Backscatter data reading

Abstract

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for wireless communication by a user equipment. The techniques include receiving first backscatter data from a backscatter device during a downlink time slot of one or more network entities; receiving second backscatter data from the backscatter device during a network entity uplink time slot immediately following the one or more network entity downlink time slots; and combining, at the user equipment, the first backscatter data and the second backscatter data to generate a backscatter data packet.

Description

Background Art Technical Field

[0001] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to wireless communications, and more particularly to techniques for backscatter data reading.

[0002] Related technologies

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

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

[0005] One aspect provides a method for wireless communication by a user equipment. The method includes: receiving first backscatter data from a backscatter device during one or more network entity downlink time slots; receiving second backscatter data from the backscatter device during a network entity uplink time slot immediately following the one or more network entity downlink time slots; and combining the first backscatter data and the second backscatter data at the user equipment to generate a backscatter data packet.

[0006] Another aspect provides a method for wireless communication by a backscatter user equipment. The method includes: receiving a first radio frequency (RF) source signal from a network entity during one or more network entity downlink time slots; transmitting first backscatter data to a first user equipment during at least a portion of the one or more network entity downlink time slots; and transmitting second backscatter data to the first user equipment during a network uplink time slot immediately following the one or more network entity downlink time slots.

[0007] Another aspect provides a method for wireless communication by a user equipment, the method comprising: receiving first backscatter data from a backscatter device during one or more network entity downlink time slots; and transmitting an RF source signal to the backscatter device during a network entity uplink time slot immediately following the one or more network entity downlink time slots.

[0008] Another aspect provides a method for wireless communication by a network entity. The method includes: transmitting an RF source signal to a backscatter device during one or more network entity downlink time slots; and receiving first backscatter data from the backscatter device during a network entity uplink time slot immediately following the one or more network entity downlink time slots.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0016] Figure 5An example backscatter device is depicted.

[0017] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B Various aspects related to cooperating with multiple RF source devices to allow a backscatter device to perform continuous backscatter communications are depicted.

[0018] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B Various aspects related to cooperating with multiple RF source devices to allow a backscatter device to perform continuous backscatter communications are depicted.

[0019] Fig. 8A and Figure 8B Various aspects related to cooperating with multiple RF source devices to allow a backscatter device to perform continuous backscatter communications are depicted.

[0020] Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B Various aspects related to devices cooperating to allow backscatter devices to perform continuous backscatter communications are described.

[0021] Fig.10 A method for wireless communication is described.

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

[0023] Fig.12 A method for wireless communication is described.

[0024] Fig.13 A method for wireless communication is described.

[0025] Fig.14 Aspects of an example communications device are depicted.

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

[0027] Aspects of the present disclosure provide apparatus, methods, processing systems, and computer-readable media for backscatter data reading.

[0028] A new generation of wireless devices circumvents the conventional need for large onboard energy storage devices by harvesting energy from wireless signals (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signals) to perform wireless communications. Such energy harvesting devices may include, for example, radio frequency identification (RFID) devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and more generally, backscatter devices that are capable of receiving signals and "backscattering" those signals to another receiving device to perform wireless communications. Backscatter devices may be passive, in which case they do not include onboard energy storage devices and rely entirely on energy harvested from received signals to perform wireless communications, or the backscatter devices may be semi-passive and include onboard energy storage devices to supplement their ability to harvest energy from received signals. In some aspects, in addition to harvesting power from RF sources, backscatter devices may accumulate energy from other direct energy sources (such as solar energy) to supplement power requirements. In some cases, semi-passive backscatter devices may include power-consuming RF components such as analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), mixers, and oscillators.

[0029] As a result, backscatter devices are typically a type of user equipment that provides a low-cost and low-power solution for many applications in wireless communication systems. Such devices can be very power efficient, sometimes requiring less than 0.1 mW of power to operate. In addition, their relatively simple architecture, in some cases without the need for batteries, means that such devices can be small, lightweight, and easy to install or integrate into many types of environments or host devices. In general, backscatter devices provide a practical and necessary solution for many networking applications that require low-cost, small footprint, durable, maintenance-free, and long-life communication devices. For example, backscatter devices can be configured as long-durability industrial sensors, which alleviates the problem of replacing batteries in and around hazardous machinery.

[0030] To receive data from a backscatter device, an RF source device (e.g., a network entity such as a base station, user equipment, or other dedicated RF source device) transmits an RF signal (e.g., a continuous wave signal) to the backscatter device, which then uses the RF signal to harvest energy and modulate the signal reflection toward the reader device. The reader device may be an RF source device in some cases, or may be another device such as another user equipment in other cases. The reader device may then detect the information transmitted by the backscatter device in the modulated signal reflection.

[0031] Because the backscatter device can rely entirely on the RF signal to perform wireless communication, problems arise when the RF source device cannot continuously provide the RF signal. For example, a time division duplex system (such as a 5G wireless communication system) may use a time-delimited slot pattern in which some slots in the pattern cannot be used to transmit downlink RF signals. Consider a four-slot pattern including a downlink-downlink-downlink-uplink (DDDU) slot. Because the last slot in the pattern is an uplink slot, the RF source device (e.g., a network entity such as a base station) cannot provide an RF signal for more than three consecutive downlink slots, and therefore the reader device cannot receive backscatter data for more than three consecutive slots in which the downlink RF signal is sent. Because reading data from a backscatter device may be relatively slow, such a transmission pattern may hinder the successful reading of data and / or introduce additional delays in wireless communication, both of which are technical issues for wireless communication systems.

[0032] The various aspects described herein overcome the above technical problems by configuring the alternative RF source device to cooperate with the main RF source device to provide the alternative RF source signal when the main RF source device cannot provide the alternative RF source signal. For example, when the main RF source device (e.g., a network entity such as a base station) is configured to interrupt the transmission of its RF signal, such as during a scheduled uplink time slot, the user equipment can provide an RF signal to the backscatter device.

[0033] Furthermore, in some aspects, when the first RF source device provides the first RF signal, the first reader device may receive the first portion of the backscattered data, and when the second RF source device provides the second RF signal, the second reader device may receive the second portion of the backscattered data. The first portion and the second portion of the backscattered data may then be combined and decoded at either (or both) of the reader devices.

[0034]

[00136] Thus, various aspects described herein provide various methods for reading backscatter data that overcome the technical limitations of current systems.

[0035] Introduction to wireless communication networks

[0036] The techniques and methods described herein can be used in various wireless communication networks. Although various aspects may be described herein using terms commonly associated with 3G, 4G and / or 5G wireless technologies, various aspects of the present disclosure may also be applicable to other communication systems and standards not explicitly mentioned herein.

[0037] Figure 1 An example of a wireless communication network 100 is depicted in which various aspects described herein may be implemented.

[0038] In general, the wireless communication network 100 includes various network entities (alternatively, network elements or network nodes). A network entity is typically a communication device and / or a communication function performed by a communication device (e.g., user equipment (UE), base station (BS), component of a BS, server, etc.). For example, various functions of a network and various devices associated with and interacting with the network may be considered network entities. In addition, the wireless communication network 100 includes ground aspects, such as ground-based network entities (e.g., BS 102), and non-ground aspects, such as satellites 140 and aircraft 145, which may include airborne network entities (e.g., one or more BSs) capable of communicating with other network elements (e.g., ground BSs) and user equipment.

[0039] In the depicted example, the wireless communication network 100 includes a BS 102, a UE 104, and one or more core networks (such as an evolved packet core (EPC) 160 and a 5G core (5GC) network 190), which interoperate to provide communication services over various communication links (including wired and wireless links).

[0040] Figure 1 Various example UEs 104 are depicted, which may more generally include: a cellular phone, a smart phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a satellite radio, a global positioning system, a multimedia device, a video device, a digital audio player, a camera, a game console, a tablet, a smart device, a wearable device, a vehicle, an electric meter, a gas pump, a large or small kitchen appliance, a healthcare device, an implant, a sensor / actuator, a display, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Always-On (AON) device, an edge processing device, or other similar devices. UE 104 may also be more generally referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a station, a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a remote device, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, and others.

[0041] BS 102 wirelessly communicates with (e.g., transmits signals to or receives signals from) UE 104 via communication link 120. Communication link 120 between BS 102 and UE 104 may include uplink (UL) (also referred to as a reverse link) transmissions from UE 104 to BS 102 and / or downlink (DL) (also referred to as a forward link) transmissions from BS 102 to UE 104. In various aspects, communication link 120 may employ multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity.

[0042] BS 102 may generally include: NodeB, enhanced NodeB (eNB), next generation enhanced NodeB (ng-eNB), next generation NodeB (gNB or gNodeB), access point, base transceiver station, radio base station, radio transceiver, transceiver function, transmission and reception point, and / or other. Each of BS 102 may provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 110, which may sometimes be referred to as a cell, and may overlap in some cases (e.g., a small cell 102' may have a coverage area 110' that overlaps with the coverage area 110 of a macro cell). For example, a BS may provide communication coverage for a macro cell (covering a relatively large geographic area), a pico cell (covering a relatively small geographic area, such as a stadium), a femto cell (relatively small geographic area (e.g., a home)), and / or other types of cells.

[0043] Although BS102 is depicted as a single communication device in various aspects, BS102 can be implemented in various configurations. For example, one or more components of the base station may be decomposed, including a central unit (CU), one or more distributed units (DU), one or more radio units (RU), a near real-time (near RT) RAN intelligent controller (RIC), or a non-real-time (non-RT) RIC, to name a few examples. In another example, various aspects of the base station may be virtualized. More generally, a base station (e.g., BS102) may include components located at a single physical location or components located at various physical locations. In examples where the base station includes components located at various physical locations, each component may perform a function so that the various components together implement functions similar to those of a base station located at a single physical location. In some aspects, a base station including components located at various physical locations may be referred to as a decomposed radio access network architecture (such as an open RAN (O-RAN) or virtualized RAN (VRAN) architecture). Figure 2 An example decomposed base station architecture is depicted and described.

[0044] Different BSs 102 within the wireless communication network 100 may also be configured to support different radio access technologies (such as 3G, 4G, and / or 5G). For example, a BS 102 configured for 4G LTE (collectively referred to as the Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) may interface with the EPC 160 via a first backhaul link 132 (e.g., an S1 interface). A BS 102 configured for 5G (e.g., 5G NR or Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN)) may interface with the 5GC 190 via a second backhaul link 184. The BSs 102 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via the EPC 160 or the 5GC 190) over a third backhaul link 134 (e.g., an X2 interface), which may be wired or wireless.

[0045] The wireless communication network 100 may subdivide the electromagnetic spectrum into various categories, frequency bands, channels, or other characteristics. In some aspects, the subdivision is provided based on wavelength and frequency, where frequency may also be referred to as a carrier, subcarrier, channel, tone, or subband. For example, 3GPP currently defines frequency range 1 (FR1) as including 410 MHz-7125 MHz, which is often (interchangeably) referred to as "below 6 GHz". Similarly, 3GPP currently defines frequency range 2 (FR2) as including 24,250 MHz-52,600 MHz, which is sometimes (interchangeably) referred to as "millimeter wave" ("mmW" or "mmWave"). A base station (e.g., a mmWave base station such as BS180) configured to communicate using mmWave / near mmWave radio bands may utilize beamforming (e.g., 182) with a UE (e.g., 104) to improve path loss and range.

[0046] The communication link 120 between the BS 102 and, for example, the UE 104 may be through one or more carriers, which may have different bandwidths (e.g., 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz, 20 MHz, 100 MHz, 400 MHz, and / or other MHz) and may be aggregated in various aspects. The carriers may or may not be adjacent to each other. The allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated for DL ​​compared to UL).

[0047] Communications using higher frequency bands may have higher path loss and shorter range than communications at lower frequencies. Figure 1180) may utilize beamforming 182 with UE 104 to improve path loss and range. For example, BS 180 and UE 104 may each include multiple antennas (such as antenna elements, antenna panels, and / or antenna arrays) to facilitate beamforming. In some cases, BS 180 may send beamformed signals to UE 104 in one or more transmit directions 182'. UE 104 may receive beamformed signals from BS 180 in one or more receive directions 182". UE 104 may also send beamformed signals to BS 180 in one or more transmit directions 182". BS 180 may also receive beamformed signals from UE 104 in one or more receive directions 182'. BS 180 and UE 104 may then perform beam training to determine the best receive and transmit directions for each of BS 180 and UE 104. It is noteworthy that the transmit direction and receive direction of BS 180 may be the same or different. Similarly, the transmit direction and receive direction of UE 104 may be the same or different.

[0048] Wireless communication network 100 also includes Wi-Fi AP 150 that communicates with Wi-Fi station (STA) 152 via communication link 154 in, for example, the 2.4 GHz and / or 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum.

[0049] Certain UEs 104 may communicate with each other using a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 158. The D2D communication link 158 may use one or more sidelink channels, such as a physical sidelink broadcast channel (PSBCH), a physical sidelink discovery channel (PSDCH), a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH), a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH), and / or a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH).

[0050] The EPC 160 may include various functional components, including: a mobility management entity (MME) 162, other MMEs 164, a serving gateway 166, a multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) gateway 168, a broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC) 170, and / or a packet data network (PDN) gateway 172, such as in the depicted example. The MME 162 may communicate with a home subscriber server (HSS) 174. The MME 162 is a control node that handles signaling between the UE 104 and the EPC 160. In general, the MME 162 provides bearer and connection management.

[0051] Typically, user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are delivered through the Serving Gateway 166, which itself is connected to the PDN Gateway 172. The PDN Gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. The PDN Gateway 172 and the BM-SC 170 are connected to IP services 176, which may include, for example, the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a Packet Switched (PS) streaming media service, and / or other IP services.

[0052] The BM-SC 170 may provide functionality for MBMS user service provisioning and delivery. The BM-SC 170 may serve as an entry point for content provider MBMS delivery, may be used to authorize and initiate MBMS bearer services within a public land mobile network (PLMN), and / or may be used to schedule MBMS delivery. The MBMS Gateway 168 may be used to distribute MBMS services to BSs 102 belonging to a multicast broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) area broadcasting a specific service, and / or may be responsible for session management (start / stop) and for collecting eMBMS related charging information.

[0053] 5GC 190 may include various functional components, including: access and mobility management function (AMF) 192, other AMF 193, session management function (SMF) 194 and user plane function (UPF) 195. AMF 192 may communicate with unified data management (UDM) 196.

[0054] AMF 192 is a control node that handles signaling between UE 104 and 5GC 190. AMF 192 provides, for example, Quality of Service (QoS) flow and session management.

[0055] Internet Protocol (IP) packets are delivered through UPF 195, which is connected to IP Services 197 and provides UE IP address allocation and other functions for 5GC 190. IP Services 197 may include, for example, the Internet, Intranet, IMS, PS streaming services, and / or other IP services.

[0056] In various aspects, a network entity or network node may be implemented as a converged base station, a decomposed base station, a component of a base station, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a relay node, a sidelink node, to name a few examples.

[0057] Figure 2An example disaggregated base station 200 architecture is depicted. The disaggregated base station 200 architecture may include one or more central units (CUs) 210 that may communicate directly with a core network 220 via a backhaul link, or indirectly with the core network 220 through one or more disaggregated base station units, such as a near real-time (near-RT) RAN intelligent controller (RIC) 225 via an E2 link, or a non-real-time (non-RT) RIC 215 associated with a service management and orchestration (SMO) framework 205, or both. The CU 210 may communicate with one or more distributed units (DUs) 230 via respective midhaul links, such as an F1 interface. The DU 230 may communicate with one or more radio units (RUs) 240 via respective fronthaul links. The RU 240 may communicate with respective UEs 104 via one or more radio frequency (RF) access links. In some implementations, a UE 104 may be served simultaneously by multiple RUs 240.

[0058] Each of the units (e.g., CU 210, DU 230, RU 240, and near-RT RIC 225, non-RT RIC 215, and SMO framework 205) may include or be coupled to one or more interfaces configured to receive or send signals, data, or information (collectively referred to as signals) via a wired or wireless transmission medium. Each of the units or an associated processor or controller that provides instructions to the communication interface of the unit may be configured to communicate with one or more of the other units via a transmission medium. For example, the units may include a wired interface configured to receive or send signals to one or more of the other units via a wired transmission medium. Additionally or alternatively, the unit 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 via a wireless transmission medium.

[0059] In some aspects, CU 210 may host one or more higher layer control functions. Such control functions may include radio resource control (RRC), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), etc. Each control function may be implemented using an interface configured to communicate signals with other control functions hosted by CU 210. CU 210 may be configured to handle user plane functions (e.g., central unit-user plane (CU-UP)), control plane functions (e.g., central unit-control plane (CU-CP)), or a combination thereof. In some specific implementations, CU 210 may be logically split into one or more CU-UP units and one or more CU-CP units. When implemented in an O-RAN configuration, the CU-UP unit may communicate bidirectionally with the CU-CP unit via an interface (such as an E1 interface). As needed, CU 210 may be implemented to communicate with DU 230 for network control and signaling.

[0060] The DU 230 may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more base station functions for controlling the operation of one or more RUs 240. In some aspects, the DU 230 may host one or more of a radio link control (RLC) layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, and one or more high physical (PHY) layers (such as modules for forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, etc.) at least in part according to a functional split such as those defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). In some aspects, the DU 230 may also 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 the DU 230 or with control functions hosted by the CU 210.

[0061] The lower layer functionality may be implemented by one or more RUs 240. In some deployments, a RU 240 controlled by a DU 230 may correspond to a logical node that hosts RF processing functions or low PHY layer functions (such as performing Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Inverse FFT (iFFT), digital beamforming, physical random access channel (PRACH) extraction and filtering, etc.), or both, based at least in part on a functional split (such as a lower layer functional split). In such an architecture, the RU 240 may be implemented to handle over-the-air (OTA) communications with one or more UEs 104. In some implementations, real-time and non-real-time aspects of control plane and user plane communications with the RU 240 may be controlled by the corresponding DU 230. In some scenarios, this configuration may enable the implementation of the DU 230 and the CU 210 in a cloud-based RAN architecture (such as a vRAN architecture).

[0062] The SMO framework 205 may be configured to support RAN deployment and provisioning of non-virtualized network elements and virtualized network elements. For non-virtualized network elements, the SMO framework 205 may be configured to support the deployment of dedicated physical resources for RAN coverage requirements, which may be managed via an operation and maintenance interface (such as an O1 interface). For virtualized network elements, the SMO framework 205 may be configured to interact with a cloud computing platform (such as an open cloud (O-Cloud) 290) to perform network element lifecycle management (such as 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 210, DU 230, RU240, and near-RT RIC 225. In some specific implementations, the SMO framework 205 may communicate with hardware aspects of the 4G RAN (such as an open eNB (O-eNB) 211) via the O1 interface. Additionally, in some specific implementations, the SMO framework 205 may communicate directly with one or more RUs 240 via the O1 interface. The SMO framework 205 may also include a non-RT RIC 215 configured to support the functionality of the SMO framework 205 .

[0063] The non-RT RIC 215 may be configured to include logic functions that enable non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML) workflows including model training and updating, or policy-based guidance of applications / features in the near-RT RIC 225. The non-RT RIC 215 may be coupled to or in communication with the near-RT RIC 225 (such as via an A1 interface). The near-RT RIC 225 may be configured to include logic functions that enable near-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources via data collection and actions through an interface (such as via an E2 interface) that connects one or more CUs 210, one or more DUs 230, or both, and the O-eNB with the near-RT RIC 225.

[0064] In some implementations, in order to generate an AI / ML model to be deployed in the near-RT RIC 225, the non-RT RIC 215 may receive parameters or external enrichment information from an external server. Such information may be utilized by the near-RT RIC 225 and may be received from a non-network data source or from a network function at the SMO framework 205 or the non-RT RIC 215. In some examples, the non-RT RIC 215 or the near-RT RIC 225 may be configured to tune RAN behavior or performance. For example, the non-RT RIC 215 may monitor long-term trends and patterns of performance and employ AI / ML models to perform corrective actions through the SMO framework 205 (such as via reconfiguration of O1) or via creation of RAN management policies (such as A1 policies).

[0065] Figure 3 Aspects of an example BS 102 and UE 104 are depicted.

[0066] In general, BS 102 includes various processors (e.g., 320, 330, 338, and 340), antennas 334a-334t (collectively 334), transceivers 332a-332t (collectively 332) including modulators and demodulators, and other aspects that enable wireless transmission of data (e.g., data source 312) and wireless reception of data (e.g., data sink 339). For example, BS 102 can transmit and receive data between BS 102 and UE 104. BS 102 includes a controller / processor 340 that can be configured to implement various functions described herein related to wireless communication.

[0067] In general, the UE 104 includes various processors (e.g., 358, 364, 366, and 380), antennas 352a-352r (collectively 352), transceivers 354a-354r (collectively 354) including modulators and demodulators, and other aspects that enable wireless transmission of data (e.g., retrieved from a data source 362) and wireless reception of data (e.g., provided to a data sink 360). The UE 104 includes a controller / processor 380 that can be configured to implement various functions described herein related to wireless communications.

[0068] Regarding example downlink transmissions, BS 102 includes a transmit processor 320 that can receive data from a data source 312 and control information from a controller / processor 340. The control information can be for a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), a physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH), a physical HARQ indicator channel (PHICH), a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a group common PDCCH (GC PDCCH), and / or others. In some examples, the data can be for a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[0069] The transmit processor 320 may process (e.g., encode and symbol map) data and control information to obtain data symbols and control symbols, respectively. The transmit processor 320 may also generate reference symbols, such as for a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a PBCH demodulation reference signal (DMRS), and a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

[0070] The transmit (TX) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) processor 330 may perform spatial processing (e.g., pre-decoding) on ​​data symbols, control symbols, and / or reference symbols, where applicable, and may provide an output symbol stream to a modulator (MOD) in transceivers 332a to 332t. Each modulator in transceivers 332a-332t may process a corresponding output symbol stream to obtain an output sample stream. Each modulator may further process (e.g., convert to analog, amplify, filter, and up-convert) the output sample stream to obtain a downlink signal. The downlink signals from the modulators in transceivers 332a to 332t may be transmitted via antennas 334a to 334t, respectively.

[0071] To receive downlink transmissions, UE 104 includes antennas 352a-352r that can receive downlink signals from BS 102 and can provide received signals to demodulators (DEMODs) in transceivers 354a-354r, respectively. Each demodulator in transceivers 354a-354r can condition (e.g., filter, amplify, downconvert, and digitize) a corresponding received signal to obtain input samples. Each demodulator can further process the input samples to obtain received symbols.

[0072] A MIMO detector 356 may obtain received symbols from all demodulators in transceivers 354a-354r, perform MIMO detection on the received symbols if applicable, and provide detected symbols. A receive processor 358 may process (e.g., demodulate, deinterleave, and decode) the detected symbols, provide decoded data for the UE 104 to a data sink 360, and provide decoded control information to a controller / processor 380.

[0073] With respect to example uplink transmissions, the UE 104 also includes a transmit processor 364 that may receive and process data from a data source 362 (e.g., for a PUSCH) and control information from a controller / processor 380 (e.g., for a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH)). The transmit processor 364 may also generate reference symbols for reference signals (e.g., a sounding reference signal (SRS)). The symbols from the transmit processor 364 may be pre-decoded by a TX MIMO processor 366, if applicable, further processed by a modulator in the transceivers 354a-354r (e.g., for SC-FDM), and transmitted to the BS 102.

[0074] At BS 102, uplink signals from UE 104 may be received by antennas 334 a-334 t, processed by demodulators in transceivers 332 a-332 t, detected by MIMO detector 336 if applicable, and further processed by receive processor 338 to obtain decoded data and control information transmitted by UE 104. Receive processor 338 may provide decoded data to data sink 339 and decoded control information to controller / processor 340.

[0075] Memories 342 and 382 may store data and program codes for BS 102 and UE 104, respectively.

[0076] Scheduler 344 may schedule UEs for data transmission on the downlink and / or uplink.

[0077] In various aspects, the BS 102 may be described as sending and receiving various types of data associated with the methods described herein. In these contexts, "sending" may refer to various mechanisms for outputting data, such as outputting data from a data source 312, a scheduler 344, a memory 342, a transmit processor 320, a controller / processor 340, a TX MIMO processor 330, a transceiver 332a-332t, an antenna 334a-334t, and / or other aspects described herein. Similarly, "receiving" may refer to various mechanisms for obtaining data, such as obtaining data from an antenna 334a-334t, a transceiver 332a-332t, a RX MIMO detector 336, a controller / processor 340, a receive processor 338, a scheduler 344, a memory 342, and / or other aspects described herein.

[0078] In various aspects, the UE 104 may also be described as sending and receiving various types of data associated with the methods described herein. In these contexts, "sending" may refer to various mechanisms for outputting data, such as outputting data from a data source 362, a memory 382, ​​a transmit processor 364, a controller / processor 380, a TX MIMO processor 366, a transceiver 354a-354t, an antenna 352a-352t, and / or other aspects described herein. Similarly, "receiving" may refer to various mechanisms for obtaining data, such as obtaining data from an antenna 352a-352t, a transceiver 354a-354t, a RX MIMO detector 356, a controller / processor 380, a receive processor 358, a memory 382, ​​and / or other aspects described herein.

[0079] In some aspects, the processor may be configured to perform various operations (such as those associated with the methods described herein) and send (output) data to or receive (obtain) data from another interface configured to send or receive data, respectively.

[0080] Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 4C and Figure 4D Describes a method for use in a wireless communication network such as Figure 1 Various aspects of the data structure of the wireless communication network 100).

[0081] Specifically, Figure 4A is a diagram 400 illustrating an example of a first subframe within a 5G (e.g., 5G NR) frame structure, Figure 4B is a diagram 430 illustrating an example of a DL channel within a 5G subframe, Figure 4C is a diagram 450 illustrating an example of a second subframe within a 5G frame structure, and Figure 4D FIG480 is a diagram illustrating an example of UL channels within a 5G subframe.

[0082] Wireless communication systems may utilize orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with a cyclic prefix (CP) on both the uplink and downlink. Such systems may also support half-duplex operation using time division duplex (TDD). OFDM and single carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM) can be used to maximize the system bandwidth (e.g., Figure 4B and Figure 4D The modulation symbols may be transmitted in the frequency domain using OFDM and / or in the time domain using SC-FDM.

[0083] The wireless communication frame structure may be frequency division duplex (FDD), where for a particular set of subcarriers, subframes within the set of subcarriers are dedicated to either DL or UL. The wireless communication frame structure may also be time division duplex (TDD), where for a particular set of subcarriers, subframes within the set of subcarriers are dedicated to both DL and UL.

[0084] exist Figure 4A and Figure 4C In the wireless communication frame structure, TDD is used, where D is DL, U is UL, and X is used flexibly between DL / UL. The UE can be configured with a time slot format (dynamically configured by DL control information (DCI) or semi-statically / statically configured by radio resource control (RRC) signaling) through the received time slot format indicator (SFI). In the depicted example, the 10ms frame is divided into 10 equally sized 1ms subframes. Each subframe may include one or more time slots. In some examples, each time slot may include 7 or 14 symbols, depending on the time slot format. The subframe may also include micro-time slots, which typically have fewer symbols than the entire time slot. Other wireless communication technologies may have different frame structures and / or different channels.

[0085] In certain aspects, the number of time slots within a subframe is based on the time slot configuration and the parameter set. For example, for time slot configuration 0, different parameter sets (μ) 0 to 5 allow for 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 time slots per subframe, respectively. For time slot configuration 1, different parameter sets 0 to 2 allow for 2, 4, and 8 time slots per subframe, respectively. Thus, for time slot configuration 0 and parameter set μ, there are 14 symbols / time slot and 2μ time slots / subframe. The subcarrier spacing and symbol length / duration are a function of the parameter set. The subcarrier spacing may be equal to 2 μ × 15kHz, where μ is parameter set 0 to 5. Thus, parameter set μ=0 has a subcarrier spacing of 15kHz, and parameter set μ=5 has a subcarrier spacing of 480kHz. The symbol length / duration is inversely related to the subcarrier spacing. Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 4C and Figure 4D An example is provided for slot configuration 0 with 14 symbols per slot and parameter set μ=2 with 4 slots per subframe. The slot duration is 0.25 ms, the subcarrier spacing is 60 kHz, and the symbol duration is approximately 16.67 μs.

[0086] like Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 4C and Figure 4DAs depicted in , a resource grid can be used to represent a frame structure. Each time slot includes a resource block (RB) (also called a physical RB (PRB)) extending, for example, 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.

[0087] like Figure 4A As illustrated, some REs carry Figure 1 and Figure 3 The RS may include a demodulation RS (DMRS) and / or a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) for channel estimation at the UE. The RS may also include a beam measurement RS (BRS), a beam refinement RS (BRRS), and / or a phase tracking RS (PT-RS).

[0088] Figure 4B Examples of various DL channels within a subframe of a frame are illustrated.The Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) carries DCI within one or more Control Channel Elements (CCEs), each CCE comprising, for example, nine RE Groups (REGs), each REG comprising, for example, four consecutive REs in an OFDM symbol.

[0089] The primary synchronization signal (PSS) may be in symbol 2 of a particular subframe of a frame. The PSS is transmitted by a UE (e.g., Figure 1 and Figure 3 104) is used to determine subframe / symbol timing and physical layer identification.

[0090] A Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS) may be within symbol 4 of a particular subframe of a frame. The SSS is used by the UE to determine the physical layer cell identity group number and radio frame timing.

[0091] Based on the physical layer identifier and the physical layer cell identifier group number, the UE can determine the physical cell identifier (PCI). Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the location of the aforementioned DMRS. The physical broadcast channel (PBCH) carrying the master information block (MIB) can be logically grouped with the PSS and SSS to form a synchronization signal (SS) / PBCH block. The MIB provides the number of RBs in the system bandwidth and the system frame number (SFN). The physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information (such as system information blocks (SIBs)) that is not sent via the PBCH, and / or paging messages.

[0092] like Figure 4CAs illustrated, some REs carry DMRS for channel estimation at the base station (indicated as R for one particular configuration, but other DMRS configurations are possible). The UE may send DMRS for PUCCH and DMRS for PUSCH. The PUSCH DMRS may be sent, for example, in the first one or two symbols of the PUSCH. The PUCCH DMRS may be sent in different configurations depending on whether a short PUCCH or a long PUCCH is sent and depending on the specific PUCCH format used. The UE 104 may send a sounding reference signal (SRS). The SRS may be sent, for example, in the last symbol of a subframe. The SRS may have a comb structure, and the UE may send the SRS on one of the teeth of the comb. The SRS may be used by the base station for channel quality estimation to achieve frequency-dependent scheduling of the UL.

[0093] Figure 4D Examples of various UL channels within a subframe of a frame are illustrated. The PUCCH may be located at a position as indicated in one configuration. The PUCCH carries uplink control information (UCI), such as scheduling requests, channel quality indicator (CQI), precoding matrix indicator (PMI), rank indicator (RI), and HARQ ACK / NACK feedback. The PUSCH carries data and may additionally be used to carry a buffer status report (BSR), a power headroom report (PHR), and / or UCI.

[0094] Example Backscatter Device

[0095] Figure 5 An example backscatter system 500 is depicted that includes a reader device 510 and a backscatter device 550. The reader device 510 may also be referred to as an RFID reader, interrogator, or scanner. In some aspects, the backscatter device 550 may be referred to as an RFID tag, an RFID label, or an electronic label. In some aspects, the reader device 510 may be integrated with a user equipment, such as the user equipment described above.

[0096] In this example, the reader device 510 includes an antenna 520 and an electronic unit 530. The antenna 520 radiates the signal sent by the reader device 510 and receives the signal from the backscatter device 550. Therefore, the electronic unit 530 may include a transmitter and a receiver. The same pair of transmitter and receiver (or another pair of transmitter and receiver) can support two-way communication with a wireless network, wireless device, etc. The electronic unit 530 may include processing circuits (e.g., a processor) to perform processing on the data sent and received by the reader device 510.

[0097] In this example, the backscatter device 550 includes an antenna 560 that receives signals from the reader device 510 and radiates the signals sent by the backscatter device 550 .

[0098] Backscatter device 550 also includes a data storage element 570 that stores information of backscatter device 550 in, for example, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) or another type of memory.

[0099] The backscatter device 550 may also include an electronics unit that may process received signals and generate signals to be transmitted, such as backscatter signals.

[0100] In some aspects, the backscatter device 550 can be a passive backscatter device without an energy storage device (e.g., without a battery). In such cases, induction can be used to power the backscatter device 550. For example, in some cases, the magnetic field from the signal sent by the reader device 510 can induce a current in the backscatter device 550, which can then operate based on the induced current. The backscatter device 550 can then radiate its signal in response to receiving a signal from the reader device 510 or some other device. In other cases, the backscatter device 550 can optionally include an energy storage device 590 (such as a battery, capacitor, supercapacitor, etc.) for storing energy harvested using the energy harvesting circuit 555.

[0101] In one example, the backscatter device 550 may be read by placing the reader device 510 in close proximity to the backscatter device 550 (or vice versa). The reader device 510 may radiate the first signal 525 via the antenna 520. In some cases, the first signal 525 may be referred to as an interrogation signal or an energy signal. In one example, the energy of the first signal 525 may be coupled from the reader device antenna 520 to the backscatter device antenna 560 via magnetic coupling. In other words, the backscatter device 550 may receive the first signal 525 from the reader device 510 via the antenna 560, and the energy of the first signal 525 may be harvested using the energy harvesting circuit 555 (e.g., an RF transducer) and used to power the backscatter device 550. For example, the energy of the first signal 525 received by the backscatter device 550 may be used to power the microprocessor 545, which in turn may retrieve information stored in the data storage element 570 and transmit the retrieved information via the second signal 535 using the antenna 560.

[0102] In some cases, the microprocessor 545 can generate a second signal 535 by modulating a baseband signal (e.g., generated using the energy of the first signal 525) with information retrieved from the data storage element 570. In some cases, this second signal 535 can be referred to as a backscatter modulated information signal or a backscatter signal. Thereafter, the second signal 535 is transmitted to the reader device 510 via the antenna 560. The reader device 510 receives the second signal 535 from the backscatter device 550 via the antenna 520, and can process (e.g., demodulate) the received signal to obtain the signal transmitted in the second signal 535.

[0103] In some aspects, the RFID system 500 can be designed to operate at 13.56 MHz or some other frequency (e.g., the ultra-high frequency (UHF) band at 900 MHz). In addition, the reader device 510 can have a specified maximum transmit power level, such as specified by a regulatory body, which can limit the distance at which the reader device 510 can read the backscatter device 550.

[0104] Aspects related to backscatter data reading

[0105] Fig. 6A Depicted is an example 600 of multiple RF source devices cooperating to allow a backscatter device to perform continuous backscatter communications.

[0106] In example 600, a first RF source device 601 (e.g., a network entity, such as a base station (depicted), or user equipment) transmits an RF source signal 602 to a backscatter device 603 during its scheduled downlink time slot, and a second RF source (and reader) device 605 (e.g., user equipment or another dedicated RF device) transmits a second RF source signal 604 to the backscatter device 603 during the scheduled uplink time slot of the first RF source device 601. In this manner, the backscatter device 603 is able to continuously receive, modulate, and reflect (transmit) the RF source signal as a backscatter signal 606. Beneficially, this allows the backscatter device 603 to transmit the backscatter signal 606 for a longer duration, including when the first RF source device 601 cannot transmit due to its uplink time slot schedule, which improves the latency of the backscatter communication to the second RF source (and reader) device 605. In some cases, the RF source signals 602 and 604 may be continuous wave signals.

[0107] In this example, the second RF source (and reader) device 605 is capable of full-duplex in-band operation such that it can transmit the RF source signal 604 and receive the backscatter signal 606 concurrently (eg, during the same time slot).

[0108] In some aspects, the second RF source device 605 may receive a configured uplink grant from the first RF source device 601 in which the RF source signal 604 is transmitted. The uplink grant may be timed to coincide with the uplink scheduling of the first RF source device 601 itself (e.g., when the first RF source device 601 is unable to transmit a downlink RF source signal to the backscatter device 603). In addition, in some aspects, the second RF source device 605 may receive a semi-persistent scheduling configuration from the first RF source device 601, and thereafter receive a configured uplink grant from the first RF source device 601 during a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) opportunity scheduled based on the semi-persistent scheduling configuration.

[0109] In some aspects, the first RF source device 601 may be referred to as a primary RF source device, and the second RF source device 605 may be referred to as a secondary RF source device. In some aspects, a primary RF source device is a device that transmits RF source signals during most time slots in any given time slot pattern. Thus, in example 650, because the first RF source device 601 transmits RF source signals in three of the four time slots in the time slot pattern, it is considered a primary RF source device.

[0110] Figure 6B Depicts the corresponding Fig. 6A An example data stream 650 is shown.

[0111] As depicted, a first RF source device 601 transmits an RF source signal 602A during a first scheduled downlink (DL) time slot of the first RF source device 601. During this same downlink time slot, a backscatter device 603 receives the RF source signal 602A and backscatters the RF source signal via a backscatter signal 606A to a second RF source (and reader) device 605, which receives the data encoded into the backscatter signal 606A by the backscatter device 603.

[0112] As depicted, the first RF source device 601 continues to transmit RF source signals 602B-C during the second scheduled downlink time slot and the third scheduled downlink time slot of the first RF source device 601. During these downlink time slots, the backscatter device 603 receives the RF source signals 602B-C and backscatters the RF source signals via backscatter signals 606B-C to the second RF source (and reader) device 605, which receives the data encoded into the backscatter signals 606B-C by the backscatter device 603.

[0113] Finally, during a scheduled uplink (UL) time slot of the first RF source device 601, the second RF source (and reader) device 605 sends an RF source signal 604 to the backscatter device 603 and receives a backscatter signal 606D from the backscatter device 603, and the second RF source (and reader) device 605 then decodes the backscatter signal to receive the data encoded in the backscatter signal 606D.

[0114] It should be noted that while the RF source signals 602A-C are depicted separately to illustrate time slot specific timing, these signals may be continuously transmitted without interruption during the scheduled downlink time slot of the first RF source device 601. Furthermore, the specific time slot pattern depicted in example 650 (e.g., downlink-downlink-downlink-uplink or DDDU) is merely one example, and many other time slot patterns including different patterns and different numbers of time slots within the pattern are possible.

[0115] Fig. 7A Another example 700 of multiple RF source devices cooperating to allow a backscatter device to perform continuous backscatter communications is depicted.

[0116] In example 700, a first RF source device 701 (e.g., a network entity, such as a base station (depicted), or user equipment) transmits an RF source signal 702 to a backscatter device 703 during its scheduled downlink time slot, and a second RF source device 705 (e.g., user equipment, another network entity, or another dedicated RF device) transmits a second RF source signal 704 to the backscatter device 703 during the scheduled uplink time slot of the first RF source device 701. In this manner, the backscatter device 703 is able to continuously receive, modulate, and reflect (transmit) the RF source signal as a backscatter signal 706. Beneficially, this allows the backscatter device 703 to transmit the backscatter signal 706 for a longer duration, including when the first RF source device 701 cannot transmit due to its uplink time slot schedule, which improves the latency of the backscatter communication to the reader device 707 in this example. In some cases, the RF source signals 702 and 704 may be continuous wave signals.

[0117] In this example, the reader device 707 is capable of half-duplex operation such that the RF source signal cannot be transmitted while receiving the backscatter signal 706, such as in Fig. 6A Thus, the second RF source device 705 is used as a “helper” device to provide the RF source signal 704 during the scheduled uplink time slot of the first RF source device 701 .

[0118] As in the above example, the second RF source device 705 may receive a configured uplink grant from the first RF source device 701 in which the RF source signal 704 is transmitted. The uplink grant may be timed to coincide with the uplink scheduling of the first RF source device 701 itself (e.g., when the first RF source device 701 is unable to transmit a downlink RF source signal to the backscatter device 703). In addition, in some aspects, the second RF source device 705 may receive a semi-persistent scheduling configuration from the first RF source device 701, and thereafter receive a configured uplink grant from the first RF source device 701 during a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) opportunity scheduled based on the semi-persistent scheduling configuration.

[0119] In some aspects, the backscatter device 703 may include an energy storage device (e.g., a battery, a capacitor, a supercapacitor, etc., such as Figure 5 Thus, in some aspects, when the second RF source device 705 provides the RF source signal 704, the backscatter device 703 can use its energy storage device to further assist in generating the backscatter signal 706. In this way, the backscatter device 703 can compensate the integrated circuit of the backscatter device 703 (e.g., the second RF source device 705) only when the helper device (e.g., the second RF source device 705) is still needed. Figure 5 When the backscatter device 703 utilizes its energy storage device in this manner, the second RF source device 705 can be able to beneficially transmit the RF source signal 704 at a lower power level, thereby generating less interference to nearby devices while also using less energy. It is worth noting that this method works even if the backscatter device 703 does not include any active RF components capable of generating (rather than modulating) a waveform for transmission.

[0120] In some aspects, it may be indicated to, for example, a first RF source device 701 (which may be a network entity) whether the backscatter device 703 has an energy storage device and the ability to assist in the manner described above. This indication may allow the first RF source device 701 or another network entity to configure the second RF source device 705 to send a reduced-power second RF source signal 704.

[0121] Figure 7B Depicts the corresponding Fig. 7A Example data stream 750 of .

[0122] As depicted, first RF source device 701 transmits RF source signal 702A during a first scheduled downlink (DL) time slot of first RF source device 701. During this same downlink time slot, backscatter device 703 receives RF source signal 702A and backscatters the RF source signal via backscatter signal 706A to reader device 707, which receives data encoded into backscatter signal 706A by backscatter device 703.

[0123] As depicted, first RF source device 701 continues to transmit RF source signals 702B-C during the second scheduled downlink time slot and the third scheduled downlink time slot of first RF source device 701. During these downlink time slots, backscatter device 703 receives RF source signals 702B-C and backscatters the RF source signals via backscatter signals 706B-C to reader device 707, which receives data encoded into backscatter signals 706B-C by backscatter device 703.

[0124] Finally, during the scheduled uplink (UL) time slot of the first RF source device 701, the second RF source device 705 sends the RF source signal 704 to the backscatter device 703, which then backscatters the signal with the encoded data in the backscatter signal 706D. As described above, in some cases, the backscatter device 703 can use its own energy storage to assist in generating the backscatter signal 706D. The reader device 707 then receives the backscatter signal 706D and can thereafter process the received data.

[0125] It should be noted that, as described above, while the RF source signals 702A-C are depicted individually to illustrate time slot specific timing, these signals may be continuously transmitted without interruption during the scheduled downlink time slots of the first RF source device 701. Furthermore, the particular time slot pattern depicted in example 750 (e.g., downlink-downlink-downlink-uplink or DDDU) is merely one example, and many other time slot patterns including different patterns and different numbers of time slots within the pattern are possible.

[0126] Fig. 8A Another example 800 is depicted where multiple RF source devices cooperate to allow a backscatter device to perform continuous backscatter communications.

[0127] In example 800, a first RF source (and reader) device 801 (e.g., a network entity, such as a base station (depicted), or user equipment) transmits an RF source signal 802 to a backscatter device 803 during its scheduled downlink time slot, and a second RF source (and reader) device 805 (e.g., user equipment) transmits a second RF source signal 804 to the backscatter device 803 during the scheduled uplink time slot of the first RF source device 801. In this manner, the backscatter device 803 is able to continuously receive, modulate, and reflect (transmit) the RF source signal as backscatter signals 806 and 808. In some cases, the RF source signals 802 and 804 may be continuous wave signals.

[0128] In this example, the second RF source (and reader) device 805 is capable of half-duplex operation, such that it can both transmit RF source signals 804 and receive backscatter signals 806, but it cannot perform these two operations concurrently (e.g., during the same time slot). Fig. 7A Unlike the example of , in example 800, there is no helper device for providing the RF source signal during the scheduled uplink time slot of the first RF source (and reader) device 801. Therefore, the first RF source (and reader) device 801 and the second RF source (and reader) device 805 switch roles during the scheduled uplink time slot of the first RF source (and reader) device 801, so that the second RF source (and reader) device 805 transmits the RF source signal 804 and the first RF source (and reader) device 801 receives the backscatter signal 808 from the backscatter device 803. Therefore, both the first RF source (and reader) device 801 and the second RF source (and reader) device 805 act as both the RF source signal transmitter and the reader of the backscatter signal from the backscatter device 803.

[0129] The result of example 800 is that both the first RF source (and reader) device 801 and the second RF source (and reader) device 805 can only receive a partial data payload. Therefore, after receiving their partial data payloads, one of the first RF source (and reader) device 801 or the second RF source (and reader) device 805 can transmit its partial data payload to the other device so that the partial data payload can be combined and processed (e.g., decoded). Therefore, in this example, each of the first RF source (and reader) device 801 and the second RF source (and reader) device 805 acts as a reader, and one of the first RF source (and reader) device 801 and the second RF source (and reader) device 805 acts as a repeater for data received from the backscatter device 803.

[0130] In some aspects, the second RF source device 805 may receive a configured uplink grant from the first RF source device 801 in which the RF source signal 804 is transmitted. The uplink grant may be timed to coincide with the uplink scheduling of the first RF source device 801 itself (e.g., when the first RF source device 801 is unable to transmit a downlink RF source signal to the backscatter device 803). In addition, in some aspects, the second RF source device 805 may receive a semi-persistent scheduling configuration from the first RF source device 801, and thereafter receive a configured uplink grant from the RF source device 801 during a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) opportunity scheduled based on the semi-persistent scheduling configuration.

[0131] It should be noted that while example 800 depicts two RF source and reader devices 801 and 805, in other examples, any number of RF source and reader devices may collaborate and may forward a portion of the data payload to a master reader device for processing. In some aspects, the master reader device may be one of the RF source and reader devices, while in other aspects, the master reader device may be a separate device that does not act as an RF source device.

[0132] Figure 8B Depicts the corresponding Fig. 8A Example data stream 850 of .

[0133] As depicted, a first RF source (and reader) device 801 transmits an RF source signal 802A during a first scheduled downlink (DL) time slot of the first RF source device 801. During this same downlink time slot, a backscatter device 803 receives the RF source signal 802A and backscatters the RF source signal via a backscatter signal 808A to a second RF source (and reader) device 805, which receives the data encoded by the backscatter device 803 into the backscatter signal 806A.

[0134] The first RF source (and reader) device 801 then continues to transmit RF source signals 802B-C during the second scheduled downlink time slot and the third scheduled downlink time slot of the first RF source (and reader) device 801. During these downlink time slots, the backscatter device 803 receives the RF source signals 802B-C and backscatters the RF source signals via backscatter signals 806B-C to the second RF source (and reader) device 805, which receives the data encoded into the backscatter signals 806B-C by the backscatter device 803.

[0135] Then, during a scheduled uplink (UL) time slot of the first RF source (and reader) device 801, the second RF source (and reader) device 805 sends an RF source signal 804 to the backscatter device 803, which backscatters the signal as a backscatter signal 808 to the RF source (and reader) device 801, which receives the data encoded into the backscatter signal 808 by the backscatter device 803.

[0136] Finally, one of the first RF source (and reader) device 801 or the second RF source (and reader) device 805 relays its portion of the data payload to the other device. Figure 8B , arrow 810 is depicted as bidirectional to indicate that either device may relay a portion of the data payload to another device based on which device is the intended recipient device. In some aspects, the destination device of the full data payload may be indicated by sending appropriate messages to and / or between the first RF source (and reader) device 801 and the second RF source (and reader) device 805.

[0137] In some aspects, the relay type can be one of the following: (1) amplify and forward type relay; (2) delay and forward type relay (e.g., if the fragments / portions / data blocks collected by the device are decodable); (3) compress and forward type relay (e.g., undecided quantization observation); or (4) relay log likelihood ratio if log likelihood ratio is used for decoding (e.g., related to the likelihood of the codeword received in the signal). In the case of compress and forward type relay, the quantization or compression level can be different and can be based on the capabilities of the receiving device (the device to be relayed) and can be configuration-dependent. In some aspects, the first RF source (and reader) device 801 can relay I / Q data from backscatter signals 804 and 808 to the second RF source (and reader) device 805, or vice versa.

[0138] It should be noted that while the RF source signals 802A-C are depicted separately to illustrate time slot specific timing, these signals may be continuously transmitted without interruption during the scheduled downlink time slot of the first RF source device 801. Furthermore, the specific time slot pattern depicted in example 850 (e.g., downlink-downlink-downlink-uplink or DDDU) is merely one example, and many other time slot patterns including different patterns and different numbers of time slots within the pattern are possible.

[0139] Fig. 9A Another example 900 is depicted in which multiple RF source devices cooperate to allow a backscatter device to perform continuous backscatter communications.

[0140] In example 900, RF source device 901 (e.g., a network entity, such as a base station (depicted), or user equipment) transmits an RF source signal 902 to backscatter device 903 during its scheduled downlink time slot. However, in this example, reader device 905 is a half-duplex device that cannot provide a source RF signal when receiving backscatter signal 906, and there is no such Fig. 7A In contrast, in this example, the backscatter device 903 includes an onboard energy storage device (e.g., a battery, a capacitor, a supercapacitor, etc., such as Figure 5 The backscatter device 903 includes an energy storage device 590 in the backscatter device 901 and an active RF component capable of generating a data signal 908 for transmission to the reader device 905 when the source RF signal is not available for backscattering. In this way, the backscatter device 903 is able to continuously transmit data-bearing signals (906 and 908) to the reader device 905 during the downlink and uplink time slots of the RF source 901, with or without the source RF signal.

[0141] Fig. 9B Depicts the corresponding Fig. 9A Example data stream 950.

[0142] As depicted, RF source device 901 transmits RF source signal 902A during a first scheduled downlink (DL) time slot of RF source device 901. During this same downlink time slot, backscatter device 903 receives RF source signal 902A and backscatters the RF source signal via backscatter signal 906A to reader device 905, which receives data encoded into backscatter signal 906A by backscatter device 903.

[0143] As depicted, RF source device 901 continues to transmit RF source signals 902B-C during the second scheduled downlink time slot and the third scheduled downlink time slot of RF source device 901. During these downlink time slots, backscatter device 903 receives RF source signals 902B-C and backscatters the RF source signals via backscatter signals 906B-C to reader device 905, which receives the data encoded into backscatter signals 906B-C by backscatter device 903.

[0144] Finally, during a scheduled uplink (UL) time slot of the RF source device 901, the backscatter device 903 uses its own internal energy storage to generate a data signal 908 and transmits the data signal to the reader device 905. In this example, the backscatter device 903 includes active RF components for generating the waveform of the data signal 908 (rather than modulating the source signal for backscattering).

[0145] In some aspects, whether the backscatter device 903 has an energy storage device and active RF components configured to generate the data signal 908 may be indicated to, for example, the RF source device 901 , which may be a network entity.

[0146] It should be noted that while the RF source signals 902A-C are depicted separately to illustrate time slot specific timing, these signals may be continuously transmitted without interruption during the scheduled downlink time slots of the RF source device 901. Furthermore, the particular time slot pattern depicted in example 950 (e.g., downlink-downlink-downlink-uplink or DDDU) is merely one example, and many other time slot patterns including different patterns and different numbers of time slots within the pattern are possible.

[0147] Example Operation of User Equipment

[0148] Fig.10 A method for performing a task by a user device such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 An example of a method 1000 for performing wireless communications with a UE 104).

[0149] Method 1000 begins at step 1005, where first backscatter data is received from a backscatter device during one or more network entity downlink time slots. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation described in reference to Fig.14 The described circuits for receiving and / or codes for receiving may be or may be executed by the circuits and / or codes.

[0150] Then, method 1000 proceeds to step 1010, during a network entity uplink time slot immediately following one or more network entity downlink time slots, receiving second backscatter data from a backscatter device. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation of Fig.14 The described circuits for receiving and / or codes for receiving may be or may be executed by the circuits and / or codes.

[0151] Then, method 1000 proceeds to step 1015, combining the first backscatter data and the second backscatter data at the user equipment to generate a backscatter data packet. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation of Fig.14 The described circuits for combining and / or codes for combining may be executed by the circuits and / or the codes.

[0152] In some aspects, method 1000 further includes decoding the backscattered data packet. In some cases, the operation of this step is as described in reference to Fig.14 The described circuit for decoding and / or code for decoding may be performed by the circuit and / or the code.

[0153] In some aspects, method 1000 further includes transmitting a backscattered data packet to a reading device. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation of Fig.14 The described circuits for transmitting and / or codes for transmitting, or executable by the circuits and / or the codes.

[0154] In some aspects, the backscatter data packet includes I / Q data.

[0155] In some aspects, the backscatter data packet includes log-likelihood ratio data.

[0156] In some aspects, transmitting the backscatter data packet to the reading device includes one of: amplifying and forwarding the backscatter data packet; delaying and forwarding the backscatter data packet; or compressing and forwarding the backscatter data packet.

[0157] In some aspects, the reading device is a network entity.

[0158] In some aspects, the reading device is another user equipment.

[0159] In some aspects, method 1000 further includes sending an RF source signal to the backscatter device during the network entity uplink time slot. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation of Fig.14 The described circuits for transmitting and / or codes for transmitting, or may be executed by the circuits and / or the codes.

[0160] In some aspects, the user equipment is configured to be in a full-duplex in-band mode of operation to transmit the RF source signal and receive the second backscatter data during a network entity uplink timeslot.

[0161] In some aspects, the method 1000 further includes receiving a configured uplink grant from the network entity, wherein transmitting the RF source signal during the network entity uplink time slot is performed according to the configured uplink grant. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to as described in reference Fig.14 The described circuits for receiving and / or codes for receiving may be or may be executed by the circuits and / or codes.

[0162] In some aspects, method 1000 further includes receiving a semi-persistent scheduling configuration from a network entity. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the following Fig.14 The described circuits for receiving and / or codes for receiving may be or may be executed by the circuits and / or codes.

[0163] In some aspects, the method 1000 further includes receiving, from the network entity, a configured uplink grant during a PDCCH opportunity scheduled based on the semi-persistent scheduling configuration. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation of Fig.14 The described circuits for receiving and / or codes for receiving may be or may be executed by the circuits and / or codes.

[0164] In some aspects, the backscatter device comprises an RFID tag.

[0165] In some aspects, the backscatter device includes a second user equipment including an RFID tag radio.

[0166] In one aspect, method 1000 or any aspect related thereto may be performed by an apparatus such as Fig.14 The method 1000 is performed by a communication device 1400, which includes various components that are operable, configured, or adapted to perform the method 1000. The communication device 1400 is described in more detail below.

[0167] It should be noted that Fig.10 This is merely one example of a method, and other methods including fewer, additional, or alternative steps may also be consistent with the present disclosure.

[0168] Fig.11 A method for receiving a backscattered user equipment such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 UE 104 or Figure 5 An example of a method 1100 for performing wireless communications with a backscatter device 550).

[0169] Method 1100 begins at step 1105, where a first RF source signal is received from a network entity during one or more network entity downlink time slots. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation described in reference to Fig.14 The described circuits for receiving and / or codes for receiving may be or may be executed by the circuits and / or codes.

[0170] Then, the method 1100 proceeds to step 1110, where first backscatter data is transmitted to the first user equipment during at least a portion of the one or more network entity downlink time slots. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation of Fig.14 The described circuits for transmitting and / or codes for transmitting, or executable by the circuits and / or the codes.

[0171] Then, the method 1100 proceeds to step 1115, where the second backscatter data is transmitted to the first user equipment during a network uplink time slot immediately following the one or more network entity downlink time slots. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation described in reference to Fig.14 The described circuits for transmitting and / or codes for transmitting, or may be executed by the circuits and / or the codes.

[0172] In some aspects, the method 1100 further includes receiving a second RF source signal during a network uplink time slot. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation of Fig.14 The described circuits for receiving and / or codes for receiving may be or may be executed by the circuits and / or codes.

[0173] In some aspects, the second RF source signal is received from the first user equipment.

[0174] In some aspects, the second RF source signal is received from a second user equipment.

[0175] In some aspects, transmitting the second backscatter data to the first user equipment during the network uplink timeslot includes transmitting the second backscatter data using energy from an energy storage device within the backscatter user equipment.

[0176] In some aspects, transmitting the second backscatter data to the first user equipment during the network uplink time slot includes transmitting the second backscatter data using energy from an energy storage device within the backscatter user equipment and energy harvested from the second RF source signal.

[0177] In some aspects, the backscatter user equipment comprises an RFID tag.

[0178] In some aspects, the backscatter user equipment includes an RFID tag radio.

[0179] In one aspect, method 1100 or any aspect related thereto may be performed by an apparatus such as Fig.14 The method 1100 is performed by a communication device 1400, which includes various components that are operable, configured, or adapted to perform the method 1100. The communication device 1400 is described in more detail below.

[0180] It should be noted that Fig.11 This is merely one example of a method, and other methods including fewer, additional, or alternative steps may also be consistent with the present disclosure.

[0181] Fig.12 A method for performing a task by a user device such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 An example of a method 1200 for performing wireless communications with a UE 104).

[0182] Method 1200 begins at step 1205, where first backscatter data is received from a backscatter device during one or more network entity downlink time slots. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation described in reference to Fig.14 The described circuits for receiving and / or codes for receiving may be or may be executed by the circuits and / or codes.

[0183] Then, method 1200 proceeds to step 1210, where an RF source signal is transmitted to a backscatter device during a network entity uplink time slot immediately following one or more network entity downlink time slots. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation of Fig.14 The described circuits for transmitting and / or codes for transmitting, or may be executed by the circuits and / or the codes.

[0184] In some aspects, the method 1200 further includes receiving second backscatter data from the network entity. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation of Fig.14 The described circuits for receiving and / or codes for receiving may be or may be executed by the circuits and / or codes.

[0185] In some aspects, the method 1200 further includes combining the first backscatter data and the second backscatter data at the user equipment to generate a backscatter data packet. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation of Fig.14 The described circuits for combining and / or codes for combining may be executed by the circuits and / or the codes.

[0186] In some aspects, method 1200 also includes decoding the backscattered data packet. In some cases, the operation of this step is as described in reference to Fig.14 The described circuit for decoding and / or code for decoding may be performed by the circuit and / or the code.

[0187] In some aspects, the method 1200 further includes receiving an indication from the network entity that the second backscatter data is to be relayed to the user equipment. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation of Fig.14 The described circuits for receiving and / or codes for receiving may be or may be executed by the circuits and / or codes.

[0188] In some aspects, the method 1200 further includes transmitting the first backscatter data to the network entity. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation of Fig.14 The described circuits for transmitting and / or codes for transmitting, or may be executed by the circuits and / or the codes.

[0189] In some aspects, the method 1200 further includes receiving an instruction from the network entity to relay the first backscatter data to the network entity. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation of Fig.14 The described circuits for receiving and / or codes for receiving may be or may be executed by the circuits and / or codes.

[0190] In some aspects, the backscatter device comprises an RFID tag.

[0191] In some aspects, the backscatter device includes a second user equipment including an RFID tag radio.

[0192] In one aspect, method 1200 or any aspect related thereto may be performed by an apparatus such as Fig.14 The method 1200 is performed by a communication device 1400, which includes various components that are operable, configured, or adapted to perform the method 1200. The communication device 1400 is described in more detail below.

[0193] It should be noted that Fig.12 This is merely one example of a method, and other methods including fewer, additional, or alternative steps may also be consistent with the present disclosure.

[0194] Example Operations of Network Entities

[0195] Fig.13 shows a method for use by network entities such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 BS102 or as relative to Figure 2 An example of a method 1300 of performing wireless communications with a decomposed base station is discussed.

[0196] Method 1300 begins at step 1305, where an RF source signal is transmitted to a backscatter device during one or more network entity downlink time slots. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation described in reference to Fig.15 The described circuits for transmitting and / or codes for transmitting, or may be executed by the circuits and / or the codes.

[0197] Then, method 1300 proceeds to step 1310, receiving first backscatter data from a backscatter device during a network entity uplink time slot immediately following one or more network entity downlink time slots. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation of Fig.15 The described circuits for receiving and / or codes for receiving may be or may be executed by the circuits and / or codes.

[0198] In some aspects, the method 1300 further includes receiving second backscatter data from the user equipment. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation of Fig.15 The described circuits for receiving and / or codes for receiving may be or may be executed by the circuits and / or codes.

[0199] In some aspects, the method 1300 further includes combining the first backscatter data and the second backscatter data at the network entity to generate a backscatter data packet. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation of Fig.15 The described circuits for combining and / or codes for combining may be executed by the circuits and / or the codes.

[0200] In some aspects, method 1300 also includes decoding the backscattered data packet. In some cases, the operation of this step is as described in reference to Fig.15 The described circuit for decoding and / or code for decoding may be performed by the circuit and / or the code.

[0201] In some aspects, the method 1300 further includes transmitting to the user equipment an instruction to relay the second backscatter data to the network entity. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation of Fig.15 The described circuits for transmitting and / or codes for transmitting, or executable by the circuits and / or the codes.

[0202] In some aspects, the method 1300 further includes transmitting the first backscatter data to the user equipment. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation of Fig.15 The described circuits for transmitting and / or codes for transmitting, or executable by the circuits and / or the codes.

[0203] In some aspects, the method 1300 further includes transmitting to the user equipment an indication that the first backscatter data will be relayed to the user equipment. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to the operation of Fig.15 The described circuits for transmitting and / or codes for transmitting, or may be executed by the circuits and / or the codes.

[0204] In some aspects, the backscatter device comprises an RFID tag.

[0205] In some aspects, the backscatter device includes a second user equipment including an RFID tag radio.

[0206] In one aspect, method 1300 or any aspect related thereto may be performed by an apparatus such as Fig.15 The method 1300 is performed by a communication device 1500, which includes various components that are operable, configured, or adapted to perform the method 1300. The communication device 1500 is described in more detail below.

[0207] It should be noted that Fig.13This is merely one example of a method, and other methods including fewer, additional, or alternative steps may also be consistent with the present disclosure.

[0208] Example Communication Device

[0209] Fig.14 Depicted are aspects of an example communications device 1400. In some aspects, the communications device 1400 is user equipment, such as described above with respect to Figure 1 and Figure 3 The UE 104 or backscatter user equipment described is such as relative to Figure 5 as described.

[0210] The communication device 1400 includes a processing system 1405 coupled to a transceiver 1475 (e.g., a transmitter and / or a receiver). The transceiver 1475 is configured to transmit and receive signals for the communication device 1400, such as the various signals described herein, via an antenna 1480. The processing system 1405 may be configured to perform processing functions for the communication device 1400, including processing signals received and / or to be transmitted by the communication device 1400.

[0211] The processing system 1405 includes one or more processors 1410. In various aspects, such as with respect to Figure 3 As depicted, the one or more processors 1410 may represent one or more of the receive processor 358, the transmit processor 364, the TX MIMO processor 366, and / or the controller / processor 380. The one or more processors 1410 are coupled to the computer-readable medium / memory 1440 via the bus 1470. In certain aspects, the computer-readable medium / memory 1440 is configured to store instructions (e.g., computer-executable code) that, when executed by the one or more processors 1410, cause the one or more processors 1410 to perform operations with respect to the computer-readable medium / memory 1440. Fig.10 The method 1000 described herein or any aspect thereof; Fig.11 The method 1100 described herein or any aspect related thereto; and / or with respect to Fig.12 The described method 1200 or any aspect related thereto. It should be noted that references to a processor performing a function of the communication device 1400 may include one or more processors 1410 performing that function of the communication device 1400 .

[0212] In the depicted example, computer readable medium / memory 1440 stores code (e.g., executable instructions), such as code for receiving 1445, code for combining 1450, code for decoding 1455, code for transmitting 1460, and code for sending 1465. Processing of code for receiving 1445, code for combining 1450, code for decoding 1455, code for transmitting 1460, and code for sending 1465 may cause communication device 1400 to perform operations with respect to Fig.10 The method 1000 described herein or any aspect thereof; Fig.11 The method 1100 described herein or any aspect related thereto; and / or with respect to Fig.12 The described method 1200 or any aspect related thereto.

[0213] The one or more processors 1410 include circuits configured to implement (e.g., execute) code stored in the computer-readable medium / memory 1440, including circuits such as: circuits for receiving 1415, circuits for combining 1420, circuits for decoding 1425, circuits for transmitting 1430, and circuits for sending 1435. Processing with the circuits for receiving 1415, combining 1420, decoding 1425, transmitting 1430, and sending 1435 may cause the communication device 1400 to perform operations relative to Fig.10 The method 1000 described herein or any aspect thereof; Fig.11 The method 1100 described herein or any aspect related thereto; and / or with respect to Fig.12 The described method 1200 or any aspect related thereto.

[0214] The various components of the communication device 1400 may provide means for performing the following: Fig.10 Method 1000 described herein or any aspect thereof; with respect to Fig.11 The method 1100 described herein or any aspect related thereto; and / or with respect to Fig.12 The method 1200 described herein or any aspect related thereto. For example, a component for sending, transmitting, or outputting for sending may include Figure 3 The illustrated transceiver 354 and / or antenna 352 and / or Fig.14 The transceiver 1475 and antenna 1480 of the communication device 1400 in FIG. 1470 may include Figure 3 The illustrated transceiver 354 and / or antenna 352 and / or Fig.14The transceiver 1475 and antenna 1480 of the communication device 1400 in FIG.

[0215] Fig.15 Aspects of an example communications device 1500 are depicted. In some aspects, communications device 1500 is a network entity such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 BS102 or as relative to Figure 2 The decomposed base station in question.

[0216] The communication device 1500 includes a processing system 1505 coupled to a transceiver 1565 (e.g., a transmitter and / or a receiver) and / or a network interface 1575. The transceiver 1565 is configured to transmit and receive signals for the communication device 1500 via an antenna 1570, such as the various signals described herein. The network interface 1575 is configured to transmit and receive signals for the communication device 1500 via a communication link, such as the various signals described herein with respect to Figure 2 The described backhaul link, midhaul link and / or fronthaul link are used to obtain and transmit signals for the communication device 1500. The processing system 1505 may be configured to perform processing functions for the communication device 1500, including processing signals received by and / or to be transmitted by the communication device 1500.

[0217] The processing system 1505 includes one or more processors 1510. In various aspects, such as with respect to Figure 3 As described, the one or more processors 1510 may represent one or more of the receive processor 338, the transmit processor 320, the TX MIMO processor 330, and / or the controller / processor 340. The one or more processors 1510 are coupled to the computer-readable medium / memory 1535 via the bus 1560. In some aspects, the computer-readable medium / memory 1535 is configured to store instructions (e.g., computer-executable code) that, when executed by the one or more processors 1510, cause the one or more processors 1510 to perform operations relative to the computer-readable medium / memory 1535. Fig.13 The described method 1300 or any aspect related thereto. It should be noted that references to a processor of the communication device 1500 that performs a function may include one or more processors 1510 of the communication device 1500 that perform that function.

[0218] In the depicted example, computer readable medium / memory 1535 stores code (e.g., executable instructions) such as code for transmitting 1540, code for receiving 1545, code for combining 1550, and code for decoding 1555. Processing of code for transmitting 1540, code for receiving 1545, code for combining 1550, and code for decoding 1555 may cause communication device 1500 to perform operations with respect to Fig.13The described method 1300 or any aspect related thereto.

[0219] The one or more processors 1510 include circuits configured to implement (e.g., execute) code stored in the computer-readable medium / memory 1535, including circuits such as: circuits for transmitting 1515, circuits for receiving 1520, circuits for combining 1525, and circuits for decoding 1530. Processing with the circuits for transmitting 1515, the circuits for receiving 1520, the circuits for combining 1525, and the circuits for decoding 1530 may cause the communication device 1500 to perform operations such as those described with respect to Fig.13 The described method 1300 or any aspect related thereto.

[0220] The various components of the communication device 1500 may be provided for performing the operations described in relation to Fig.13 The components of the described method 1300 or any aspect related thereto. The components for sending, transmitting, or outputting for sending may include Figure 3 The illustrated transceiver 332 and / or antenna 334 and / or Fig.15 The transceiver 1565 and antenna 1570 of the communication device 1500 in FIG. 1 may include Figure 3 The illustrated transceiver 332 and / or antenna 334 and / or Fig.15 The transceiver 1565 and antenna 1570 of the communication device 1500.

[0221] Sample Clauses

[0222] Specific implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses:

[0223] Clause 1: A method for wireless communication by a user equipment, comprising: receiving first backscatter data from a backscatter device during one or more network entity downlink time slots; receiving second backscatter data from the backscatter device during a network entity uplink time slot immediately following the one or more network entity downlink time slots; and combining the first backscatter data and the second backscatter data at the user equipment to generate a backscatter data packet.

[0224] Clause 2: The method of clause 1, further comprising: decoding the backscattered data packet.

[0225] Clause 3: The method of any one of clauses 1 and 2, further comprising: transmitting the backscatter data packet to a reading device.

[0226] Clause 4: The method of clause 3, wherein the backscatter data packet comprises I / Q data.

[0227] Clause 5: The method of clause 3, wherein the backscatter data packet comprises log-likelihood ratio data.

[0228] Clause 6: The method of clause 3, wherein transmitting the backscatter data packet to the reading device comprises one of: amplifying and forwarding the backscatter data packet; delaying and forwarding the backscatter data packet; or compressing and forwarding the backscatter data packet.

[0229] Clause 7: The method of clause 3, wherein the reading device is a network entity.

[0230] Clause 8: The method of clause 3, wherein the reading device is another user equipment.

[0231] Clause 9: The method of any one of clauses 1 to 8, further comprising: transmitting an RF source signal to the backscatter device during the network entity uplink timeslot.

[0232] Clause 10: The method of clause 9, wherein the user equipment is configured to be in a full-duplex in-band mode of operation to transmit the RF source signal and receive the second backscatter data during the network entity uplink timeslot.

[0233] Clause 11: The method of clause 9, further comprising: receiving a configured uplink grant from a network entity, wherein transmitting the RF source signal during the network entity uplink timeslot is performed in accordance with the configured uplink grant.

[0234] Clause 12: The method of clause 11, further comprising: receiving a semi-persistent scheduling configuration from the network entity; and receiving an uplink grant of the configuration from the network entity during a PDCCH opportunity scheduled based on the semi-persistent scheduling configuration.

[0235] Clause 13: The method of any one of clauses 1 to 12, wherein the backscatter device comprises an RFID tag.

[0236] Clause 14: The method of any of clauses 1 to 13, wherein the backscatter device comprises a second user equipment comprising an RFID tag radio.

[0237] Clause 15: A method for wireless communication by a backscatter user equipment, comprising: receiving a first RF source signal from a network entity during one or more network entity downlink time slots; transmitting first backscatter data to a first user equipment during at least a portion of the one or more network entity downlink time slots; and transmitting second backscatter data to the first user equipment during a network uplink time slot immediately following the one or more network entity downlink time slots.

[0238] Clause 16: The method of clause 15, further comprising: receiving a second RF source signal during the network uplink time slot.

[0239] Clause 17: The method of clause 16, wherein the second RF source signal is received from the first user equipment.

[0240] Clause 18: The method of clause 16, wherein the second RF source signal is received from a second user equipment.

[0241] Clause 19: The method of any of clauses 15 to 18, wherein transmitting the second backscatter data to the first user equipment during the network uplink timeslot comprises transmitting the second backscatter data using energy from an energy storage device within the backscatter user equipment.

[0242] Clause 20: The method of clause 19, wherein transmitting the second backscatter data to the first user equipment during the network uplink timeslot comprises transmitting the second backscatter data using energy from an energy storage device within the backscatter user equipment and energy harvested from the second RF source signal.

[0243] Clause 21: A method as described in any of clauses 15 to 20, wherein the backscatter user equipment comprises an RFID tag.

[0244] Clause 22: A method as recited in any one of clauses 15 to 21, wherein the backscatter user equipment comprises an RFID tag radio.

[0245] Clause 23: A method for wireless communication by a user equipment, comprising: receiving first backscatter data from a backscatter device during one or more network entity downlink time slots; and transmitting an RF source signal to the backscatter device during a network entity uplink time slot immediately following the one or more network entity downlink time slots.

[0246] Clause 24: The method of clause 23, further comprising: receiving second backscatter data from a network entity; combining the first backscatter data and the second backscatter data at the user equipment to generate a backscatter data packet; and decoding the backscatter data packet.

[0247] Clause 25: The method of clause 24, further comprising: receiving an indication from the network entity that the second backscatter data is to be relayed to the user equipment.

[0248] Clause 26: The method of any of clauses 23 to 25, further comprising: transmitting the first backscatter data to a network entity.

[0249] Clause 27: The method of clause 26, further comprising: receiving an indication from the network entity to relay the first backscatter data to the network entity.

[0250] Clause 28: The method of any one of clauses 23 to 27, wherein the backscatter device comprises an RFID tag.

[0251] Clause 29: The method of any of clauses 23 to 28, wherein the backscatter device comprises a second user equipment comprising an RFID tag radio.

[0252] Clause 30: A method for wireless communications by a network entity, comprising: transmitting an RF source signal to a backscatter device during one or more network entity downlink time slots; and receiving first backscatter data from the backscatter device during a network entity uplink time slot immediately following the one or more network entity downlink time slots.

[0253] Clause 31: The method of clause 30, further comprising: receiving second backscatter data from a user equipment; combining the first backscatter data and the second backscatter data at the network entity to generate a backscatter data packet; and decoding the backscatter data packet.

[0254] Clause 32: The method of clause 31, further comprising transmitting an indication to the user equipment to relay the second backscatter data to the network entity.

[0255] Clause 33: The method of any of clauses 30 to 32, further comprising: transmitting the first backscatter data to a user equipment.

[0256] Clause 34: The method of clause 33, further comprising transmitting to the user equipment an indication that the first backscatter data is to be relayed to the user equipment.

[0257] Clause 35: The method of any one of clauses 30 to 34, wherein the backscatter device comprises an RFID tag.

[0258] Clause 36: The method of any of clauses 30 to 35, wherein the backscatter device comprises a second user equipment comprising an RFID tag radio.

[0259] Clause 37: An apparatus comprising: a memory including executable instructions; and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions and cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of clauses 1 to 36.

[0260] Clause 38: An apparatus comprising means for performing the method of any of clauses 1 to 36.

[0261] Clause 39: A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising executable instructions which, when executed by a processor of an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of clauses 1 to 36.

[0262] Clause 40: A computer program product embodied on a computer readable storage medium, the computer readable storage medium comprising code for performing the method according to any one of clauses 1 to 36.

[0263] Additional considerations

[0264] The foregoing description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. The examples discussed herein do not limit the scope, applicability or aspects set forth in the claims. Various modifications to these aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the functions and arrangements of the elements discussed may be changed. Each example may ignore, replace or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For example, the described method may be performed in a different order than the described order, and various actions may be added, omitted or combined. In addition, the features described with respect to some examples may be combined in some other examples. For example, any number of aspects set forth herein may be used to implement a device or practice method. In addition, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover such devices or methods practiced using other structures, functions, or structures and functions that are supplementary or alternative to the various aspects of the present disclosure set forth herein. It should be understood that any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein may be embodied by one or more elements of the claims.

[0265] The various illustrative logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the present disclosure may be implemented or executed using a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device (PLD), discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in an alternative, the processor may be any commercially available processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, a system on a chip (SoC), or any other such configuration.

[0266] As used herein, a phrase referring to "at least one of" a list of items refers to any combination of those items (including single members). As an example, "at least one of a, b, or c" is intended to cover: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, and abc, as well as any combination with multiple identical elements (e.g., aa, aaa, aab, aac, abb, acc, bb, bbb, bbc, cc, and ccc, or any other ordering of a, b, and c).

[0267] As used herein, the term "determining" encompasses a wide variety of actions. For example, "determining" may include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, searching (e.g., searching in a table, a database, or another data structure), ascertaining, and the like. Also, "determining" may include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory), and the like. Additionally, "determining" may include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like.

[0268] The method disclosed herein includes one or more actions for implementing the method. The method actions may be interchangeable with each other without departing from the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order of actions is specified, the order and / or use of specific actions may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims. In addition, each operation of the method described above may be performed by any appropriate component capable of performing the corresponding function. The component may include various hardware and / or software components and / or modules, including but not limited to circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or processors.

[0269] The following claims are not intended to be limited to the various aspects shown herein, but should be granted the full scope consistent with the language of the claims. Within the claims, unless otherwise specified, reference to an element in the singular form is not intended to mean "one and only one", but "one or more". Unless otherwise specifically stated, the term "some" refers to one or more. Any claim element is not interpreted according to the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f) unless the element is explicitly stated using the phrase "parts for...". All structural and functional equivalents of the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or will be known later to a person of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be covered by the claims. In addition, regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly cited in the claims, anything disclosed herein is not intended to be disclosed to the public.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication by a user equipment, the method comprising: receiving first backscatter data from a backscatter device during one or more network entity downlink time slots; receiving second backscatter data from the backscatter device during a network entity uplink timeslot immediately following the one or more network entity downlink timeslots; as well as The first backscatter data and the second backscatter data are combined at the user equipment to generate a backscatter data packet.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising decoding the backscattered data packet.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the backscatter data packet to a reading device. The method of claim 3 , wherein the backscatter data packet comprises I / Q data.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the backscatter data packet includes log-likelihood ratio data.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein transmitting the backscatter data packet to the reading device comprises one of: amplifying and forwarding the backscattered data packet; delaying and forwarding the backscattered data packet; or The backscatter data packet is compressed and forwarded. The method of claim 3 , wherein the reading device is a network entity. The method of claim 3 , wherein the reading device is another user equipment.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a radio frequency (RF) source signal to the backscatter device during an uplink time slot of the network entity.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the user equipment is configured to be in a full-duplex in-band mode of operation to transmit the RF source signal and receive the second backscatter data during the network entity uplink timeslot.

11. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: receiving a configured uplink grant from a network entity, Wherein sending the RF source signal during the network entity uplink timeslot is performed in accordance with the configured uplink grant.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: receiving a semi-persistent scheduling configuration from the network entity; as well as The configured uplink grant is received from the network entity during a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) opportunity scheduled based on the semi-persistent scheduling configuration.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the backscatter device comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the backscatter device comprises a second user equipment comprising a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag radio.

15. A user equipment configured for wireless communication, the user equipment comprising: a memory including computer executable instructions; and one or more processors configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the user equipment to: receiving first backscatter data from a backscatter device during one or more network entity downlink time slots; receiving second backscatter data from the backscatter device during a network entity uplink timeslot immediately following the one or more network entity downlink timeslots; as well as The first backscatter data and the second backscatter data are combined at the user equipment to generate a backscatter data packet.

16. A method for wireless communication by a backscatter user equipment, the method comprising: receiving a first radio frequency (RF) source signal from a network entity during one or more network entity downlink time slots; transmitting, during at least a portion of the one or more network entity downlink time slots, first backscatter data to a first user equipment; as well as Second backscatter data is transmitted to the first user equipment during a network uplink timeslot immediately following the one or more network entity downlink timeslots.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising receiving a second RF source signal during the network uplink time slot.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second RF source signal is received from the first user equipment.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the second RF source signal is received from a second user equipment.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein transmitting the second backscatter data to the first user equipment during the network uplink timeslot comprises transmitting the second backscatter data using energy from an energy storage device within the backscatter user equipment.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein transmitting the second backscatter data to the first user equipment during the network uplink timeslot comprises transmitting the second backscatter data using energy from an energy storage device within the backscatter user equipment and energy harvested from the second RF source signal.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein the backscatter user equipment comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein the backscatter user equipment comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag radio.

24. A backscatter user equipment configured for wireless communication, the backscatter user equipment comprising: a memory including computer executable instructions; and one or more processors configured to execute the computer executable instructions and cause the backscatter user equipment to: receiving a first radio frequency (RF) source signal from a network entity during one or more network entity downlink time slots; transmitting, during at least a portion of the one or more network entity downlink time slots, first backscatter data to a first user equipment; as well as Second backscatter data is transmitted to the first user equipment during a network uplink timeslot immediately following the one or more network entity downlink timeslots.

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