Method and apparatus for initiating random access of environmental internet of things in wireless communication system

Abstract

The invention provides a method, a system and equipment for initiating random access of an environment internet of things in a wireless communication system. The method of user equipment comprises the following steps: receiving first signaling for triggering a first random access process; and determining whether to trigger a first random access procedure based on a first condition in response to receiving the first signaling, wherein the first condition includes at least one of whether the timer is running and / or whether the first duration has elapsed.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 616,308, filed on December 29, 2023; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 616,389, filed on December 29, 2023; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 616,475, filed on December 29, 2023; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 563,103, filed on March 8, 2024; each of the listed and cited applications and disclosures is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to wireless communication networks, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for initiating random access for Ambient Internet of Things (Ambient IoT) in a wireless communication system. Background Art

[0004] With the rapid growth of the demand for transmitting and receiving large amounts of data to and from mobile communication devices, traditional mobile voice communication networks have evolved into networks that communicate using Internet Protocol (IP) data packets. This IP packet communication can provide IP - bearer voice, multimedia, multicast, and on - demand communication services for users of mobile communication devices.

[0005] An exemplary network structure is the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E - UTRAN). The E - UTRAN system can provide high data throughput to enable the above - mentioned IP - bearer voice and multimedia services. Currently, the 3GPP standard organization is discussing next - generation (e.g., 5G) new radio access technologies. Thus, changes to the current body of the 3GPP standard are currently being submitted and considered to evolve and complete the 3GPP standard. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Methods, systems, and devices for initiating random access for Ambient Internet of Things (IoT) in a wireless communication system are provided. In various embodiments, an Ambient IoT user equipment (UE) initiates a random access (RA) procedure under some conditions, such as to ensure that the RA procedure can be successfully completed using applicable UE capabilities, to reduce power consumption, reduce signaling overhead, and avoid collisions between multiple Ambient IoT UEs. The UE may determine whether to trigger the RA procedure in response to multiple signals (e.g., corresponding to the same service). In various embodiments, the UE may appropriately determine the transmission power of the UE to achieve receive performance and / or coverage requirements. In various embodiments, the Ambient IoT UE may use appropriate resources to access the network and / or transmit uplink (UL) data.

[0007] In various embodiments, a method of a UE includes: receiving a first signal for triggering a first random access procedure; and determining whether to trigger the first random access procedure based on a first condition in response to (receiving) the first signal, where the first condition includes at least one of: whether a timer is running, and / or whether a first duration has elapsed.

[0008] In various embodiments, a method of a UE includes: receiving a second signal for triggering a second random access procedure; triggering the second random access procedure in response to (receiving) the second signal; performing a transmission during the second random access procedure; starting a timer and / or a first duration when one of the following timings occurs: receiving the second signal, triggering the second random access procedure, performing the transmission during the second random access procedure, or the second random access procedure is completed; a first signal for triggering a first random access procedure; and determining whether to trigger the first random access procedure based on a first condition in response to receiving the first signal, where the first condition includes at least one of: whether the timer is running, and / or whether the first duration has elapsed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 A diagram showing a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0010] Figure 2 A block diagram of a transmitter system (also referred to as an access network) and a receiver system (also referred to as a user equipment or UE) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 3 A functional block diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 4 is of an embodiment according to the present invention Figure 3 functional block diagram of program code

[0013] Figure 5 is in 3GPP TR 38.848 V18.0.0 Figure 4 .2.1.1-1: Reproduction of Topology 1

[0014] Figure 6 is in 3GPP TR 38.848 V18.0.0 Figure 4 .2.1.2-1: Reproduction of Topology 2

[0015] Figure 7A is in 3GPP TS 38.300 V17.6.0 Figure 9 .2.6-1: Random Access Procedure - (a) Reproduction of CBRA with 4-step RA type

[0016] Figure 7B is in 3GPP TS 38.300 V17.6.0 Figure 9 .2.6-1: Random Access Procedure - (b) Reproduction of CBRA with 2-step RA type

[0017] Figure 7C is in 3GPP TS 38.300 V17.6.0 Figure 9 .2.6-1: Random Access Procedure - (c) Reproduction of CFRA with 4-step RA type

[0018] Figure 7D is in 3GPP TS 38.300 V17.6.0 Figure 9 .2.6-1: Random Access Procedure - (d) Reproduction of CFRA with 2-step RA type

[0019] Figure 8 is in 3GPP TS 38.300 V17.6.0 Figure 9 .2.6-2: Reproduction of Fallback of CBRA with 2-step RA type

[0020] Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of a UE performing transmission and reception of signaling during a random access procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention

[0021] Figure 10 is a flowchart of a method of a UE in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the method comprising: receiving signaling from a network; determining whether to initiate a RA procedure based on a first condition in response to receiving the signaling; and initiating the RA procedure if or when the first condition is satisfied (at least)

[0022] Figure 11 is an example table according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the power level P i is the desired / derived / determined UE transmission power.

[0023] Figure 12 is a flowchart of a method of a UE in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the method including: receiving first signaling for triggering a first random access procedure; determining whether to trigger the first random access procedure based on a first condition in response to receiving the first signaling, where the first condition includes at least one of the following: whether a timer is running, and / or whether a first duration has elapsed.

[0024] Figure 13 is a flowchart of a method of a UE in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the method including: receiving second signaling for triggering a second random access procedure; triggering the second random access procedure in response to receiving the second signaling; performing transmission during the second random access procedure; starting a timer and / or a first duration when one of the following timings occurs: receiving the second signaling, triggering the second random access procedure, performing the transmission during the second random access procedure, or the second random access procedure is completed; receiving first signaling for triggering a first random access procedure; and determining whether to trigger the first random access procedure based on a first condition in response to receiving the first signaling, where the first condition includes at least one of the following: whether the timer is running, and / or whether the first duration has elapsed. Detailed Description

[0025] The present invention described herein can be applied to or implemented in the exemplary wireless communication systems and apparatuses described below. Additionally, the present invention is mainly described in the context of the 3GPP architecture reference model. However, it should be understood that, through the disclosed information, those skilled in the art can easily adapt to use and implement aspects of the present invention in 3GPP2 network architectures and other network architectures.

[0026] The exemplary wireless communication systems and devices described below employ a wireless communication system that supports broadcast services. Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communications, such as voice, data, etc. These systems can be based on code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) radio access, 3GPP Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A) radio access, 3GPP2 Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), 3GPP New Radio (NR), or some other modulation techniques.

[0027] Specifically, the exemplary wireless communication systems and devices described below can be designed to support one or more standards, such as the standards provided by an association named "Third Generation Partnership Project" (referred to as 3GPP in this document), including: [1] RP-234058, "Study on Ambient IoT Solutions in NR"; [2] 3GPP TR38.848 V18.0.0 (2023-09) 3GPP; TSG RAN; Study on Ambient IoT in RAN (Release 18); [3] 3GPP TS 38.321 V17.6.0 (2023-09) 3GPP; TSG RAN; NR; MAC Protocol Specification (Release 17); [4] 3GPP TS 38.300 V17.6.0 (2023-09) 3GPP; TSG RAN; NR; General Description of NR and NG-RAN (Release 17); [5] 3GPP TS 38.331 V17.6.0 (2023-09) 3GPP; TSG RAN; NR; RRC Protocol Specification (Release 17); [6] 3GPP TS 38.214 V17.7.0 (2023-09) 3GPP; TSG RAN; NR; Physical Layer Procedures for Data (Release 17); and [7] 3GPP TS 38.213 V17.7.0 (2023-09) 3GPP; TSG RAN; NR; Physical Layer Procedures for Control (Release 17). The standards and documents listed above are hereby expressly and fully incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0028] Figure 1 1 shows a multiple access wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. An access network 100 (AN) includes multiple antenna groups, one group includes 104 and 106, another group includes 108 and 110, and an additional group includes 112 and 114. Figure 1 In the embodiment of the present invention, only two antennas are shown for each antenna group, however, each antenna group may utilize more or fewer antennas. Access terminal (AT) 116 communicates with antennas 112 and 114, where antennas 112 and 114 transmit information to access terminal 116 via forward link 120 and receive information from AT 116 via reverse link 118. AT 122 communicates with antennas 106 and 108, where antennas 106 and 108 transmit information to AT 122 via forward link 126 and receive information from AT 122 via reverse link 124. In an FDD system, communication links 118, 120, 124, and 126 may use different frequencies for communication. For example, forward link 120 may use a different frequency than the frequency used by reverse link 118.

[0029] Each group of antennas and / or the area in which they are designed to communicate is often referred to as a sector of the access network. In an embodiment, the antenna groups are each designed to communicate with access terminals in a sector of the area covered by the access network 100.

[0030] In communicating over forward links 120 and 126, the transmit antennas of access network 100 may utilize beamforming in order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the forward links for the different access terminals 116 and 122. Also, an access network that uses beamforming to transmit to access terminals that are randomly dispersed throughout the coverage area of ​​the access network typically creates less interference to access terminals in neighboring cells than an access network that transmits to all of its access terminals via a single antenna.

[0031] AN can be a fixed station or base station for communicating with a terminal, and can also be called an access point, Node B, base station, enhanced base station, eNodeB or some other term. AT can also be called user equipment (UE), a wireless communication device, a terminal, an access terminal or some other term.

[0032] Figure 2 2 is a simplified block diagram of an embodiment of a transmitter system 210 (also referred to as an access network) and a receiver system 250 (also referred to as an access terminal (AT) or user equipment (UE)) in a MIMO system 200. At the transmitter system 210, traffic data for a number of data streams is provided from a data source 212 to a transmit (TX) data processor 214.

[0033] In one embodiment, each data stream is transmitted through a respective transmit antenna.TX data processor 214 formats, codes, and interleaves the traffic data for each data stream based on a particular coding scheme selected for that data stream to provide coded data.

[0034] The decoded data for each data stream may be multiplexed with pilot data using OFDM techniques. The pilot data is typically a known data pattern that is processed in a known manner and may be used at the receiver system to estimate the channel response. The multiplexed pilot data and decoded data for each data stream are then modulated (i.e., symbol mapped) based on a specific modulation scheme (e.g., BPSK, QPSK, M-PSK, or M-QAM) selected for each data stream to provide modulation symbols. The data rate, coding, and modulation for each data stream may be determined by instructions executed by the processor 230. The memory 232 is coupled to the processor 230.

[0035] The modulation symbols for all data streams are then provided to a TX MIMO processor 220, which may further process the modulation symbols (eg, for OFDM). The TX MIMO processor 220 then converts the N T The modulation symbol stream is provided to N T transmitters (TMTR) 222a through 222t. In certain embodiments, TX MIMO processor 220 applies beamforming weights to the symbols of the data streams and to the antenna from which the symbol is being transmitted.

[0036] Each transmitter 222 receives and processes a respective symbol stream to provide one or more analog signals, and further conditions (eg, amplifies, filters, and up-converts) the analog signals to provide a modulated signal suitable for transmission via a MIMO channel. T The antennas 224a to 224t transmit N signals from the transmitters 222a to 222t. T a modulated signal.

[0037] At the receiver system 250, N R The transmitted modulated signals are received by each antenna 252a through 252r and the received signal from each antenna 252 is provided to a respective receiver (RCVR) 254a through 254r. Each receiver 254 conditions (e.g., filters, amplifies, and downconverts) a respective received signal, digitizes the conditioned signal to provide samples, and further processes the samples to provide a corresponding “received” symbol stream.

[0038] RX data processor 260 then extracts the N R The receiver 254 receives and processes NR received symbol streams to provide N T The RX data processor 260 then demodulates, deinterleaves, and decodes each detected symbol stream to recover the traffic data for the data stream. The processing by the RX data processor 260 is complementary to the processing performed by the TX MIMO processor 220 and the TX data processor 214 at the transmitter system 210.

[0039] Processor 270 periodically determines which pre-coding matrix to use (discussed below). Processor 270 formulates a reverse link message comprising a matrix index portion and a rank value portion.

[0040] The reverse link message may include various types of information related to the communication link and / or the received data stream. The reverse link message is then processed by the TX data processor 238, modulated by the modulator 280, conditioned by the transmitters 254a to 254r, and transmitted back to the transmitter system 210, the TX data processor also receiving traffic data for a plurality of data streams from the data source 236.

[0041] At the transmitter system 210, the modulated signal from the receiver system 250 is received by the antenna 224, conditioned by the receiver 222, demodulated by the demodulator 240, and processed by the RX data processor 242 to extract the reverse link message transmitted by the receiver system 250. The processor 230 then determines which precoding matrix to use to determine the beamforming weights and then processes the extracted message.

[0042] The memory 232 may be used to temporarily store some buffer / calculated data from 240 or 242 through the processor 230, store some buffer data from 212, or store some specific program codes. Also, the memory 272 may be used to temporarily store some buffer / calculated data from 260 through the processor 270, store some buffer data from 236, or store some specific program codes.

[0043] Steering Figure 3 , this figure shows an alternative simplified functional block diagram of a communication device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. , the communication device 300 in the wireless communication system can be used to implement Figure 1UE (or AT) 116 and 122 in, and the wireless communication system is preferably an NR system. The communication device 300 may include an input device 302, an output device 304, a control circuit 306, a central processing unit (CPU) 308, a memory 310, a program code 312, and a transceiver 314. The control circuit 306 executes the program code 312 in the memory 310 through the CPU 308, thereby controlling the operation of the communication device 300. The communication device 300 can receive a signal input by a user through the input device 302 (for example, a keyboard or a keypad), and can output images and sounds through the output device 304 (for example, a monitor or a speaker). The transceiver 314 is used to receive and transmit wireless signals, pass the received signal to the control circuit 306, and wirelessly output the signal generated by the control circuit 306.

[0044] Figure 4 According to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 3 4. A simplified block diagram of program code 312 is shown. In this embodiment, program code 312 includes application layer 400, layer 3 portion 402, and layer 2 portion 404, and is coupled to layer 1 portion 406. Layer 3 portion 402 generally performs radio resource control. Layer 2 portion 404 generally performs link control. Layer 1 portion 406 generally performs physical connectivity.

[0045] For LTE, LTE-A or NR systems, the layer 2 portion 404 may include a radio link control (RLC) layer and a medium access control (MAC) layer. The layer 3 portion 402 may include a radio resource control (RRC) layer.

[0046] Any two or more of the following paragraphs, (sub) bullet points, points, actions or claims described in each invention paragraph or section may be logically, reasonably and appropriately combined to form a specific method.

[0047] Any sentence, paragraph, (sub) bullet, key point, action or claim described in each of the following invention paragraphs or sections can be implemented independently and individually to form a specific method or device. The following disclosure of the present invention, such as "based on", "more specifically", "example", etc., is only a possible embodiment that does not limit a specific method or device.

[0048] The Ambient IoT research project was approved at the RAN Plenary 102 meeting. It is described in [1] RP-234058 as follows:

[0049] *********************** Quote begins [1] **************************

[0050] 3 reasons

[0051] In recent years, IoT has attracted a lot of attention in the world of wireless communications. It is expected that more 'things' will be interconnected to improve productivity efficiency and increase living comfort. Further reductions in the size, complexity, and power consumption of IoT devices can enable the deployment of tens or even hundreds of billions of IoT devices for various applications and provide added value throughout the value chain. It is impossible to power all IoT devices with batteries that need to be manually replaced or recharged, which leads to high maintenance costs, serious environmental issues, and even safety hazards for some use cases (e.g., wireless sensors in the power and oil industries).

[0052] Most existing wireless communication devices are powered by batteries that need to be manually replaced or recharged. Automation and digitization of various industries have opened up many new markets that require new IoT technologies that support battery-free devices without energy storage capabilities or devices with energy storage that do not need to be manually replaced or recharged. The form factor of such devices must be fairly small to convey the effectiveness of the target use cases.

[0053] TR 22.840 is being developed by SA1 to capture use cases, business scenarios, device constraints for ambient power enabled IoT, and identify new potential service requirements as well as new KPIs. SA1 is considering devices to be battery-free or have limited energy storage capabilities (i.e. using capacitors), and to provide energy by harvesting radio waves, light, motion, heat, or any other power source that may be deemed suitable.

[0054] Given the limited size and complexity required for practical applications of battery-free devices without energy storage capabilities or devices with limited energy storage that do not require manual replacement or recharging, the output power of energy harvesters is typically 1 μW to several hundred μW. Existing cellular devices may not perform well with energy harvesting due to their peak power consumption of more than 10 mW.

[0055] The example type of application in TR 22.840 is asset identification, which currently has to be mainly adopted by barcodes and RFID in most industries. The main advantages of these two technologies are the ultra-low complexity and small form factor of the tags. However, the limited reading range of several meters usually requires handheld scanning, which leads to labor-intensive and time-consuming operations, or requires RFID portals / gates, which leads to high deployment costs. In addition, the lack of interference management schemes leads to severe interference and capacity issues between RFID readers, especially in the case of dense deployment. It is difficult for RFID to support large-scale seamless coverage networks.

[0056] TSG RAN has completed the Rel-18 RAN-level SI on Ambient IoT, which provides a terminology and scope framework for future discussions on Ambient IoT. This has defined representative use cases, deployment scenarios, connection topologies, Ambient IoT devices, design goals and required capabilities; it has also conducted a preliminary feasibility assessment and made recommendations for downward selection when setting the scope of another WG-level study.

[0057] Since existing technologies cannot meet all requirements of the target use cases, new IoT technologies are recommended to open up new markets within the 3GPP system, with the number of connections and / or device density being several orders of magnitude higher than existing 3GPP IoT technologies. New IoT technologies should offer orders of magnitude lower complexity and power consumption than existing 3GPP LPWA technologies (e.g., NB-IoT and eMTC), and should address use cases and scenarios that cannot otherwise be met based on existing 3GPP LPWA IoT technologies.

[0058] 4. Goals

[0059] 4.1 Objectives of SI or core WI or test WI

[0060] The goal of this study is to further evaluate Ambient IoT, a new 3GPP IoT technology, at the RAN WG level, suitable for deployment in 3GPP systems that rely on ultra-low complexity devices with ultra-low power consumption for very low-end IoT applications. The study should provide a clear distinction, i.e. address use cases and scenarios that cannot otherwise be met based on existing 3GPP LPWA IoT technologies (e.g. NB-IoT with reduced peak Tx power).

[0061] General range

[0062] The definitions provided in TR 38.848 are incorporated into this SI, and the following are the general scopes of exclusivity:

[0063] A. The overall goal should be to develop a harmonized air interface design with minimal differences (where necessary) to enable ambient IoT to enable the following devices:

[0064] i. ~1μW peak power consumption with energy storage and initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to 10 X ppm, there is neither DL nor UL amplification in the device. The UL transmission of the device is backscattered on an externally provided carrier.

[0065] ii.≤ several hundred μW peak power consumption1, with energy storage and initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to 10 X ppm, with DL and / or UL amplification in the device. The UL transmission of the device may be generated internally by the device, or backscattered on an externally provided carrier.

[0066] ●X will be decided in WG.

[0067] ● Coverage design target: According to TR 38.848: “…the range within which the WG can be sub-selected”, the maximum distance to indoor devices is 10-50m.

[0068] • For topologies 1 and 2 according to TR 38.848 (UE as intermediate node under NW control), there is no RRC state, no mobility (ie at least no cell selection / reselection type functions), no HARQ, no ARQ.

[0069] Note 1: It should be understood that “≤ several hundred μW” means that the WG is not responsible for setting a specific value, and the WG discussion will determine whether the presented design with the corresponding power consumption meets the “≤ several hundred μW” requirement.

[0070] B. Refer to the table in clause 4.2.2 of TR 38.848 for deployment scenarios with the following characteristics:

[0071] ●Deployment scenario 1 with topology 1

[0072] ○Base station and coexistence characteristics: microcell, co-site

[0073] ● Deployment scenario 2 with topology 2 and UE as intermediate node under network control

[0074] ○Base station and coexistence characteristics: microcell, co-site

[0075] ○The location of the intermediate node is indoors

[0076] C. FR1 licensed spectrum in FDD

[0077] D. Spectrum deployment within the NR band, within the LTE / NR protection band, and within independent frequency bands.

[0078] E. Business types DO-DTT, DT, with emphasis on rUC1 (indoor inventory) and rUC4 (indoor commands).

[0079] ●From RAN#104, the study will evaluate whether the coordinated air interface design (as per bullet ‘A’ above) can address the DO-A (Device Initiated Autonomous) use case, and only identify which part(s) of the coordinated air interface design (as per bullet ‘A’ above) is not sufficient for the DO-A use case.

[0080] Transmissions from ambient IoT devices (including backscatter when used) may occur at least in the UL spectrum.

[0081] In general terms, set the following goals:

[0082] 1. Evaluate your assumptions

[0083] …

[0084] 2. Study the necessary and feasible solutions for the IoT environment specified in the general scope, including decisions on which functions, processes, etc. are needed and not needed, and ensuring at least the required functions of Section 6.2 of TR 38.848.

[0085] RAN1-led:

[0086] For environmental IoT DL and UL:

[0087] ○Frame structure, synchronization and timing, random access

[0088] ○ Basic parameters, bandwidth and multiple access

[0089] ○ Waveform and modulation

[0090] ○Channel Coding

[0091] ○ Downlink channel / signal aspects

[0092] ○ Uplink channel / signal aspects

[0093] ○Scheduling and timing relationship

[0094] …

[0095] RAN2-led:

[0096] ○ Study and decide what features are needed for the ambient IoT compact protocol stack and lightweight signaling process to implement DO-DTT and DT data delivery, and study these features.

[0097] For example:

[0098] ■Paging

[0099] ■Random access

[0100] ■Data transmission including necessary radio resource control aspects is subject to general scope restrictions

[0101] ■Interaction with upper layers

[0102] ***********************End of Quote************************

[0103] A description of the IoT environment (e.g., regarding topology and assumptions) can be found in TR 38.848 ([2] 3GPP TR 38.848 V18.0.0 (2023-09)):

[0104] ******************* Quote starts [2]********************

[0105] 4.2.1 Connection topology

[0106] 4.2.1.0 Introduction

[0107] For the purpose of the study, the following connection topologies for ambient IoT networks and devices are defined. In all of these topologies, ambient IoT devices can be provided with carriers from other nodes inside or outside the topology. Links in each topology can be bidirectional or unidirectional.

[0108] A BS, UE, auxiliary node or intermediate node can be multiple BSs or UEs respectively. A mix of indoor and outdoor placement of such nodes is considered a network implementation choice. The potential impact on device or node complexity needs to be considered. This does not imply the presence of multiple hops of auxiliary or intermediate nodes in the connection topology.

[0109] 4.2.1.1 Topology 1:

[0110] Figure 5 It is in 3GPP TR 38.848V18.0.0 Figure 4 .2.1.1-1: Reproduction of topology 1.

[0111] In Topology 1, ambient IoT devices communicate directly and bidirectionally with a base station. The communication between the base station and the ambient IoT device includes ambient IoT data and / or signaling. This topology includes the possibility that the BS transmitting to the ambient IoT device is different from the BS receiving from the ambient IoT device.

[0112] 4.2.1.2 Topology 2:

[0113] Figure 6 It is in 3GPP TR 38.848V18.0.0 Figure 4 .2.1.2-1: Reproduction of topology 2.

[0114] In topology 2, the ambient IoT device communicates bidirectionally with an intermediate node between the device and the base station. In this topology, the intermediate node can be an ambient IoT capable relay, IAB node, UE, repeater, etc. The intermediate node transmits ambient IoT data and / or signaling between the BS and the ambient IoT device.

[0115] **************Next Quote*********************

[0116] 4.3 Device classification

[0117] Ambient IoT devices in the study are characterized according to their energy storage capacity and ability to generate RF signals for their transmissions.

[0118] The study considers the device to have any of the following:

[0119] - no energy storage at all; or

[0120] - Limited energy storage

[0121] Depending on these storage capacities, the study considers the following set of ambient IoT devices:

[0122] - Device A: no energy storage, no independent signal generation / amplification, i.e. backscatter transmission.

[0123] - Device B: with energy storage, no independent signal generation, i.e. backscatter transmission. The use of the stored energy may consist in amplification of the reflected signal.

[0124] - Device C: has energy storage, has independent signal generation, ie active RF components for transmission.

[0125] The limited energy storage may be different between implementations within device B or within device C, and may be different between device B and device C. Such storage is expected to be several orders of magnitude smaller than what NB-IoT devices typically include.

[0126] *********************END OF QUOTE********************

[0127] The current random access (RA) procedure is specified in TS 38.321 ([3] 3GPP TS 38.321 V17.6.0 (2023-09)). The (current) RA procedure will be performed by a legacy UE:

[0128] ******************Quote starts [3]************************

[0129] 5.1 Random Access Process

[0130] 5.1.1 Random Access Process Initialization

[0131] According to TS 38.300[2], the random access procedure described in this clause is initiated by a PDCCH command, the MAC entity itself, or an RRC event. In the MAC entity, there is only one ongoing random access procedure at any point in time. The random access procedure on the SCell will only be initiated by a PDCCH command where the ra-PreambleIndex is different from 0b000000.

[0132] …

[0133] When a random access procedure is initiated on a serving cell, the MAC entity shall:

[0134] …

[0135] 1>Perform the BWP operation as specified in clause 5.15;

[0136] 1> According to clause 5.1.1b, select a random access resource set applicable to the current random access process;

[0137] …

[0138] 1> Perform initialization of variables specific to the random access type as specified in clause 5.1.1a;

[0139] 1> If RA_TYPE is set to 2-stepRA:

[0140] 2> Perform the random access resource selection procedure for 2-step RA type (see clause 5.1.2a).

[0141] 1> Otherwise:

[0142] 2> Perform the random access resource selection process (see clause 5.1.2).

[0143] …

[0144] 5.1.1b Selection of random access resource set for random access procedure

[0145] The MAC entity will:

[0146] …

[0147] 1> If no contention-free random access resources and random access resources for SI request are provided for this random access procedure, and one or more of the features including RedCap and / or Slicing and / or SDT and / or MSG3 repetition are applicable to this random access procedure:

[0148] …

[0149] 2> If no random access resource set is available for any feature applicable to the current random access procedure (as specified in clause 5.1.1c):

[0150] 3> Select a set of random access resources that is not associated with any feature indication (as specified in clause 5.1.1c) for this random access procedure.

[0151] 2> Otherwise, if there is a random access resource set available that can be used to indicate all features that trigger this random access procedure:

[0152] 3> Select this random access resource set for this random access procedure.

[0153] 2> Otherwise (i.e., there are one or more sets of random access resources available that are configured with an indication of a subset of all features for triggering this random access procedure):

[0154] 3> Select a random access resource set from the available random access resource sets based on the priority order indicated by upper layers as specified in clause 5.1.1d for this random access procedure.

[0155] …

[0156] 1> Otherwise:

[0157] 2> Choose not to use any feature indication for the current random access procedure (as specified in clause 5.1.1c)

[0158] A set of associated random access resources.

[0159] 5.1.1c Availability of Random Access Resource Sets

[0160] For each configured set of random access resources for a 4-step RA type and for each configured set of random access resources for a 2-step RA type, the MAC entity shall:

[0161] 1> If redCap is set to true for random access resource collection:

[0162] 2> The random access resource set is considered unavailable for random access procedures to which RedCap is not applicable.

[0163] 1> If smallData is set to true for random access resource collection:

[0164] 2> The random access resource set is considered unavailable for random access procedures not triggered for RA-SDT.

[0165] 1> If NSAG-List is configured for random access resource set:

[0166] 2> Unless a random access resource set is triggered for any NSAG-ID in the NSAG-List, the random access resource set is considered unavailable for the random access procedure.

[0167] 1> If msg3-Repetitions is set to true for the random access resource set:

[0168] 2> If Msg3 repetition is not applicable, the random access resource set is considered unavailable for the random access procedure.

[0169] 1> If the random access resource set is not configured with FeatureCombination:

[0170] 2> Consider that the random access resource set is not associated with any feature.

[0171] 5.1.2 Random Access Resource Selection

[0172] If the selected RA_TYPE is set to 4-stepRA, the MAC entity shall:

[0173] …

[0174] 1> Otherwise (i.e., for contention-based random access preamble selection):

[0175] 2> If at least one of the SSBs with SS-RSRP higher than rsrp-ThresholdSSB is available, then:

[0176] 3> Select an SSB with SS-RSRP higher than rsrp-ThresholdSSB.

[0177] 2> Otherwise:

[0178] 3>Select Any SSB.

[0179] 2> If you switch RA_TYPE from 2-stepRA to 4-stepRA:

[0180] …

[0181] 2> randomly select a random access preamble from the random access preambles associated with the selected SSB and the selected random access preamble group with equal probability;

[0182] 2> Set PREAMBLE_INDEX to the selected random access preamble.

[0183] …

[0184] 1> Otherwise, if SSB is selected as above, then:

[0185] 2> Determine the next available PRACH opportunity from the PRACH opportunity, corresponding to the ra-ssb-

[0186] The selected SSB given by OccasionMaskIndex (if configured) or ssb-SharedRO-MaskIndex (if configured) or permitted by the restrictions indicated by the PDCCH (according to clause 8.1 of TS 38.213 [6], the MAC entity shall randomly select a PRACH opportunity among consecutive PRACH opportunities with equal probability, regardless of the FR2 UL gap corresponding to the selected SSB; the MAC entity may take into account the possible occurrence of measurement gaps and MUSIM gaps when determining the next available PRACH opportunity corresponding to the selected SSB).

[0187] …

[0188] 1> Perform the random access preamble transmission procedure (see clause 5.1.3).

[0189] …

[0190] 5.1.2a Random access resource selection for 2-step RA type

[0191] If the selected RA_TYPE is set to 2-stepRA, the MAC entity shall:

[0192] …

[0193] 1> Otherwise (i.e., for contention-based random access preamble selection):

[0194] 2> If at least one of the SSBs with an SS-RSRP higher than msgA-RSRP-ThresholdSSB

[0195] Available:

[0196] 3> Select an SSB with SS-RSRP higher than msgA-RSRP-ThresholdSSB.

[0197] 2> Otherwise:

[0198] 3>Select Any SSB.

[0199] …

[0200] 2> randomly select a random access preamble from the 2-step RA type random access preambles associated with the selected SSB and the selected random access preamble group with equal probability;

[0201] 2> Set PREAMBLE_INDEX to the selected random access preamble.

[0202] 1> Determine the next available PRACH opportunity from the PRACH opportunities, corresponding to the selected SSB permitted by the restrictions given by msgA-SSB-SharedRO-MaskIndex (if configured) or ra-ssb-OccasionMaskIndex (if configured) or ssb-SharedRO-MaskIndex (if configured) (according to clause 8.1 of TS 38.213 [6], the MAC entity shall randomly select a PRACH opportunity among consecutive PRACH opportunities allocated for the 2-step RA type with equal probability, regardless of the FR2 UL gap corresponding to the selected SSB; the MAC entity may take into account the possible occurrence of measurement gaps and MUSIM gaps when determining the next available PRACH opportunity corresponding to the selected SSB).

[0203] 1> If the MAC entity does not select a random access preamble among the contention-based random access preambles:

[0204] 2> According to the msgA-PUSCH-resource-Index corresponding to the selected SSB, select the PUSCH opportunity from the PUSCH opportunities in the msgA-CFRA-PUSCH configured in the PRACH time slot corresponding to the selected PRACH opportunity;

[0205] 2> Determine UL grant and associated HARQ information for MSGA payload in the selected PUSCH opportunity;

[0206] 2> Deliver the UL grant and associated HARQ information to the HARQ entity.

[0207] 1> Otherwise:

[0208] 2> Select the PUSCH opportunity corresponding to the selected preamble and PRACH opportunity according to clause 8.1A of TS 38.213 [6];

[0209] 2> Determine UL grant for MSGA payload based on the PUSCH configuration associated with the selected random access preamble group and determine associated HARQ information;

[0210] 2> If the selected preamble and PRACH opportunities map to valid PUSCH opportunities, as specified in clause 8.1A of TS 38.213 [6]:

[0211] 3> Deliver the UL grant and associated HARQ information to the HARQ entity.

[0212] 1>Execute the MSGA transfer process (see clause 5.1.3a).

[0213] …

[0214] 5.1.3 Random Access Preamble Transmission

[0215] For each random access preamble, the MAC entity shall:

[0216] 1> if PREAMBLE_TRANSMISSION_COUNTER is greater than one; and

[0217] 1> If the notification to suspend the power ramp counter has not been received from the lower layer; and

[0218] 1> if no LBT failure indication is received from lower layers for the last random access preamble transmission; and

[0219] 1> If the selected SSB or CSI-RS has not changed since the last random access preamble transmission:

[0220] 2>Increment PREAMBLE_POWER_RAMPING_COUNTER by 1.

[0221] 1> Select the value of DELTA_PREAMBLE according to clause 7.3;

[0222] 1>Set PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER to preambleReceivedTargetPower+DELTA_PREAMBLE+(PREAMBLE_POWER_RAMPING_COUNTER-1)×PREAMBLE_POWER_RAMPING_STEP+POWER_OFFSET_2STEP_RA;

[0223] 1> Calculate the RA-RNTI associated with the PRACH opportunity in which the random access preamble is transmitted, except for the contention-free random access preamble used for beam failure recovery request;

[0224] 1> Instructs the physical layer to transmit a random access preamble using the selected PRACH opportunity, the corresponding RA-RNTI (if available), PREAMBLE_INDEX and PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER.

[0225] …

[0226] 5.1.3a MSGA Transfer

[0227] For each MSGA, the MAC entity shall:

[0228] 1> if PREAMBLE_TRANSMISSION_COUNTER is greater than one; and

[0229] 1> If the notification to suspend the power ramp counter has not been received from the lower layer; and

[0230] 1> If no LBT failure indication is received from the lower layers for the last MSGA random access preamble transmission; and

[0231] 1> If the selected SSB has not changed since the last random access preamble transmission:

[0232] 2>Increment PREAMBLE_POWER_RAMPING_COUNTER by 1.

[0233] 1> Select the value of DELTA_PREAMBLE according to clause 7.3;

[0234] 1>Set PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER to msgA-PreambleReceivedTargetPower + DELTA_PREAMBLE +(PREAMBLE_POWER_RAMPING_COUNTER-1)×PREAMBLE_POWER_RAMPING_STEP;

[0235] 1> If this is the first MSGA transmission within this random access procedure:

[0236] 2> If no transmission is performed for the CCCH logical channel:

[0237] 3> Indicate to the multiplexing and combining entity to include the C-RNTI MAC CE in subsequent uplink transmissions.

[0238] …

[0239] 2> Obtain the MAC PDU to be transmitted from the multiplexing and combining entity according to the HARQ information determined for the MSGA payload (see Clause 5.1.2a) and store it in the MSGA buffer.

[0240] 1> Calculate the MSGB-RNTI associated with the PRACH occasion in which the random access preamble is transmitted;

[0241] 1> Indicate to the physical layer to transmit the MSGA using the selected PRACH occasion and the associated PUSCH resource of the MSGA (if the selected preamble and PRACH occasion are mapped to a valid PUSCH occasion), using the corresponding RA-RNTI, MSGB-RNTI, PREAMBLE_INDEX, PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER, msgA-PreambleReceivedTargetPower, and the power ramping variable applied to the latest MSGA preamble transmission (i.e., (PREAMBLE_POWER_RAMPING_COUNTER - 1) × PREAMBLE_POWER_RAMPING_STEP);

[0242] …

[0243] Note: The MSGA transmission includes the transmission of the PRACH preamble and the content of the MSGA buffer in the PUSCH resource corresponding to the selected PRACH occasion and PREAMBLE_INDEX (see TS 38.213 [6])

[0244] …

[0245] 5.1.4 Random Access Response Reception

[0246] Once the random access preamble is transmitted, regardless of whether a measurement gap may occur, the MAC entity will:

[0247] …

[0248] 3> Start the ra-ResponseWindow configured in RACH-ConfigCommon at the first PDCCH occasion as specified in TS 38.213 [6] from the end of the random access preamble transmission.

[0249] 2> While the ra-ResponseWindow is running, listen for the PDCCH of the SpCell for the random access response identified by the RA-RNTI.

[0250] …

[0251] 1> Otherwise, if a valid (as specified in TS 38.213 [6]) downlink assignment has been received on the PDCCH for the RA-RNTI and the received TB is successfully decoded:

[0252] …

[0253] 2> If the random access response contains a MAC sub-PDU with a random access preamble identifier corresponding to the transmitted PREAMBLE_INDEX (see Clause 5.1.3):

[0254] 3> Consider this random access response reception successful.

[0255] 2> If the random access response reception is considered successful:

[0256] 3> If the random access response contains a MAC sub-PDU with only the RAPID:

[0257] 4> Consider this random access procedure successfully completed;

[0258] 4> Indicate to the upper layer that an acknowledgement for the SI request has been received.

[0259] 3> Otherwise:

[0260] …

[0261] 4> If the MAC entity does not select a random access preamble among the contention-based random access preambles:

[0262] 5> Consider the random access procedure successfully completed.

[0263] 4> Otherwise:

[0264] 5> Set the TEMPORARY_C-RNTI to the value received in the random access response;

[0265] 5> If this is the first successfully received random access response within this random access procedure:

[0266] 6> If not transmitted for the CCCH logical channel:

[0267] 7> Indicate to the multiplexing and combining entity to include the C-RNTI MAC CE in subsequent uplink transmissions.

[0268] …

[0269] 6> Obtain the MAC PDU to be transmitted from the multiplexing and combining entity and store it in the Msg3 buffer.

[0270] …

[0271] 5.1.4a MSGB Reception and Contention Resolution for 2-Step RA Type

[0272] Once the MSGA preamble is transmitted, regardless of whether a measurement gap may occur, the MAC entity shall:

[0273] 1> Start the msgB-ResponseWindow at a PDCCH occasion as specified in clause 8.2A of TS 38.213 [6];

[0274] 1> While the msgB-ResponseWindow is running, listen for the PDCCH of the SpCell for a random access response identified by the MSGB-RNTI;

[0275] 1> If a C-RNTI MAC CE is included in MSGA:

[0276] 2> While the msgB-ResponseWindow is running, listen for the PDCCH of the SpCell for a random access response identified by the C-RNTI.

[0277] 1> If a receive notification of the PDCCH transmission of the SpCell is received from the lower layer:

[0278] 2> If a C-RNTI MAC CE is included in MSGA:

[0279] 3> If a random access procedure is initiated for SpCell beam failure recovery or for beam failure recovery of the BFD-RS set of the SpCell (as specified in clause 5.17) and the PDCCH transmission is addressed to the C-RNTI:

[0280] 4> Consider the reception of this random access response successful;

[0281] 4> Stop the msgB-ResponseWindow;

[0282] 4> Consider this random access procedure successfully completed.

[0283] …

[0284] 4> If a downlink assignment has been received on the PDCCH for the C-RNTI and the received TB has been successfully decoded:

[0285] 5> If the MAC PDU contains an absolute timing advance command MAC CE:

[0286] 6> Process the received timing advance command (see clause 5.2);

[0287] 6> Consider the reception of this random access response successful;

[0288] 6> Stop msgB - ResponseWindow;

[0289] 6> Consider this random access procedure successfully completed and end the disassembly and demultiplexing of the MAC PDU.

[0290] 2> If a valid (as defined in TS 38.213 [6]) downlink assignment has been received on the PDCCH for the MSGB - RNTI, and the received TB is successfully decoded:

[0291] ...

[0292] ...

[0293] 3> If MSGB contains a fallbackRAR MAC sub - PDU; and

[0294] 3> If the random access preamble identifier in the MAC sub - PDU matches the transmitted PREAMBLE_INDEX (see Clause 5.1.3a):

[0295] 4> Consider this random access response received successfully;

[0296] ...

[0297] 6> If the Msg3 buffer is empty:

[0298] 7> Obtain the MAC PDU to be transmitted from the MSGA buffer and store it in the Msg3 buffer;

[0299] 6> Process the received UL grant value and indicate the value to the lower layer and continue with the Msg3 transmission.

[0300] Note: If within a two - step RA type procedure, the uplink grant provided in the fallback RAR has a different size from the MSGA payload, the UE behavior is not specified.

[0301] 3> Otherwise, if MSGB contains a successRAR MAC sub - PDU; and

[0302] 3> If the CCCH SDU is included in MSGA, and the UE contention resolution identity in the MAC sub - PDU matches the CCCH SDU:

[0303] 4> Stop msgB - ResponseWindow;

[0304] ...

[0305] 5> Set the C - RNTI to the value received in the successRAR;

[0306] ...

[0307] 4> Consider the random access response reception successful;

[0308] 4> Consider the random access procedure successfully completed;

[0309] 4> Complete the disassembly and demultiplexing of the MAC PDU.

[0310] …

[0311] 5.1.5 Contention Resolution

[0312] Once Msg3 is transmitted, the MAC entity will:

[0313] …

[0314] 2> Start or restart ra-ContentionResolutionTimer in the first symbol after the transmission of Msg3.

[0315] 1> Monitor the PDCCH while ra-ContentionResolutionTimer is running, regardless of whether a measurement gap may occur;

[0316] 1> If a reception notification of the PDCCH transmission of the SpCell is received from the lower layer:

[0317] 2> If the C-RNTI MAC CE is included in Msg3:

[0318] …

[0319] 3> If the random access procedure is initiated by a PDCCH command and the PDCCH transmission is addressed to the C-RNTI; or

[0320] 3> If the random access procedure is initiated by the MAC sublayer itself or by the RRC sublayer and the PDCCH transmission is addressed to the C-RNTI and contains a UL grant for a new transmission:

[0321] 4> Consider this contention resolution successful;

[0322] 4> Stop ra-ContentionResolutionTimer;

[0323] 4> Discard TEMPORARY_C-RNTI;

[0324] 4> Consider the random access procedure successfully completed.

[0325] 2> Otherwise, if a CCCH SDU is included in Msg3 and the PDCCH transmission is addressed to its TEMPORARY_C-RNTI:

[0326] 3> If the MAC PDU is successfully decoded:

[0327] 4> Stop the ra-ContentionResolutionTimer;

[0328] 4> If the MAC PDU contains a UE contention resolution identity MAC CE; and

[0329] 4> If the UE contention resolution identity in the MAC CE matches the CCCH SDU transmitted in Msg3:

[0330] 5> Consider this contention resolution successful and end the disassembly and demultiplexing of the MAC PDU;

[0331] …

[0332] 6> Set the C-RNTI to the value of TEMPORARY_C-RNTI;

[0333] 5> Discard the TEMPORARY_C-RNTI;

[0334] 5> Consider this random access procedure successfully completed.

[0335] 4> Otherwise:

[0336] 5> Discard the TEMPORARY_C-RNTI;

[0337] 5> Consider this contention resolution unsuccessful and discard the successfully decoded MAC PDU.

[0338] ********************Quotation ends***********************

[0339] The general description of the random access procedure is specified in TS 38.300 ([4] 3GPP TS 38.300 V17.6.0 (2023-09)):

[0340] *******************Quotation starts [4]********************

[0341] 9.2.6 Random access procedure

[0342] The random access procedure is triggered by several events:

[0343] - Initial access from RRC_IDLE;

[0344] …

[0345] - SDT in RRC_INACTIVE (see Clause 18);

[0346] Supports two types of random access procedures: the 4-step RA type with MSG1 and the 2-step RA type with MSGA. Both types of RA procedures support contention-based random access (CBRA) and contention-free random access (CFRA), as shown in Figure 9 .2.6-1 below.

[0347] The UE selects the random access type based on the network configuration when initiating a random access procedure:

[0348] - When the CFRA resources are not configured, the RSRP threshold is used by the UE to select between the 2-step RA type and the 4-step RA type;

[0349] - When the CFRA resources for the 4-step RA type are configured, the UE performs a random access of the 4-step RA type;

[0350] - When the CFRA resources for the 2-step RA type are configured, the UE performs a random access of the 2-step RA type.

[0351] The network does not configure CFRA resources for both the 4-step and 2-step RA types of a bandwidth part (BWP) simultaneously. The CFRA for the 2-step RA type is only supported for handover.

[0352] The MSG1 of the 4-step RA type consists of a preamble on the PRACH. After the transmission of MSG1, the UE listens for a response from the network within the configured window. For CFRA, the dedicated preamble for MSG1 transmission is assigned by the network, and after receiving the random access response from the network, the UE ends the random access procedure, as Figure 9 .2.6-1(c) shows. For CBRA, after receiving the random access response, the UE uses the UL grant scheduled in the response to send MSG3 and listens for contention resolution, as Figure 9 .2.6-1(a) shows. If the contention resolution is not successful after the (re)transmission of MSG3, the UE returns to the MSG1 transmission.

[0353] The MSGA of the 2-step RA type contains a preamble on the PRACH and a payload on the PUSCH. After the transmission of MSGA, the UE listens for a response from the network within the configured window. For CFRA, the dedicated preamble and PUSCH resources are configured for MSGA transmission, and after receiving the network response, the UE ends the random access procedure, as Figure 9 .2.6-1(d) shows. For CBRA, if the contention resolution is successful after receiving the network response, the UE ends the random access procedure, as Figure 9As shown in Figure 9 .2.6-1(b); and if a fallback indication is received in MSGB, the UE uses the UL grant scheduled in the fallback indication to perform MSG3 transmission and monitors contention resolution, as shown in

[0354] .2.6-2. If the contention resolution is not successful after the MSG3 (re)transmission, the UE returns to MSGA transmission.

[0355] Figure 7A from 3GPP TS 38.300 V17.6.0 Figure 9 .2.6-1: Random access procedure - (a) Reproduction of CBRA with 4-step RA type.

[0356] Figure 7B from 3GPP TS 38.300 V17.6.0 Figure 9 .2.6-1: Random access procedure - (b) Reproduction of CBRA with 2-step RA type.

[0357] Figure 7C from 3GPP TS 38.300 V17.6.0 Figure 9 .2.6-1: Random access procedure - (c) Reproduction of CFRA with 4-step RA type.

[0358] Figure 7D from 3GPP TS 38.300 V17.6.0 Figure 9 .2.6-1: Random access procedure - (d) Reproduction of CFRA with 2-step RA type.

[0359] Figure 8 from 3GPP TS 38.300 V17.6.0 Figure 9 .2.6-2: Reproduction of fallback for CBRA with 2-step RA type.

[0360] For random access in a cell configured with SUL, the network may explicitly transmit which carrier (UL or SUL) to use. Otherwise, the UE selects the SUL carrier if and only if the measured quality of the DL is below the broadcast threshold. Before selecting between 2-step and 4-step RA types, the UE performs carrier selection. The RSRP thresholds for selecting between 2-step and 4-step RA types can be configured separately for UL and SUL. Once started, all uplink transmissions of the random access procedure are maintained on the selected carrier.

[0361] The network may associate a set of RACH resources with characteristics applicable to the random access procedure: network slice (see clause 16.3), RedCap (see clause 16.13), SDT (see clause 18), and NR coverage enhancement (see clause 19). The set of RACH resources associated with a characteristic is only valid for the random access procedure applicable to at least said characteristic; and the set of RACH resources associated with several characteristics is only valid for the random access procedure having at least all these characteristics. After the uplink carrier (i.e., NUL or SUL) and BWP are selected and before the RA type is selected, the UE selects the set of applicable RACH resources.

[0362] ********************Quotation ends*******************

[0363] Some configurations related to initial access and random access are specified in TS 38.331 ([5] 3GPP TS 38.331 V17.6.0 (2023-09)):

[0364] *******************Quotation starts [5]*********************

[0365] - Paging

[0366] Paging messages are used to notify one or more UEs.

[0367] …

[0368] Direction: network to UE

[0369] Paging message

[0370]

[0371]

[0372]

[0373] *******************Next quotation**********************

[0374] - BWP-UplinkCommon

[0375] IE BWP-UplinkCommon is used to configure the common parameters of the uplink BWP. It is "cell-specific" and the network ensures the necessary alignment of the corresponding parameters with other UEs. The common parameters of the initial bandwidth part of the PCell are also provided via the system information. For all other serving cells, the network provides the common parameters via dedicated signaling.

[0376] BWP-UplinkCommon information element

[0377]

[0378]

[0379]

[0380]

[0381] …

[0382] -MsgA-ConfigCommon

[0383] IE MsgA-ConfigCommon is used to configure the PRACH and PUSCH resources for the transmission of MsgA in the two-step random access type procedure.

[0384]

[0385] …

[0386] -MsgA-PUSCH-Config

[0387] IE MsgA-PUSCH-Config is used to specify the PUSCH allocation for MsgA in the two-step random access type procedure.

[0388] …

[0389] -RACH-ConfigCommon

[0390] IE RACH-ConfigCommon is used to specify cell-specific random access parameters.

[0391] …

[0392] -RACH-ConfigCommonTwoStepRA

[0393] IE RACH-ConfigCommonTwoStepRA is used to specify cell-specific two-step random access type parameters.

[0394] …

[0395] -RACH-ConfigDedicated

[0396] IE RACH-ConfigDedicated is used to specify dedicated random access parameters.

[0397] …

[0398] -RACH-ConfigGeneric

[0399] IERACH-ConfigGeneric is used to specify the random access parameters for both regular random access and beam failure recovery.

[0400] …

[0401] -RACH-ConfigGenericTwoStepRA

[0402] IERACH-ConfigGenericTwoStepRA is used to specify the two-step random access type parameters.

[0403] ********************Quotation ends*********************

[0404] In TS 38.214 ([6] 3GPP TS 38.214 V17.7.0 (2023-09)), the downlink power allocation is specified.

[0405] ******************Quotation from [6] starts*********************

[0406] 4.1 Power allocation for the downlink

[0407] The gNB determines the downlink transmission EPRE.

[0408] For the purposes of SS-RSRP, SS-RSRQ, and SS-SINR measurements, the UE may assume that the downlink EPRE is constant over the bandwidth. For the purposes of SS-RSRP, SS-RSRQ, and SS-SINR measurements, the UE may assume that the downlink EPRE is constant over the SSS carried in different SS / PBCH blocks. For the purposes of SS-RSRP, SS-RSRQ, and SS-SINR measurements, the UE may assume that the ratio of the SSS EPRE to the PBCH DM-RS EPRE is 0 dB.

[0409] For the downlink DM-RS associated with the PDSCH, the UE may assume that the ratio of the PDSCH EPRE to the DM-RS EPRE (β DMRS [dB]) is given by Table 4.1-1 for several DM-RS CDM groups without data as described in Clause 5.1.6.2.

[0410] ******************End of citation [6]***********************

[0411] In TS 38.213 ([7] 3GPP TS 38.213 V17.7.0 (2023-09)), the RA procedure and uplink power control are performed:

[0412] ******************Start of citation [7]************************

[0413] 7 Uplink power control

[0414] Uplink power control determines the power for PUSCH, PUCCH, SRS, and PRACH transmissions.

[0415] …

[0416] 7.1 Physical Uplink Shared Channel

[0417] For PUSCH transmission on the activated UL BWP b of carrier f of serving cell c (as described in Clause 12), the UE first calculates the transmission power as the linear value of where the parameters are defined as in Clause 7.1.1. …

[0418] The UE equally divides the power among the antenna ports on which it transmits PUSCH with non-zero power.

[0419] 7.1.1 UE Behavior

[0420] If the UE transmits PUSCH on the activated UL BWP b of carrier f of serving cell c with a parameter set configuration having index j and a PUSCH power control adjustment state having index l, the UE determines the PUSCH transmission power in PUSCH transmission occasion i as being

[0422]

[0423] where

[0424] - is the maximum output power configured for the UE for carrier f of serving cell c in PUSCH transmission occasion i as defined in [8-1, TS 38.101-1], [8-2, TS 38.101-2], and [8-3, TS 38.101-3].[[]END]]

[0425] -…

[0426] -PL b,f,c (q d ) is indexed by the UE using a reference signal (RS) d The downlink path loss estimate in dB calculated for the active DL BWP (as described in clause 12) for carrier f serving cell c

[0427] -…

[0428] 7.2 Physical Uplink Control Channel

[0429] …

[0430] 7.2.1UE Behavior

[0431] If the UE transmits a PUCCH on the activated UL BWPb of carrier f in primary cell c using the PUCCH power control adjustment state with index l, the UE sets the PUCCH transmission power in PUCCH transmission opportunity i to Determined as

[0432]

[0433] in

[0434] - is the maximum output power configured by the UE…

[0435] -PL b,f,c (q d ) is the RS resource index q of the DL BWPb in the activation by the UE using carrier f of the primary cell c as described in clause 12 d The downlink path loss estimate in dB calculated (as described in clause 7.1.1)

[0436] …

[0437] 7.3 Detection Reference Signal

[0438] For SRS, the UE splits the transmit power equally on the activated UL BWPb of carrier f of serving cell c across the configured antenna ports for SRS The linear value of

[0439] 7.3.1UE Behavior

[0440] If the UE transmits SRS using the SRS power control adjustment state with index l based on the configuration by SRS-ResourceSet on UL BWPb in the activation of carrier f of serving cell c, the UE sets the SRS transmission power in SRS transmission opportunity i to Determined as

[0441]

[0442] Wherein,

[0443] - is the maximum output power configured by the UE…

[0444] -…

[0445] -PL b,f,c (q d ) is the downlink path loss in dB calculated by the UE using the RS resource index q of the DL BWP in active state of serving cell c and the SRS resource set q d (as described in clause 7.1.1) and the SRS resource set q s [6, TS 38.214]. The RS resource index q d is provided by pathlossReferenceRS associated with the SRS resource set q s and is associated with the ssb-Index providing the SS / PBCH block index or the csi-RS-Index providing the CSI-RS resource index. If enablePL-RS-UpdateForPUSCH-SRS is provided to the UE, the MAC CE[11, TS 38.321]

[0446] can provide the corresponding RS resource index q for the non-periodic or semi-static SRS resource set q s through SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-Id d

[0447] -…

[0448] 7.4 Physical random access channel

[0449] The UE determines the transmission power P of the physical random access channel (PRACH) on the uplink BWP b in active state of the carrier f of serving cell c based on the DL RS of serving cell c at transmission occasion i PRACH,b,f,c (i) as

[0450] P PRACHb,,f,c (i) = min{P CMAX,f,c (i), P PRACHt,arget,f,c + PL b,f,c}[dBm],

[0451] Wherein P CMAX,f,c(i) is the maximum output power configured for the UE for carrier f of serving cell c within transmission occasion i, as defined in [8-1, TS 38.101-1], [8-2, TS 38.101-2] and [8-3, TS 38.101-3], P PRACH,target,f,c is the PRACH target received power PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER provided by the higher layers [11, TS 38.321] for the activation of UL BWP b of carrier f of serving cell c, and PL b,f,c is the path loss of UL BWP b of carrier f calculated by the UE in dB as referenceSignalPower in dBm - the higher layer filtered RSRP, based on the DL RS associated with the PRACH transmission on the activation DL BWP of serving cell c, where RSRP is defined in [7, TS 38.215] and the higher layer filter configuration is defined in [12, TS 38.331]. If the active DL BWP is the initial DL BWP and for SS / PBCH block and CORESET multiplexing mode 2 or 3, as described in clause 13, the UE determines PL based on the SS / PBCH block associated with the PRACH transmission b,f,c .

[0452] …

[0453] 8 Random access procedure

[0454] Before initiating a physical random access procedure, layer 1 receives a set of SS / PBCH block indices from the higher layers and provides the corresponding set of RSRP measurement values to the higher layers.

[0455] Before initiating a physical random access procedure, layer 1 may receive an indication from the higher layers to perform a type 1 random access procedure as described in clauses 8.1 to 8.4 or a type 2 random access procedure as described in clauses 8.1 to 8.2A.

[0456] Before initiating a physical random access procedure, layer 1 receives the following information from the higher layers:

[0457] - Configuration of physical random access channel (PRACH) transmission parameters (PRACH preamble format, time resources, and frequency resources for PRACH transmission).

[0458] - Parameters for determining the root sequence and its cyclic shift in the PRACH preamble sequence set (index of the logical root sequence list, cyclic shift (N CS ) and set type (unrestricted, restricted set A or restricted set B)).

[0459] From a physical layer perspective, the type 1 L1 random access procedure includes the transmission of a random access preamble (Msg1) in the PRACH, the transmission of a random access response (RAR) message (Msg2) with PDCCH / PDSCH, and, when applicable, the transmission of the PUSCH scheduled by the RAR UL grant and the PUSCH for contention resolution.

[0460] From a physical layer perspective, the type 2 L1 random access procedure includes the transmission of a random access preamble and a PUSCH (MsgA) in the PRACH and the reception of an RAR message (MsgB) with PDCCH / PDSCH, and, when applicable, the transmission of the PUSCH scheduled by the fallback RAR UL grant and the PUSCH for contention resolution.

[0461] If the random access procedure is initiated by a PDCCH command for the UE, the PRACH transmission has the same SCS as the PRACH transmission initiated by the higher layers.

[0462] If the UE is configured with two UL carriers for the serving cell and the UE detects a PDCCH command, the UE uses the UL / SUL indicator field value from the detected PDCCH command to determine the UL carrier for the corresponding PRACH transmission.

[0463] 8.1 Random access preamble

[0464] The physical random access procedure is triggered after a request for PRACH transmission by the higher layers or a PDCCH command. The configuration by the higher layers for PRACH transmission includes the following:

[0465] - Configuration [4, TS 38.211] for PRACH transmission.

[0466] - Preamble index, preamble SCS, P PRACH,target , corresponding RA-RNTI, and PRACH resources.

[0467] Use the selected PRACH format to transmit with power P PRACH,b,f,c (i) Transmit the PRACH on the indicated PRACH resources as described in clause 7.4.

[0468] …

[0469] The SS / PBCH block indices provided by ssb-PositionsInBurst in SIB1 or ServingCellConfigCommon are mapped to valid PRACH occasions in the following order, where the parameters are described in [4, TS 38.211].

[0470] - First, in increasing order of preamble index within a single PRACH occasion

[0471] - Second, in increasing order of frequency resource index for frequency - multiplexed PRACH occasions

[0472] - Third, in increasing order of time resource index for time - multiplexed PRACH occasions within a PRACH slot

[0473] - Fourth, in increasing order of index for PRACH slots

[0474] …

[0475] For the indicated preamble index, the sorting of PRACH occasions is

[0476] - First, in increasing order of frequency resource index for frequency - multiplexed PRACH occasions

[0477] - Second, in increasing order of time resource index for time - multiplexed PRACH occasions within a PRACH slot

[0478] - Third, in increasing order of index for PRACH slots

[0479] …

[0480] 8.1A PUSCH for Type 2 random access procedure

[0481] For a Type 2 random access procedure, when applicable, the UE transmits a PUSCH after transmitting the PRACH. The UE encodes the transport block provided for PUSCH transmission using redundancy version number 0. The PUSCH transmission is at least N symbols after the PRACH transmission, where for μ = 0 or μ = 1, N = 2, for μ = 2 or μ = 3, N = 4, for μ = 5, N = 16, for μ = 6, N = 32, and μ is the SCS configuration for activating the mid - UL BWP.

[0482] If the PUSCH occasion associated with the DMRS resource is not mapped to the preamble of a valid PRACH occasion or if the associated PRACH preamble is not transmitted as described in Clause 7.5 or Clause 11.1 or Clause 15 or Clause 17.2, the UE does not transmit PUSCH in the PUSCH occasion. If the PRACH preamble is not mapped to a valid PUSCH occasion, the UE may transmit the PRACH preamble in a valid PRACH occasion.

[0483] The mapping between one or more PRACH preambles and the PUSCH occasions associated with the DMRS resources is provided by MsgA - PUSCH - Resource according to the PUSCH configuration.

[0484] The UE determines the time resources and frequency resources for the PUSCH timing in the starting UL BWP from the msgA-PUSCH-Config or separateMsgA-PUSCH-Config for starting the UL BWP. If the starting UL BWP is not the initial UL BWP and no msgA-PUSCH-Config or separateMsgA-PUSCH-Config is provided for the starting UL BWP, the UE uses the msgA-PUSCH-Config or separateMsgA-PUSCH-Config provided for the initial UL BWP.

[0485] …

[0486] The PUSCH timing for PUSCH transmission is defined by frequency resources and time resources and is associated with DMRS resources. The DMRS resources are provided by msgA-DMRS-Config.

[0487] Each consecutive number N from the valid PRACH timing in the PRACH slot preamble of the preamble index

[0488] - First, in ascending order of the preamble index within a single PRACH timing

[0489] - Second, in ascending order of the frequency resource index for frequency multiplexed PRACH timings

[0490] - Third, in ascending order of the time resource index for time multiplexed PRACH timings within the PRACH slot

[0491] Mapped to the valid PUSCH timing and the associated DMRS resources

[0492] - First, in ascending order of the frequency resource index f for frequency multiplexed PUSCH timings id of the increment

[0493] - Second, in ascending order of the DMRS resource index within the PUSCH timing, where the DMRS resource index DMRS is determined first in ascending order of the DMRS port index and second in ascending order of the DMRS sequence index [4, TS 38.211] id

[0494] - Third, in ascending order of the time resource index t for time multiplexed PUSCH timings within the PUSCH slot id of the increment

[0495] - Fourth, for N sIncreasing order of the indices of the PUSCH time slots

[0496] where N preamble = ceil(T preamble / T PUSCH ), T preamble is the total number of valid PRACH occasions per associated pattern period multiplied by the number of preambles per valid PRACH occasion provided by rach-ConfigCommonTwoStepRA, and T PUSCH is the total number of valid PUSCH occasions per PUSCH configuration per associated pattern period multiplied by the number of DMRS resource indices per valid PUSCH occasion provided by msgA-DMRS-Config.

[0497] …

[0498] 8.2 Random access response - Type 1 random access procedure

[0499] In response to a PRACH transmission, the UE attempts to detect DCI format 1_0 with a CRC scrambled by the corresponding RA-RNTI during a window controlled by the higher layers [11, TS 38.321]. The window starts at the first symbol of the earliest CORESET, and the UE is configured to receive the PDCCH for the Type1-PDCCHCSS set as defined in Clause 10.1, i.e., at least one symbol after the last symbol of the PRACH occasion corresponding to the PRACH transmission, where the symbol duration corresponds to the SCS for the Type1-PDCCHCSS set as defined in Clause 10.1. If, as defined in [4, TS 38.211], or is non-zero, the window starts after an additional T TA + k mac milliseconds, where T TA is defined in [4, TS 38.211] and k mac is provided by kmac, or if kmac is not provided, then k mac = 0. Based on the SCS for the Type1-PDCCHCSS set, the length of the window in multiple time slots is provided by ra-ResponseWindow.

[0500] If the UE detects a DCI format 1_0 with a CRC scrambled by the corresponding RA-RNTI and the LSB of the SFN field in the DCI format 1_0 (if included and applicable) is the same as the corresponding LSB of the SFN in which the UE transmits the PRACH, and the UE receives a transport block in the corresponding PDSCH within the window, the UE passes the transport block to the higher layers. The higher layers parse the transport block for the random access preamble identity (RAPID) associated with the PRACH transmission. If the higher layers identify the RAPID in the RAR message of the transport block, the higher layers indicate an uplink grant to the physical layer. This is called a random access response (RAR) UL grant in the physical layer.

[0501] …

[0502] The RAR UL grant schedules the PUSCH transmission from the UE. The content of the RAR UL grant, starting with the MSB and ending with the LSB, is given in Table 8.2-1.

[0503] …

[0504] TPC command value δ msg2,b,f,c Used to set the power of the PUSCH transmission, as described in Clause 7.1.1 and interpreted according to Table 8.2-2.

[0505] …

[0506] Table 8.2-1: Random Access Response Grant Content Field Sizes

[0507]

[0508] …

[0509] 8.2A Random Access Response - Type 2 Random Access Procedure

[0510] In response to the transmission of the PRACH and PUSCH, or in response to the transmission of only the PRACH when the PRACH preamble is mapped to a valid PUSCH occasion, the UE attempts to detect DCI format 1_0 with a CRC scrambled by the corresponding MsgB-RNTI during a window controlled by the higher layers [11, TS 38.321]. The window starts at the first symbol of the earliest CORESET, and the UE is configured to receive the PDCCH for the Type1-PDCCH CSS set as defined in Clause 10.1, i.e., at least one symbol after the last symbol of the PUSCH occasion corresponding to the PRACH transmission, where the symbol duration corresponds to the SCS for the Type1-PDCCH CSS set. If, as defined in [4, TS 38.211], or is non-zero, the window starts after an additional T TA +k mac milliseconds, where T TA is defined in [4, TS 38.211] and k mac is provided by kmac, or if kmac is not provided, then k mac = 0. Based on the SCS for the Type1-PDCCH CSS set, the length of the window in multiple time slots is provided by msgB-ResponseWindow.

[0511] In response to the transmission of the PRACH, if the PRACH preamble is not mapped to a valid PUSCH occasion, the UE attempts to detect DCI format 1_0 with a CRC scrambled by the corresponding MsgB-RNTI during a window controlled by the higher layers [11, TS 38.321]. The window starts at the first symbol of the earliest CORESET, and the UE is configured to receive the PDCCH for the Type1-PDCCH CSS set as defined in Clause 10.1, i.e., at least one symbol after the last symbol of the PRACH occasion corresponding to the PRACH transmission, where the symbol duration corresponds to the SCS for the Type1-PDCCH CSS set. Based on the SCS for the Type1-PDCCH CSS set, the length of the window in multiple time slots is provided by msgB-ResponseWindow.

[0512] If the UE detects DCI format 1_0 with a CRC scrambled by the corresponding MsgB-RNTI and the LSB (if applicable) of the SFN field in DCI format 1_0 is the same as the corresponding LSB of the SFN in which the UE transmits the PRACH, and the UE receives a transport block in the corresponding PDSCH within the window, the UE passes the transport block to the higher layers. The higher layers indicate to the physical layer

[0513] - An uplink grant, provided that the RAR message is for fallback RAR and identifies the random access preamble identifier (RAPID) associated with the PRACH transmission, and the UE procedure continues as described in clauses 8.2, 8.3, and 8.4 when the UE detects the RAR UL grant, or

[0514] - The transmission of the PUCCH with HARQ-ACK information having an ACK value, provided that the RAR message is for success RAR, where

[0515] - The PUCCH resource for the transmission of the PUCCH is indicated by the 4-bit PUCCH resource indicator field in the success RAR from the set of PUCCH resources provided by pucch-ResourceCommon

[0516] - …

[0517] If the UE detects a DCI format 1_0 with a CRC scrambled by the C-RNTI and the transport block in the corresponding PDSCH within the window, the UE transmits the PUCCH with HARQ-ACK information having an ACK value if the UE correctly detects the transport block or a NACK value if the UE incorrectly detects the transport block and the timing alignment timer is running [11, TS38.321].

[0518] If the UE detects a DCI format 1_0 with a CRC scrambled by the corresponding MsgB-RNTI and receives the transport block within the window in the corresponding PDSCH, the UE may assume the same DM-RS antenna port quasi-co-location property for the SS / PBCH block associated with the PRACH by the UE as described in clause 8.1, as described in [6, TS 38.214], regardless of whether the UE is provided with the TCI-State of the CORESET in which the UE receives the PDCCH with DCI format 1_0.

[0519] …

[0520] 8.3 PUSCH Scheduled by RAR UL Grant

[0521] …

[0522] The frequency domain resource allocation is according to the uplink resource allocation type 1 [6, TS 38.214]. For the initial UL BWP size of RB(s), the UE processes the frequency domain resource assignment field as follows

[0523] - …

[0524] If there is no repetition of PUSCH transmission, the UE transmits the transport block in the PUSCH scheduled by the RAR UL grant in the corresponding RAR message using redundancy version 0. If the TC-RNTI is provided by the higher layers, the scrambling initialization of the PUSCH corresponding to the RAR UL grant in Clause 8.2 is by the TC-RNTI. Otherwise, the scrambling initialization of the PUSCH corresponding to the RAR UL grant in Clause 8.2 is done by the C-RNTI.

[0525] The Msg3 PUSCH retransmission of the transport block (if any) is scheduled by DCI format 0_0 with a CRC [11, TS 38.321] scrambled by the TC-RNTI provided in the corresponding RAR message.

[0526] …

[0527] 8.4 PDSCH with UE Contention Resolution Identity

[0528] In response to the PUSCH transmission scheduled by the RAR UL grant when the UE is not provided with a C-RNTI, the UE attempts to detect DCI format 1_0 [11, TS 38.321] with a CRC scrambled by the corresponding TC-RNTI scheduling the PDSCH containing the UE contention resolution identity. In response to the reception of the PDSCH with the UE contention resolution identity, the UE transmits HARQ-ACK information in the PUCCH. The PUCCH transmission is within the UL BWP in the same slot as the PUSCH transmission. The minimum time between the last symbol of the PDSCH reception and the first symbol of the corresponding PUCCH transmission with the HARQ-ACK information is equal to N T,1 + 0.5 milliseconds. N T,1 is the duration of N1 symbols corresponding to the PDSCH processing time for UE processing capability 1 when additional PDSCH DM-RS is configured. For μ = 0, the UE assumes N 1,0 = 14 [6, TS 38.214].

[0529] When detecting a DCI format in response to a PUSCH transmission scheduled by an RAR UL grant, as described in [11, TS 38.321], or a corresponding PUSCH retransmission scheduled by DCI format 0_0 with a CRC scrambled by the TC-RNTI provided in the corresponding RAR message [11, TS 38.321], the UE may assume that the PDCCH carrying the DCI format has the same DM-RS antenna port quasi-co-location property for the SS / PBCH block associated with the PRACH for the UE, as described in clause 8.1, regardless of whether the UE is provided with the TCI-State of the CORESET in which the UE receives the PDCCH with the DCI format.

[0530] ********************End of citation [7]***********************

[0531] The following abbreviation table is provided for parts of the following disclosure:

[0532] D2R: Device to Reader for (Ambient Internet of Thing, A-IoT);

[0533] PDRCH: Physical (Ambient IoT) Device (to) Reader Channel;

[0534] PRDCH: Physical Reader (to Ambient IoT) Device Channel; and

[0535] R2D: Reader to (Ambient IoT) Device.

[0536] In the 3GPP RAN1 #116 meeting, there were some protocols regarding Ambient IoT.

[0537] For research purposes, RAN1 used the following terms:

[0538] ● Device 1: Peak power consumption of ~1 μW, with energy storage, initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to 10 X ppm, no downlink (DL) amplification or uplink (UL) amplification in the device. The UL transmission of the device backscatters on an externally provided carrier.

[0539] ● Device 2a: Peak power consumption ≤ a few hundred μW, with energy storage, initial SFO up to 10 X ppm, with DL and / or UL amplification in the device. The UL transmission of the device backscatters on an externally provided carrier.

[0540] ● Device 2b: Peak power consumption ≤ a few hundred μW, with energy storage, initial SFO up to 10 X ppm, with DL and / or UL amplification in the device. The UL transmission of the device is generated internally by the device.

[0541] From the perspective of RAN1, at least when responses from multiple devices intended to be identified are expected, an access procedure based on A-IoT contention initiated by the reader is used.

[0542] For the access procedure based on A-IoT contention, at least access based on slotted ALOHA has been studied.

[0543] For environmental IoT devices, dedicated physical broadcast channels for R2D, such as a Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) - like channel, are not considered for study.

[0544] For environmental IoT devices, at least for R2D data transmission, a physical channel (PRDCH) is studied:

[0545] ● System information (if defined) is transmitted on the PRDCH.

[0546] ● Whether / how control information is transmitted on the PRDCH remains to be further studied.

[0547] ● Note: For the purpose of research, the naming of the PRDCH is used.

[0548] For environmental IoT devices, at least for D2R data transmission, a physical channel (PDRCH) is studied along with the following:

[0549] ● Responses transmitted from the device to the reader during the contention-based access procedure are transmitted on the PDRCH.

[0550] ○ Details of the response remain to be further studied.

[0551] ● Whether / how / what D2R control information (if defined) is transmitted on the PDRCH remains to be further studied (for further research).

[0552] ● Note: For the purpose of research, the naming of the PDRCH is used.

[0553] In recent years, there has been a desire for more devices to be interconnected in the wireless communication world to improve productivity, efficiency, and increase the comfort of life. However, powering all IoT devices with batteries that require manual replacement or recharging will result in high maintenance costs, environmental problems, and safety hazards in some use cases (e.g., wireless sensors in power). Further reduction in the size, complexity, and power consumption of IoT devices enables deployment for various applications (e.g., automated manufacturing, smart home).

[0554] On the other hand, barcodes and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) have a limited reading range of several meters, which usually requires handheld scanning. This will result in labor-intensive and time-consuming operations. Moreover, the lack of interference management schemes will lead to severe interference and capacity problems among RFID readers, especially in the case of dense deployment. It is difficult for RFID to support a large-scale seamless coverage network. In contrast, research on environmental IoT has investigated the feasibility of new IoT technologies within the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) system.

[0555] Environmental IoT devices / user equipment (UE) will have ultra-low complexity, extremely small device size, and long life cycles. Environmental IoT devices / UE will have complexity and power consumption that are several orders of magnitude lower than existing 3GPP Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) technologies (e.g., Narrowband (NB)-IoT, enhanced Machine-Type Communication (eMTC)). Environmental IoT devices / UE may or may not have energy storage. The energy of environmental IoT devices / UE can be provided by collecting radio waves, light, motion, heat, or any other suitable power source. The energy and / or power source can be provided once (e.g., unexpectedly or non-periodically), periodically, or continuously. In one embodiment, the power / energy of environmental IoT devices / UE can be provided from the carrier from the network and / or intermediate nodes. In topology 1, environmental IoT devices / UE will communicate directly and bidirectionally with the base station. In topology 2, environmental IoT devices / UE will communicate bidirectionally with an intermediate node (e.g., UE or relay node) between the environmental IoT device / UE and the base station. The UL transmission of environmental IoT devices / UE can be generated internally by the device / UE or backscattered on an externally provided carrier. More details about environmental IoT (devices / UE) can be found in research projects [1] RP-234058 and [2] 3GPP TR38.848 V18.0.0.

[0556] To enable data and / or signaling transmission, an (Ambient IoT) UE will trigger a random access (RA) procedure and / or an initial access to the network. For example, the (Ambient IoT) UE will receive signaling from the network (NW). In response to receiving the signaling, the (Ambient IoT) UE will trigger an RA procedure.

[0557] The signaling can be used to trigger (or indicate) the RA procedure (or initial access) of the UE. The signaling can be used to trigger (or indicate) the transmission (or reception) of the UE. The transmission from the UE can be (or include) a backscatter transmission (or reception), or can be generated internally by the UE. The signaling can be used to supply power and / or energy to the UE. The signaling can be (or include) Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling (e.g., an RRC configuration message), Medium Access Control (MAC) signaling (e.g., a MAC control element (CE)), or Physical Layer (PHY) signaling (e.g., a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), Downlink Control Information (DCI)). The signaling can be (or include) a carrier (signal) and / or an interrogation signal.

[0558] The signaling can be common signaling or dedicated signaling. The common signaling can be (or include) cell-specific configuration. The common signaling can be (or include) a configuration common to multiple UEs, a group of UEs, and / or a UE group. The common signaling can be (or include) broadcast signaling, system information, and / or paging. The dedicated signaling can be (or include) UE-specific configuration. The dedicated signaling can be (or include) a configuration dedicated to a (single) UE. The dedicated signaling can be (or include) RRC signaling (e.g., an RRC configuration message). The dedicated signaling can be (or include) MAC signaling (e.g., a MAC CE). The dedicated signaling can be (or include) PHY signaling (e.g., a PDCCH, DCI).

[0559] Due to the characteristics of Ambient IoT, such as ultra-low complexity and ultra-low power consumption, it is not always appropriate for an Ambient IoT UE to initiate an RA procedure, for example, in response to receiving signaling. The Ambient IoT UE should check its ability to initiate an RA procedure, for example, in response to receiving signaling. In addition, to reduce power consumption, enhancements to RA should be sought to avoid conflicts between multiple Ambient IoT UEs.

[0560] Suppose the network will transmit signaling (e.g., paging) for service requests (e.g., inventory, commands) to multiple UEs. In response to receiving the signaling from the network, the UE will trigger the RA process. Since the signaling is transmitted to multiple UEs and some UEs may not successfully respond to the signaling (e.g., lose the signaling or fail to perform RA at the first time), the network should ensure that each UE successfully responds by repeating the signaling several times. However, the result is that UEs that have already completed the RA process can still receive the signaling. In this case, the UE should not trigger the RA again.

[0561] To solve the above problem, the UE can determine whether or when to initiate (or trigger, execute) the RA process in response to receiving the NW signaling or after receiving the NW signaling. The NW signaling can be the signaling described above. The UE can determine whether or when to initiate (or trigger, execute) the RA process based on a first condition.

[0562] The UE can check the first condition in response to receiving the NW signaling (or if the NW signaling is received, when the NW signaling is received, after the NW signaling is received). If the (at least) first condition is met, the UE can initiate, trigger, execute, continue, and / or resume the RA process. If the (at least) first condition is not met, the UE can not initiate, trigger, and / or continue the RA process. If the (at least) first condition is not met, the UE can stop, cancel, and / or pause the RA process.

[0563] If the (at least) first condition is met after receiving the signaling or in response to receiving the signaling, the UE can initiate, trigger, execute, continue, and / or resume the RA process. If the (at least) first condition is not met after receiving the signaling or in response to receiving the signaling, the UE can not initiate, trigger, and / or continue the RA process. Before the (at least) first condition is met after receiving the signaling or in response to receiving the signaling, the UE can not initiate, trigger, continue, and / or resume the RA process. If the (at least) first condition is not met after receiving the signaling or in response to receiving the signaling, the UE can stop, cancel, and / or pause the RA process. After the UE receives the NW signaling or when the UE receives the NW signaling, the UE can check whether the first condition is met. Once the (at least) first condition is met or after the (at least) first condition is met, the UE can initiate the RA process. In response to receiving the NW signaling (or if the NW signaling is received, when the NW signaling is received, after the NW signaling is received), once the (at least) first condition is met, the UE can initiate, trigger, continue, and / or resume the RA process.

[0564] Alternatively and / or additionally, in response to receiving NW signaling (or if NW signaling is received, when NW signaling is received, after receiving NW signaling), the UE may initiate, trigger, continue, and / or resume the RA procedure. The NW signaling may be the signaling described above. The UE may determine whether or when to perform the RA resource selection procedure (or RA preamble transmission procedure or MSGA transmission procedure) of the RA procedure based on a first condition.

[0565] When the RA procedure is pending, the UE may check the first condition. When the UE receives NW signaling and / or (e.g., by the upper layer) triggers the RA procedure, after the UE receives NW signaling and / or (e.g., by the upper layer) triggers the RA procedure, or after the UE receives NW signaling and / or (e.g., by the upper layer) triggers the RA procedure, the RA procedure is pending. When the RA procedure is suspended, after the RA procedure is suspended, or after the RA procedure is suspended, the RA procedure is pending. If the (at least) first condition is satisfied, the UE may perform the RA resource selection procedure (or RA preamble transmission procedure or MSGA transmission procedure) of the RA procedure. If the first condition is not satisfied, the UE may not perform the RA resource selection procedure (or RA preamble transmission procedure or MSGA transmission procedure) of the RA procedure.

[0566] The UE may check the first condition in response to initiating, triggering, continuing, and / or resuming the RA procedure. If the (at least) first condition is satisfied, the UE may perform the RA resource selection procedure (or RA preamble transmission procedure or MSGA transmission procedure) of the RA procedure. If the (at least) first condition is not satisfied, the UE may not perform the RA resource selection procedure (or RA preamble transmission procedure or MSGA transmission procedure) of the RA procedure. If the (at least) first condition is not satisfied, the UE may delay and / or suspend the RA procedure.

[0567] If, after initiating, triggering, continuing, and / or resuming the RA process or in response to initiating, triggering, continuing, and / or resuming the RA process, (at least) a first condition is satisfied, the UE may perform the RA resource selection process (or RA preamble transmission process or MSGA transmission process) of the RA process. If, after initiating, triggering, continuing, and / or resuming the RA process or in response to initiating, triggering, continuing, and / or resuming the RA process, the (at least) first condition is not satisfied, the UE may not perform the RA resource selection process (or RA preamble transmission process or MSGA transmission process) of the RA process. Before the (at least) first condition is satisfied after initiating, triggering, continuing, and / or resuming the RA process or in response to initiating, triggering, continuing, and / or resuming the RA process, the UE may not perform the RA resource selection process (or RA preamble transmission process or MSGA transmission process) of the RA process. If, after initiating, triggering, continuing, and / or resuming the RA process or in response to initiating, triggering, continuing, and / or resuming the RA process, the (at least) first condition is not satisfied, the UE may delay and / or suspend the RA process. The first condition may not be satisfied after or when the UE receives the NW signaling and initiates, triggers, continues, and / or resumes the RA process. Once the first condition is satisfied or after the first condition is satisfied, the UE may perform the RA resource selection process (or RA preamble transmission process or MSGA transmission process) of the RA process. In response to initiating, triggering, continuing, and / or resuming the RA process (or if initiating, triggering, continuing, and / or resuming the RA process, at the time of initiating, triggering, continuing, and / or resuming the RA process, after initiating, triggering, continuing, and / or resuming the RA process), once the first condition is satisfied, the UE may perform the RA resource selection process (or RA preamble transmission process or MSGA transmission process) of the RA process.

[0568] The first condition for determining whether or when to initiate (or trigger, execute) the RA process and the first condition for determining whether or when to perform the RA resource selection process (or RA preamble transmission process or MSGA transmission process) of the RA process may be the same. Alternatively, the first condition for determining whether or when to initiate (or trigger, execute) the RA process and the first condition for determining whether or when to perform the RA resource selection process (or RA preamble transmission process or MSGA transmission process) of the RA process may be (partially or completely) different.

[0569] For example, based on the first factor, one or more of the first conditions may be applied by the first UE and may not be applied by the second UE. The first UE and the second UE may have different configurations and / or values for one or more of the first conditions. The first UE and the second UE may be different UEs distinguished by the first factor, for example. The first UE and the second UE may be ambient IoT UEs. The UE may determine whether to use one or more of the first conditions based on the first factor. The UE may determine which value of one or more of the first conditions to use based on the first factor.

[0570] Throughout this disclosure, the RA resource selection process may be referred to as the first or first time or first step of the RA resource selection process.

[0571] The first condition may be one or a combination of the following:

[0572] Power level

[0573] The first condition may include a satisfied power level, i.e., a threshold of the satisfied power level. For example, if at least the condition of the power level is satisfied, the first condition is satisfied. The power level may include any one or more of the following embodiments. There may be one or more thresholds for (determining whether the) power level is satisfied. The power level may be determined by the threshold. The threshold of the power level may be configured by the network or derived by the UE. The threshold of the power level may be determined based on the following embodiments and / or the (selected) RA resource / configuration. The threshold of the power level may be indicated or configured by the NW. Alternatively, the threshold of the power level may be determined by the UE. Alternatively, the threshold of the power level may be fixed.

[0574] The threshold may be derived based on the peak transmit (TX) power of the UE. Alternatively and / or additionally, the threshold may be derived based on the number of repetitions of the transmission (e.g., Msg1, preamble, MSGA, Msg3, or UL transmission of the RA procedure) to be transmitted by the UE. Alternatively and / or additionally, the threshold may be derived based on the first factor.

[0575] In one embodiment, the power level may be the received power of the signal / channel transmitted from the network. The power level may be the received power of the carrier (signal) transmitted from the network. For example, the first condition may include that the received power is equal to or greater than the threshold.

[0576] In one embodiment, the power level may be the (downlink) path loss derived / determined based at least on the received power of the signal / channel transmitted from the network. The power level may be the (downlink) path loss derived / determined based at least on the received power of the carrier (signal) transmitted from the network. For example, the first condition may include that the path loss is equal to or less than the threshold.

[0577] In one embodiment, the power level may be the desired / derived / determined UE transmit power for backscatter transmissions (e.g., the first transmission and / or the third transmission). For example, the first condition may include the desired / derived / determined UE transmit power being equal to or greater than a threshold.

[0578] In one embodiment, the power level may be the desired / derived / determined UE transmit power for UL transmissions (e.g., the first transmission and / or the third transmission) generated internally by the UE. For example, the first condition may include the desired / derived / determined UE transmit power being equal to or greater than a threshold.

[0579] In one embodiment, the power level may be the maximum UE transmit power (e.g., for the first transmission and / or the third transmission). For example, the first condition may include the maximum UE transmit power being equal to or greater than a threshold. Alternatively, the first condition may include the maximum UE transmit power being equal to or less than a threshold.

[0580] In one embodiment, the power level may be the amount of battery power / storage power / available power of the UE. The UE may estimate / determine / derive how much battery power / storage power / available power is available for / is used to perform the (corresponding) RA process. For example, the first condition may include the amount of battery power / storage power / available power of the UE being equal to or greater than a threshold.

[0581] In one embodiment, the power level may be a predefined / (pre)configured / indicated power. The indicated power may be indicated by the network or by a higher layer of the UE. Preferably, in some embodiments, the predefined / (pre)configured / indicated power may be the guaranteed or required power (amount or capacity) for enabling / activating / initiating the (corresponding) RA process. Preferably, in some embodiments, the predefined / (pre)configured / indicated power may be the desired / estimated power consumption (amount) for completing the (corresponding) RA process. For example, the first condition may include the UE transmit power being equal to or greater than the predefined / (pre)configured / indicated power. For example, the first condition may include a value being equal to or greater than the predefined / (pre)configured / indicated power. The value may be derived / determined based on the desired / derived / determined / maximum UE transmit power and the number of repetitions, e.g., the value of "desired / derived / determined / maximum UE transmit power" multiplied by the "number of repetitions".

[0582] In one embodiment, the power level can be the power difference between the (downlink) path loss and the desired / derived / determined / maximum UE transmission power. The (downlink) path loss can be derived / determined based at least on a signal / channel from the network, such as the received power of a carrier (signal). The desired / derived / determined UE transmission power can be used for backscatter transmission or for UL transmission generated internally by the UE. For example, the first condition can include the power difference being equal to or less than a threshold or value. The value can be derived / determined based on the desired / derived / determined / maximum UE transmission power and the number of repetitions, such as the value of "desired / derived / determined / maximum UE transmission power" multiplied by the "number of repetitions".

[0583] In one embodiment, the power level can be the power difference between the battery power / stored power / available power and the desired / derived / determined / maximum UE transmission power. The desired / derived / determined UE transmission power can be used for backscatter transmission or for UL transmission generated internally by the UE. The UE can estimate / determine / derive how much battery power / stored power / available power is available for performing the (corresponding) RA process. For example, the first condition can include the power difference being equal to or greater than a threshold or value. The value can be derived / determined based on the desired / derived / determined / maximum UE transmission power and the number of repetitions, such as the value of "desired / derived / determined / maximum UE transmission power" multiplied by the "number of repetitions".

[0584] In one embodiment, the power level can be the power difference between a predefined / (pre)configured / indicated power and the desired / derived / determined / maximum UE transmission power. The indicated power can be indicated by the network or by a higher layer of the UE. Preferably, in some embodiments, the predefined / (pre)configured / indicated power can be the guaranteed or required power (quantity or capacity) for enabling / activating / initiating the (corresponding) RA process. Preferably, in some embodiments, the predefined / (pre)configured / indicated power can be the desired / estimated power consumption (quantity) for completing the (corresponding) RA process. The desired / derived / determined UE transmission power can be used for backscatter transmission or for UL transmission generated internally by the UE. For example, the first condition can include the power difference being equal to or less than a threshold or value. The value can be derived / determined based on the desired / derived / determined / maximum UE transmission power and the number of repetitions, such as the value of "desired / derived / determined / maximum UE transmission power" multiplied by the "number of repetitions".

[0585] UE group

[0586] The first condition may include receiving or indicating in the NW signal information related to the UE group (ID) of the UE or the ID of the UE (as described above). The information may be the UE group (ID) of the UE or (a part of) the ID of the UE. For example, if the UE group (ID) of the UE is received or indicated in the NW signal, then the (at least) first condition is satisfied (as described above). If the UE group (ID) of the UE is satisfied by a formula, then the (at least) first condition is satisfied. The formula is predefined or (pre)-configured by the NW or the UE. The UE may determine the UE group (ID) of the UE based on a first factor.

[0587] There may be multiple UE groups for ambient IoT. The UE may be assigned to a UE group or associated with a UE group. The UE may be predefined or (pre)-configured with a UE group (e.g., by the UE). The UE may be configured or indicated with a UE group (e.g., by the NW). The UE may receive a group ID and / or value via paging, a system information block (SIB), and / or PDCCH to derive / determine the group ID.

[0588] Multiple UEs may be assigned to different UE groups based on the UE type. UEs with the same UE type may be in the same UE group. UEs with the same UE type may be in different UE groups. A UE group may include UEs with the same or different UE types.

[0589] Multiple UEs may be assigned to different UE groups or associated with different UE groups based on the UE ID. For example, a UE may be assigned to a UE group or associated with a UE group, where the UE group ID of the UE group may be determined / derived / determined based at least on the UE ID of the UE and a value. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE group ID of the UE may be determined / derived / determined by the UE ID modulo a value. The value may be the number of UE groups. The value may be provided by the NW or be predefined or (pre)-configured. The UE group ID of the UE may be determined by a formula using the UE ID.

[0590] Multiple UEs can be assigned to different UE groups based on location. Preferably, in some embodiments, UEs in the same location and / or the same location range can be distributed to the same UE group. A UE can determine / deduce its location or range based on the received carrier (signal). More specifically, a UE can determine / deduce its location or range from a network / intermediate node based on the received power of the carrier (signal) transmitted from the network / intermediate node. UEs in the same location and / or the same range can represent UEs having the same received power range of the carrier (signal). Preferably and / or alternatively, in some embodiments, UEs in the same location and / or the same location range can be distributed to different UE groups. UEs within the range of receiving the same power supply, carrier, and / or NW signal can be (randomly) distributed to different UE groups.

[0591] Proper configuration

[0592] The first condition can include that an appropriate configuration is received, available, and / or valid. For example, if an appropriate configuration is received, available, and / or valid, then the (at least) first condition is met. If the corresponding configuration for the first factor is received, available, and / or valid, then the (at least) first condition is met. If the configuration related to the first factor is received, available, and / or valid, then the (at least) first condition is met. If a configuration specific to one of the first factors is selected, then the (at least) first condition is met. The configuration can be associated with the first factor. The configuration can be different based on the first factor. A UE can determine whether the configuration is appropriate based on the first factor.

[0593] The configuration can include any one or more of the following:

[0594] - Configuration related to a Bandwidth Part (BWP):

[0595] The configuration can be (or include) any one of the following: initialUplinkBWP, initialDownlinkBWP, BWP, subcarrierSpacing, BWP-Downlink, BWP-DownlnkCommon, BWP-DownlinkDedicated, BWP-Id, BWP-Uplink, BWP-UplinkCommon, and / or BWP-UplinkDedicated.

[0596] A UE can be configured with one or more BWPs of a cell. Alternatively and / or additionally, a cell can comprise or indicate more than one BWP (for environmental IoT). A UE can be configured with different initial BWPs in different frequency bands and / or frequencies of a cell. A UE can be configured with multiple BWPs that have an in-band spectrum deployment to a New Radio (NR) cell. Different / separate RA configurations and / or RA resources can be configured on more than one BWP. The RA configuration and / or RA resources can correspond to, be associated with, and / or be used by one or more UEs, UE groups, UE types, power levels, UL data types, and / or UL data sizes. The BWP can be a UL BWP.

[0597] Preferably, in some embodiments, a BWP (above or below) can be changed / represented / replaced by a frequency (sub)band or a set of frequency resources.

[0598] Preferably, in some embodiments, when a UE receives / detects a carrier (signal), the UE can derive / determine a BWP, an (initial) frequency (sub)band, or a set of (initial) frequency resources based at least on the frequency (e.g., a DL carrier or a DL frequency band), such as the frequency of the received / detected carrier (signal). Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE can derive / determine a BWP, an (initial) frequency (sub)band, or a set of (initial) frequency resources based at least on BWP, frequency (sub)band, or frequency resource set information provided by the network.

[0599] - Configurations related to RA:

[0600] The configuration can be (or include) any of the following: 4-step RA configuration, 2-step RA configuration, contention-based RA configuration, contention-free RA configuration, RA resource configuration, RA preamble configuration, RA preamble group configuration, RACH-ConfigCommon, PRACH configuration, RACH-ConfigCommonTwoStepRA, RACH-ConfigDedicated, RACH-ConfigGeneric, and / or RACH-ConfigGenericTwoStepRA.

[0601] The UE can be configured with multiple RA configurations for a cell. Alternatively and / or additionally, the cell can provide or indicate multiple RA configurations (for environmental IoT). The UE can be configured with multiple RA resource groups. Alternatively and / or additionally, the cell can provide or indicate multiple RA resource groups (for environmental IoT). The UE can be configured with multiple RA configuration groups. Alternatively and / or additionally, the cell can provide or indicate multiple RA configuration groups (for environmental IoT). The multiple RA configurations, RA resource groups, and / or RA configuration groups can be configured on different BWPs. The multiple RA configurations, RA resource groups, and / or RA configuration groups can be configured on the same BWP. The RA configurations, RA resource groups, and / or RA configuration groups can correspond to (one or more) UEs, UE groups, UE types, power levels, UL data types, and / or UL data sizes, be associated with and / or be used by (one or more) UEs, UE groups, UE types, power levels, UL data types, and / or UL data sizes.

[0602] - Configurations related to data transmission or reception:

[0603] The configuration can be (or include) any of the following: PUSCH-Config, PUSCH-ConfigCommon, PUSCH-ServingCellConfig, PDSCH-Config, PDSCH-ConfigCommon, PDSCH-ServingCellConfig, semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) configuration, configured grant configuration, and / or hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) configuration.

[0604] The UE can be at least configured with configurations related to data transmission or reception. The UE can be at least pre-configured with the configuration. The UE can use (or apply) the pre-configured (or fixed) value of the configuration. The UE may not require the configuration. The UE may not require the network to provide the configuration.

[0605] - Configurations related to small data transmission:

[0606] The configuration may be (or include) any one of the following: SDT-Config, SDT-MAC-PHY-CG-Config, SDT-ConfigCommonSIB, MT-SDT-ConfigCommonSIB, CG-SDT-Configuration, and / or Small Data Transmission (SDT) configuration.

[0607] The UE may be configured with at least a configuration related to small data transmission. The UE may be pre-configured with at least the configuration. The UE may use (or apply) a pre-configured (or fixed) value of the configuration. The UE may not require the configuration. The UE may not require a network-provided configuration.

[0608] Time offset / delay

[0609] The first condition may include: after a first duration or current timing (e.g., when the UE receives an NW signal, determines to initiate an RA process and / or checks the first condition, when the RA process is pending or suspended) after the first duration. For example, if after a first duration or current timing after the first duration, then (at least) the first condition is met. The first duration may be a time offset and / or a time delay. The first duration may be represented or counted by a first timer. The first duration may be the duration when the first timer is running. If the first timer expires, then (at least) the first condition is met. The (maximum) value of the first duration may be configured, predefined, and / or provided by the NW (as described above) via an NW signal. The value of the first duration may be selected, derived, and / or calculated (e.g., between 0 and the maximum value) by the UE randomly. The UE may determine the first duration based on a first factor.

[0610] The first duration may be used to delay (initiate, trigger, continue, and / or resume) the RA process. Alternatively and / or additionally, the first duration may be used to delay the RA resource selection process (or RA preamble transmission process or MSGA transmission process) of performing the RA process. When an NW signal is received, the RA process is triggered or pending, (one or more) first conditions are met, the UE determines to initiate the RA process, the UE initiates (or triggers or continues or resumes) the RA process, performs (one or more) RA resource selections (steps), and / or performs the transmission of (MSGA / msg1 / msg3), the first duration and / or the first timer may be started.

[0611] Forbidden timer

[0612] The first condition may include: after a second duration or current timing (e.g., when the UE receives an NW signal, determines to initiate an RA procedure and / or checks the first condition, when the RA procedure is pending or suspended), after the second duration. The second duration may be counted or represented by a second timer. For example, if the second timer is not running, the (at least) first condition is met. If the second timer expires, the (at least) first condition is met. The second timer may be a time window. The (maximum) value of the second duration may be configured, predefined, and / or provided by the NW (as described above) via an NW signal, for example. The value of the second duration may be selected, derived, and / or calculated (e.g., between 0 and the maximum value) by the UE randomly. The UE may determine the second duration based on a first factor.

[0613] The second duration may be used to prohibit the UE from initiating and / or performing an RA procedure. The second duration may be used to prohibit the UE from initiating and / or performing an RA procedure after completing another RA procedure or within a short time (or immediately) before the RA procedure. When or in response to triggering an RA procedure, meeting the (one or more) first conditions, the UE determines to initiate an RA procedure, performs the (one or more) RA resource selection (steps), performs data or signal transmission (of MSGA / msg3 / msg5), and is considered to have (successfully) completed the RA procedure, the second duration may be started. The data or signal transmission may use the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) resources of MSGA and / or UL grant provided by the NW. The data or signal transmission may be performed during the RA procedure or after completing the RA procedure.

[0614] Alternatively and / or additionally, the UE may set a timestamp. The first condition may include: the elapsed time after the timestamp or the current timing (e.g., when the UE receives an NW signal, determines to initiate an RA process and / or checks the first condition, when the RA process is pending or suspended). Alternatively, the first condition may include: the elapsed time after the timestamp plus a second duration or the current timing (e.g., when the UE receives an NW signal, determines to initiate an RA process and / or checks the first condition, when the RA process is pending or suspended) after the timestamp plus the second duration. After the timestamp, the (at least) first condition is satisfied. The timestamp may be configured, predefined, provided, and / or enabled by the NW (as described above) via an NW signal. The timestamp may be (randomly) selected, derived, and / or calculated by the UE. The timestamp may be set by the value of a second timer. The timestamp may be set by the remaining time of a second timer. The timestamp may be set by the time or date (e.g., epoch time) that triggers an RA process, satisfies the (one or more) first conditions, the UE determines to initiate an RA process, performs the (one or more) RA resource selection (steps), performs data or signal transmission (of MSGA / msg3 / msg5), (is considered to) (successfully) complete an RA process.

[0615] Alternatively and / or additionally, the UE may store the value (or remaining time) of the second duration or the timestamp, e.g., based on the power level. When the power is turned off, the UE enters the idle state and / or resets the MAC, if the power is turned off, the UE enters the idle state and / or resets the MAC, or in response to the power being turned off, the UE entering the idle state and / or resetting the MAC, the UE may not clear the value (or remaining time) of the second duration or the timestamp. The UE may retrieve and / or restore the value (or remaining time) of the second duration or the timestamp, e.g., based on the power level.

[0616] In response to receiving a first signaling that triggers a random access process, the UE may determine whether to trigger a second random access process based on a first condition. The first signaling may be a paging for ambient IoT. The first signaling may indicate the ID or group ID of the UE. The first condition may include an elapsed duration (e.g., the timer is not running, a first duration has passed). The duration may be started when the UE triggers another random access process before receiving the first signaling. The duration may be started when the first random access process is completed. In response to receiving the first signaling during the duration, the UE may be prohibited from triggering the second random access process.

[0617] In one example, a UE may receive a first signaling that triggers a random access procedure. In response to receiving the first signaling, the UE may determine whether to trigger the random access procedure based on a first condition. The first condition includes at least one of the following: whether a timer is running; and whether a first duration has elapsed. The first signaling may be a paging for ambient IoT. The first signaling may indicate the ID or group ID of the UE. The first signaling may indicate the value of the timer or the first duration. The value may be a preset value. The first signaling may indicate an index of the value. The value may be a fixed value. The value may be a dynamic / configurable value. When the UE triggers a second random access procedure before receiving the first signaling, the timer and / or the first duration may be started. When transmission is performed during the second random access procedure, the timer and / or the first duration may be started. When the second random access procedure is completed, the timer and / or the first duration may be started. When the first signaling is received, the timer and / or the first duration may be started. A second random access procedure may be triggered in response to receiving a second signaling. If (at least) the timer is running and / or it is determined that it is performed during the first duration, the UE may not trigger the random access procedure. If (at least) the timer is not running and / or it is determined that it is performed after the first duration, the UE may trigger the random access procedure. The timer may be a barred timer. The first condition may include that the UE receives, for example, in the first signaling, a configuration related to data transmission or reception. The timer and / or the first duration are associated with the configuration.

[0618] In one example, a UE (e.g., Figure 9 UE1 in Figure 9 ) may receive a first signaling (e.g., Figure 9Execute a first transmission (e.g., in response to a first signaling) in the first response). The UE may receive a second transmission in response to the first transmission. The UE may be indicated and / or confirmed that the first random access procedure, the first transmission, the response, and / or the procedure / request indicated by the first signaling is successful and / or (successfully) completed. The UE may consider the first random access procedure, the first transmission, the response, and / or the procedure / request indicated by the first signaling to be successful and / or (successfully) completed. In response to receiving the first signaling, triggering / initiating / executing the first random access procedure, executing the first transmission, receiving the second transmission, and / or considering the first random access procedure, the first transmission, the response to be successful or (successfully) completed, the UE may start a first timer or a first duration. When receiving the first signaling, triggering / initiating / executing the first random access procedure, executing the first transmission, receiving the second transmission, and / or considering the first random access procedure, the first transmission, the response to be successful or (successfully) completed, the UE may start a first timer or a first duration. After receiving the first signaling, triggering / initiating / executing the first random access procedure, executing the first transmission, receiving the second transmission, and / or considering the first random access procedure, the first transmission, the response to be successful or (successfully) completed, and / or after receiving the first signaling, triggering / initiating / executing the first random access procedure, executing the first transmission, receiving the second transmission, and / or considering the first random access procedure, the first transmission, the response to be successful or (successfully) completed, the UE may start a first timer or a first duration. The UE may receive a second signaling (e.g., Figure 9 repetitive paging for a group of UE1 in) that triggers a random access (procedure). The UE may determine not to trigger / initiate / perform a second random access procedure, for example, at least based on the first timer being running, the first timer having expired, and / or the existence of (in progress) a first duration. As Figure 9 shown, when the first timer is running or during the first duration, the UE may not respond to the paging. The UE may receive a third signaling (e.g., Figure 9 a second paging for a group of UE1 in) that triggers a random access (procedure). The UE may determine to trigger / initiate / perform a third random access procedure, for example, at least based on the first timer not being running, the first timer having expired, and / or the non-existence of (in progress) a first duration. The UE may perform a third transmission (e.g., in response to the third signaling) in the third random access procedure (e.g., Figure 9 the second response in).

[0619] In the above example, the first / second / third signaling may be a paging (message) for environmental IoT.

[0620] The first / second / third signaling may indicate the target ID of the UE (e.g., UE ID, group ID).

[0621] The first / second / third signaling may provide / indicate resources for the UE to perform a first random access procedure. The first / second / third signaling may indicate a request or service (e.g., command, inventory). The first / second / third signaling may indicate the value / length of a first timer and / or a first duration. The first duration may be an offset. The first signaling and the second signaling may be different signaling. The second signaling may be a copy of the first signaling. The first signaling and the second signaling may indicate the same request or service. The first signaling and the second signaling may indicate the same target ID. The third signaling may be different from the first signaling and the second signaling.

[0622] In one instance, the UE may receive a first signaling for triggering a first random access procedure. In response to receiving the first signaling, the UE determines whether to trigger the first random access procedure based on a first condition. The first condition includes whether (at least) a timer is running and / or whether the first duration has passed. The first signaling is a paging for ambient IoT. The first signaling is a paging message. The first random access procedure is an ambient IoT random access procedure. The first signaling indicates the ID or group ID of the UE. The first signaling indicates a set of UEs. The UE belongs to the set of UEs. The set of UEs includes the UE. The first signaling indicates the value of the timer or the time length of the first duration. The timer is a barred timer. The timer is a random access barred timer. The first signaling is transmitted from a reader. The reader is a network node, an intermediate node, or another UE.

[0623] In one instance, the UE receives a second signaling for triggering a second random access procedure before receiving the first signaling or the first random access procedure. The UE triggers or performs the second random access procedure in response to receiving the second signaling. The second random access procedure is triggered, performed, and / or initiated before the first random access procedure. The second signaling indicates the value of the timer or the time length of the first duration.

[0624] In one instance, when the UE triggers the second random access procedure, a timer and / or the first duration is started. When the UE performs transmission during the second random access procedure, a timer and / or the first duration is started. When the second random access procedure is completed, a timer and / or the first duration is started. When the second signaling is received, a timer and / or the first duration is started.

[0625] In one instance, the first signaling and the second signaling indicate the same target ID. The UE corresponds to or belongs to the target ID. The target ID corresponds to and / or includes the UE. The first signaling and the second signaling indicate the same request or the same service (e.g., command, the same inventory).

[0626] In one example, if (at least) a timer is running and / or if (at least) it is determined that the execution is during a first duration, the UE does not trigger a first random access procedure. If (at least) the timer is not running, or if (at least) it is determined that the execution is after and / or the first duration has elapsed after the first duration, the UE triggers the first random access procedure.

[0627] In one example, the first condition includes the UE receiving a configuration related to data transmission or reception.

[0628] In one example, the UE receives second signaling for triggering a second random access procedure. In response to receiving the second signaling, the UE triggers the second random access procedure. The UE performs transmission during the second random access procedure. The UE starts a timer and / or (counts) a first duration at one of the following times: the UE triggers the second random access procedure; the UE performs transmission during the second random access procedure; the second random access procedure is completed; or the UE receives the second signaling. The UE receives first signaling for triggering a first random access procedure. In response to receiving the first signaling, the UE determines whether to trigger the first random access procedure based on a first condition. The first condition includes at least one of the following: whether the timer is running; and whether the first duration has elapsed. The first signaling and the second signaling are paging and / or paging messages for environmental IoT. The first random access procedure and the second random access procedure are environmental IoT random access procedures. The first signaling and the second signaling indicate the same ID or the same group ID of the UE. The first signaling and the second signaling indicate the same set of UEs. The UE belongs to the set of UEs. The first signaling and the second signaling indicate the same target ID. The UE corresponds to or belongs to the target ID. The first signaling and the second signaling indicate the same request or the same service (e.g., command, same inventory). The first signaling and / or the second signaling indicate the value of the timer or the time length of the first duration. The UE receives the second signaling before receiving the first signaling or the first random access procedure. The second random access procedure is triggered, executed, and started before the first random access procedure. If (at least) the timer is running and / or if (at least) it is determined that the execution is during the first duration, the UE does not trigger the first random access procedure. If (at least) the timer is not running, if (at least) it is determined that the execution is after and / or the first duration has elapsed after the first duration, the UE triggers the first random access procedure. The timer is a barred timer and / or a random access barred timer. The first signaling and the second signaling are transmitted from a reader. The reader is a network node, an intermediate node, or another UE.

[0629] The first factor can be one or more of the following:

[0630] Power level (as described in the first condition)

[0631] UE type

[0632] There may be two or more types of UEs. The UE types can be distinguished by at least energy storage, the method for performing UL transmission, power level, and / or device size. Preferably, in some embodiments, the method for performing UL transmission can be backscattered by the device / UE on a carrier (signal) generated internally or provided externally.

[0633] For example, the first type of UE can be Device A or Device B, as considered in [2] 3GPP TR 38.848 V18.0.0, for example. The first type of UE can have (or be equipped with) a battery or energy storage. The first type of UE can not have (or be equipped with) a battery or energy storage. The first type of UE can not have (or be equipped with) DL / UL amplification. The first type of UE can be a passive or semi - passive device. The first type of UE can generate UL transmission by backscattering. The first type of UE can perform backscattering transmission. The first type of UE may not be able to generate UL transmission alone (internally). The first type of UE may not have the ability to generate a signal without backscattering.

[0634] For example, the second type of UE can be Device C, as considered in [2] 3GPP TR 38.848 V18.0.0, for example. The second type of UE can have (or be equipped with) a battery or energy storage. The second type of UE can have (or be equipped with) DL / UL amplification. The second type of UE can be an active device. The second type of UE can generate UL transmission by backscattering. The second type of UE can perform backscattering transmission. The second type of UE may be able to generate UL transmission alone (internally). The second type of UE can have the ability to generate a signal without backscattering.

[0635] UL data type

[0636] UL data types can be distinguished by at least use cases, traffic scenarios, service types, Quality of Service (QoS), logical channel (group), and / or topology. The UL data types can be indicated by the network or by the higher layer of the UE. The UE can initiate or trigger a RA process for transmitting UL data.

[0637] UL data size

[0638] The UL data size can be calculated / derived / determined by the UE. The UL data size can correspond to the UL data type. The UL data size can be the (potential) transport block size (TBS) of the MSGA payload and / or Msg3. The UL data size can be the (potential) TBS of the first transmission in the RA process. The UL data size can be the TBS of the ambient IoT information (or data). The UE can initiate or trigger the RA process for transmitting the UL data.

[0639] UE ID

[0640] A UE ID can be assigned to the UE. The UE ID can be predefined or (pre)-configured for the UE (e.g., by the UE). The UE ID can be configured or indicated to the UE (e.g., by the NW). The UE can calculate, select, derive, or determine the UE ID on its own.

[0641] UE group (as described in the first condition)

[0642] The UE can receive configurations related to the ambient IoT. The UE can receive RA configurations and / or RA resources. The RA resources can include a BWP, an RA resource / configuration group, an RA preamble (group), a random access channel (RACH) occasion, and / or a PUSCH occasion. Throughout this disclosure, the following can be interchangeable: RACH occasion, physical random access channel (PRACH) occasion.

[0643] The power level can be (represent) the power state of the UE.

[0644] Throughout this disclosure, the "RA process" can be replaced by the "(initial) access process".

[0645] Throughout this disclosure, the "RA process" can be changed / represented / replaced by a UE (or ambient IoT) (data) transmission process, a UE (or ambient IoT) response process, or a UE (or ambient IoT) reporting process.

[0646] Throughout this disclosure, "RA" can be replaced by "access".

[0647] Throughout this disclosure, "MSGA" or "MSGA payload" can be replaced by "(uplink) data and / or signaling".

[0648] Throughout this disclosure, "PRACH" can be replaced by "channel for random access" or "PRACH for ambient IoT".

[0649] Throughout this disclosure, "PUSCH" may be replaced by "uplink shared channel" or "PUSCH for ambient IoT".

[0650] Throughout this disclosure, "PDCCH" may be replaced by "downlink control channel", "downlink control information", or "PDCCH for ambient IoT".

[0651] Throughout this disclosure, "Physical Downlink Shared Channel: ("PDSCH") may be replaced by "downlink shared channel" or "PDSCH for ambient IoT".

[0652] Throughout this disclosure, "BWP" may be replaced by "sub - band of a cell / sub - band in a cell" or "subset of the total cell bandwidth of a cell".

[0653] Throughout this disclosure, "RACH" may be replaced by "access channel" or "RACH for ambient IoT".

[0654] Throughout this disclosure, "cell" may be replaced by "intermediate node".

[0655] Throughout this disclosure, a network (node) may be changed / represented / replaced by an intermediate node.

[0656] A UE may be referred to as a UE, the RRC layer of the UE, the MAC entity of the UE, or the physical layer of the UE.

[0657] Throughout this disclosure, a UE may be an ambient IoT device / UE. A UE may be a device for ambient IoT. A UE may be a device capable of performing ambient IoT. A UE may be an NR device. A UE may be a Long - Term Evolution (LTE) device. A UE may be an IoT device. A UE may be a wearable device. A UE may be a sensor. A UE may be a fixed device. A UE may be a tag. Throughout this disclosure, the following may be interchangeable: (ambient IoT) UE, (ambient IoT) device.

[0658] A UE may not be a traditional UE. A traditional UE may be a non - ambient IoT device. A traditional UE may perform different processes from an ambient IoT UE. A UE may be a traditional UE with the ability to perform ambient IoT processes. Throughout this disclosure, the following may be interchangeable: normal UE, traditional UE. An ambient IoT UE may have the ability of ambient IoT. A traditional UE may or may not have the ability of ambient IoT processes.

[0659] The network can be a network node. The network (node) can be a base station. The network (node) can be an access point. The network (node) can be an evolved Node B (eNB). The network (node) can be a next-generation Node B (gNB). The network (node) can be a gateway.

[0660] Various examples and embodiments of the present invention are described below. For the methods, alternatives, concepts, examples, and embodiments detailed above and herein, the following aspects and embodiments are possible.

[0661] Referring Figure 10 , using this and other concepts, systems, and methods of the present invention, method 1000 for a UE in a wireless communication system includes: receiving signaling from the network (step 1002); in response to receiving the signaling, determining whether to initiate a RA process based on a first condition (step 1004); and (at least) if or when the first condition is satisfied, initiating the RA process (step 1006).

[0662] In various embodiments, the signaling instructs the UE to trigger a RA process and / or perform a UL transmission.

[0663] In various embodiments, the first condition is that the power level of the UE is satisfied.

[0664] In various embodiments, the first condition is a UE group indicating the UE in the signaling.

[0665] In various embodiments, the first condition is that, based on the UE type, a corresponding RA configuration is available for the UE.

[0666] In various embodiments, the first condition is that a duration has elapsed or a timer is not running.

[0667] In various embodiments, initiating the RA process includes performing a RA resource selection process and / or performing a UL transmission.

[0668] Returning to the reference Figure 3 and 4 , in one or more embodiments from the perspective of a UE in a wireless communication system, device 300 includes program code 312 stored in the memory 310 of the transmitter. The CPU 308 can execute the program code 312 to: (i) receive signaling from the network; (ii) determine whether to initiate a RA process based on a first condition in response to receiving the signaling; and (iii) if or when the first condition is satisfied, initiate the RA process. Additionally, the CPU 308 can execute the program code 312 to perform all the described actions, steps, and methods described above, below, or herein.

[0669] Returning to the reference Figure 3 and 4, in one or more embodiments from the perspective of a reader in a wireless communication system, device 300 includes program code 312 stored in the memory 310 of the transmitter. The CPU 308 may execute the program code 312 to: (i) receive signaling from the network; (ii) determine whether to initiate an RA process based on a first condition in response to receiving the signaling; and (iii) initiate the RA process if and when the first condition is satisfied (at least). Additionally, the CPU 308 may execute the program code 312 to perform all the described actions, steps, and methods described above, below, or elsewhere herein.

[0670] Throughout this disclosure, "DL" may be replaced by "Reader to Device (R2D)". A DL transmission may be a transmission from the reader to the device and / or an R2D transmission, referred to as a transmission from the reader to the device and / or an R2D transmission, and / or supplemented by a transmission from the reader to the device and / or an R2D transmission. DL data may be data available on the reader side, data transmitted from the reader to the device, and / or R2D data, referred to as data available on the reader side, data transmitted from the reader to the device, and / or R2D data, and / or supplemented by data available on the reader side, data transmitted from the reader to the device, and / or R2D data. The DL transmission and / or DL data may include an indication, configuration, signal / signaling / signaling, and / or message from the reader.

[0671] Throughout this disclosure, "UL" may be replaced by "Device to Reader (D2R)". A UL transmission may be a transmission from the device to the reader and / or a D2R transmission, referred to as a transmission from the device to the reader and / or a D2R transmission, and / or supplemented by a transmission from the device to the reader and / or a D2R transmission. UL data may be data available on the device side, data transmitted from the device to the reader, and / or D2R data, referred to as data available on the device side, data transmitted from the device to the reader, and / or D2R data, and / or supplemented by data available on the device side, data transmitted from the device to the reader, and / or D2R data. The UL transmission and / or UL data may include an indication, signal / signaling, and / or message from the device. A UL grant may be one or more resources provided by the reader / NW / intermediate node, used by the device / UE, and / or for transmitting / executing a D2R transmission.

[0672] Throughout this disclosure, the reader can be an NW / intermediate node, a UE, and / or an intermediate node and / or be replaced by an NW / intermediate node, a UE, and / or an intermediate node. Throughout this disclosure, the device can be a UE and / or an intermediate node and / or be replaced by a UE and / or an intermediate node. The device can be referred to as an ambient IoT device. "UE" can include a reader and / or a device. "NW / intermediate node" can include a reader.

[0673] The UE / device can receive a carrier from the reader. The UE / device can receive a carrier from a node other than the reader.

[0674] Throughout this disclosure, the "random access (RA) procedure" can be an access procedure performed by an (ambient IoT) UE / device, be replaced by an access procedure performed by an (ambient IoT) UE / device, and / or be referred to as an access procedure performed by an (ambient IoT) UE / device. The resources and / or configurations for the access procedure can include, for example, PDRCH resources, timing, frequency, and / or frequency band for D2R transmission. The resources and / or configurations for the access procedure can include, for example, parameters, random numbers, group numbers, and / or auxiliary information for D2R transmission.

[0675] Throughout this disclosure, "2-step RA" can be a two-step access procedure performed by an (ambient IoT) UE / device, be replaced by a two-step access procedure performed by an (ambient IoT) UE / device, and / or be referred to as a two-step access procedure performed by an (ambient IoT) UE / device.

[0676] Throughout this disclosure, "4-step RA" can be a four-step access procedure performed by an (ambient IoT) UE / device, be replaced by a four-step access procedure performed by an (ambient IoT) UE / device, and / or be referred to as a four-step access procedure performed by an (ambient IoT) UE / device.

[0677] The UE can perform procedures for RA, (initial) access, (ambient IoT) response / reporting, and / or (R2D / D2R) transmission. The procedures can be the procedures described above. The UE can access the NW / intermediate node, receive signaling / messages / configurations, and / or transmit (D2R) data via the procedures. The UE can receive signaling from the NW / intermediate node (e.g., from the reader). The signaling can be the signaling described above. The signaling can be a query, paging, indication, and / or R2D message.

[0678] In response to receiving a signaling, a UE (e.g., an ambient IoT UE / device) may trigger / execute a procedure (e.g., an RA procedure) and / or subsequent transmissions. During the procedure, the UE may transmit a first transmission to the NW / intermediate node. The NW / intermediate node may transmit a second transmission to the UE in response to the reception / detection of the first transmission. In response to transmitting the first transmission or after transmitting the first transmission, the UE may receive the second transmission from the NW / intermediate node. Alternatively, there may be no response to the first transmission. For this case, the RA procedure may be completed in response to transmitting the first transmission. In response to receiving the second transmission, the UE may transmit a third transmission to the NW / intermediate node. The NW / intermediate node may transmit a fourth transmission to the UE in response to the reception of the third transmission. The NW / intermediate node may not transmit a fourth transmission to the UE in response to the reception of the third transmission. In response to transmitting the third transmission or after transmitting the third transmission, the UE may or may not receive the fourth transmission from the NW / intermediate node. In response to receiving the fourth transmission, the UE may transmit a fifth transmission to the NW / intermediate node.

[0679] The first transmission in the procedure may be / include information of a random number, information of a preamble number, and / or information of an (access) ID selected / generated / determined by the UE.

[0680] The second transmission in the procedure may be a response and / or confirmation to the first transmission. The second transmission may indicate, identify, and / or correspond to the first transmission. The second transmission may provide resources for a subsequent D2R transmission, e.g., the third transmission.

[0681] The third transmission in the procedure may be / include information of a device / UE ID, a report, auxiliary information, D2R data, and / or information from the UE.

[0682] The fourth transmission in the procedure may be a response, confirmation, DL / R2D command, R2D data, and / or scheduling to the third transmission. The fourth transmission may indicate, identify, and / or correspond to the third transmission. The fourth transmission may provide resources for a subsequent D2R transmission. The fourth transmission may indicate, notify, and / or allow the fifth transmission.

[0683] The fifth transmission in the procedure may be / include (feedback of the fourth transmission), a report, auxiliary information, D2R data, and / or information from the UE.

[0684] The first transmission, the third transmission, and the fifth transmission may be D2R transmissions and / or PDRCH transmissions. The signaling, the second transmission, and the fourth transmission may be R2D transmissions and / or PRDCH transmissions. The signaling and the second transmission may be broadcast, provided, and / or transmitted to one or more UEs. The second transmission and the fourth transmission may be provided and / or transmitted to a dedicated UE. The fourth transmission and / or the fifth transmission may be subsequent transmissions during and / or after the process.

[0685] Throughout this disclosure, Msg1 and / or MSGA may be replaced by the first transmission. Throughout this disclosure, Msg2, Random Access Response (RAR), and / or MSGB may be replaced by the second transmission. Throughout this disclosure, MSGA and / or Msg3 may be replaced by the third transmission. Throughout this disclosure, MSGB and / or Msg4 may be replaced by the fourth transmission. Throughout this disclosure, Msg5 may be replaced by the fifth transmission.

[0686] The identification of the UE and / or the UE ID may be or include a random number, a temporary number, a preamble number (e.g., Random Access Preamble ID (RAPID)), and / or an ID selected / generated / determined by the UE. The identification of the UE and / or the UE ID may be or include the device ID of the UE, the UE ID, the group ID, the contention resolution identification, and / or the Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI). The (access) ID included in the first transmission may be different from the device / UE ID included in the third transmission.

[0687] Throughout this disclosure, the following may be interchangeable: "initiate a process", "execute a process", "trigger a process", and / or "perform a process".

[0688] Throughout this disclosure, the Common Control Channel ("CCCH"), "PRACH", "RACH", "PUSCH", and / or the Physical Uplink Control Channel ("PUCCH") may be the "Physical Device-to-Reader Channel", a channel for transmission from the device to the reader, and / or the PDRCH, composed of the "Physical Device-to-Reader Channel", a channel for transmission from the device to the reader, and / or the PDRCH, replaced by the "Physical Device-to-Reader Channel", a channel for transmission from the device to the reader, and / or the PDRCH, and / or referred to as the "Physical Device-to-Reader Channel", a channel for transmission from the device to the reader, and / or the PDRCH. Throughout this disclosure, the "PDSCH" and / or the "PDCCH" may be the "Physical Reader-to-Device Channel", a channel for transmission from the reader to the device, and / or the PRDCH, composed of the "Physical Reader-to-Device Channel", a channel for transmission from the reader to the device, and / or the PRDCH, replaced by the "Physical Reader-to-Device Channel", a channel for transmission from the reader to the device, and / or the PRDCH, and / or referred to as the "Physical Reader-to-Device Channel", a channel for transmission from the reader to the device, and / or the PRDCH. D2R transmission may be transmission via the PDRCH. R2D transmission may be transmission via the PRDCH.

[0689] Throughout this disclosure, the "RA resource / configuration", "UL resource / configuration", and / or the "resource / configuration" may be the resource / configuration for D2R transmission, replaced by the resource / configuration for D2R transmission, and / or referred to as the resource / configuration for D2R transmission (e.g., as described above). The resource and / or configuration may include, for example, the PDRCH (transmission) resource, timing, channel resource, frequency resource, and / or (sub)band for D2R transmission. The resource and / or configuration may include, for example, parameters, random numbers, group numbers, and / or auxiliary information for D2R transmission.

[0690] The UE may listen for / receive the PRDCH during the process of RA, (initial) access, and / or (R2D / D2R) transmission.

[0691] The UE can determine / deduce its location or range based on the received R2D signal / channel and / or PRDCH. More specifically, the UE can determine / deduce its location or range from the network / intermediate node based on the R2D signal / channel and / or PRDCH transmitted from the network / intermediate node. UEs in the same location and / or the same range can represent UEs having the same received power range of the R2D signal / channel and / or PRDCH. UEs within the range that can receive the same R2D signal / channel and / or PRDCH can be (randomly) distributed into different UE groups.

[0692] The configuration can be (or include) any one of a transmission bandwidth configuration, an occupied bandwidth configuration, a channel bandwidth configuration, and / or a system bandwidth configuration.

[0693] Preferably, in some embodiments, the BWP (above or below) can be changed / represented / replaced by the system bandwidth / band and / or the transmission bandwidth / band. The BWP, bandwidth, and / or band can be used for R2D and / or D2R.

[0694] Preferably, in some embodiments, when the UE receives / detects a PRDCH, an R2D signal / channel, and / or a carrier (signal), the UE can deduce / determine the BWP, (initial) frequency (sub)band, or (initial) frequency resource set at least based on the frequency of the received / detected PRDCH, R2D signal / channel, and / or carrier (signal).

[0695] The configuration can be (or include) any one of the following: a PRDCH configuration, a PDRCH configuration, a transmission bandwidth configuration, an occupied bandwidth configuration, a channel bandwidth configuration, and / or a system bandwidth configuration.

[0696] Data or signal transmission can use the PDRCH resources provided by the NW.

[0697] The RA resource selection (step) can be one or more of the following:

[0698] -(Initial) (UL) BWP (for environmental IoT);

[0699] -RA resource / configuration (group) (for environmental IoT);

[0700] -RA / transmission type (for environmental IoT), e.g., based on a first factor and / or a first condition;

[0701] -RA preamble (group and / or index) (for environmental IoT);

[0702] -RACH occasion (for environmental IoT);

[0703] - PUSCH timing (for environmental IoT); and / or

[0704] - PDRCH timing (for environmental IoT).

[0705] The UE may receive PDRCH timing. The PDRCH timing may be time and / or frequency resources for PDRCH transmission or D2R transmission.

[0706] The "(initial) access procedure" may be contention-based or contention-free.

[0707] Throughout this disclosure, "MSGA" or "MSGA payload" may be replaced by "PDRCH data / transmission / signaling", "(uplink / D2R) data", and / or "(uplink / D2R) signaling".

[0708] Throughout this disclosure, "PRACH" may be replaced by "PDRCH".

[0709] Throughout this disclosure, "PUSCH" may be replaced by "PDRCH" or "physical channel for D2R (data / control) transmission".

[0710] Throughout this disclosure, "PDCCH" may be replaced by "PRDCH" or "physical channel for R2D (data / control) transmission".

[0711] Throughout this disclosure, "PDSCH" may be replaced by "PRDCH" or "physical channel for R2D (data) transmission".

[0712] Throughout this disclosure, "BWP" may be replaced by "system bandwidth", "channel bandwidth", "transmission bandwidth", or "occupied bandwidth".

[0713] Throughout this disclosure, "RACH" may be replaced by "PDRCH".

[0714] Throughout this disclosure, "PDRCH" may be replaced by "physical channel for D2R (data) transmission".

[0715] Throughout this disclosure, "PRDCH" may be replaced by "physical channel for R2D (data) transmission".

[0716] Throughout this disclosure, the (data and / or signaling) transmission from the reader to the device / UE may be via PRDCH. Throughout this disclosure, the (data and / or signaling) transmission from the device / UE to the reader may be via PDRCH.

[0717] Throughout this disclosure, "downlink control information" may be replaced by R2D control information.

[0718] Throughout this disclosure, "uplink control information" may be replaced by D2R control information.

[0719] Throughout this disclosure, downlink control information may be transmitted via the PRDCH or R2D command.

[0720] As specified in TS38.213 ([7] 3GPP TS 38.213 V17.7.0), for uplink transmission, the UE performs uplink power control to determine the UE transmission power for PUSCH, PUCCH, Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), and PRACH transmission. For sidelink transmission, the UE performs sidelink power control to determine the UE transmission power for Secondary Synchronization Signaling (S-SS) / Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel (PSBCH) block (Secondary Synchronization Signaling / Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel block, S-SSB), Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH), Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH), and Physical Sidelink Feedback Channel (PSFCH) transmission.

[0721] Generally, the power control for determining the UE transmission power is used to ensure the reception performance and also to avoid power waste and reduce interference. If the UE transmission power is insufficient, it may cause the receiver (e.g., the network node in the uplink or the UE in the sidelink) to have a lower Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) / Signal to Interference Plus Noise Ratio (SINR) during reception and decoding. The UE may need to perform retransmission or repeated transmission for the receiver to successfully decode it. Such retransmission or repeated transmission will also require more resources for the UE. If the UE transmission power is too large, it may cause interference in adjacent resources that may be utilized by the transmissions of other UEs, thus affecting the system performance.

[0722] In the current NR design, the UE power control includes some parameters, such as:

[0723] - Limitation of the maximum UE transmission power (e.g., the maximum output power P configured for the UE CMAX , the maximum power limit P due to the Channel Busy Ratio (CBR) MAX,CBR );

[0724] - Desired / target received power P O (P O can be provided by configuration);

[0725] - Path loss PL (e.g., using DL path loss in uplink power control and using DL and / or sidelink (SL) path loss in sidelink power control);

[0726] - Path loss compensation factor α PL (α PL can be provided by configuration or specified as 1);

[0727] - Transmitted frequency resource M RB ;

[0728] - Power control adjustment status (e.g., used in closed-loop power control based on TPC commands); and / or

[0729] - Some other parameters (if any).

[0730] According to the research project on ambient IoT ([1] RP-234058), ambient IoT UEs have limited energy storage (or may even have no energy storage). Comparing NR UEs with power consumption in mW (e.g., a maximum UE transmission power of 23 dBm corresponds to 199.5 mW), the output power of ambient IoT UEs can typically range from 1 μW to a few hundred μW. Currently, the general scope is to address the following types of ambient IoT UEs:

[0731] The first type of ambient IoT UE can have a peak power consumption of 1 μW, have energy storage, and have neither DL amplification nor UL amplification. Transmissions from the first type of ambient IoT UE can be backscattered on an externally provided carrier.

[0732] The second type of ambient IoT UE can have a peak power consumption of ≤ a few hundred μW, have energy storage, and have DL and / or UL amplification. Transmissions from the second type of ambient IoT UE can be backscattered on an externally provided or internally generated carrier by the UE.

[0733] Given this limited power consumption, there will be issues of how to achieve some environmental IoT goals, such as data transmission (e.g., Device-Originated-Device-Terminated Triggered (DO-DTT) and Device-Terminated (DT) data transfers), reception performance, coverage (e.g., a distance of 10 - 50 m or greater).

[0734] To address the above and other issues in this document, various concepts, examples, mechanisms, methods, and embodiments are provided below.

[0735] The UE may perform a first transmission with a first transmission power. Preferably, in some embodiments, the first transmission may be a backscatter transmission. Preferably and / or alternatively, in some embodiments, the first transmission may be internally generated by the UE. Preferably, in some embodiments, the first transmission may be an uplink transmission from the UE to a network node or an intermediate node (e.g., another UE). Preferably, in some embodiments, the first transmission may be a sidelink transmission from the UE to another UE / device (e.g., an intermediate node). Preferably, in some embodiments, the first transmission may be any one of a preamble transmission (e.g., PRACH), an uplink data transmission (e.g., PUSCH), an uplink control transmission (e.g., PUCCH), a sidelink data transmission (e.g., PSSCH), an access transmission (e.g., MSGA), or a reference signal transmission (e.g., Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) or SRS).

[0736] Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may receive / detect a carrier (signal) within a carrier duration. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may perform the first transmission within the carrier duration and / or at a first timing associated with the carrier duration.

[0737] Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may perform the first transmission once. Preferably, in some embodiments, the first transmission may be a new / initial transmission or a retransmission.

[0738] Preferably and / or alternatively, in some embodiments, the UE may perform multiple repeated transmissions (e.g., transmission repetition or bundled transmission). Preferably, in some embodiments, the first transmission may be the first or initial transmission among the multiple repeated transmissions. Preferably, in some embodiments, the number of repeated transmissions may be determined / derived based on a repetition factor. Preferably, in some embodiments, the number of repeated transmissions may be equal to or set to the value of the repetition factor. Preferably, in some embodiments, if / when the repetition factor is 1, the UE may (fall back to) perform the first transmission only once. Preferably, in some embodiments, the number of repeated transmissions and / or the repetition factor may be configured or indicated by the network (e.g., via paging, SIB, MAC CE, PDCCH command). The number of repeated transmissions and / or the repetition factor may be associated with a (selected) RA configuration or RA resource.

[0739] Concept A

[0740] Concept A is that the UE (e.g., an ambient IoT UE) does not consider the DL / SL path loss to derive / determine the first transmission power (e.g., for PRACH and / or PUSCH). The UE (e.g., an ambient IoT UE) does not perform path-loss-based power control to derive / determine the first transmission power. The UE (e.g., an ambient IoT UE) may determine or derive the first transmission power regardless of the DL / SL path loss.

[0741] The UE may not need (or may not be allowed or supported) to be configured with a path loss reference (for the cell or the primary cell (PCell)).

[0742] Preferably, in some embodiments, a non-ambient IoT UE may perform DL / SL path loss to derive / determine its transmission power (e.g., for PRACH and / or PUSCH). The non-ambient IoT UE may perform path-loss-based power control to derive / determine its transmission power.

[0743] In an embodiment A1, the UE may determine / deduce a first transmission power using a first predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power value. For example, if / when the UE is able to perform a first transmission at a first timing using the first predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power value, the UE may perform the first transmission at the first timing using the first predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power value. The UE may perform the first transmission using a power up to the first predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power value. The UE may perform the first transmission using a power of at least the first predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power value. Preferably, in some embodiments, if / when the UE is unable to perform the first transmission at the first timing using the first predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power value, the UE may skip or delay / suspend the first transmission at the first timing until the UE is able to perform the first transmission at a second timing using the first predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power value. The second timing is later than the first timing. Preferably, in some embodiments, the second timing may have a carrier duration or be associated with a carrier duration. The first transmission may be any one of a preamble transmission (e.g., PRACH), an uplink data transmission (e.g., PUSCH), an uplink control transmission (e.g., PUCCH), a sidelink data transmission (e.g., PSSCH), an access transmission (e.g., MSGA), or a reference signal transmission (e.g., DMRS or SRS).

[0744] Preferably or alternatively, if / when the UE is unable to perform the first transmission at the first timing using the first predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power value, the UE may perform a second transmission at the first timing using a second predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power value, where the second predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power value is less than the first predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power value. Preferably, in some embodiments, the second transmission may be to notify / inform / report the power shortage state of the UE or report / access the delay / suspension of the UE. The first transmission may be any one of a preamble transmission (preferably, PRACH of a first RA type or a first preamble group), an uplink data transmission (e.g., PUSCH), an uplink control transmission (e.g., PUCCH), a sidelink data transmission (e.g., PSSCH), or an access transmission (e.g., MSGA). The second transmission may be any one of a preamble transmission (e.g., PRACH of a second RA type or a second preamble group), an uplink control transmission (e.g., PUCCH), or a reference signal transmission (e.g., DMRS or SRS). If / when the UE is able to perform the first transmission at the second timing using the first predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power value, the UE may perform the first transmission at the second timing using the first predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power value.

[0745] Preferably, in some embodiments, for different types / kinds of the first transmission, the first predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power values may be the same or different. The UE may determine / deduce the first transmission power using the corresponding first predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power value based on the type / kind of the first transmission. The type / kind of the first transmission may include any one of preamble transmission (e.g., PRACH, preferably the type / kind of PRACH may include RA type and / or preamble group), uplink data transmission (e.g., PUSCH), uplink control transmission (e.g., PUCCH), sidelink data transmission (e.g., PSSCH), access transmission (e.g., MSGA), or reference signal transmission (e.g., DMRS or SRS). If the first transmission includes data, the type / kind of the first transmission may include data type. If the first transmission includes data, the type / kind of the first transmission may include data size (e.g., greater than or less than a data size threshold). Preferably, in some embodiments, for different UE types of the UE, the first predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power values may be the same or different. The UE may determine / deduce the first transmission power using the corresponding first predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power value based on the UE type of the UE.

[0746] Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine / check its power capacity based on its battery or its power state or the received carrier (signal) (e.g., the RSRP of the received carrier (signal)).

[0747] In an embodiment A2, the UE may determine / deduce the first transmission power using the first power value in a set of predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power values. The set of predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power values includes the first power value. Preferably, in some embodiments, the set of predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power values is the quantization power values for the UE to perform the first transmission. The UE may determine / deduce the first power value based on its battery or its power state or the received carrier (signal) (e.g., the RSRP of the received carrier (signal)). The UE may determine / check its power capacity based on its battery or its power state or the received carrier (signal) (e.g., the RSRP of the received carrier (signal)).

[0748] Preferably, in some embodiments, if / when the UE can perform the first transmission using the first power value in the set and if / when the UE cannot perform the first transmission using the next larger power value in the set (i.e., the next power value greater than the first power value), the UE may perform the first transmission using the first power value at the first timing.

[0749] Preferably, in some embodiments, if / when the UE is unable to perform the first transmission with the minimum power value in the set, the UE may skip or delay / suspend the first transmission at the first timing until the UE is able to perform the first transmission with the minimum power value in the set at the second timing. The first transmission may be any one of a preamble transmission (e.g., PRACH), an uplink data transmission (e.g., PUSCH), an uplink control transmission (e.g., PUCCH), a sidelink data transmission (e.g., PSSCH), an access transmission (e.g., MSGA), or a reference signal transmission (e.g., DMRS or SRS). Preferably and / or alternatively, in some embodiments, if / when the UE is unable to perform the first transmission with the minimum power value in the set, the UE may perform a second transmission with a second power value at the first timing, where the second power value is less than the minimum power value in the set. Preferably, in some embodiments, the second transmission may be to notify / inform / report the power shortage status of the UE or report / access the delay / suspension of the UE. The first transmission may be any one of a preamble transmission (e.g., PRACH of the first RA type or the first preamble group), an uplink data transmission (e.g., PUSCH), an uplink control transmission (e.g., PUCCH), a sidelink data transmission (e.g., PSSCH), or an access transmission (e.g., MSGA). The second transmission may be any one of a preamble transmission (e.g., PRACH of the second RA type or the second preamble group), an uplink control transmission (e.g., PUCCH), or a reference signal transmission (e.g., DMRS or SRS). If / when the UE is able to perform the first transmission with the minimum power value in the set at the second timing, the UE may perform the first transmission with the minimum power value in the set at the second timing.

[0750] Preferably, in some embodiments, if / when the UE is able to perform the first transmission with the maximum power value in the set, the UE may perform the first transmission with the maximum power value in the set at the first timing. Preferably, in some embodiments, the maximum power value may be the maximum UE transmission power. Preferably and / or alternatively, in some embodiments, if / when the UE is able to perform the first transmission with the maximum UE transmission power, the UE may perform the first transmission with the maximum UE transmission power at the first timing. The set may or may not include the maximum UE transmission power.

[0751] For example, the set of predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power values includes -30 dBm, -25 dBm, -20 dBm, -15 dBm, -10 dBm, -5 dBm, and 0 dBm. If the UE is unable to perform the first transmission at -30 dBm, the UE may skip or delay / suspend the first transmission at the first timing until the UE is able to perform the first transmission at -30 dBm at the second timing. If the UE is able to perform the first transmission at ≥0 dBm, the UE may perform the first transmission at 0 dBm at the first timing. If the UE is able to perform the first transmission at -10 dBm and the UE is unable to perform the first transmission at -5 dBm, the UE may perform the first transmission at -10 dBm at the first timing.

[0752] Preferably, in some embodiments, for different types / kinds of the first transmission, the set of predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power values may be the same or different. The UE may determine / deduce the first transmission power based on the type / kind of the first transmission and based on the corresponding set of predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power values. The type / kind of the first transmission may include any one of preamble transmission (e.g., PRACH, preferably the type / kind of PRACH may include RA type and / or preamble group), uplink data transmission (e.g., PUSCH), uplink control transmission (e.g., PUCCH), sidelink data transmission (e.g., PSSCH), access transmission (e.g., MSGA), or reference signal transmission (e.g., DMRS or SRS). If the first transmission includes data, the type / kind of the first transmission may include data type. If the first transmission includes data, the type / kind of the first transmission may include data size (e.g., greater than or less than a data size threshold). Preferably, in some embodiments, for different UE types of the UE, the set of predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power values may be the same or different. The UE may determine / deduce the first transmission power based on the UE type of the UE and using the corresponding set of predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power values.

[0753] In an embodiment A3, the UE may determine / derive a first transmission power based on the received carrier (signal). Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine / derive the first transmission power based on the received power value (e.g., RSRP) of the received carrier (signal). Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine / derive the first transmission power based on the power offset and the received power value of the received carrier (signal). Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine / derive the first transmission power as the "received power value of the received carrier (signal)" minus the "power offset" (subtraction in dB or numerical / digital value). Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine / derive the first transmission power as the "received power value of the received carrier (signal)" minus the "power offset" minus the "other parameter" (subtraction in dB or numerical / digital value). Preferably, in some embodiments, the power offset may be predefined, specified, or (pre)configured. Preferably, in some embodiments, the power offset may be determined / derived based on the UE capabilities.

[0754] Preferably, in some embodiments, for different types / kinds of the first transmission, the power offset may be the same or different. The UE may determine / derive the first transmission power based on the type / kind of the first transmission and the corresponding power offset. The type / kind of the first transmission may include any one of preamble transmission (e.g., PRACH, preferably the type / kind of PRACH may include RA type and / or preamble group), uplink data transmission (e.g., PUSCH), uplink control transmission (e.g., PUCCH), sidelink data transmission (e.g., PSSCH), access transmission (e.g., MSGA), or reference signal transmission (e.g., DMRS or SRS). If the first transmission includes data, the type / kind of the first transmission may include the data type. If the first transmission includes data, the type / kind of the first transmission may include the data size (e.g., greater than or less than the data size threshold). Preferably, in some embodiments, for different UE types of the UE, the power offset may be the same or different. The UE may determine / derive the first transmission power with the corresponding power offset based on the UE type of the UE.

[0755] In the above embodiments or alternatively, the UE may determine / deduce a first transmission power based on at least one of a first maximum UE transmission power (according to UE capabilities), a second maximum UE transmission power (allowed by the network or allowed in the cell), and / or the remaining power in the UE energy storage. For example, the first transmission power may be the minimum (first maximum UE transmission power, second maximum UE transmission power). For example, the first transmission power may be the minimum (first maximum UE transmission power, remaining power in the UE energy storage). For example, the first transmission power may be the minimum (first maximum UE transmission power, second maximum UE transmission power, remaining power in the UE energy storage).

[0756] Concept B

[0757] Concept B is that the UE considers the DL / SL path loss to deduce / determine a first transmission power (e.g., for PRACH and / or PUSCH). The UE may perform path loss-based power control to deduce / determine the first transmission power.

[0758] In an embodiment B1, the UE may determine / deduce the path loss based on the received power value (e.g., RSRP) of the received carrier (signal). Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine / deduce the first transmission power based on the determined / deduced path loss. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine / deduce the first transmission power based on the determined / deduced path loss and a path loss compensation factor.

[0759] Preferably, in some embodiments, the path loss compensation factor may be predefined / specified / (pre)-configured.

[0760] Preferably, in some embodiments, the path loss compensation factor may be deduced / determined based on a repetition factor. Preferably, in some embodiments, the repetition factor may be deduced / determined based on the path loss compensation factor. Preferably, in some embodiments, there may be a mapping or association between the repetition factor and the path loss compensation factor. Preferably, in some embodiments, a larger value of the repetition factor may correspond to a smaller value of the path compensation factor. A smaller value of the repetition factor may correspond to a larger value of the path compensation factor. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine / deduce the repetition factor based on the determined / deduced path loss. Preferably, in some embodiments, a larger value of the determined / deduced path loss may correspond to a larger value of the repetition factor. A smaller value of the determined / deduced path loss repetition factor may correspond to a smaller value of the repetition factor.

[0761] Preferably, in some embodiments, for different types / kinds of the first transmission, the path loss compensation factor may be the same or different. The UE may determine / deduce the first transmission power based on the type / kind of the first transmission and the corresponding path loss compensation factor. The type / kind of the first transmission may include any one of preamble transmission (e.g., PRACH, preferably the type / kind of PRACH may include RA type and / or preamble group), uplink data transmission (e.g., PUSCH), uplink control transmission (e.g., PUCC H), sidelink data transmission (e.g., PSSCH), access transmission (e.g., MSGA), or reference signal transmission (e.g., DMRS or SRS). If the first transmission includes data, the type / kind of the first transmission may include the data type. If the first transmission includes data, the type / kind of the first transmission may include the data size (e.g., greater than or less than a data size threshold). Preferably, in some embodiments, for different UE types of the UE, the path loss compensation factor may be the same or different. The UE may determine / deduce the first transmission power with the corresponding path loss compensation factor based on the UE type of the UE.

[0762] In an embodiment B2, the UE may determine / deduce the path loss based on the received power value (e.g., RSRP) of the received carrier (signal). Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine / deduce the first transmission power with the first power value in a set of predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power values based on the path loss. Preferably, in some embodiments, one / each power value in the set may be associated with or correspond to a path loss value range. Different power values in the set may be associated with or correspond to different / exclusive / independent path loss value ranges. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine / deduce the first transmission power with the first power value in a set of predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power values within a first path loss value range associated with the first power value in the set based on the determined / deduced path loss.

[0763] Preferably and / or alternatively, in some embodiments, the UE may determine / derive a first transmission power with a first power value from a set of predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power values based on the received power value of the received carrier (signal) (this may mean that the UE does not need to determine / derive the path loss). Preferably, in some embodiments, one / each power value in the set may be associated with or correspond to a received power value range. Different power values in the set may be associated with or correspond to different / exclusive / independent received power value ranges. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine / derive a first transmission power with a first power value from a set of predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power values based on the received power value being within a first received power value range associated with the first power value in the set.

[0764] Preferably, in some embodiments, the set of predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power values is a set of quantized power values for the UE to perform the first transmission. Preferably, in some embodiments, the power values of the set may correspond to a (distance) range, e.g., a (distance) range from the carrier transmitter.

[0765] Preferably, in some embodiments, for different types / kinds of the first transmission, the association between the set of predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power values and the path loss may be the same or different. Preferably, in some embodiments, for different types / kinds of the first transmission, the association between the set of predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power values and the received power value may be the same or different. Preferably, in some embodiments, for different types / kinds of the first transmission, the set of predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power values may be the same or different. The UE may determine / deduce the first transmission power based on the type / kind of the first transmission and the corresponding set of predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power values. The type / kind of the first transmission may include any one of preamble transmission (e.g., PRACH, preferably the type / kind of PRACH may include RA type and / or preamble group), uplink data transmission (e.g., PUSCH), uplink control transmission (e.g., PUCCH), sidelink data transmission (e.g., PSSCH), access transmission (e.g., MSGA), or reference signal transmission (e.g., DMRS or SRS). If the first transmission includes data, the type / kind of the first transmission may include the data type. If the first transmission includes data, the type / kind of the first transmission may include the data size (e.g., greater than or less than a data size threshold). Preferably, in some embodiments, for different UE types of the UE, the association between the set of predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power values and the path loss may be the same or different. Preferably, in some embodiments, for different UE types of the UE, the association between the set of predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power values and the received power value may be the same or different. Preferably, in some embodiments, for different UE types of the UE, the set of predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power values may be the same or different. The UE may determine / deduce the first transmission power based on the UE type of the UE and the corresponding set of predefined / specified / (pre)-configured power values.

[0766] For any one of Embodiment B1 or B2, if / when the UE is unable to perform the first transmission with the determined / deduced first transmission power at the first timing, the UE may skip or delay / suspend the first transmission at the first timing until the UE is able to perform the first transmission with the determined / deduced first transmission power at the second timing. The second timing is later than the first timing. Preferably, in some embodiments, the second timing may have a carrier duration or be associated with a carrier duration. The first transmission may be any one of preamble transmission (e.g., PRACH), uplink data transmission (e.g., PUSCH), uplink control transmission (e.g., PUCCH), sidelink data transmission (e.g., PSSCH), access transmission (e.g., MSGA), or reference signal transmission (e.g., DMRS or SRS).

[0767] Preferably or alternatively, in some embodiments, if / when the UE is unable to perform a first transmission with the determined / derived first transmission power at a first timing, the UE may perform a second transmission with a second transmission power at the first timing, where the second transmission power value is less than the determined / derived first transmission power. Preferably, in some embodiments, the second transmission power may be determined / derived based on Concept A or Concept B. Preferably, in some embodiments, the second transmission may be to notify / inform / report the power shortage state of the UE or report / access the delay / suspension of the UE. The first transmission may be any one of a preamble transmission (e.g., PRACH of a first RA type or a first preamble group), an uplink data transmission (e.g., PUSCH), an uplink control transmission (e.g., PUCCH), a sidelink data transmission (e.g., PSSCH), or an access transmission (e.g., MSGA). The second transmission may be any one of a preamble transmission (e.g., PRACH of a second RA type or a second preamble group), an uplink control transmission (e.g., PUCCH), or a reference signal transmission (e.g., DMRS or SRS). If / when the UE is able to perform the first transmission with the determined / derived first transmission power at a second timing, the UE may perform the first transmission with the determined / derived first transmission power at the second timing.

[0768] Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine / check its power capacity based on its battery or its power state or the received carrier (signal) (e.g., RSRP of the received carrier (signal)).

[0769] Concept C

[0770] The UE may perform the first transmission. The first transmission may be transmitted (or repeated) multiple times. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine whether and / or how to perform multiple repeated transmissions based on the power level. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine the repetition factor based on the power level. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine to perform multiple repeated transmissions based on the power level (e.g., satisfying one or more conditions).

[0771] Alternatively, the UE may determine the power level based on the repetition factor and / or the number of repeated transmissions. The power level may be the repetition factor multiplied by the peak TX power of the UE, the UE transmission power, the desired / target received power, and / or the path loss (compensation factor).

[0772] Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine whether and / or how to perform multiple repeated transmissions based on the UE type of the UE. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine the repetition factor based on the UE type of the UE. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine to perform multiple repeated transmissions based on the UE type of the UE.

[0773] Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine whether and / or how to perform multiple repeated transmissions based on the type of the first transmission. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine the repetition factor based on the type of the first transmission. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine to perform multiple repeated transmissions based on the type of the first transmission.

[0774] Concept C may include any one or more of the following embodiments:

[0775] In an embodiment C1, the power level may be (or include) the received power of a signal / channel transmitted from a network node.

[0776] In an embodiment C2, the power level may be (or include) the (downlink) path loss derived / determined at least based on the received power of a signal / channel transmitted from a network node.

[0777] In an embodiment C3, the power level may be (or include) the desired / derived / determined UE transmission power for the first transmission (e.g., based on any embodiment of Concepts A and / or B). Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine to perform multiple repeated transmissions based on the desired / derived / determined UE transmission power less than the transmission power threshold. The UE may determine to perform a single transmission based on the desired / derived / determined UE transmission power greater than the transmission power threshold. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine the repetition factor based on the desired / derived / determined UE transmission power. Preferably, in some embodiments, a larger value of the desired / derived / determined UE transmission power may correspond to a smaller value of the repetition factor. A smaller value of the desired / derived / determined UE transmission power may correspond to a larger value of the repetition factor. For the example shown in Figure 11 Table 1 as i is the desired / derived / determined UE transmission power. A1 < A2 < A3 < A4 < A5 and R5 ≤ R4 ≤ R3 ≤ R2 ≤ R1. R0 may be greater than R1 or mean skipping or delaying / suspending the transmission. R5 may be 1 (e.g., 1 may correspond to a single transmission) or greater than 1. If the desired / derived / determined UE transmission power is A2 ≤ P i < A3, the UE may determine the repetition factor as the value of R2. The values of A1 to A5 and R0 to R5 may be predefined / specified / (pre)configured or determined based on formulas or derivations.

[0778] In an embodiment C4, the power level may be (or include) the maximum UE transmission power. The maximum UE transmission power may be determined / derived based on the UE type of the UE. The maximum UE transmission power may be determined / derived based on the type of the first transmission (e.g., the first transmission is a backscatter transmission or a transmission generated internally by the UE). Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine to perform multiple repeated transmissions based on the maximum UE transmission power that is less than a transmission power threshold. The UE may determine to perform a single transmission based on the maximum UE transmission power that is greater than the transmission power threshold. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine a repetition factor based on the maximum UE transmission power. Preferably, in some embodiments, a larger value of the maximum UE transmission power may correspond to a smaller value of the repetition factor. A smaller value of the maximum UE transmission power may correspond to a larger value of the repetition factor.

[0779] In an embodiment C5, the power level may be (or include) the amount of battery power / storage power / available power of the UE. The UE may estimate / determine / derive how much battery power / storage power / available power is available for / usable for performing the first transmission or repeated transmissions or a process associated with the first transmission. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine to perform multiple repeated transmissions based on the amount of battery power / storage power / available power of the UE that is greater than a power threshold. The UE may determine to perform a single transmission based on the amount of battery power / storage power / available power of the UE that is less than the power threshold. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine a repetition factor based on the amount of battery power / storage power / available power of the UE. Preferably, in some embodiments, a larger value of the amount of battery power / storage power / available power of the UE may correspond to a larger value of the repetition factor. A smaller value of the amount of battery power / storage power / available power of the UE may correspond to a smaller value of the repetition factor. For an example as shown in Figure 11 Table 1 below, the power level P i is the amount of battery power / storage power / available power of the UE. A1 < A2 < A3 < A4 < A5 and R0 ≤ R1 ≤ R2 ≤ R3 ≤ R4 ≤ R5. R0 may be 1 (e.g., 1 may correspond to a single transmission) or greater than 1. If the derived / determined path loss is A2 ≤ P i < A3, the UE may determine the repetition factor as the value of R2. The values of A1 to A5 and R0 to R5 may be predefined / specified / (pre)-configured or determined based on a formula or derivation.

[0780] In one embodiment C6, the power level may be (or include) a predefined / (pre)-configured / indicated power. The indicated power may be indicated by a network node or by a higher layer of the UE. Preferably, in some embodiments, the predefined / (pre)-configured / indicated power may be the guaranteed or required power (quantity or capacity) for enabling / activating / initiating the (corresponding) first transmission or retransmission or a process associated with the first transmission. Preferably, in some embodiments, the predefined / (pre)-configured / indicated power may be the expected / estimated power consumption (quantity) for completing the (corresponding) first transmission or retransmission or a process associated with the first transmission. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine to perform multiple retransmissions based on a predefined / (pre)-configured / indicated power greater than a power threshold. The UE may determine to perform a single transmission based on a predefined / (pre)-configured / indicated power less than the power threshold. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine a repetition factor based on the predefined / (pre)-configured / indicated power.

[0781] In one embodiment C7, the power level may be (or include) the power difference between the (downlink) path loss and the expected / derived / determined / maximum UE transmission power of the first transmission (e.g., based on any embodiment of concepts A and / or B). The (downlink) path loss may be derived / determined at least based on a signal / channel from the network, such as the received power of a carrier (signal). The expected / derived / determined UE transmission power may be used for backscatter transmission or for UL transmission generated internally by the UE.

[0782] In one embodiment C8, the power level may be (or include) the power difference between the battery power / stored power / available power and the expected / derived / determined / maximum UE transmission power of the first transmission (e.g., based on any embodiment of concepts A and / or B). The expected / derived / determined UE transmission power may be used for backscatter transmission or for UL transmission generated internally by the UE. The UE may estimate / determine / derive how much battery power / stored power / available power is available for performing the (corresponding) first transmission or retransmission or a process associated with the first transmission. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine to perform multiple retransmissions based on a power difference greater than a power threshold. The UE may determine to perform a single transmission based on a power difference less than the power threshold. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine a repetition factor based on the power difference. Preferably, in some embodiments, a larger value of the power difference may correspond to a larger value of the repetition factor. A smaller value of the power difference may correspond to a smaller value of the repetition factor.

[0783] In one embodiment C9, the power level may be (or include) the power difference between a predefined / (pre)-configured / indicated power and the desired / derived / determined / maximum UE transmission power of a first transmission (e.g., based on any embodiment of concepts A and / or B). The indicated power may be indicated by the network or by a higher layer of the UE. Preferably, in some embodiments, the predefined / (pre)-configured / indicated power may be the guaranteed or required power (amount or capacity) for enabling / activating / initiating the (corresponding) first transmission or a repeated transmission or a process associated with the first transmission. Preferably, in some embodiments, the predefined / (pre)-configured / indicated power may be the desired / estimated power consumption (amount) for completing the (corresponding) first transmission or a repeated transmission or a process associated with the first transmission.

[0784] In one embodiment C10, there may be at least a first UE type and a second UE type. Preferably, in some embodiments, the first UE type may have a lower power capacity compared to the second UE type. Preferably, in some embodiments, the first UE type may have a lower peak power consumption (e.g., around 1 μW peak power consumption) compared to the second UE type (e.g., around several hundred μW peak power consumption). Preferably, in some embodiments, the first UE type may not have either DL amplification or UL amplification. The second UE type may have DL and / or UL amplification. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine to perform multiple repeated transmissions based on the UE being the first UE type. The UE may determine to perform a single transmission based on the UE being the second UE type. Preferably, in some embodiments, when the UE determines to perform multiple repeated transmissions, the UE may determine the repetition factor based on any of the above embodiments.

[0785] In an embodiment C11, there may be at least a first type of transmission and a second type of transmission. Preferably, in some embodiments, the first type of transmission may be a backscatter transmission. Preferably, in some embodiments, the second type of transmission may be internally generated by the UE. Preferably, in some embodiments, the first type of transmission may be a backscatter transmission. Preferably, in some embodiments, the second type of transmission may be internally generated by the UE. Preferably, in some embodiments, the first type of transmission may be any one of a preamble transmission (e.g., a PRACH of a first RA type or a first preamble group), an uplink data transmission (e.g., a PUSCH for transmitting a first type of data or having a first data size), an uplink control transmission (e.g., a PUCCH for transmitting a first type of control information or having a first control information size), a sidelink data transmission (e.g., a PSSCH for transmitting a first type of data or having a first data size), an access transmission (e.g., MSGA), or a reference signal transmission (e.g., DMRS or SRS). The second type of transmission may be any one of a preamble transmission (e.g., a PRACH of a second RA type or a second preamble group), an uplink data transmission (e.g., a PUSCH for transmitting a second type of data or having a second data size), an uplink control transmission (e.g., a PUCCH for transmitting a second type of control information or having a second control information size), a sidelink data transmission (e.g., a PSSCH for transmitting a second type of data or having a second data size), an access transmission (e.g., MSGA), or a reference signal transmission (e.g., DMRS or SRS). Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine to perform multiple repeated transmissions based on the first transmission being of the first type. The UE may determine to perform a single transmission based on the first transmission being of the second type. Preferably, in some embodiments, when the UE determines to perform multiple repeated transmissions, the UE may determine the repetition factor based on any of the above embodiments.

[0786] In addition, there may also be some embodiments to determine / derive whether and / or how to perform multiple repeated transmissions.

[0787] In an embodiment C12, the UE may obtain or acquire an indication or information of the repetition factor. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may receive an indication or information of the repetition factor from a received channel / signal from a network node. Preferably, in some embodiments, the received channel / signal may be / mean any one of a carrier (signal), paging, downlink control information, PDCCH, PDCCH command, MAC CE, system information, common RRC configuration, or dedicated RRC configuration. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may receive an indication or information of the repetition factor from a higher layer of the UE. Preferably, in some embodiments, the repetition factor (indication or information) may be predefined or specified for the UE, such as for the UE type of the UE. Preferably, in some embodiments, the repetition factor (indication or information) may be (pre)-configured.

[0788] In an embodiment C13, the UE may obtain or acquire two types of resources. Preferably, in some embodiments, the first (type of) resource is for single transmission. The second (type of) resource is for repeated transmission or bundled transmission. Preferably, in some embodiments, if / when the UE determines to perform a first transmission in the first (type of) resource, the UE may perform a single transmission of the first transmission. Preferably, in some embodiments, if / when the UE determines to perform a first transmission in the second (type of) resource, the UE may perform multiple repeated transmissions including the first transmission. Preferably, in some embodiments, the determination of the first (type of) resource and the second (type of) resource may be performed based on any one of the above embodiments C1 to C12 for determining to perform multiple repeated transmissions or single transmission.

[0789] In an embodiment of combinations C12 and C3 / 5 / 8, the UE may obtain or acquire an indication or information of a repetition factor. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may receive an indication or information of a repetition factor from a received channel / signal from a network node. Preferably, in some embodiments, the received channel / signal may be / mean any one of a carrier (signal), paging, downlink control information, PDCCH, PDCCH command, MAC CE, system information, common RRC configuration, or dedicated RRC configuration. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may receive an indication or information of a repetition factor from a higher layer of the UE. Preferably, in some embodiments, the repetition factor (indication or information) may be predefined or specified for the UE, e.g., for the UE type of the UE. Preferably, in some embodiments, the repetition factor (indication or information) may be (pre)-configured. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may perform multiple repeated transmissions (e.g., D2R repetition for a data packet), wherein the number of repeated transmissions is determined based on an indication or information of the repetition factor and the power level of the UE. Preferably, in some embodiments, the power level may be any one of the desired / derived / determined UE transmission power of the first transmission, the amount of battery power / storage power / available power of the UE (e.g., energy / power state), the power difference between the battery power / storage power / available power and the desired / derived / determined / maximum UE transmission power of the first transmission, as described above. The number of repeated transmissions may be less than or equal to the repetition factor. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may perform multiple repeated transmissions with the same transmission power and / or different transmission powers.

[0790] Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may perform each of the multiple repeated transmissions with the same transmission power.

[0791] It should be noted that any one of the methods, alternatives, concepts, examples, and embodiments described above and herein may be combined completely or partially, or applied simultaneously or separately.

[0792] Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine / deduce a first transmission power based on any one (or any combination) of the embodiments of Concept A and / or B in response to the type of the first transmission and / or the UE type of the UE. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine / deduce a first transmission power based on different embodiments of Concept A and / or B in response to different types of the first transmission. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE may determine / deduce a first transmission power based on different embodiments of Concept A and / or B in response to different UE types of the UE. Preferably, in some embodiments, when the first transmission is a first type of transmission, the UE may determine / deduce a first transmission power based on one of the embodiments of Concept A and / or B. Preferably, in some embodiments, when the first transmission is a second type of transmission, the UE may determine / deduce a first transmission power based on another one of the embodiments of Concept A and / or B.

[0793] The carrier (signal) duration may be the duration when the UE can receive the carrier (signal). The carrier (signal) duration may start when the (new) carrier (signal) starts. The carrier (signal) duration may end when the carrier (signal) stops. The carrier (signal) duration may be detected by the UE or defined / configured by the NW.

[0794] Preferably, in some embodiments, the above carrier (signal) may be changed / represented / replaced by a DL signal or a DL channel. Preferably, in some embodiments, the carrier (signal) may be changed / represented / replaced by any one of a PDCCH, a PDSCH, or a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) (e.g., transmitted from a network node or an intermediate node). Preferably, in some embodiments, the carrier (signal) may be changed / represented / replaced by any one of a DL DMRS, a Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), a signal for a power / supply (e.g., transmitted from a network node or an intermediate node).

[0795] For the UE type, there may be two or more types of UEs. The UE type may be distinguished at least by energy storage, a method for performing UL transmission, a power level, and / or a device size. Preferably, in some embodiments, the method for performing UL transmission may be backscattered by the device / UE on a carrier (signal) generated internally or provided externally.

[0796] For example, the first type of UE can be Device A or Device B, as considered in [2] 3GPP TR38.848 V18.0.0 for example. The first type of UE can have (or be equipped with) a battery or energy storage. The first type of UE can not have (or be equipped with) a battery or energy storage. The first type of UE can not have (or be equipped with) DL / UL amplification. The first type of UE can be a passive or semi-passive device. The first type of UE can generate UL transmissions through backscattering. The first type of UE can perform backscattering transmissions. The first type of UE may not be able to generate UL transmissions (internally) alone. The first type of UE may not have the ability to generate signals without backscattering.

[0797] For example, the second type of UE can be Device C, as considered in [2] 3GPP TR 38.848 V18.0.0 for example. The second type of UE can have (or be equipped with) a battery or energy storage. The second type of UE can have (or be equipped with) DL / UL amplification. The second type of UE can be an active device. The second type of UE can generate UL transmissions through backscattering. The second type of UE can perform backscattering transmissions. The second type of UE may be able to generate UL transmissions (internally) alone. The second type of UE can have the ability to generate signals without backscattering.

[0798] The RA resource selection (steps) can be performed in any order. The second type of RA resource selection (steps) can depend on the first type of RA resource selection (steps). The RA resource selection (steps) can be performed before the first transmission. The RA resource selection (steps) can be performed after initiating or triggering the RA procedure, when initiating or triggering the RA procedure, or in response to initiating or triggering the RA procedure.

[0799] In an RA procedure (e.g., for ambient IoT), the UE may not perform UL carrier selection. The UE may not select a UL carrier (e.g., Supplementary Uplink (SUL), Normal Uplink (NUL)). The UE may not be configured with a supplementary uplink. The UE may not use the RSRP threshold for SUL (e.g., rsrp-ThresholdSSB-SUL) to evaluate the RSRP of the downlink path loss reference. The UE may not select RA resources based on the UL carrier. Preferably, in some embodiments, the UE can determine the UL carrier based on the frequency of the received / detected carrier (signal) (e.g., DL carrier or DL band). For example, the UL carrier is associated with or corresponds to the frequency of the received / detected carrier (signal) (e.g., DL carrier or DL band).

[0800] In the RA process (e.g., for environmental IoT), the UE may not perform SSB selection and / or CSI-RS selection. The UE may not select an SSB / CSI-RS. The UE may not be configured with parameters associated with a beam. The SSB and / or CSI-RS may not be (explicitly) provided to the UE. The UE may not use the RSRP threshold for SSB (e.g., rsrp-ThresholdSSB, msgA-RSRP-ThresholdSSB) to evaluate the Synchronization Signal Reference Signal Received Power (SS-RSRP). The UE may not use the RSRP threshold for CSI-RS (e.g., rsrp-ThresholdCSI-RS) to evaluate CSI-RSRP. The UE may not select RA resources based on the SSB / CSI-RS. Instead, (only) the RA resources / configurations associated with a specific or the same SSB are allowed. The UE may (always) select a specific or the same SSB.

[0801] The above RA resource selection (step) may be performed based on a first factor. The association between the first factor and the RA resources may be indicated or configured by the NW. Instead, the association may be determined by the UE. Instead, the association may be fixed. The threshold of the first factor may be indicated or configured by the NW. Instead, the threshold may be determined by the UE. Instead, the threshold may be fixed.

[0802] One or more of the above and the embodiments, concepts, methods, examples or conditions herein may be combined.

[0803] The UE may perform BWP selection during the RA process, e.g., after triggering the RA process or in response to triggering the RA process. After selecting the initial BWP or in response to selecting the initial BWP, the UE may perform other types of RA resource selection (steps) (e.g., based on the selected initial BWP) and / or perform a first transmission (e.g., on the selected BWP). When the UE selects the BWP of a cell, the UE may switch the (activated) BWP of the cell. When the UE selects the BWP of a cell, the UE may deactivate the current BWP and / or activate the selected BWP of the cell. The UE may select the BWP based on a first factor. After selecting the BWP of a cell, the UE does not switch the BWP of the cell during the RA process. Instead, the UE is allowed to switch the BWP of the cell during the RA process, e.g., based on a first factor.

[0804] For example, if at least the UE is a first type of UE, the UE may select the first BWP of the cell. If at least the UE is a second type of UE, the UE may select the second BWP of the cell.

[0805] For example, the UE may select a BWP based on one or more thresholds of the power level. The UE may select the first BWP of the cell or the second BWP of the cell based on different power levels. If at least the threshold (for the power level) is satisfied, the UE may select the BWP. If at least the threshold is not satisfied, the UE may not select the BWP. Once the threshold is satisfied, the UE may select the BWP. The UE may not select the BWP until the threshold is satisfied. Preferably, in some embodiments, if a second threshold is satisfied, the UE may select a second initial BWP. If the second threshold is not satisfied and / or if the first threshold is satisfied, the UE may select a first initial BWP.

[0806] For example, the UE may select the first BWP of the cell for the first UL data type. The UE may select the second BWP of the cell for the second UL data type.

[0807] For example, the UE may select a BWP based on a threshold of the UL data size. The UE may select the first BWP of the cell or the second BWP of the cell based on different UL data sizes.

[0808] For example, the UE may select a BWP based on its UE ID (using a formula of its UE ID). The UE may select the first BWP of the cell or the second BWP of the cell based on its UE ID (using a formula of its UE ID). For example, the (UE ID) modulo the (number of BWPs of the cell in which the UE will select a BWP) may be used to derive or may be equal to the (index of the BWP) that the UE will select.

[0809] For example, the UE may select a BWP based on its UE group (ID) (using a formula of its UE group (ID)). The UE may select the first BWP of the cell or the second BWP of the cell based on its UE group (ID). The UE may select the first BWP of the cell or the second BWP of the cell based on a formula using its UE group ID. For example, the (UE group ID) modulo the (number of BWPs of the cell in which the UE will select a BWP) may be used to derive or may be equal to the (index of the BWP) that the UE will select.

[0810] For example, the UE may select a BWP based on its UE ID and its UE group (ID) (using a formula of its UE ID and its UE group (ID)).

[0811] For example, the UE may randomly (with equal probability) select a BWP from more than one BWP of the cell.

[0812] Preferably, in some embodiments, the BWP (above or below) may be changed / represented / replaced by a frequency (sub)band or a set of frequency resources.

[0813] Throughout this disclosure, the BWP may be referred to as and / or replaced by the initial BWP.

[0814] The RA configuration / resource group may be defined, configured, or selected based on a first factor. The RA configuration / resource group may be associated with a power level determined, for example, by one or more thresholds. Each power level may be associated with and / or configured with a (separate) RA configuration or RA resource group of the cell. The RA configuration group may be associated with a data size level determined, for example, by one or more thresholds. Each data size level may be associated with and / or configured with a (separate) RA configuration or RA resource group of the cell.

[0815] The UE may, for example, select an RA configuration, an RA resource group, and / or an RA configuration group after triggering an RA procedure, selecting a BWP, selecting an RA type, or in response to triggering an RA procedure, selecting a BWP, selecting an RA type. After or in response to selecting an RA configuration, the UE may perform other kinds of RA resource selection steps (e.g., based on the selected RA configuration) and / or perform a first transmission (e.g., using the selected RA configuration). The UE may select an RA configuration, an RA resource group, and / or an RA configuration group of a cell based on a first factor.

[0816] For example, if at least the UE is a first type of UE, the UE may select a first RA configuration of the cell. If at least the UE is a second type of UE, the UE may select a second RA configuration of the cell.

[0817] For example, the UE may select an RA configuration based on one or more thresholds of the power level. The UE may select a first RA configuration of the cell or a second RA configuration of the cell based on different power levels. The UE may select a first RA configuration of the cell, a second RA configuration of the cell, or a third RA configuration of the cell based on different power levels. If at least a threshold (for the power level) is satisfied, the UE may select an RA configuration. If at least the threshold is not satisfied, the UE may not select an RA configuration. Once the threshold is satisfied, the UE may select an RA configuration. The UE may not select an RA configuration until the threshold is satisfied. Preferably, in some embodiments, if a second threshold is satisfied, the UE may select a second RA configuration. If the second threshold is not satisfied and / or if the first threshold is satisfied, the UE may select a first RA configuration.

[0818] For example, the UE may select a first RA configuration of the cell for a first UL data type. The UE may select a second RA configuration of the cell for a second UL data type.

[0819] For example, the UE may select a RA configuration based on a threshold of UL data size. The UE may select a first RA configuration of the cell or a second RA configuration of the cell based on different UL data sizes. The UE may select a first RA configuration of the cell, a second RA configuration of the cell, and / or a third RA configuration of the cell based on different UL data sizes.

[0820] For example, the UE may select a RA configuration based on its UE ID (using a formula of its UE ID). The UE may select a first RA configuration of the cell or a second RA configuration of the cell based on its UE ID. For example, the (UE ID) modulo (the number of RA configurations of the cell in which the UE will select a RA configuration) may be used to derive or may be equal to the index of the RA configuration to be selected by the UE.

[0821] For example, the UE may select a RA configuration based on its UE group ID (using a formula of its UE group ID). The UE may select a first RA configuration of the cell or a second RA configuration of the cell based on its UE group ID. The UE may select a first RA configuration of the cell or a second RA configuration of the cell based on a formula using its UE group ID. For example, the (UE group ID) modulo (the number of RA configurations of the cell in which the UE will select a RA configuration) may be used to derive or may be equal to the index of the BWP to be selected by the UE.

[0822] For example, the UE may select a RA configuration based on its UE ID and its UE group ID (using a formula of its UE ID and its UE group ID).

[0823] For example, the UE may randomly (with equal probability) select a RA configuration from multiple RA configurations of the cell.

[0824] Throughout this disclosure, a RA configuration may be referred to as a RA configuration group, a RA resource, and / or a RA resource group, and / or be replaced by a RA configuration group, a RA resource, and / or a RA resource group.

[0825] The UE can be configured with 2-step RA and / or 4-step RA. Alternatively and / or additionally, the cell can include or indicate a 2-step RA configuration and / or a 4-step RA configuration (for ambient IoT). The UE can (always) be configured with both 2-step RA and 4-step RA. The UE can (always) be configured with 2-step RA without 4-step RA. The UE can not use or support 4-step RA. The UE can not be (allowed to) be configured with 4-step RA. Alternatively and / or additionally, the cell may not be (allowed to) include or indicate a 4-step RA configuration (for ambient IoT). The UE can perform 2-step RA for the RA procedure. The 2-step RA may not include a third transmission or a fourth transmission. The UE can perform 4-step RA for the RA procedure. The 2-step RA can be an RA type with (at least) a first transmission and a second transmission. The 4-step RA can be an RA type with (at least) a first transmission, a second transmission, a third transmission, and a fourth transmission. During the 2-step RA procedure, the UE can transmit UL data / signaling in the first transmission. During the 4-step RA procedure, the UE can not transmit UL data / signaling in the first transmission. During the 4-step RA procedure, the UE can transmit UL data / signaling in the third transmission. The RA type can correspond to (one or more) UEs, UE groups, UE types, power levels, UL data types, and / or UL data sizes, be associated with (one or more) UEs, UE groups, UE types, power levels, UL data types, and / or UL data sizes, and / or be used by (one or more) UEs, UE groups, UE types, power levels, UL data types, and / or UL data sizes.

[0826] The UE can, for example, select the RA type after triggering the RA procedure, selecting the BWP, selecting the RA configuration / resource group, or in response to triggering the RA procedure, selecting the BWP, selecting the RA configuration / resource group. After selecting the RA type or in response to selecting the RA type, the UE can perform other kinds of RA resource selection steps (e.g., based on the selected RA type) and / or perform the first transmission. The UE can (always) select 2-step RA. The UE can not select the RA type based on the RSRP of the downlink path loss reference. The UE can not select the RA type based on the RSRP of the downlink path loss reference. The UE can not select the RA type based on an RSRP threshold (e.g., msgA-RSRP-Threshold). The UE can select the RA type based on a first factor.

[0827] For example, the UE can select a first RA type for a first type of UE. The UE can select a second RA type for a second type of UE. When / if the UE is a first type of UE, the UE can select a first RA type for the first type of UE. When / if the UE is a second type of UE, the UE can select a second RA type for the second type of UE.

[0828] For example, the UE may select an RA type based on one or more thresholds of the power level. The UE may select a first RA type or a second RA type based on different power levels. If the threshold is satisfied, the UE may select an RA type. If the threshold is not satisfied, the UE may not select an RA type. Once the threshold is satisfied, the UE may select an RA type. The UE may not select an RA type until the threshold is satisfied.

[0829] For example, the UE may select a first RA type for a first UL data type. The UE may select a second RA type for a second UL data type.

[0830] For example, the UE may select an RA type based on a threshold of the UL data size. The UE may select a first RA type or a second RA type based on different UL data sizes.

[0831] For example, the UE may select a first RA type or a second RA type based on a formula using its UE ID.

[0832] For example, the UE may select a first RA type or a second RA type based on its UE group (ID). The UE may select a first RA type or a second RA type based on a formula using its UE group ID.

[0833] In the two-step RA procedure, the UE may fallback or switch to the four-step RA. In the two-step RA procedure, the UE may not fallback or switch to the four-step RA. If the transmission counter (e.g., PREAMBLE_TRANSMISSION_COUNTER) is higher than the configured value (e.g., msgA-TransMax) or equal to the configured value plus 1, when the transmission counter (e.g., PREAMBLE_TRANSMISSION_COUNTER) is higher than the configured value (e.g., msgA-TransMax) or equal to the configured value plus 1, or in response to the transmission counter (e.g., PREAMBLE_TRANSMISSION_COUNTER) being higher than the configured value (e.g., msgA-TransMax) or equal to the configured value plus 1, the UE may switch the two-step RA to the four-step RA. If a second transmission including an indication is received, when a second transmission including an indication is received, or in response to receiving a second transmission including an indication, the UE may switch the two-step RA to the four-step RA. The indication may be, for example, a fallback indication in MSGB (e.g., fallbackRAR). The fallback indication may be a MAC sub-protocol data unit (sub-PDU). If the response window (e.g., msgB-ResponseWindow) and / or the contention resolution timer (e.g., ra-ContentionResolutionTimer) expires, when the response window (e.g., msgB-ResponseWindow) and / or the contention resolution timer (e.g., ra-ContentionResolutionTimer) expires, or in response to the response window (e.g., msgB-ResponseWindow) and / or the contention resolution timer (e.g., ra-ContentionResolutionTimer) expiring, the UE may switch the two-step RA to the four-step RA.

[0834] For example, the UE may initiate a two-step RA process. The UE may trigger the RA process and select the RA type as two-step RA. The UE may perform a first transmission (e.g., transmit MSGA). In response to the first transmission, the UE may start a response window (e.g., msgB-ResponseWindow) and receive a second transmission (e.g., receive MSGB) while the response window is running. Preferably, in some embodiments, in response to the first transmission, the UE may listen for and / or attempt to receive the second transmission (e.g., receive MSGB) within the corresponding response window. The UE may receive a fallback indication (e.g., fallbackRAR) in the second transmission (e.g., in MSGB). In response to receiving the fallback indication, the UE may (stop the response window and) perform a third transmission (e.g., transmit Msg3). In response to the third transmission, the UE may start a contention resolution timer (e.g., ra-ContentionResolutionTimer). While the contention resolution timer is running, the UE may not receive a fourth transmission (e.g., receive Msg4). If the contention resolution timer expires or in response to the contention resolution timer expiring, the UE may set the RA type to four-step RA, e.g., without checking a transmission counter (e.g., PREAMBLE_TRANSMISSION_COUNTER). The UE may perform an RA resource selection process for four-step RA.

[0835] The UE may be configured with one or more RA preamble groups of the cell, e.g., in the RA configuration. The RA preamble groups may correspond to, be associated with, and / or be used by (one or more) UEs, UE groups, UE types, power levels, UL data types, and / or UL data sizes. The RA preamble groups may contain a set of RA preambles or RA preamble indices.

[0836] The UE may perform RA preamble (group) selection during the RA procedure, for example, after triggering the RA procedure, selecting a BWP, selecting an RA configuration / resource group, setting the RA type, or in response to triggering the RA procedure, selecting a BWP, selecting an RA configuration / resource group, setting the RA type. The UE may select an RA preamble group and then (randomly) select an RA preamble (index) from among the selected RA preamble groups. After selecting the RA preamble (group) or in response to selecting the RA preamble (group), the UE may perform other types of RA resource selection (steps) (e.g., based on the selected RA preamble) and / or perform a first transmission (e.g., using the selected RA preamble). The UE may select an RA preamble based on an NW indication, e.g., via SIB, paging, or PDCCH. The UE may select an RA preamble based on a first factor.

[0837] For example, if at least the UE is a first type of UE, the UE may select a first RA preamble of the cell (in the RA configuration). If at least the UE is a second type of UE, the UE may select a second RA preamble of the cell (in the RA configuration).

[0838] For example, the UE may select an RA preamble group based on one or more thresholds of power levels. The UE may select a first RA preamble group of the cell (in the RA configuration) or a second RA preamble group of the cell (in the RA configuration) based on different power levels. The UE may select a first RA preamble group of the cell (in the RA configuration), a second RA preamble group of the cell (in the RA configuration), and / or a third RA preamble group of the cell (in the RA configuration) based on different power levels. If at least the threshold is met, the UE may select an RA preamble. If at least the threshold is not met, the UE may not select an RA preamble. Once the threshold is met, the UE may select an RA preamble. The UE may not select an RA preamble until the threshold is met. Preferably, in some embodiments, if a second threshold is met, the UE may select a second RA preamble. If the second threshold is not met and / or if the first threshold is met, the UE may select a first RA preamble.

[0839] For example, the UE may select a first RA preamble of the cell (in the RA configuration) for a first UL data type. The UE may select a second RA preamble of the cell (in the RA configuration) for a second UL data type. The UE may select a third RA preamble group of the cell (in the RA configuration) for a third UL data type.

[0840] For example, the UE may select a RA preamble group based on a threshold of UL data size. The UE may select a first RA preamble group (in the RA configuration) or a second RA preamble group (in the RA configuration) of the cell based on different UL data sizes. The UE may select a first RA preamble group (in the RA configuration), a second RA preamble group (in the RA configuration), and / or a third RA preamble group (in the RA configuration) of the cell based on different UL data sizes.

[0841] For example, the UE may select a RA preamble based on its UE ID (using a formula of its UE ID). The UE may select a first RA preamble (in the RA configuration) or a second RA preamble (in the RA configuration) of the cell based on its UE ID (using a formula of its UE ID). The UE may select a first RA preamble (in the RA configuration), a second RA preamble (in the RA configuration), and / or a third RA preamble (in the RA configuration) of the cell based on its UE ID (using a formula of its UE ID). For example, the (UE ID) modulo (the number of RA preamble groups (in the RA configuration) of the cell in which the UE will select a RA preamble group) may be used to derive or may be equal to the index of the RA preamble group to be selected by the UE. For example, the (UE ID) modulo (the number of RA preamble indices (in the RA preamble group) (in the RA configuration) of the cell in which the UE will select a RA preamble index) may be used to derive or may be equal to the index of the RA preamble index to be selected by the UE.

[0842] For example, a UE may select a random access (RA) preamble based on its UE group ID (using a formula for its UE group ID). The UE may select a first RA preamble (in the RA configuration) of a cell or a second RA preamble (in the RA configuration) of the cell based on its UE group ID. The UE may select a first RA preamble (in the RA configuration) of a cell, a second RA preamble (in the RA configuration) of the cell, and / or a third RA preamble (in the RA configuration) of the cell based on its UE group ID. The UE may select a first RA preamble (in the RA configuration) of a cell or a second RA preamble (in the RA configuration) of the cell based on a formula using its UE group ID. The UE may select a first RA preamble (in the RA configuration) of a cell, a second RA preamble (in the RA configuration) of the cell, and / or a third RA preamble (in the RA configuration) of the cell based on a formula using its UE group ID. For example, the UE group ID modulo the number of RA preamble groups (in the RA configuration) of the cell in which the UE will select an RA preamble group may be used to derive or may be equal to the index of the RA preamble group that the UE will select. For example, the UE group ID modulo the number of RA preamble indices (in the RA preamble group) (in the RA configuration) of the cell in which the UE will select an RA preamble index may be used to derive or may be equal to the index of the RA preamble index that the UE will select.

[0843] For example, a UE may select an RA preamble based on its UE ID and its UE group ID (using a formula for its UE ID and its UE group ID).

[0844] For example, a UE may randomly (with equal probability) select an RA preamble group from more than one RA preamble group (in the RA configuration) of a cell.

[0845] For example, a UE may randomly (with equal probability) select an RA preamble index from more than one RA preamble index (in the RA preamble group) (in the RA configuration) of a cell.

[0846] Throughout this disclosure, an RA preamble may be referred to as an RA preamble group and / or an RA preamble index and / or be replaced by an RA preamble group and / or an RA preamble index.

[0847] The number of RA preambles may be different in each RA preamble group.

[0848] If the UE has a low power based on, for example, the power level, the UE can use a RA preamble group with more RA preambles. If the UE has a high power based on, for example, the power level, the UE can use a RA preamble group with more RA preambles. If the UE has more critical data based on, for example, the data type, the UE can use a RA preamble group with more RA preambles. If the UE has less available data based on, for example, the UL data size, the UE can use a RA preamble group with more RA preambles. If the UE has more available data based on, for example, the UL data size, the UE can use a RA preamble group with more RA preambles. If the UE is in a UE group with more UEs based on, for example, the UE group ID, the UE can use a RA preamble group with more RA preambles.

[0849] If the UE has a high power based on, for example, the power level, the UE can use a RA preamble group with fewer RA preambles. If the UE has a low power based on, for example, the power level, the UE can use a RA preamble group with fewer RA preambles. If the UE has less critical data based on, for example, the data type, the UE can use a RA preamble group with fewer RA preambles. If the UE has less available data based on, for example, the UL data size, the UE can use a RA preamble group with fewer RA preambles. If the UE has more available data based on, for example, the UL data size, the UE can use a RA preamble group with fewer RA preambles. If the UE is in a UE group with fewer UEs based on, for example, the UE group ID, the UE can use a RA preamble group with fewer RA preambles.

[0850] The RACH occasion (RO) and / or PUSCH occasion can be configured / included in the RA configuration (of the cell). The RACH occasion and / or PUSCH occasion can correspond to, be associated with, and / or be used by one or more UEs, UE groups, UE types, power levels, UL data types, and / or UL data sizes. The RACH occasion can be the time / frequency resource for RACH transmission. The PUSCH occasion can be the time / frequency resource for PUSCH transmission.

[0851] The UE can perform RO and / or PUSCH timing selection during the RA process, for example, after triggering the RA process, selecting a BWP, selecting an RA configuration / resource group, setting the RA type, selecting an RA preamble, selecting an RO, or in response to triggering the RA process, selecting a BWP, selecting an RA configuration / resource group, setting the RA type, selecting an RA preamble, selecting an RO. After selecting the RO and / or PUSCH timing or in response to selecting the RO and / or PUSCH timing, the UE can perform other types of RA resource selection (steps) (e.g., based on the selected RO and / or PUSCH timing) and / or perform a first transmission (e.g., using the selected RO and / or PUSCH timing). The UE can select based on the selected RA preamble and / or the RO and / or PUSCH timing associated with the selected RA preamble. The UE can select based on the selected RA resource / configuration and / or the closest RO and / or PUSCH timing associated with the selected RA resource / configuration. The UE can select (randomly) from among the closest N RO and / or PUSCH timings based on the selected RA resource / configuration and / or the RO and / or PUSCH timing associated with the selected RA resource / configuration. N can be indicated or configured by the NW. Alternatively, N can be determined by the UE. Alternatively, N can be fixed. N can be related to the number of UE groups. N can be an integer and / or greater than 1 (or 2 or 3). The UE can select the RO and / or PUSCH timing based on a first factor.

[0852] For example, if at least the UE is a first type of UE, the UE can select the first RO and / or PUSCH timing of the cell (in the RA configuration). If at least the UE is a second type of UE, the UE can select the second RO and / or PUSCH timing of the cell (in the RA configuration).

[0853] For example, the UE may select RO and / or PUSCH opportunities based on one or more thresholds of power levels. The UE may select the first RO and / or PUSCH opportunity of a cell (in the RA configuration) or the second RO and / or PUSCH opportunity of a cell (in the RA configuration) based on different power levels. The UE may select the first RO and / or PUSCH opportunity of a cell (in the RA configuration), the second RO and / or PUSCH opportunity of a cell (in the RA configuration), and / or the third RO and / or PUSCH opportunity of a cell (in the RA configuration) based on different power levels. If at least the threshold is met, the UE may select the RO and / or PUSCH opportunity. If at least the threshold is not met, the UE may not select the RO and / or PUSCH opportunity. Once the threshold is met, the UE may select the RO and / or PUSCH opportunity. The UE may not select the RO and / or PUSCH opportunity until the threshold is met. Preferably, in some embodiments, if a second threshold is met, the UE may select the second RO and / or PUSCH opportunity. If the second threshold is not met and / or if the first threshold is met, the UE may select the first RO and / or PUSCH opportunity.

[0854] For example, the UE may select the first RO and / or PUSCH opportunity of a cell (in the RA configuration) for a first UL data type. The UE may select the second RO and / or PUSCH opportunity of a cell (in the RA configuration) for a second UL data type. The UE may select the third RO and / or PUSCH opportunity of a cell (in the RA configuration) for a third UL data type.

[0855] For example, the UE may select RO and / or PUSCH opportunities based on a threshold of UL data size. The UE may select the first RO and / or PUSCH opportunity of a cell (in the RA configuration) or the second RO and / or PUSCH opportunity of a cell (in the RA configuration) based on different UL data sizes. The UE may select the first RO and / or PUSCH opportunity of a cell (in the RA configuration), the second RO and / or PUSCH opportunity of a cell (in the RA configuration), and / or the third RO and / or PUSCH opportunity of a cell (in the RA configuration) based on different UL data sizes.

[0856] For example, the UE may select RO and / or PUSCH timing based on its UE ID (using a formula of its UE ID). The UE may select the first RO and / or PUSCH timing of the cell (in the RA configuration) or the second RO and / or PUSCH timing of the cell (in the RA configuration) based on its UE ID (using a formula of its UE ID). The UE may select the first RO and / or PUSCH timing of the cell (in the RA configuration), the second RO and / or PUSCH timing of the cell (in the RA configuration), and / or the third RO and / or PUSCH timing of the cell (in the RA configuration) based on its UE ID (using a formula of its UE ID). For example, the (UE ID) modulo (the number of RO and / or PUSCH timings of the cell in which the UE will select RO and / or PUSCH timing (in the RA configuration)) may be used to derive or may be equal to the index of the RO and / or PUSCH timing that the UE will select.

[0857] For example, the UE may select RO and / or PUSCH timing based on its UE group ID (using a formula of its UE group ID). The UE may select the first RO and / or PUSCH timing of the cell (in the RA configuration) or the second RO of the cell (in the RA configuration) based on its UE group ID (using a formula of its UE group ID). The UE may select the first RO and / or PUSCH timing of the cell (in the RA configuration), the second RO and / or PUSCH timing of the cell (in the RA configuration), and / or the third RO and / or PUSCH timing of the cell (in the RA configuration) based on its UE group ID (using a formula of its UE group ID). For example, the (UE group ID) modulo (the number of RO and / or PUSCH timings of the cell in which the UE will select RO and / or PUSCH timing (in the RA configuration)) may be used to derive or may be equal to the index of the RO and / or PUSCH timing that the UE will select.

[0858] For example, the UE may select RO and / or PUSCH timing based on its UE ID and its UE group ID (using a formula of its UE ID and its UE group ID).

[0859] For example, the UE may randomly (with equal probability) select RO and / or PUSCH timing from the (multiple) RO and / or PUSCH timings of the cell (in the RA configuration).

[0860] As mentioned above, during the RA process, the UE can fallback or switch RA resources (selection). If the transmission counter (e.g., PREAMBLE_TRANSMISSION_COUNTER) is higher than or equal to the configured value, a second transmission or a fourth transmission including an indication is received, and / or the response window (e.g., msgB-ResponseWindow, ra-ResponseWindow) and / or the contention resolution timer (e.g., ra-ContentionResolutionTimer) expires, when the transmission counter (e.g., PREAMBLE_TRANSMISSION_COUNTER) is higher than or equal to the configured value, a second transmission or a fourth transmission including an indication is received, and / or the response window (e.g., msgB-ResponseWindow, ra-ResponseWindow) and / or the contention resolution timer (e.g., ra-ContentionResolutionTimer) expires, or in response to the transmission counter (e.g., PREAMBLE_TRANSMISSION_COUNTER) being higher than or equal to the configured value, a second transmission or a fourth transmission including an indication is received, and / or the response window (e.g., msgB-ResponseWindow, ra-ResponseWindow) and / or the contention resolution timer (e.g., ra-ContentionResolutionTimer) expires, the UE can fallback or switch RA resources (selection). The UE can select another RA resource and / or perform another RA resource selection (step).

[0861] Reference Figure 12 , using this and other concepts, systems, and methods of the present invention, a method 1010 for a UE in a wireless communication system includes: receiving first signaling for triggering a first random access process (step 1012); and determining whether to trigger the first random access process based on a first condition in response to (receiving) the first signaling, where the first condition includes at least one of the following: whether a timer is running, and / or whether a first duration has elapsed (step 1014).

[0862] In various embodiments, the first signaling is a paging or paging message for ambient IoT, and / or where the first random access process is an ambient IoT random access process.

[0863] In various embodiments, the first signaling indicates the ID of the UE, the group ID of the UE, and / or a set of UEs including the UE, and / or the first signaling is transmitted from a reader, where the reader is a network node, an intermediate node, or another UE.

[0864] In various embodiments, the first signaling indicates a value of a timer or a duration length of a first duration, and / or wherein the timer is a barred timer or a random access barred timer.

[0865] In various embodiments, the method further comprises: receiving, before receiving the first signaling, a second signaling for triggering a second random access procedure; and triggering or performing the second random access procedure in response to receiving the second signaling, wherein the second random access procedure is triggered, performed, and / or initiated before the first random access procedure.

[0866] In various embodiments, the second signaling indicates a value of a timer or a duration length of a first duration, and / or wherein the second signaling is a paging or a paging message for ambient IoT.

[0867] In various embodiments, the method further comprises starting the timer and / or the first duration when the UE receives the second signaling, when the UE triggers the second random access procedure, when the UE performs transmission during the second random access procedure, and / or when the second random access procedure is completed.

[0868] In various embodiments, the first signaling and the second signaling indicate the same target ID corresponding to or including the UE. In various embodiments, the first signaling and the second signaling indicate the same request or the same service, wherein the service is a command or an inventory.

[0869] In various embodiments, the method further comprises: not triggering the first random access procedure if (at least) the timer is running or if (at least) it is determined to be performed during the first duration, and triggering the first random access procedure if (at least) the timer is not running or if (at least) it is determined to be performed after the first duration or after the first duration has elapsed.

[0870] In various embodiments, the first condition includes the UE receiving a configuration related to data transmission or reception.

[0871] Return reference Figure 3 and 4, in one or more embodiments from the perspective of a UE in a wireless communication system, the apparatus 300 includes program code 312 stored in the memory 310 of the transmitter. The CPU 308 may execute the program code 312 to: (i) receive first signaling for triggering a first random access procedure; and (ii) determine whether to trigger the first random access procedure based on a first condition in response to (receiving) the first signaling, where the first condition includes at least one of the following: whether a timer is running, and / or whether a first duration has elapsed. In addition, the CPU 308 may execute the program code 312 to perform all the described actions, steps, and methods described above, below, or elsewhere herein.

[0872] Reference Figure 13 , using this and other concepts, systems, and methods of the present invention, a method 1020 for a UE in a wireless communication system includes: receiving second signaling for triggering a second random access procedure (step 1022); triggering the second random access procedure in response to receiving the second signaling (step 1024); performing a transmission during the second random access procedure (step 1026); starting a timer and / or a first duration when one of the following timings occurs: receiving the second signaling, triggering the second random access procedure, performing a transmission during the second random access procedure, or the second random access procedure is completed (step 1028); receiving first signaling for triggering a first random access procedure (step 1030); and determining whether to trigger the first random access procedure based on a first condition in response to (receiving) the first signaling, where the first condition includes at least one of the following: whether a timer is running, and / or whether a first duration has elapsed (step 1032).

[0873] In various embodiments, the first signaling and the second signaling are paging or paging messages for ambient IoT, and / or wherein the first signaling and / or the second signaling indicate the value of a timer or the length of a first duration.

[0874] In various embodiments, the first signaling and the second signaling indicate the same ID or the same group ID of the UE, and / or the first signaling and the second signaling indicate the same set of UEs including the UE, and / or the first signaling and the second signaling indicate the same target ID corresponding to or including the UE, and / or the first signaling and the second signaling indicate the same request or the same service.

[0875] Return reference Figure 3 And 4, in one or more embodiments from the perspective of a UE in a wireless communication system, the apparatus 300 includes program code 312 stored in the memory 310 of the transmitter. The CPU 308 may execute the program code 312 to: (i) receive second signaling for triggering a second random access procedure; (ii) trigger the second random access procedure in response to receiving the second signaling; (iii) perform transmissions during the second random access procedure; (iv) start a timer and / or a first duration when one of the following timings occurs: receiving the second signaling, triggering the second random access procedure, performing transmissions during the second random access procedure, or the second random access procedure is completed; (v) receive first signaling for triggering a first random access procedure; and (vi) determine whether to trigger the first random access procedure based on a first condition in response to (receiving) the first signaling, where the first condition includes at least one of the following: whether the timer is running, and / or whether the first duration has elapsed. Additionally, the CPU 308 may execute the program code 312 to perform all of the described actions, steps, and methods described above, below, or elsewhere herein.

[0876] Any combination of the concepts or teachings above or herein may be fully or partially combined together or formed into a new embodiment. The disclosed details and embodiments may be used to at least (but not limited to) solve the problems mentioned above and herein.

[0877] It should be noted that any of the methods, alternatives, steps, examples, and embodiments presented herein may be applied independently, individually, and / or in combination with multiple methods, alternatives, steps, examples, and embodiments combined together.

[0878] Various aspects of the present disclosure have been described above. It should be clear that the teachings herein may be implemented in a wide variety of forms, and any specific structure, function, or both disclosed herein are merely representative. Based on the teachings herein, those skilled in the art should understand that the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented independently of any other aspect, and two or more of these aspects may be combined in different ways. For example, any number of the aspects set forth herein may be used to implement an apparatus or practice a method. Additionally, this apparatus may be implemented or this method may be practiced by using other structures, functionality, or structures and functionality in addition to or different from one or more of the aspects set forth herein. As examples of some of the above concepts, in some aspects, parallel channels may be established based on pulse repetition frequency. In some aspects, parallel channels may be established based on pulse position or offset. In some aspects, parallel channels may be established based on a time-hopping sequence. In some aspects, parallel channels may be established based on pulse repetition frequency, pulse position or offset, and a time-hopping sequence.

[0879] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any of a variety of different technologies and techniques can be used to represent information and signals. By way of example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0880] Those of ordinary skill in the art will further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, processors, components, circuits, and algorithmic steps described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware (e.g., digital implementations, analog implementations, or combinations thereof, which can be designed using source coding or some other technique), various forms of program or design code with instructions (for convenience, which may be referred to herein as “software” or “software modules”), or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described generally in terms of their functionality above. Whether this functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those of skill in the art may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0881] In addition, the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented within or performed by an integrated circuit (“IC”), access terminal, or access point. The IC may include a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, electrical components, optical components, mechanical components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein, and can execute code or instructions residing within the IC, outside the IC, or in both cases. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0882] It should be understood that any specific order or hierarchy of steps in any disclosed process is an instance of the example methods. It should be understood that, based on design preferences, the specific order or hierarchy of steps in a process may be rearranged while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. The accompanying method claims present the elements of the various steps in a sample order and are not intended to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0883] The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. Software modules (e.g., including executable instructions and associated data) and other data may reside in a data memory, such as RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of computer-readable storage medium known in the art. An example storage medium may be coupled to a machine, such as a computer / processor (for convenience, the machine may be referred to herein as a "processor"), such that the processor can read information (e.g., code) from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. The example storage medium may be integral with the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user device. In an alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside in the user device as discrete components. Additionally, in some aspects, any suitable computer program product may include a computer-readable medium that includes code associated with one or more of the aspects of the present disclosure. In some aspects, the computer program product may include packaging material.

[0884] Although the invention has been described in connection with various aspects and examples, it should be understood that the invention is capable of further modification. This application is intended to cover any changes, uses, or adaptations of the invention, which generally follow the principles of the invention and include such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known and customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains.

Claims

1. A method for a user equipment, characterized in that: include: receiving first signaling for triggering a first random access procedure; as well as In response to receiving the first signaling, determining whether to trigger the first random access procedure based on a first condition, wherein the first condition includes at least one of the following: whether the timer is running; and / or Whether the first duration has elapsed.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first signaling is paging or a paging message for the ambient Internet of Things, and / or the first random access procedure is a random access procedure for the ambient Internet of Things.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first signaling indicates an identifier of the user equipment, a group identifier of the user equipment and / or a user equipment set including the user equipment, and / or The first signaling is transmitted from a reader, wherein the reader is a network node, an intermediate node or another user equipment.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first signaling indicates a value of the timer or a time length of the first duration, and / or the timer is a prohibit timer or a random access prohibit timer.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Further including: receiving a second signaling for triggering a second random access procedure before receiving the first signaling; as well as The second random access procedure is triggered or performed in response to receiving the second signaling, wherein the second random access procedure is triggered, performed and / or started before the first random access procedure.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The second signaling indicates a value of the timer or a time length of the first duration, and / or the second signaling is a paging or a paging message for the ambient Internet of Things.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that It further includes starting the timer and / or the first duration when the user equipment receives the second signaling, the user equipment triggers the second random access process, the user equipment performs transmission in the second random access process, and / or the second random access process is completed.

8. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The first signaling and the second signaling indicate the same target identifier corresponding to or including the user equipment, and / or the first signaling and the second signaling indicate the same request or the same service, wherein the service is a command or an inventory.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Further including: if at least the timer is running or if at least the determination is performed during the first duration, not triggering the first random access procedure; as well as If at least the timer is not running or if at least the determining is performed after the first duration and / or after the first duration has elapsed, the first random access procedure is triggered.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first condition includes that the user equipment receives a configuration related to data transmission or reception.

11. A method for a user device, characterized in that: include: receiving second signaling for triggering a second random access procedure; triggering the second random access procedure in response to receiving the second signaling; performing transmitting during the second random access procedure; The timer and / or first duration is started when one of the following timings occurs: receiving the second signaling; triggering the second random access process; performing the transmitting during the second random access procedure; or The second random access process is completed; receiving first signaling for triggering a first random access procedure; as well as In response to receiving the first signaling, determining whether to trigger the first random access procedure based on a first condition, wherein the first condition includes at least one of the following: whether the timer is running; and / or Whether the first duration has elapsed.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The first signaling and the second signaling are paging or paging messages for the ambient Internet of Things, and / or the first signaling and / or the second signaling indicate a value of the timer or a time length of the first duration.

13. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that: The first signaling and the second signaling indicate the same identifier or the same group identifier of the user equipment, and / or The first signaling and the second signaling indicate the same user equipment set including the user equipment, and / or The first signaling and the second signaling indicate a same target identifier corresponding to or including the user equipment, and / or The first signaling and the second signaling indicate the same request or the same service.

14. A user equipment, characterized in that: include: Memory; as well as a processor operably coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute program code to: receiving first signaling for triggering a first random access procedure; as well as In response to receiving the first signaling, determining whether to trigger the first random access procedure based on a first condition, wherein the first condition includes at least one of the following: whether the timer is running; and / or Whether the first duration has elapsed.

15. The user equipment according to claim 14, characterized in that: The first signaling is paging or a paging message for the ambient Internet of Things, and / or the first random access procedure is a random access procedure for the ambient Internet of Things.

16. The user equipment according to claim 14, characterized in that: The first signaling indicates an identifier of the user equipment, a group identifier of the user equipment and / or a user equipment set including the user equipment, and / or The first signaling is transmitted from a reader, wherein the reader is a network node, an intermediate node or another user equipment.

17. The user equipment according to claim 14, characterized in that The first signaling indicates a value of the timer or a time length of the first duration, and / or the timer is a prohibit timer or a random access prohibit timer.

18. The user equipment according to claim 14, characterized in that The processor is further configured to execute the program code to: receiving a second signaling for triggering a second random access procedure before receiving the first signaling; as well as The second random access procedure is triggered or performed in response to receiving the second signaling, wherein the second random access procedure is triggered, performed and / or started before the first random access procedure.

19. The user equipment according to claim 18, characterized in that The second signaling indicates a value of the timer or a time length of the first duration, and / or the second signaling is a paging or a paging message for the ambient Internet of Things.

20. The user equipment according to claim 18, characterized in that The processor is further configured to execute the program code to: The timer and / or the first duration is started when the user equipment receives the second signaling, the user equipment triggers the second random access procedure, the user equipment performs transmission in the second random access procedure, and / or the second random access procedure is completed.

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