message associated with the second step of the two-step RACH procedure, a third amount of time for receiving a fourth message associated with the second step, or a fourth amount of time for sending a confirmation for the fourth message.

[0207] Aspect 14: An apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 13, wherein at least one of the first time amount, the second time amount, the third time amount, or the fourth time amount is indicated as one of a duration relative to a reference time, a duration relative to an absolute time, or a duration relative to a code point from one or more preconfigured code points.

[0208] Aspect 15: An apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 14, wherein the first amount of time, the second amount of time, and the third amount of time are relative to a sending time of the first message.

[0209] Aspect 16: An apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 15, wherein the third amount of time is relative to a reception time of the second message of the two-step RACH procedure.

[0210] Aspect 17: An apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 16, wherein the fourth amount of time is relative to a sending time of the first message or a receiving time of the second message.

[0211] Aspect 18: An apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 17, wherein the configuration information includes a maximum allowed time gap between two communications associated with the initial network access process, wherein the maximum allowed time gap is based at least on the energy harvesting category of the apparatus.

[0212] Aspect 19: An apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 18, wherein the initial network access process includes a random access channel (RACH) process, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: send a confirmation message for the last message of the RACH process, wherein the confirmation message indicates the amount of time for the next communication at the apparatus.

[0213] Aspect 20: A method for wireless communication of a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving configuration information associated with an initial network access process, wherein the configuration information is based on at least one of an energy harvesting category of the UE, a current charging rate of the UE, a current discharge rate of the UE, or a current energy state of the UE; and performing at least part of the initial network access process based on the configuration information.

[0214] Aspect 21: A method according to Aspect 20, wherein the configuration information includes one or more thresholds for one or more signal measurements associated with the initial network access process, and the method further includes: obtaining the one or more signal measurements; and selecting resources for communications associated with the initial network access process based on the one or more thresholds and the one or more signal measurements.

[0215] Aspect 22: According to the method according to Aspect 20 or 21, the method also includes: sending capability information, wherein the capability information indicates at least one of the energy collection category of the UE, the current charging rate of the UE, the current discharge rate of the UE, or the current energy state of the UE.

[0216] Aspect 23: A method according to any one of Aspects 20 to 22, wherein the initial network access process includes a random access channel (RACH) process, and the method further includes: sending a confirmation message for the last message of the RACH process, wherein the confirmation message indicates the amount of time used for the next communication at the UE.

[0217] Aspect 24: A device for wireless communication, the device comprising: a memory; and at least one processor, the at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to: send configuration information associated with an initial network access process, wherein the configuration information is based on at least one of an energy harvesting category of a user equipment (UE), a current charging rate of the UE, a current discharge rate of the UE, or a current energy state of the UE; and perform at least part of the initial network access process based on the configuration information.

[0218] Aspect 25: An apparatus according to Aspect 24, wherein the energy harvesting category of the UE is associated with at least one of a minimum charging rate of the UE, a default charging rate of the UE, a minimum discharge rate of the UE, a default discharge rate of the UE, an energy harvesting type supported at the UE, a minimum time gap between two communications at the UE, or a capacity of an energy source of the UE.

[0219] Aspect 26: An apparatus according to Aspect 24 or 25, wherein the configuration information includes one or more parameter values ​​for sending a signal at the UE or receiving a signal at the UE based on at least one of the energy harvesting category of the UE, the current charging rate of the UE, the current discharging rate of the UE, or the current energy state of the UE.

[0220] Aspect 27: An apparatus according to any one of Aspects 24 to 26, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive capability information, the capability information indicating at least one of the energy collection category of the UE, the current charging rate of the UE, the current discharge rate of the UE, or the current energy state of the UE.

[0221] Aspect 28: An apparatus according to any one of Aspects 24 to 27, wherein the initial network access procedure includes a four-step random access channel (RACH) procedure, wherein the at least one processor configured to perform at least the part of the initial network access procedure based on the configuration information is further configured to: receive a first message of the four-step RACH procedure, wherein the first message indicates at least one of a first amount of time for sending a second message of the four-step RACH procedure, a second amount of time for receiving a third message of the four-step RACH procedure, or a third amount of time for sending a fourth message of the four-step RACH procedure.

[0222] Aspect 29: An apparatus according to any one of Aspects 24 to 28, wherein the configuration information includes a maximum allowed time gap between two communications associated with the initial network access procedure, wherein the maximum allowed time gap is based at least on the energy harvesting category of the UE.

[0223] Aspect 30: An apparatus according to any one of Aspects 24 to 29, wherein the initial network access process includes a random access channel (RACH) process, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive a confirmation message for the last message of the RACH process, wherein the confirmation message indicates an amount of time for the next communication at the UE.

[0224] It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of the blocks in the disclosed process / flowchart is merely an illustration of the exemplary method. It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of the blocks in the process / flowchart may be rearranged based on design preferences. Further, some blocks may be combined or omitted. The attached method claims provide the elements of each block in a sample order, but are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy provided.

[0225] The preceding description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. 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. Therefore, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but to conform to the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein the elements mentioned in the singular are not intended to represent "one and only one", unless specifically so stated, but "one or more". The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "used as an example, instance or illustration". Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily interpreted as being preferred or having an advantage over other aspects. Unless otherwise specified, the term "some" refers to one or more. Combinations such as "at least one of A, B or C", "one or more of A, B or C", "at least one of A, B and C", "one or more of A, B and C" and "A, B, C or any combination thereof", including any combination of A, B and / or C, and it may include multiple A, multiple B or multiple C. Specifically, combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C," "one or more of A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, and C," and "A, B, C, or any combination thereof" may be only A, only B, only C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, wherein any such combination may include one or more members of A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents of the elements of the various aspects described throughout the present disclosure that are known or will later become known 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, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public, regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly stated in the claims. Words such as "module," "mechanism," "element," "device," etc. cannot replace the word "component." Therefore, no claim element will be understood to be a functional component unless the element is explicitly stated using the phrase "component for..."

Claims

1. A device for wireless communication, the device comprising: Memory; and at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to: receiving configuration information associated with an initial network access procedure, wherein the configuration information is based on at least one of an energy harvesting class of the device, a current charging rate of the device, a current discharging rate of the device, or a current energy state of the device; as well as At least a portion of the initial network access procedure is performed based on the configuration information.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the energy harvesting category of the device is associated with at least one of a minimum charging rate of the device, a default charging rate of the device, a minimum discharge rate of the device, a default discharge rate of the device, an energy harvesting type supported at the device, a minimum time gap between two communications at the device, or a capacity of an energy source of the device.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the configuration information includes one or more parameter values ​​for signal transmission or signal reception based on at least one of the energy harvesting category of the device, the current charging rate of the device, the current discharging rate of the device, or the current energy state of the device.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the configuration information comprises one or more thresholds for one or more signal measurements associated with the initial network access procedure, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: obtaining the one or more signal measurements; and Resources for communications associated with the initial network access procedure are selected based on the one or more thresholds and the one or more signal measurements in the configuration information.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the initial network access procedure comprises at least one signal transmission from the apparatus, and wherein the configuration information comprises at least one of power control information for the signal transmission, a maximum number of transmissions for the signal transmission, or one or more opportunities for transmitting the signal transmission.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: Capability information is sent, the capability information indicating at least one of the energy harvesting class of the device, the current charging rate of the device, the current discharging rate of the device, or the current energy state of the device.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the configuration information is received before or during the initial network access procedure.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the configuration information is received in at least one of a synchronization signal block (SSB), a system information block (SIB), or a random access message.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the configuration information is received via dedicated signaling in a connected mode.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the initial network access procedure comprises a four-step random access channel (RACH) procedure, wherein the at least one processor configured to perform at least the portion of the initial network access procedure based on the configuration information is further configured to: sending a first message for the four-step RACH procedure, wherein the first message indicates at least one of a first amount of time for receiving a second message of the four-step RACH procedure, a second amount of time for sending a third message of the four-step RACH procedure, or a third amount of time for receiving a fourth message of the four-step RACH procedure.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the second amount of time is relative to a sending time of the first message or a receiving time of the second message, and wherein the third amount of time is relative to the sending time of the first message, the receiving time of the second message, or the sending time of the third message.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the initial network access procedure comprises a four-step random access channel (RACH) procedure, wherein the at least one processor configured to perform at least the portion of the initial network access procedure based on the configuration information is further configured to: A message for the four-step RACH procedure is sent, wherein the message indicates an amount of time for receiving a last message of the four-step RACH procedure.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the initial network access procedure comprises a two-step random access channel (RACH) procedure, wherein the at least one processor configured to perform at least the portion of the initial network access procedure based on the configuration information is further configured to: sending a first message associated with a first step of the two-step RACH procedure, wherein the first message includes a preamble and indicates at least one of a first amount of time for sending a second message associated with the first step, a second amount of time for receiving a third message associated with the second step of the two-step RACH procedure, a third amount of time for receiving a fourth message associated with the second step, or a fourth amount of time for sending an acknowledgment for the fourth message.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first amount of time, the second amount of time, the third amount of time, or the fourth amount of time is indicated as one of a duration relative to a reference time, a duration relative to an absolute time, or a duration relative to a code point from one or more preconfigured code points.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first amount of time, the second amount of time, and the third amount of time are relative to a sending time of the first message.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the third amount of time is relative to a reception time of the second message of the two-step RACH procedure.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the fourth amount of time is relative to a sending time of the first message or a receiving time of the second message.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the configuration information comprises a maximum allowed time gap between two communications associated with the initial network access procedure, wherein the maximum allowed time gap is based at least on the energy harvesting category of the apparatus.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the initial network access procedure comprises a random access channel (RACH) procedure, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: An acknowledgement message is sent for a last message of the RACH procedure, wherein the acknowledgement message indicates an amount of time for a next communication at the device.

20. A method for wireless communication of a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving configuration information associated with an initial network access procedure, wherein the configuration information is based on at least one of an energy harvesting class of the UE, a current charging rate of the UE, a current discharging rate of the UE, or a current energy state of the UE; as well as At least a portion of the initial network access procedure is performed based on the configuration information.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the configuration information includes one or more thresholds for one or more signal measurements associated with the initial network access procedure, the method further comprising: obtaining the one or more signal measurements; as well as Resources for communications associated with the initial network access procedure are selected based on the one or more thresholds and the one or more signal measurements.

22. The method according to claim 20, further comprising: Capability information is sent, the capability information indicating at least one of the energy harvesting category of the UE, the current charging rate of the UE, the current discharging rate of the UE, or the current energy state of the UE.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the initial network access procedure comprises a random access channel (RACH) procedure, the method further comprising: An acknowledgement message is sent for a last message of the RACH procedure, wherein the acknowledgement message indicates an amount of time for a next communication at the UE.

24. An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising: Memory; and at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to: sending configuration information associated with an initial network access procedure, wherein the configuration information is based on at least one of an energy harvesting class of a user equipment (UE), a current charging rate of the UE, a current discharging rate of the UE, or a current energy state of the UE; as well as At least a portion of the initial network access procedure is performed based on the configuration information.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the energy harvesting category of the UE is associated with at least one of a minimum charging rate of the UE, a default charging rate of the UE, a minimum discharge rate of the UE, a default discharge rate of the UE, a type of energy harvesting supported at the UE, a minimum time gap between two communications at the UE, or a capacity of an energy source of the UE.

26. An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the configuration information includes one or more parameter values ​​for signal transmission at the UE or signal reception at the UE based on at least one of the energy harvesting category of the UE, the current charging rate of the UE, the current discharging rate of the UE, or the current energy state of the UE.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: Capability information is received, the capability information indicating at least one of the energy harvesting class of the UE, the current charging rate of the UE, the current discharging rate of the UE, or the current energy state of the UE.

28. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the initial network access procedure comprises a four-step random access channel (RACH) procedure, wherein the at least one processor configured to perform at least the portion of the initial network access procedure based on the configuration information is further configured to: receiving a first message for the four-step RACH procedure, wherein the first message indicates at least one of a first amount of time for sending a second message of the four-step RACH procedure, a second amount of time for receiving a third message of the four-step RACH procedure, or a third amount of time for sending a fourth message of the four-step RACH procedure.

29. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the configuration information comprises a maximum allowed time gap between two communications associated with the initial network access procedure, wherein the maximum allowed time gap is based at least on the energy harvesting category of the UE.

30. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the initial network access procedure comprises a random access channel (RACH) procedure, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: An acknowledgement message is received for a last message of the RACH procedure, wherein the acknowledgement message indicates an amount of time for a next communication at the UE.

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