Group sequence identification

Abstract

The invention relates to group sequence identification. According to one aspect, a first apparatus is provided for receiving, from a second apparatus, a sequence identification request for group beamforming of a group of apparatuses including the first apparatus, wherein the sequential identification request includes at least one of an indication to randomize a backscatter response time of the first device or a backscatter group identifier for the group.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various example embodiments relate to wireless communications. Background Art

[0002] An ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) device, as defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), is a passive or semi-passive Internet of Things (IoT) device that operates with minimal or no human intervention. An A-IoT device is configured to utilize energy from a radio signal sent by an activator device at a specific carrier frequency and / or frequency bandwidth to charge a simple circuit system that is configured to emit (or reflect, or backscatter) a certain signal once activated. The signal is typically intended to be received by a reader device. An exemplary use case for 3GPP ambient IoT is an indoor warehouse inventory tracking scenario, where an A-IoT device is fixed to a specific asset to be tracked. Since the activation range of an A-IoT tag is typically limited to a few meters, the activator device needs to be close to the A-IoT tag, while the reader device may be located further away. The backscatter power from a given single A-IoT tag is typically relatively low, and therefore, it may sometimes happen that the received backscatter signal fails to exceed the sensitivity threshold of the reader device, meaning that the received backscatter signal cannot be decoded. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to one aspect, the subject matter of the independent claims is provided. Embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0004] According to a further aspect, there is provided a method comprising:

[0005] A sequence identification request for group beamforming for a group of devices including the first device is received from a second device, wherein the sequence identification request includes at least one of an indication to randomize a backscatter response time of the first device or a backscatter group identifier for the group.

[0006] According to a further aspect, there is provided a method comprising:

[0007] sending a sequence identification request for group beamforming for the device group to the device group, wherein the sequence identification request includes at least one of: an indication to randomize backscatter response time, or a backscatter group identifier for the group;

[0008] sending an activation signal to the device group; and

[0009] Send a trigger for the packetized backscatter response.

[0010] According to a further aspect, there is provided a method comprising:

[0011] determining an order of devices within a device group by listening for order-identifying backscatter communications between the devices, and receiving a backscatter beamforming signal from the device group, the backscatter beamforming signal including at least a backscatter group identifier for the group; or

[0012] A backscatter beamforming signal is received from a group of devices, the backscatter beamforming signal including at least a backscatter group identifier of the group and an order of the devices within the group.

[0013] According to a further aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to:

[0014] A sequence identification request for group beamforming for a group of devices including the first device is received from a second device, wherein the sequence identification request includes at least one of an indication to randomize a backscatter response time of the first device or a backscatter group identifier for the group.

[0015] According to a further aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to:

[0016] sending a sequence identification request for group beamforming for the device group to the device group, wherein the sequence identification request includes at least one of: an indication to randomize backscatter response time, or a backscatter group identifier for the group;

[0017] sending an activation signal to the device group; and

[0018] Send a trigger for the packetized backscatter response.

[0019] According to a further aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to:

[0020] determining an order of devices within a device group by listening for order-identifying backscatter communications between the devices, and receiving a backscatter beamforming signal from the device group, the backscatter beamforming signal including at least a backscatter group identifier for the group; or

[0021] A backscatter beamforming signal is received from a group of devices, the backscatter beamforming signal including at least a backscatter group identifier of the group and an order of the devices within the group.

[0022] One or more examples of implementations are set forth in greater detail in the following drawings and description.Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 illustrates a system to which some embodiments may be applied;

[0024] Figure 2 illustrates a system according to some embodiments;

[0025] Figures 3 to 5 illustrates signaling according to some embodiments;

[0026] Figure 6 、 Figure 7 and Figure 8 Illustrated is a sequential identification process according to some embodiments, and an example of its use in the case of odd- and even-numbered A-IoT device groups;

[0027] Figure 9 illustrates signaling according to some embodiments; and

[0028] Figure 10 An apparatus according to some embodiments is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following embodiments are presented as examples only. Although this specification may refer to "one," "a kind of," or "some" embodiments and / or examples in multiple places in the text, this does not necessarily mean that each reference refers to the same (multiple) embodiments or (multiple) examples, or that a particular feature applies only to a single embodiment and / or example. Individual features of different embodiments and / or examples may also be combined to provide other embodiments and / or examples.

[0030] As used herein, “at least one of: ” and “at least one of ” and similar expressions, where a list of two or more elements is connected by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one element, or at least any two or more elements, or at least all elements.

[0031] In the following, different exemplary embodiments will be described using a radio access architecture based on Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE Advanced, LTE-A) or New Radio (NR, 5G) as an example of an access architecture to which the embodiment can be applied, without however limiting the embodiment to such an architecture. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the embodiment can also be applied to other kinds of communication networks with suitable components by appropriately adjusting parameters and procedures. Some examples of other options for suitable systems are Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Radio Access Network (UTRAN or E-UTRAN), Long Term Evolution (LTE, same as E-UTRA), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN or WiFi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Personal Communications Service (PCS), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), systems using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, sensor networks, Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs), and Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or any combination thereof.

[0032] Figure 1 An example of a simplified system architecture is depicted, which shows only some elements and functional entities, which are all logical units and whose implementation may differ from what is shown. Figure 1 The connections shown in the figure are logical connections; the actual physical connections may be different. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the system will typically also include other components besides Figure 1 Other functions and structures than those shown.

[0033] However, the embodiments are not limited to the systems given as examples, and a person skilled in the art may apply the solution to other communication systems provided with the necessary properties.

[0034] Figure 1 The example of FIG. 1 shows a portion of an exemplary radio access network.

[0035] The communication system typically includes more than one (e / g)NodeB 104, in which case the (e / g)NodeBs may also be configured to communicate with each other via links (wired or wireless) designed for this purpose. The links may be used for signaling purposes. The (e / g)NodeB is a computing device that is configured to control the radio resources of the communication system to which it is coupled. The NodeB may also be referred to as a base station, an access point, or any other type of interface device, including a relay station capable of operating in a wireless environment. The (e / g)NodeB includes a transceiver, or is coupled to a transceiver. From the transceiver of the (e / g)NodeB, a connection to an antenna unit is provided, which establishes a two-way radio link to the user equipment. The antenna unit may include multiple antennas or antenna elements. The (e / g)NodeB is also connected to a core network 110 (CN or Next Generation Core NGC). Depending on the system, the counterpart on the CN side may be a serving gateway (S-GW, routing and forwarding user data packets), a packet data network gateway (P-GW) for providing connectivity of user equipment (UE) to external packet data networks or a mobility management entity (MME), etc.

[0036] User equipment 100 and user equipment 102 (also referred to as UE, user equipment, user terminal, terminal device, etc.) illustrate a type of apparatus to which resources on the air interface are allocated and assigned, and therefore, any features described herein with user equipment can be implemented using corresponding apparatus (such as a relay node). An example of such a relay node is a layer 3 relay (self-backhaul relay) toward a base station. The user equipment may include mobile equipment and at least one universal integrated circuit card (UICC).

[0037] User devices 100 and 102 generally refer to portable computing devices, including wireless mobile communication devices that operate with or without a subscriber identity module (SIM) or UICC, including but not limited to the following types of devices: mobile stations (mobile phones), smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones, devices using wireless modems (such as alarm devices or measurement devices), laptop computers and / or touch screen computers, tablet computers, game consoles, notebooks, and multimedia devices. It should be understood that user devices can also be almost exclusively uplink-only devices, an example of which is a camera or video camera that uploads images or video clips to a network. User devices can also be devices capable of operating in an Internet of Things (IoT) network, which is a scenario in which objects are provided with the ability to transmit data over a network without human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction. Therefore, user devices may not enable direct user interaction or may only enable limited user interaction (e.g., during setup). User devices (or in some embodiments, layer 3 relay nodes) are configured to perform one or more user equipment functions. A user device may also be referred to as a terminal device, a subscriber unit, a mobile station, a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, or user equipment (UE), to name a few names or devices.A user device may include one or more antennas.

[0038] The various techniques described herein can also be applied to cyber-physical systems (CPS)—systems of collaborative computing elements that control physical entities. CPS can enable the implementation and utilization of large numbers of interconnected ICT devices (sensors, actuators, processors, microcontrollers, etc.) embedded in physical objects at different locations. Mobile cyber-physical systems are a subcategory of cyber-physical systems in which the physical systems in question have inherent mobility. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robots and electronic devices transported by humans or animals.

[0039] Additionally, although the apparatus has been depicted as a single entity, different units, processors and / or memory units ( Figure 1 Not all are shown) can be implemented.

[0040] 5G enables: the use of multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antennas; many more base stations or nodes than LTE (the so-called small cell concept); including macro sites operating in cooperation with smaller stations; and the adoption of various radio technologies depending on service requirements, use cases, and / or available spectrum. 5G mobile communications support a wide range of use cases and related applications, including video streaming, augmented reality, different methods of data sharing, and various forms of machine-type applications, including vehicle safety, different sensors, and real-time control. 5G is expected to have multiple radio interfaces, namely sub-6 GHz, cmWave, and mmWave, and can also be integrated with existing legacy radio access technologies (such as LTE). At least in the early stages, integration with LTE can be implemented as a system in which macro coverage is provided by LTE and 5G radio interface access is derived from small cells aggregated to LTE. In other words, 5G is planned to support both inter-RAT operability (such as LTE-5G) and inter-RI operability (inter-radio interface operability, such as sub-6 GHz-cmWave, sub-6 GHz-cmWave-mmWave). One of the concepts being considered for use in 5G networks is network slicing, where multiple independent and dedicated virtual subnetworks (network instances) can be created within the same infrastructure to run services with different requirements for latency, reliability, throughput, and mobility.

[0041] The current architecture in LTE networks is fully distributed in the radio and fully centralized in the core network. Low-latency applications and services in 5G will require bringing content close to the radio, leading to local breakout and multi-access edge computing (MEC). 5G enables analysis and knowledge generation to occur at the data source. This approach requires leveraging resources that may not be continuously connected to the network, such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, and sensors. MEC provides a distributed computing environment for hosting applications and services. MEC also has the ability to store and process content close to cellular subscribers to accelerate response times. Edge computing covers a wide range of technologies, such as wireless sensor networks, mobile data acquisition, mobile signature analysis, collaborative distributed peer-to-peer self-organizing networks and processing, and can also be categorized as local cloud / fog computing and grid / mesh computing, dew computing, mobile edge computing, micro-clouds, distributed data storage and retrieval, autonomous self-healing networks, remote cloud services, augmented and virtual reality, data caching, the Internet of Things (massive connectivity and / or latency-critical), and critical communications (autonomous vehicles, traffic safety, real-time analytics, time-critical control, and healthcare applications).

[0042] The communication system may also be capable of communicating with, or utilizing services provided by, other networks, such as the public switched telephone network or the Internet 112. The communication network may also be capable of supporting the use of cloud services, for example, at least part of the core network operations may be performed as a cloud service (this is in the context of Figure 1 (depicted by “cloud” 114 in FIG. 1 ). The communication system may also include a central control entity or the like, providing facilities for cooperation between networks of different operators, for example, in terms of spectrum sharing.

[0043] Edge cloud can be introduced into RAN by leveraging network function virtualization (NVF) and software defined networking (SDN). Using edge cloud may mean that access node operations are at least partially performed in a server, host or node that is operationally coupled to a remote radio head or unit (RU) or a base station including a radio part. Node operations may also be distributed between multiple servers, nodes or hosts. The application of cloudRAN architecture enables RAN real-time functions to be performed on the RAN side (in the distributed unit DU 104) and non-real-time functions can be performed in a centralized manner (in the central or centralized unit CU108). Therefore, in summary, the RAN may include at least one distributed access node, which includes a central unit, one or more distributed units communicatively connected to the central unit, and one or more (remote) radio heads or units, each of which is communicatively connected to at least one of the one or more distributed units.

[0044] It should also be understood that the division of labor between core network operations and base station operations may be different from that of LTE, or even non-existent. Some other technological advancements that may be used are big data and all-IP, which may change the way networks are built and managed. 5G (or New Radio NR) networks are designed to support multiple hierarchical structures, where MEC servers can be placed between the core and base stations or Node Bs (gNBs). It should be understood that MEC can also be applied to 4G networks.

[0045] 5G can also leverage satellite communications to enhance or supplement the coverage of 5G services, for example, by providing backhaul. Possible use cases are providing service continuity for machine-to-machine (M2M) or Internet of Things (IoT) devices, or for passengers on board a vehicle, or ensuring service availability for critical communications and future rail / maritime / aeronautical communications. Satellite communications can leverage both geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems, particularly mega-constellations (systems in which hundreds of (nano)satellites are deployed). Each satellite 106 in a mega-constellation can cover multiple satellite-enabled network entities that create terrestrial cells. Terrestrial cells can be created by ground relay nodes 104 or by gNBs located on the ground or in satellites.

[0046] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the depicted system is only an example of a portion of a radio access system, and that in practice the system may include multiple (e / g)NodeBs, user equipment may have access to multiple radio cells, and the system may also include other devices, such as physical layer relay nodes or other network elements. At least one (e / g)NodeB may be a home (e / g)NodeB. In addition, multiple different types of radio cells and multiple radio cells may be provided in a geographical area of the radio communication system. A radio cell may be a macro cell (or umbrella cell), which is a large cell, typically up to tens of kilometers in diameter, or a smaller cell, such as a micro cell, a femto cell, or a pico cell. Figure 1 The (e / g)NodeB in an access node can provide any type of cell. A cellular radio system can be implemented as a multi-layer network including multiple types of cells. Typically, in a multi-layer network, one access node provides one or more cells of one type, and therefore, multiple (e / g)NodeBs are required to provide such a network structure.

[0047] In order to meet the needs of improving the deployment and performance of communication systems, the concept of "plug and play" (e / g) NodeB has been introduced. Generally, a network that can use "plug and play" (e / g) NodeB includes not only the home (e / g) NodeB (H(e / g)nodeB), but also the home node B gateway, or HNB-GW ( Figure 1 The HNB Gateway (HNB-GW), typically installed within the operator's network, aggregates traffic from a large number of HNBs back to the core network.

[0048] The goal of the 6G architecture is to enable easy integration of everything, such as networks of networks, joint communications and sensing, non-terrestrial networks and terrestrial communications. 6G systems are envisioned to include machine learning algorithms as well as local and distributed computing capabilities, where virtualized network functions can be distributed across core and edge computing resources. Far edge computing (where computing resources are pushed to the very edge of the network) will become part of the distributed computing environment, for example, in a "zero latency" scenario. 5G systems may also adopt such capabilities. More generally, actual (radio) communication systems are envisioned to include one or more computer programs, such as general-purpose computing entities (servers, processors, etc.), executed within a programmable infrastructure.

[0049] Figure 2 The architecture of a system 200 according to an embodiment is illustrated. Figure 2The diagram shows a simplified system architecture showing only some elements and functional entities. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the system may also include other functions and structures.

[0050] System 200 corresponds to the system architecture of an A-IoT system. Figure 2 The system 200 includes an activator device 201, a group 204 of A-IoT devices 205 to 208, and a reader device 202. As an example, Figure 2 A group 204 of four A-IoT devices 205 to 208 is shown, but in general, the group 204 may include two or more A-IoT devices.

[0051] The A-IoT devices 205 to 208 may be arranged in a linear array. The linear array may have equal spacing, that is, the spacing between all pairs of adjacent A-IoT devices 205 to 208 may be the same (also as Figure 2 ) or at least substantially the same (e.g., to account for some user error or uncertainty in the placement of the A-IoT devices 205-208). In an embodiment, the spacing between the A-IoT devices 205-208 can enable adjacent A-IoT devices within the group 204 (e.g., A-IoT device 205, A-IoT device 206) to communicate with each other, but non-adjacent A-IoT devices within the group 204 (e.g., A-IoT device 205, A-IoT device 207 or A-IoT device 205, A-IoT device 208) cannot communicate with each other due to increased free-space attenuation caused by the longer spacing between the A-IoT devices.

[0052] In some alternative embodiments ( Figure 2 ), A-IoT devices can be arranged in a rectangular array (with equal spacing between adjacent A-IoT devices).

[0053] The activator device 201 (also referred to as an activator terminal device or simply an activator) can be, for example, a terminal device such as Figure 1 The activator device 201 may be configured to at least send an activation signal to the A-IoT device group to activate them (i.e., wake up the A-IoT device group). The activation signal may have a predefined carrier frequency and / or frequency bandwidth. The activator device 201 may be, for example, Figure 1 Any one of the terminal devices 100 and 102.

[0054] Following a general definition, A-IoT devices 205 to 208 (also referred to as A-IoT tags) are passive or semi-passive Internet of Things (IoT) devices that typically operate with minimal or no human intervention. Here, a passive A-IoT device can be defined as a battery-less device with no energy storage capability and, therefore, completely dependent on the availability of an external energy source (e.g., an activator 201 that sends an appropriate activation signal), and a semi-passive A-IoT device can be defined as a device with limited energy storage capability that does not require manual replacement or recharging. A semi-passive A-IoT device may not provide independent signal generation, i.e., only backscatter transmission is enabled (similar to a passive A-IoT device). The use of energy stored by the semi-passive A-IoT device may include, for example, amplification of reflected signals. The A-IoT devices 205 to 208 may include one or more passive A-IoT devices and / or one or more semi-passive A-IoT devices. In some embodiments, all of the A-IoT devices in the plurality of A-IoT devices are A-IoT devices of the same type (i.e., passive or semi-passive).

[0055] Each of the A-IoT devices 205 to 208 is configured to utilize (or collect or harvest) energy from the activation signal sent by the activator device 201 in order to charge a simple circuit system that is configured to emit (or reflect or backscatter) a radio signal once activated. Each of the A-IoT devices 205 to 208 can be configured to have a resonant frequency at the carrier frequency of the activation signal sent by the activator 201 (i.e., all of the A-IoT devices 205 to 208 can be activated by the same activation signal). The backscattered radio signal can include at least an identifier of the A-IoT device 205 to 208, i.e., a given A-IoT device can be configured to modulate the identifier of the A-IoT device onto a backscattered copy of the incident activation signal. The radio signal is intended to be received by the reader device 202. In some cases, other information (e.g., a backscatter group identifier, an identifier of a target neighboring A-IoT device) can also be included in the backscattered signal, as will be discussed in detail below.

[0056] The reader device 202 (also referred to as a reader terminal device or simply a reader) can be, for example, a terminal device such as Figure 1 The activator device 201 is at least configured to listen to and detect radio signals sent (or backscattered) by the A-IoT devices 205 to 208.

[0057] It should be understood that although the activator device 201 and the reader device 202 are Figure 2, but a smartphone is just one example of a (terminal) device that can act as an activator device and / or reader device for an A-IoT device.

[0058] The group 204 of A-IoT devices 205 to 208 can be attached or fixed to a specific object, asset or item 203. For example, the attachment or fixing can be achieved using an adhesive, or by mounting a given I-IoT device 205 to 208 on a sticker (or other type of adhesive strip) that is attached to the specific object, asset or item 203. Thus, once detected, the radio signals backscattered by the A-IoT devices 205 to 208 can be used to determine whether the specific object, asset or item is available. An exemplary use case for this functionality is an indoor warehouse inventory tracking scenario. Since the activation range of the A-IoT devices 205 to 208 is typically limited to a few meters, the activator device 201 needs to be close to the A-IoT devices 205 to 208, while the reader device 202 may be located further away. The backscatter power from a given A-IoT device 205 to 208 is relatively low, and therefore, it may sometimes happen that the received backscatter signal fails to exceed the sensitivity threshold of the reader device 202, meaning that the received backscatter signal cannot be decoded.

[0059] One alternative for increasing the transmit power of the group 204 of A-IoT devices 205 to 208 is to employ beamforming. In beamforming, the phases of the (identical) signals simultaneously backscattered by different A-IoT devices 205 to 208 are tuned relative to each other so that their combined transmit energy can be directed more efficiently to the desired direction (due to constructive interference between the transmitted signals occurring in the desired direction). In other words, the power gain using beamforming in the desired direction of maximum gain will be significantly increased compared to transmission by a single A-IoT device. A core requirement for enabling beamforming while minimizing the number of beam configurations used is that the order (also referred to as placement order) of the A-IoT devices 205 to 208 within the group 204 is known. In other words, the order number of each A-IoT device 205 to 208 within the group 204. Figure 2In the example of , the sequence numbers may be, for example, 1, 2, 3, and 4 (or 4, 3, 2, and 1) for the A-IoT devices 205 to 208, respectively. This requirement can be met by ensuring that the A-IoT devices 205 to 208 are always applied (e.g., during the manufacture of the asset 203) to match a predefined placement order. However, this may not always be possible, and therefore, in some cases, the placement order of the A-IoT devices 205 to 208 may need to be determined after they have been placed. Therefore, a process is needed for determining the placement order of the A-IoT devices in a given group to enable backscatter beamforming.

[0060] The embodiments discussed in detail below seek to overcome the aforementioned problems by providing a process for enabling sequential identification of A-IoT devices forming a beamforming group.

[0061] It should be understood that although the activator device 201 and the reader device 202 are Figure 2 205 to 208 , but a smartphone is just one example of a (terminal) device that can act as an activator device and / or reader device for the A-IoT devices 205 to 208 .

[0062] Figure 3 The figure illustrates signaling between an A-IoT device group, an activator, and a reader according to an embodiment for determining the (placement) order of A-IoT devices within a group of A-IoT devices and performing backscatter beamforming based on the determined order. The activator, the reader, and the A-IoT device group may correspond to Figure 2 Element 201, Element 202, Element 204. Figure 3 In the example of , the A-IoT device group includes three A-IoT devices (hereinafter referred to as the first A-IoT device, the second A-IoT device and the third A-IoT device), but it should be understood that, in general, Figure 3 The process may involve two or more A-IoT devices.

[0063] refer to Figure 3 The process is initiated by the activator sending a sequential identification request to the A-IoT device group (i.e., to each of the first A-IoT device, the second A-IoT device, and the third A-IoT device) in message 301. In blocks 302, 303, and 304, the sequential identification request is received by the first A-IoT device, the second A-IoT device, and the third A-IoT device.

[0064] The Sequence Identification Request 301 may include an instruction to randomize the backscatter response time of the A-IoT device. This instruction may relate to at least the Sequence Identification process. In other words, the Sequence Identification Request 301 may indicate to a given receiving A-IoT device that the A-IoT device should apply a random delay to any backscatter transmissions during the Sequence Identification process. In some embodiments, this instruction may also relate to backscatter transmissions related to the Neighbor Discovery process.

[0065] In some embodiments, in addition to the indication, the sequential identification request 301 may include an allowed time range (or similarly, a time window) for randomizing backscatter response times. Thus, based on the indication and the allowed time range, the A-IoT device should apply a random delay within the allowed time range to any backscatter transmission (of the sequential identification process). The start and end time instances of the allowed time range may be defined relative to the time instance of receipt of the activation signal.

[0066] Additionally or alternatively, the sequence identification request 301 may include a backscatter group identifier for the group of A-IoT devices. The backscatter group identifier may be included by the A-IoT devices in future grouped (beamforming) backscatter responses.

[0067] In some alternative embodiments, the backscatter group identifier may not be included in the sequence identification request 301. In such embodiments, the backscatter group identifier may be sent as part of a separate message following the transmission of the sequence identification request 301 ( Figure 3 not shown).

[0068] In block 305, the activator transmits an activation signal to the A-IoT device group for A-IoT device activation. The activation signal has a specific carrier signal (supported by the A-IoT device group) and provides activation power to the A-IoT device group to enable backscatter transmission by the first A-IoT device, the second A-IoT device, and the third A-IoT device forming the group. The transmission of the activation signal in block 305 can be performed continuously (or periodically) throughout the execution of the actions involving elements 306 to 313.

[0069] While being illuminated by the activation signal, the first A-IoT device, the second A-IoT device, and the third A-IoT device perform neighbor discovery in block 306 to discover their neighboring A-IoT devices. During the neighbor discovery process of block 306, each of the first A-IoT device, the second A-IoT device, and the third A-IoT device backscatters one or more neighbor discovery signals to one or two of its neighboring A-IoT devices, and receives one or more neighbor discovery signals from one or two of its neighboring A-IoT devices. Each of the neighbor discovery signals may include at least an identifier of the sending A-IoT device. Based on this signal exchange, each A-IoT becomes aware of its own (multiple) neighbor A-IoT devices. The neighbor discovery process will be described below in conjunction with Figure 5 are discussed in further detail.

[0070] In some embodiments, the A-IoT device may Figure 4 The process of

[0045] is already aware of their neighbors (and the identifiers of the neighbors) at the beginning, so the neighbor discovery of block 306 can be omitted.

[0071] While being illuminated by the activation signal, the first A-IoT device, the second A-IoT device, and the third A-IoT device also perform sequence identification in block 307 to determine the (placement) order of the first A-IoT device, the second A-IoT device, and the third A-IoT device within the A-IoT device group based on or according to the sequence identification request. The sequence identification may at least include each of the first A-IoT device, the second A-IoT device, and the third A-IoT device communicating with one or two of their neighboring A-IoT devices (determined by the neighbor discovery process 306) to determine the correct order. The communication is based on backscattering of the activation signal. As described above, each of the first A-IoT device, the second A-IoT device, and the third A-IoT device can use a randomized backscatter response time (possibly limited by an allowed time range) for backscattering in block 307.

[0072] In some embodiments, the sequence identification in block 307 may include at least the following steps performed by each of the first, second, and third A-IoT devices in the group. First, the A-IoT device may determine its own sequence number (also referred to as placement number or ordinal number) within the A-IoT device group based on neighbor discovery (i.e., knowledge of whether the A-IoT device has one or two neighboring A-IoT devices) and zero, one, or two (backscatter) signals received from one or two neighboring A-IoT devices of the A-IoT device (within the allowed time range for randomized backscatter responses). The zero, one, or two (backscatter) signals may each include a sequence number for the transmitting A-IoT device and / or a sequence number to be set for the receiving A-IoT device (e.g., indicated using an identifier of the target A-IoT device). The A-IoT device may then set the determined sequence number of the A-IoT device. This may or may not be the final sequence number of the A-IoT device (i.e., the sequence number may still change during the sequence identification process). The A-IoT device may store the set sequence number in a memory of the A-IoT device. The A-IoT device may backscatter at least one signal including the set sequence number of the A-IoT device and / or the sequence number to be set for the adjacent A-IoT device to at least one of one or two adjacent A-IoT devices of the A-IoT device. In response to receiving a signal from the adjacent A-IoT device that includes the sequence number of the adjacent A-IoT device that is inconsistent with the set sequence number of the A-IoT device (and does not have an identifier of the target A-IoT device), or includes any sequence number to be set for the target A-IoT device and an identifier of the target A-IoT device that matches the identifier of the A-IoT device, the A-IoT device resets (or overwrites) the sequence number of the A-IoT device based on the received sequence number. The sequence number of the adjacent A-IoT device being inconsistent with the set sequence number of the A-IoT device may correspond to a situation where the sequence number of the adjacent A-IoT device is greater than the set sequence number of the A-IoT device plus one. For example, the sequence number of the A-IoT device may be initially set to 1, and then the adjacent A-IoT device may indicate that the sequence number of the adjacent A-IoT device is 4. Since these two sequence numbers cannot be correct at the same time, the sequence number of the A-IoT device needs to be changed from 1 to 5 (i.e., the A-IoT device is changed from the first A-IoT device in the linear array to the last A-IoT device in the linear array). A more detailed implementation of the sequence identification process and associated example scenarios are described below. Figures 6 to 8 Being discussed.

[0073] In some embodiments, the signals associated with the sequence identification (block 307 ) may each include an identifier of the transmitting A-IoT device.

[0074] As described above, in some embodiments, the identifier of the target receiving A-IoT device included in the signal associated with the sequence identification (block 307) (as determined based on neighbor discovery in block 306) can be used as an indication that the sequence number of the target A-IoT device should be changed to match the sequence number received with the identifier (or more generally, should be changed based on the sequence number received with the identifier). In some embodiments, this identifier of the target receiving A-IoT device can be accompanied by a separate indication parameter (e.g., a binary parameter or a flag) that indicates that the sequence number of the target receiving A-IoT device should be reset based on the received sequence number.

[0075] After determining the sequence number for each of the A-IoT devices in the group, the A-IoT devices in the group (or at least some of the A-IoT devices) may share the (final) sequence number with each other. In other words, the A-IoT devices may spread the sequence number data within the group. Such sharing or spreading may be achieved, for example, by propagating the sequence number of each A-IoT device separately throughout the group of A-IoT devices. The sequence numbers of A-IoT devices that have at least only one neighbor A-IoT device (i.e., are edge A-IoT devices of the group) and whose sequence number is not equal to one may be shared in the group because the sequence number indicates the total number of A-IoT devices in the group. The total number of A-IoT devices (i.e., the A-IoT device group size) may be employed in combination with the sequence number of a given A-IoT device for beamforming operations (i.e., for determining the phase offset of a given A-IoT device). In other embodiments, the total number of A-IoT devices in the group may be assumed to be fixed or predefined, and thus from Figure 3 The start of the process is known by the A-IoT device.

[0076] In some embodiments, to propagate or disseminate the sequence number within the group, each A-IoT device may perform the following two steps (while illuminated by the activation signal): 1) receive one or more signals from one or two neighboring A-IoT devices, wherein the one or more signals include the sequence number and identifier of the one or more A-IoT devices of the group, 2) forward (i.e., backscatter) all or at least some of the one or more signals to another neighboring A-IoT device for sharing the sequence number(s) of the other A-IoT devices with the group (not applicable to edge A-IoT devices that have only one neighbor), and 3) send a signal including the sequence number of the A-IoT device and the identifier of the A-IoT device to one or both of the one or two neighboring A-IoT devices for sharing the sequence number of the A-IoT device with the group. In step 3), the signal may not necessarily be shared with an A-IoT device known to be an edge A-IoT device (because it already has the sequence number and cannot forward the signal further).

[0077] During the execution of the sequence identification in block 307, the reader listens to the sequence identification backscatter communication (or signal) between the first A-IoT device, the second A-IoT device, and the third A-IoT device in block 308 to determine the (placement) order of the first A-IoT device, the second A-IoT device, and the third A-IoT device within the group. The determined order can correspond to a list, where each entry of the list includes an identifier of an A-IoT device in the group and an associated sequence number. The reader can store the determined order (e.g., the list) in a memory in block 308.

[0078] After the sequential identification process is completed (or, in practice, after a predefined time from the transmission of the sequential identification request, assuming that it is sufficient to complete the neighbor discovery and sequential identification processes), the activator sends a trigger for grouped beamforming to the group of A-IoT devices in message 310. The trigger can be associated with the group's backscatter group identifier. The group's backscatter group identifier can be included in the sent trigger 310. In blocks 311, 312, and 313, the trigger is received by the first A-IoT device, the second A-IoT device, and the third A-IoT device, respectively.

[0079] In some embodiments, the trigger for grouped beamforming of a group of A-IoT devices may be sent by a (end device) device other than the activator.

[0080] In response to receiving the trigger in blocks 311 to 313, the A-IoT device group performs a backscatter beamforming transmission to the reader in message 314. In other words, each of the first A-IoT device, the second A-IoT device, and the third A-IoT device backscatters the same beamforming signal to the reader in message 314, albeit with a different phase offset (or phase shift) according to the beamforming principle. The phase offsets of the A-IoT devices in the group can be determined based at least on the (placement) order of the A-IoT devices in the group. In other words, the phase offset of a given A-IoT device can be determined by the A-IoT device based at least on the sequence number of the A-IoT device (and possibly also on the total number of A-IoT devices in the group).

[0081] A given A-IoT device may determine a phase offset for beamforming based on a predefined (or preconfigured) phase associated with (or mapped to) a different sequence number in addition to its own sequence number. The predefined phases and associated sequence numbers may be maintained in the memory of each A-IoT device in the group. Such predefined phase information for sequence numbers may be provided separately for multiple different A-IoT device group sizes (e.g., for groups of 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 A-IoT devices assuming a given neighbor spacing), or for a single A-IoT device group size. In the latter case, it may be assumed that the total number of A-IoT devices in the group is known in advance (e.g., the user is instructed to attach a set number of A-IoT devices to a given asset).

[0082] In some embodiments, the backscatter beamforming transmission in message 314 may include performing beam scanning, i.e., performing backscatter beamforming to sequentially form multiple different transmit beams with different beam directions. In such an embodiment, each A-IoT device in the group may maintain multiple phase switching patterns (or simply phase patterns or phase sequences) in at least one memory, each of the multiple phase switching patterns being associated with (and specific to) a different sequence number (or a different combination of sequence number and A-IoT device group size). Each phase switching pattern defines a set of phases to be applied to a given A-IoT device with a given sequence number, sequentially implementing beam scanning. Thus, during beam scanning, each A-IoT device may adjust its phase according to a phase switching pattern determined based on the sequence number of the A-IoT device (and optionally, the A-IoT device group size). By employing beam scanning, the backscatter beamforming transmission can be assumed to reach the reader even when the reader's position relative to the A-IoT device group is unknown.

[0083] In some embodiments, each A-IoT device in the group may receive a configuration message from the activator (before or after the sequential identification process) that includes a plurality of phase switching patterns (and optionally, a backscatter group identifier for the group).

[0084] In some embodiments where beam scanning is not employed, the backscattered beamforming signal may be backscattered into a predefined direction (eg, into a direction orthogonal to the plane of the A-IoT device group).

[0085] The beamforming signal 314 may include at least a backscatter group identifier. The beamforming signal may also include grouped data. The grouped data may include predefined data stored to at least one memory of each A-IoT device in the group, and / or data measured by at least one A-IoT device in the group. In the latter case, the measurement data may be shared in the group prior to the backscatter beamforming transmission. Additionally, or alternatively, the beamforming signal may include the (placement) order of the A-IoT device group (i.e., the sequence number of the A-IoT devices and the associated identifier). The beamforming signal may also include a preamble and / or scrambled data.

[0086] In block 315, the backscattered beamformed signal is received (and decoded) by the reader.

[0087] Figure 4 The figure illustrates alternative signaling between an A-IoT device group, an activator, and a reader according to an embodiment for determining the (placement) order of the A-IoT devices in the A-IoT device group and performing backscatter beamforming based on the determined order. The activator, the reader, and the A-IoT device group may correspond to Figure 2 Elements 201, 202, and 204 in . Figure 4 In the example of , the A-IoT device group includes three A-IoT devices (hereinafter referred to as the first A-IoT device, the second A-IoT device and the third A-IoT device), but it should be understood that, in general, Figure 4 The process may involve two or more A-IoT devices.

[0088] Figure 4 The process corresponds to Figure 3 Therefore, the above is for Figure 3 Any discussion provided also applies, mutatis mutandis, to Figure 4 . Figure 4 Elements 401 to 411 can completely correspond to elements 301 to 307 and elements 310 to 313 respectively.

[0089] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The difference between the processes is how the (placement) order of the A-IoT devices in the A-IoT device group is communicated to the reader. Figure 3 In [1], it is assumed that the reader is able to listen for backscatter communications associated with the sequence identifier and use this to determine the order of A-IoT devices within the group. However, this may not always be the case. For example, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) associated with the sequence identifier backscatter communications may be too high for the reader to decode. Therefore, an alternative method is needed to convey the group order to the reader.

[0090] In order to enable the order of the A-IoT devices in the group to be communicated to the reader, it may be assumed herein that each A-IoT device stores the (placement) order of the A-IoT devices in the group into a memory of the A-IoT device as part of the sequence identification process of block 407. As described above, the (group) order may correspond to a list, wherein each entry of the list comprises an identifier of an A-IoT device in the group and an associated sequence number. This stored placement order is then included in a beamforming signal that is backscattered to the reader in message 412. In other embodiments, the beamforming signal 412 may match Figure 3 The reader receives (and decodes) the backscattered beamformed signal in block 413. The reader may store the placement order in memory in block 414.

[0091] Figure 5 The figure illustrates the signaling between the A-IoT device group, the activator and the reader according to an embodiment for performing neighbor discovery. The activator, the reader and the A-IoT device group may correspond to Figure 2 Elements 201, 202, and 204 in . Figure 5 In the example (such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown), the A-IoT device group includes three A-IoT devices (hereinafter referred to as the first A-IoT device, the second A-IoT device and the third A-IoT device), but it should be understood that, in general, Figure 5 The process may involve two or more A-IoT devices.

[0092] Figure 5 The process can correspond to Figure 3 Block 306 and / or Figure 4 A more detailed implementation of neighbor discovery performed in block 406 of FIG.

[0093] Combined with Figure 3 and Figure 4Similar to what is described, in block 501, the activator sends an activation signal to the A-IoT device group during the neighbor discovery process to enable backscatter communication between adjacent A-IoT devices in the group. In neighbor discovery (elements 502 to 508), each A-IoT device backscatters a first neighbor discovery signal including an identifier of the IoT device using a randomized backscatter response time, and receives a second neighbor discovery signal (at a random time) including an identifier of the sending (or source) IoT device from each of one or two neighboring IoT devices of the IoT device. Similar to what is described in the above embodiments, it can be assumed here that only adjacent A-IoT devices can communicate with each other (i.e., Figure 5 (where direct communication between the first A-IoT device and the third A-IoT device is not enabled). Similar to what was discussed for sequential identification communication, the randomized response time may be limited to a predefined allowed time range (or time window), which may be the same as or different from the allowed time range used for sequential identification communication.

[0094] Therefore, in Figure 5 In an exemplary scenario where the A-IoT device group includes a first A-IoT device, a second A-IoT device, and a third A-IoT device, the following steps are performed. First, the second A-IoT device backscatters a neighbor discovery signal including the identifier of the second A-IoT device to both the first A-IoT device and the third A-IoT device in message 502 using a randomized backscatter response time. The neighbor discovery signal is received by the first A-IoT device and the third A-IoT device in blocks 503 and 504, respectively. Then, the third A-IoT device backscatters a neighbor discovery signal including the identifier of the third A-IoT device to the second A-IoT device (i.e., to its only neighbor A-IoT device) in message 505 using a randomized backscatter response time. The neighbor discovery signal is received by the second A-IoT device in block 506. Finally, the first A-IoT device backscatters a neighbor discovery signal including the identifier of the first A-IoT device to the second A-IoT device (i.e., to its only neighbor A-IoT device) in message 507 using a randomized backscatter response time. The signal is received by the second A-IoT device in block 508 .

[0095] Figure 6 A process for performing sequence identification according to an embodiment is illustrated. Figure 6 The process can be performed by an A-IoT device or other similar passive or semi-passive IoT device. Figure 6The process of can be performed in parallel by each A-IoT device in the A-IoT device group (or, more generally, by each passive / semi-passive IoT device in the passive / semi-passive IoT device group). Figure 3 Block 307 and / or Figure 4 The process of block 407 may correspond to being performed by each of the first A-IoT device, the second A-IoT device, and the third A-IoT device. Figure 6 The following is the process of executing Figure 6 The entities involved in the process are referred to as A-IoT devices, without loss of generality.

[0096] refer to Figure 6 , the A-IoT device first determines whether it has one or two neighboring A-IoT devices based on neighbor discovery (or the results of neighbor discovery) in block 601. In other words, the A-IoT device determines in block 601 whether it is one of the two edge A-IoT devices in the group.

[0097] In response to only one A-IoT device being adjacent to the A-IoT device based on neighbor discovery in block 601, the A-IoT device sets the sequence number of the A-IoT device to be equal to 1 (i.e., sets n set =1), and in block 603 backscatters a sequence number n of the A-IoT device to the adjacent A-IoT device. set In other words, in the case of an edge A-IoT device, the A-IoT automatically assigns itself a sequence number of 1. The backscattering in block 603 can be performed using a randomized backscatter response time. The randomized backscatter response time can be within an allowed time range (or time window) of a randomized backscatter response time (previously received, e.g., from the activator as described above). Here and below, setting the sequence number of the A-IoT device can include storing the sequence in a memory of the A-IoT device.

[0098] In response to two A-IoT devices being adjacent to the A-IoT device based on neighbor discovery in block 601, the A-IoT device further determines whether a second signal including a sequence number of a neighboring A-IoT device (i.e., a transmitting A-IoT device) is received from one or both of the two neighboring A-IoT devices in block 604. Specifically, the A-IoT device may determine whether the second signal is received within an allowed time range of a randomized backscatter response time.

[0099] In response to a sequence number n including (only) one of the two adjacent A-IoT devices rxA second signal is received from one of the two adjacent A-IoT devices in block 604, and the A-IoT device sets the sequence number of the A-IoT device to be equal to the sequence number included in the second signal plus one (i.e., sets n set =n rx +1), and in block 606 the sequence number (n set ) is backscattered to at least the other adjacent A-IoT device among the two adjacent A-IoT devices (i.e., the adjacent A-IoT device that did not send the second signal to the A-IoT device). The backscattering in block 606 can be performed using a randomized backscatter response time. The randomized backscatter response time can be within an allowed time range (or time window) of the randomized backscatter response time.

[0100] In response to including the corresponding sequence number n rx,1 and n rx,2 The two second signals are received from two adjacent A-IoT devices in block 604. The A-IoT device further determines the two sequence numbers n included in the two received second signals in block 607. rx,1 and n rx,2 In other words, in block 607, A-IoT determines n rx，1 ≠n rx，2 Or n rx,1 =n rx,2 Established.

[0101] In response to the two received sequence numbers being different (ie, n rx，1 ≠n rx，2 ), the A-IoT device sets the sequence number of the A-IoT device to be equal to the higher of the two received sequence numbers plus one (i.e., sets n set =max(n rx,1 ,n rx,2 )+1), and in block 609, backscatters a third signal including the sequence number of the A-IoT device to at least the neighbor A-IoT device having the lower sequence number of the two neighbor A-IoT devices. The backscattering in block 609 can be performed using a randomized backscatter response time. The randomized backscatter response time can be within an allowed time range (or time window) of the randomized backscatter response time.

[0102] It should be noted that the third signal backscattered in block 606 or block 609 may also be received by a neighboring A-IoT device that is not targeted by the third signal (i.e., the neighboring A-IoT that sent the second signal or has a higher sequence number), although the neighboring A-IoT device may not perform any action based on the third signal. In general, any A-IoT device may not perform any action based on a received (sequence identification) signal that includes a sequence number that is equal to any A-IoT device's own (previously set) sequence number plus one, i.e., the following rules may apply:

[0103]

[0104] where n rx is the sequence number received by the A-IoT device, and n set It is the sequence number previously set by the A-IoT device.

[0105] In response to the two received sequence numbers being the same (ie, n rx,1 =n rx,2 ), the A-IoT device sets the sequence number of the A-IoT device to be equal to the received sequence number plus one (ie, setting n set =n rx,1 +1=n rx,2 +1), and in block 611, backscatters a third signal including a sequence number and an identifier of a target neighbor A-IoT device among the two neighbor A-IoT devices to at least the one neighbor A-IoT device among the two neighbor A-IoT devices. The sequence number included in the third signal is equal to the sequence number of the A-IoT device plus one (i.e., n tx =n set +1). The sent sequence number is the sequence number to be set for the target A-IoT device. Here, the target neighbor A-IoT device of the two neighbor A-IoT devices can be selected randomly or using a predefined rule. The predefined rule can depend on, for example, the identifier of the neighbor A-IoT device. The backscattering in block 611 can be performed using a randomized backscatter response time. The randomized backscatter response time can be within an allowed time range (or time window) of the randomized backscatter response time.

[0106] In some alternative embodiments, the third signal sent in block 611 may include the sequence number of the A-IoT device (i.e., not the target A-IoT device) and an identifier of the target neighbor A-IoT device among the two neighbor A-IoT devices. In such an embodiment, it may be assumed that the receiving target A-IoT device increments the sequence number by one upon receipt and sets its sequence number to match the incremented sequence number. Figure 7 and Figure 8 Not shown in the figure.

[0107] It should be noted that the backscattered third signal in block 611 may also be received by a neighboring A-IoT device that is not targeted by the third signal. This non-target neighboring A-IoT device may not perform any action based on the third signal because it has not been indicated as a target A-IoT device in the third signal. In general, if the received signal includes a sequence number that does not correspond to the identifier of the receiving A-IoT device and the identifier of the target A-IoT device, then any A-IoT device may not perform any action based on the received (sequence identification) signal.

[0108] As described above, in some embodiments, the third signal of block 611 may include, in addition to an identifier of the target receiving A-IoT device, a separate indication parameter (e.g., a binary parameter or a flag) indicating that the sequence number of the target receiving A-IoT device should be reset based on the received sequence number (e.g., changed to match the received sequence number).

[0109] After the A-IoT device has backscattered the first signal in block 603 or the third signal in block 606, block 609 or block 611, the A-IoT device can receive a fourth signal from one or two adjacent A-IoT devices in block 612, and the fourth signal includes at least the sequence number of the one or two adjacent A-IoT devices. Also here, the A-IoT device can determine whether the fourth signal is received within the allowed time range of the randomized backscatter response time. It is assumed here that the fourth signal is a signal that satisfies one of the following two conditions and is used to reset (i.e., overwrite) the currently set sequence number of the A-IoT device: 1) The fourth signal includes the sequence number n of the adjacent A-IoT device rx , which is higher than the set sequence number n of the A-IoT device set Plus one (ie, n rx >n set +1) without including the identifier of the target A-IoT device; or 2) the fourth signal includes, in addition to the sequence number, an identifier of the target A-IoT device that matches the identifier of the A-IoT device, which is used to indicate that the sequence number of the (target) A-IoT device should be reset (i.e., overwritten) based on the received sequence number. In option 2), the sequence number included in the fourth signal can have any value. Option 2) is only applicable to the case where the A-IoT device is adjacent to the central A-IoT device of an odd-numbered group of A-IoT devices (such as Figure 7 704 in the A-IoT device).

[0110] As described above, in some embodiments, a separate indication parameter (e.g., a binary parameter or a flag) may be used to indicate that the sequence number of the target receiving A-IoT device should be reset based on the received sequence number. In this embodiment, condition 2) described in the previous paragraph may also require that the separate indication parameter have a value indicating that the sequence number should be reset (e.g., having a value of 1).

[0111] In response to receiving the fourth signal in block 612, the A-IoT device resets (i.e., overwrites) the set sequence number of the A-IoT device (i.e., the sequence number set in one of blocks 602, 605, 608, and 610) based on the fourth signal in block 613. That is, the sequence number of the A-IoT device is set to be equal to the received sequence number of the neighboring A-IoT device plus one (condition 1), or equal to the sequence number to be set for the A-IoT device received together with the identifier of the target A-IoT device (condition 2). In an alternative embodiment as discussed in paragraph

[0091] , in the case of both conditions, the sequence number of the A-IoT device can be set to be equal to the received sequence number of the neighboring A-IoT device plus one.

[0112] Additionally, if the A-IoT device has two neighboring A-IoT devices in block 614, then in block 615, the A-IoT device backscatters a fifth signal including the (reset) sequence number of the A-IoT device to at least one other neighboring A-IoT device (i.e., the neighboring A-IoT device that did not send the fifth signal) using a randomized backscatter response time.

[0113] In some alternative embodiments, the fifth signal may have a form similar to the third signal discussed in conjunction with block 611. In other words, the fifth signal may include a sequence number equal to the (reset) sequence number of the A-IoT device plus one, and an identifier of the target neighbor A-IoT device among the two neighbor A-IoT devices. This may apply when the fifth signal is sent because condition 2 above is met, or in the event that either condition 1 or condition 2 is met. This alternative is not described in Figure 7 and Figure 8 is shown in the figure.

[0114] After resetting the sequence number of the A-IoT device (block 613) and optionally sending a fifth signal (block 615), or if the fourth signal is not received in block 612, the sequence identification process ends.

[0115] In some embodiments, combined Figure 6Any of the first signal, second signal, third signal, fourth signal, and fifth signal discussed may each include an identifier of the sending A-IoT device (an A-IoT device in the case of the first signal, third signal, and fifth signal, and one of one or two adjacent A-IoT devices in the case of the second signal and fourth signal).

[0116] In some embodiments, assuming the total number of A-IoT devices in the group is an even number, blocks 610 and 611 may be omitted (because blocks 610 and 611 cannot be reached in this case). In some embodiments, assuming the total number of A-IoT devices in the group is an odd number, blocks 608 and 609 may be omitted (because blocks 608 and 609 cannot be reached in this case).

[0117] It should be noted that by default, Figure 6 After the process is performed by each A-IoT device in the A-IoT device group, only adjacent A-IoT devices can know each other's sequence numbers. Figure 6 After the process is performed by each A-IoT device in the A-IoT device group, the A-IoT device can share its sequence number with all other A-IoT devices in the group. This can form part of the sequence identification process. The sharing of the sequence number of a given A-IoT device can be achieved in practice, for example, by propagating or spreading the sequence number of the A-IoT device in the A-IoT device group. That is, the A-IoT device can send a signal including the sequence number of the A-IoT device and the identifier of the A-IoT device to its (multiple) neighboring A-IoT devices, and the neighboring A-IoT device, after receiving the signal, forwards the signal to other neighboring A-IoT devices of the neighboring A-IoT device (assuming that the neighboring A-IoT device is not an edge A-IoT device). This forwarding is repeated until the signal including the sequence number of the A-IoT device and the identifier of the A-IoT device is received by all A-IoT devices in the group. This process can be repeated for all A-IoT devices in the group. The A-IoT device can store the received sequence number and the associated identifier of the A-IoT device in its memory.

[0118] Figure 7 and Figure 8 Illustration of the combination Figure 6 Two examples of the sequential identification process are described, which are applied to two A-IoT device groups with 5 A-IoT devices and 4 A-IoT devices respectively. Figure 7 and Figure 8 Each of the A-IoT devices depicted in Figure 6In general, it should be noted that the sequential identification process is performed slightly differently depending on whether the number of A-IoT devices in the group is odd or even, as will be described based on the following Figure 7 and Figure 8 The description is obvious.

[0119] Figure 7 and Figure 8 The signaling between 5 A-IoT devices and between 4 A-IoT devices are shown respectively. It should be noted that Figure 7 and Figure 8 Only transmissions associated with successful sequence identification are illustrated, i.e., transmissions that do not result in any action at the recipient are not shown. As described above, if the received signal includes a sequence number equal to any A-IoT device's own sequence number plus one, then any A-IoT device may not perform any action based on the received (sequence identification) signal.

[0120] refer to Figure 7 , the A-IoT devices 701 to 705 in the A-IoT device group are sequentially referred to as the first A-IoT device, the second A-IoT device, the third A-IoT device, the fourth A-IoT device, and the fifth A-IoT device 701 to 705. Initially, the fifth A-IoT device 705 having only a single neighbor 704 sets its sequence number equal to one and transmits a signal including the set sequence number of the fifth A-IoT device 705 to the neighboring fourth A-IoT device 704 at a randomized backscattering time in a message 711 (according to Figure 6 601 to 603). The randomized backscatter time may also be referred to herein as a randomized backscatter wait-before-talk time. Similarly, a first A-IoT device 701 having only a single neighbor 702 sets its sequence number equal to one and sends a signal including the set sequence number of a fifth A-IoT device 705 to a second neighboring A-IoT device 702 in a message 712 at a randomized backscatter time (according to Figure 6 In this particular non-limiting example, the fifth A-IoT device 705 sends its message 711 before the first A-IoT device 712, although this order may change due to the use of randomized backscatter times.

[0121] After a certain wait-and-listen time has elapsed, the second A-IoT device 702 having two neighbors 701, 703 takes action based on the received signal 712. That is, the second A-IoT device 702 sets its sequence number equal to the received sequence number plus one (i.e., equal to 2) and sends a signal including the set sequence number of the second A-IoT device 702 to the neighboring third A-IoT device 703 in a message 713 with a randomized backscatter time (according to Figure 6 Similarly, after a certain waiting and listening time has elapsed, the fourth A-IoT device 704 having two neighbors 703, 705 takes action based on the received signal 711. That is, the fourth A-IoT device 704 sets its sequence number equal to the received sequence number plus one (i.e., equal to 2) and sends a signal including the set sequence number of the second A-IoT device 702 to the neighboring third A-IoT device 703 in a message 714 with a randomized backscatter time (according to Figure 6 Block 601, block 604 to block 606).

[0122] The third A-IoT device 703 receives two equal sequence numbers from the second A-IoT device 702 and the fourth A-IoT device 704. Figure 6 In the process of the third A-IoT device 703, the sequence number of the third A-IoT device 703 is set to be equal to the received sequence number plus one (i.e., equal to 3), in element 715, randomly or according to a predefined rule, a fourth A-IoT device 704 (as opposed to the second A-IoT device 702) is selected whose sequence number should be increased (i.e., reset or overwritten), and in message 716, a signal including the sequence number of the third A-IoT device 703 plus one (corresponding to the sequence number to be set for the target A-IoT device) and the identifier of the fourth A-IoT device 704 (here, the target A-IoT device) is sent using a randomized backscatter response time. Therefore, the operation of the third A-IoT device 703 corresponds to Figure 6 Block 601, block 604, block 607, block 610, block 611.

[0123] Based on the signal 716 received from the third A-IoT device 703 (including the identifier of the fourth A-IoT device), the fourth A-IoT device 704 resets its sequence number to be equal to the sequence number included in the signal 716 (i.e., equal to 4), and sends a signal including the (reset) sequence number of the fourth A-IoT device 704 plus one and the identifier of the fifth A-IoT device 705 (here, the target A-IoT device) to the fifth A-IoT device 705 in a message 717 using a randomized backscatter response time. Therefore, this operation of the fourth A-IoT device 704 corresponds to Figure 6 Blocks 612 to 615 of .

[0124] Based on the signal 717 received from the fourth A-IoT device 704 (including the identifier of the fifth A-IoT device), the fifth A-IoT device 705 resets its sequence number to be equal to the sequence number included in the signal 717 (i.e., equal to 5). Therefore, this operation of the fourth A-IoT device 704 corresponds to Figure 6 Therefore, in the end, the sequence numbers of the first A-IoT device 701, the second A-IoT device 702, the third A-IoT device 703, the fourth A-IoT device 704, and the fifth A-IoT device 705 are 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively.

[0125] refer to Figure 8 , the A-IoT devices 801 to 804 in the A-IoT device group are sequentially referred to as the first A-IoT device, the second A-IoT device, the third A-IoT device, and the fourth A-IoT device 801 to 804. Initially, the first A-IoT device 801 having only a single neighbor 802 sets its sequence number equal to one and sends a signal including the set sequence number of the first A-IoT device to the adjacent second A-IoT device 802 in a message 811 at a randomized backscattering time (according to Figure 6 The randomized backscatter time may also be referred to herein as a randomized backscatter listen-before-talk time. Similarly, a fourth A-IoT device 804 having only a single neighbor 803 sets its sequence number to one and sends a signal including the set sequence number of the fourth A-IoT device to the neighboring third A-IoT device 803 in a message 812 at a randomized backscatter time (according to Figure 6 In this particular non-limiting example, the first A-IoT device 801 sends its message 811 before the fifth A-IoT device 812, although this order may change due to the use of randomized backscatter times.

[0126] The third A-IoT device receives the signal 812 and after a certain waiting and listening time sets its sequence number to be equal to the sequence number of the fourth A-IoT device plus one and sends a signal including the set sequence number of the third A-IoT device to the second A-IoT device using a randomized backscatter response time in message 813. This operation corresponds to Figure 6 Block 601, block 604 to block 606.

[0127] The second A-IoT device receives both the signal 811 from the first A-IoT device 801 and the signal 813 from the third A-IoT device 803. The signals 811 and 813 include different sequence numbers (1 and 2). Figure 6 In blocks 601, 607, and 609, the second A-IoT device sets its sequence number to be equal to the higher of the two sequence numbers plus one (i.e., equal to 2+1=3), and backscatters a signal including the set sequence number of the second A-IoT device to the first A-IoT device using a randomized backscatter response time.

[0128] The first A-IoT device 801 receives the signal 814 and checks whether the signal 814 includes an identifier of the target A-IoT device that matches the identifier of the first A-IoT device 801 or includes a sequence number that is greater than the current sequence number of the first A-IoT device 801 plus one. Here, the latter condition is met, and therefore, the first A-IoT device resets its sequence number to be equal to the received sequence number of the second A-IoT device plus one (i.e., equal to 3+1=4). This operation corresponds to Figure 6 Therefore, in the end, the sequence numbers of the first A-IoT device 801, the second A-IoT device 802, the third A-IoT device 803, and the fourth A-IoT device 804 are 4, 3, 2, and 1 respectively.

[0129] Neighbor discovery and sequential identification as described above rely on the assumption that an A-IoT device can communicate with its neighbors, but not with A-IoT devices that are farther away from it. If the transmit power of the activator is too high (causing a high power level in the backscattered signal), a given A-IoT device may be able to receive signals not only from its neighboring A-IoT devices, but also from A-IoT devices that are arranged farther away from the A-IoT device. This causes neighbor discovery to give incorrect results, which in turn causes sequential identification to fail. On the other hand, if the transmit power of the activator is too low (causing a low power level in the backscattered signal), a given A-IoT device cannot detect its neighboring A-IoT devices, and therefore neighbor discovery and sequential identification will also fail in this case.

[0130] To overcome the problem described in the previous paragraph, Figure 9 The diagram illustrates signaling between an A-IoT device group, an activator, and a reader for determining the (placement) order of A-IoT devices within the A-IoT device group, performing backscatter beamforming based on the determined order, and tuning the operation of the activator to enable accurate order identification according to an embodiment. The activator, reader, and A-IoT device group may correspond to Figure 2 Elements 201, 202, and 204 in Figure 3 of Figure 9 In the example of , the A-IoT device group includes three A-IoT devices (hereinafter referred to as the first A-IoT device, the second A-IoT device and the third A-IoT device), but it should be understood that, in general, Figure 9 The process may involve two or more A-IoT devices.

[0131] As mentioned above, Figure 9 The process is based on Figure 3 That is, Figure 9 Initial elements 901 through 915 of the process correspond exactly to blocks 301 through 315 and are therefore discussed again here for the sake of brevity.

[0132] After receiving the backscatter beamforming transmission in block 915 (or at least after storing the placement order in block 909), the reader determines in block 916 that the transmit power of the activator should be adjusted (i.e., increased or decreased). This determination can be based on the determined order of the A-IoT devices and / or the backscattered beamforming transmissions. For example, the order of the group can have a meaningless form that does not correspond to a set of consecutive integers starting from 1 (e.g., [1 2 3 5 1]). This clearly indicates an incorrect power setting for the activator. The purpose of the adjustment is to achieve a transmit power level that enables adjacent A-IoT devices to communicate with each other using backscatter, while non-adjacent A-IoT devices of the group do not communicate directly with each other.

[0133] In some embodiments, the reader may always determine that the transmit power of the activator should be adjusted in block 916. For example, the reader may be configured to always perform a power scan to determine the optimal transmit power level for neighbor discovery / sequential identification.

[0134] The reader may determine in block 916 that the transmit power of the activator should be increased or decreased based on the determined order and / or backscattered beamformed transmissions of the A-IoT devices. Alternatively, the reader may not be able to determine in which direction the transmit power should be adjusted (i.e., increased or decreased), but may only determine that some adjustment to the transmit power is required (e.g., because the determined order is clearly incorrect). In either case, the reader may determine that a power scan should be performed by the activator and select a first power level for the power scan. The power scan may be a scan of power levels above the current transmit power, a scan of power levels below the current transmit power, or a scan of power levels both above and below the current transmit power.

[0135] The reader sends a request to the activator to adjust the transmit power level in message 917. The request may, for example, request to increase or decrease the transmit power level by a predefined amount or to set the transmit power level to a predefined value (e.g., the first value of a predefined power sweep). The activator receives the request in block 918 and adjusts its transmit power level in accordance with the request in block 918.

[0136] Thereafter, blocks 901 to 915 (corresponding to Figure 3 The actions of blocks 301 to 315) are repeated in block 919 using the new transmit power level of the activator.

[0137] Then, in block 920, the reader compares the newly determined (placement) order of the A-IoT devices with the previously determined (placement) order of the A-IoT devices. If the order does not match, the actions described in conjunction with blocks 917 to 920 are repeated until two consecutive determined placement orders match ( Figure 9 not shown).

[0138] Although Figure 9 The process is based on Figure 3 The process is discussed, but it should be understood that the steps combining element 916 to element 920 can be similarly combined Figure 4 An alternative process is implemented.

[0139] The above text uses Figures 3 to 9 The blocks, related functions, and information exchanges described are not in absolute chronological order, and some of them may be executed simultaneously or in an order different from the given order. Other functions may also be executed between or within the blocks, related functions, and information exchanges, and other information may be sent and / or other rules may be applied. Some blocks or parts of blocks or one or more pieces of information may also be excluded or replaced by corresponding blocks or parts of blocks or one or more pieces of information.

[0140] The embodiment provides at least the following technical advantages:

[0141] - Increased coverage from A-IoT devices Type A or Type B to readers

[0142] - The reader does not directly participate in the group configuration, and therefore, the process of an embodiment may be used when the reader is unable to decode the signal from a single A-IoT device due to insufficient SNR during configuration.

[0143] - Significant reduction in required beam scanning combinations / configurations, especially for a large number of A-IoT devices in a group and / or a large number of phase settings.

[0144] - Groups are not preconfigured at packaging manufacturing time; dynamic grouping occurs during label counting.

[0145] - Easier to retrofit label deployment on existing packaging

[0146] Figure 10 An apparatus 1001 according to some embodiments is provided. Specifically, Figure 10 The device 1001 included in the device group (eg, an A-IoT device included in the A-IoT device group) may be illustrated. Figure 10 A reader (also referred to as a reader device) or an activator (also referred to as an activator device) may be illustrated. The apparatus 1001 may be Figure 2 A-IoT device 205 to A-IoT device 208, Figure 2 Activator 201 or Figure 2 Any one of the readers 202.

[0147] The apparatus 1001 may include one or more communication control circuit systems 1020, such as at least one processor, and at least one memory 1030, including one or more algorithms 1031 (instructions), such as computer program code (software), wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code (software) are configured to, using the at least one processor, cause the apparatus 1001 to perform any of the example functions of the apparatus described above (e.g., an A-IoT device, an activator, or a reader). The at least one memory 1030 may also include at least one database 1032.

[0148] When one or more communication control circuit systems 1020 include more than one processor, the device 1001 can be a distributed device in which the processing of tasks occurs in more than one physical unit. Each processor in the at least one processor may include one or more processor cores. The processing core may include, for example, a Cortex-A8 processing core manufactured by ARM Holdings, or a Zen processing core designed by Advanced Micro Devices Corporation. The one or more communication control circuit systems 1020 may include at least one Qualcomm Snapdragon and / or Intel Atom processor. The one or more communication control circuit systems 1020 may include at least one application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The one or more control circuit systems 1020 may include at least one field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0149] refer to Figure 10 The one or more communication control circuit systems 1020 of the device 1001 are configured to use one or more separate circuit systems by means of Figures 2 to 9 Any of to perform the functions of the above-mentioned A-IoT device, reader or activator. According to different embodiments, it is also feasible to use a dedicated integrated circuit (such as ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit)) or other components and devices to implement the functions.

[0150] refer to Figure 10 , the device 1001 may also include different interfaces (I / F) 1010, such as one or more communication interfaces, including hardware and / or software for implementing communication connectivity according to one or more communication protocols. The one or more communication interfaces 1010 may include, for example, at least one communication interface between the device 1001 and one or more A-IoT devices. If the device 1001 is an activator or a reader, the one or more communication interfaces 1010 may include at least one communication interface between the device 1001 and the reader or the activator, respectively.

[0151] The one or more communication interfaces 1010 may include standard well-known components such as amplifiers, filters, frequency converters, (de)modulators, and encoder / decoder circuitry controlled by corresponding control units, and one or more antennas. The apparatus 1001 may also include one or more user interfaces.

[0152] refer to Figure 10 , memory 1030 may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory.

[0153] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) a hardware circuit implementation alone, such as an implementation in analog and / or digital circuitry alone, and (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software (and / or firmware), such as, as applicable: (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware, and (ii) any portion of a hardware processor(s) with software, including digital signal processor(s), software, and memory(s), that work together to enable an apparatus (such as a terminal device or access node) to perform various functions, and (c) hardware circuitry and processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or a portion of microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but that software may not be present when the software is not required for operation. This definition of "circuitry" applies to all uses of this term in this application, including any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware.

[0154] In an embodiment, combining Figures 3 to 9 At least some of the processes described may be performed by an apparatus comprising corresponding components for performing at least some of the described processes. Some example components for performing the processes may include at least one of the following: a detector, a processor (including dual-core processors and multi-core processors), a digital signal processor, a controller, a receiver, a transmitter, an encoder, a decoder, a memory, RAM, ROM, software, firmware, a display, a user interface, a display circuit system, a user interface circuit system, a user interface software, a display software, a circuit, a filter (low pass, high pass, band pass and / or band stop), a sensor, a circuit system, an inverter, a capacitor, an inductor, a resistor, an operational amplifier, a diode, and a transistor. In one embodiment, at least one processor, a memory, and a computer program code form a processing component or include one or more computer program code portions for performing the processing according to Figures 3 to 9 Any one of the embodiments or its operations performs one or more operations.In some embodiments, at least some processes can be implemented using discrete components.

[0155] The described embodiments may also be implemented in whole or at least in part in the form of a computer process defined by a computer program or parts thereof. Figures 3 to 9Any embodiment of the method described in can be performed by executing at least a portion of a computer program including corresponding instructions. The computer program can be provided as a computer-readable medium including program instructions stored thereon, or as a non-transitory computer-readable medium including program instructions stored thereon. The computer program can be in source code form, object code form, or some intermediate form, and the computer program can be stored in a carrier, which can be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. For example, the computer program can be stored on a computer program distribution medium readable by a computer or processor. For example, the computer program medium can be, for example, but not limited to, a recording medium, a computer memory, a read-only memory, an electrical carrier signal, a telecommunications signal, and a software distribution package. The computer program medium can be a non-transitory medium. The coding of the software for performing the shown and described embodiments is well within the scope of those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0156] The term "non-transitory" as used herein is a restriction on the medium itself (ie, tangible, rather than a signal), rather than a restriction on the persistence of data storage (eg, RAM versus ROM).

[0157] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present solution. Thus, the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" appearing in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0158] As used herein, for convenience, multiple projects, structural elements, constituent elements, and / or materials can be presented in a public list. However, the list should be interpreted as if each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Therefore, in the absence of contrary instructions, the individual members in such a list should not be interpreted as the de facto equivalents of any other members in the same list based solely on their presentation in the public group. In addition, the various embodiments and examples of the present solution can be cited in this article together with the alternatives for its various components. It should be understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives should not be interpreted as de facto equivalents of each other, but should be regarded as the separation and autonomous representation of the present solution.

[0159] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the examples according to the accompanying drawings, it is clear that the embodiments are not limited thereto, but can be modified in various ways within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, all words and expressions should be interpreted broadly, and they are intended to illustrate rather than limit the embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, as technology advances, the concepts of the present invention can be implemented in various ways. In addition, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the embodiments can (but not necessarily) be combined with other embodiments in various ways.

[0160] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide the following examples.

[0161] Example 1. A first device comprising:

[0162] at least one processor; and

[0163] at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device to at least perform:

[0164] A sequence identification request for group beamforming for a group of devices including the first device is received from a second device, wherein the sequence identification request includes at least one of an indication to randomize a backscatter response time of the first device or a backscatter group identifier for the group.

[0165] Example 2. The first apparatus of example 1, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus to perform:

[0166] In response to receiving the sequence identification request, determining a sequence number of the first device within the group; and

[0167] As part of the group beamforming, a backscatter signal is sent to a third device based on the sequence number of the first device.

[0168] Example 3. The first apparatus of Example 1 or 2, wherein the sequential identification request comprises the indication to randomize the backscatter response time of the first apparatus and an allowed time range for the randomized backscatter response time.

[0169] Example 4. The first apparatus of any preceding example, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus to, upon receiving an activation signal from the second apparatus, perform the following:

[0170] - performing neighbor discovery to discover one or two neighboring devices of the first device;

[0171] - communicating with the one or two neighboring devices to perform sequence identification based on the sequence identification request to determine the order of the devices within the device group; and - in response to receiving a trigger for a grouped backscatter response from the second device or another device, performing beamforming based on the order of the devices within the device group using one or more devices in the group to backscatter a beamforming signal to a third device.

[0172] Example 5. The first apparatus of Example 4, wherein the received sequential identification request and the backscattered beamforming signal include the backscatter group identifier.

[0173] Example 6. The first apparatus of example 4 or 5, wherein communicating with the one or two neighboring apparatuses to perform the sequential identification comprises:

[0174] determining a sequence number for the first device within the group of devices based on the neighbor discovery and zero signals, one signal, or two signals received from one or two neighboring devices of the first device, wherein each of the zero signals, one signal, or two signals includes: a sequence number of the sending neighboring device and / or a sequence number to be set for the first device;

[0175] setting the sequence number of the first device;

[0176] backscattering at least one signal including the sequence number set for the first device and / or the sequence number to be set for the neighboring device to at least one of the one or two neighboring devices; and

[0177] In response to receiving a signal from a neighboring device, resetting the sequence number of the first device based on the received sequence number, the signal including the sequence number of the neighboring device that is inconsistent with the set sequence number of the first device, or including any sequence number and an identifier of the target device that matches the identifier of the first device.

[0178] Example 7. The first apparatus of any one of Examples 4 to 6, wherein the communicating with the one or two neighboring apparatuses to perform the sequential identification comprises:

[0179] In response to only one device being adjacent to the first device based on the neighbor discovery, setting a sequence number of the first device equal to 1 and backscattering a first signal including the sequence number of the first device to the one neighboring device.

[0180] Example 8. The first apparatus of Example 7, wherein communicating with the one or two neighboring apparatuses to perform the sequential identification comprises:

[0181] In response to two devices based on the neighbor discovery being adjacent to the first device, and also in response to receiving a second signal including the same or different sequence numbers from one or both of the two adjacent devices, setting the sequence number of the first device equal to the received sequence number plus one, or the larger of the two received different sequence numbers plus one, and backscattering a third signal including the sequence number of the first device or the sequence number to be set for the target adjacent device.

[0182] Example 9. The first apparatus of Example 8, wherein

[0183] If the second signal is received from only one of the two neighboring devices, backscattering the third signal including the sequence number of the first device to at least the other of the two neighboring devices, and / or

[0184] backscattering the third signal including the sequence number of the first device to at least one of the two neighboring devices having a lower sequence number if the second signal is received from both of the two neighboring devices and the received sequence numbers are different, and / or

[0185] If the second signal is received from both of the two neighboring devices and the received sequence numbers are the same, backscattering the third signal to one of the two neighboring devices selected randomly or one of the two neighboring devices deterministically selected according to a predefined rule, wherein the third signal sent to the one of the two neighboring devices includes the sequence number to be set for the target neighboring device, which is equal to the sequence number of the first device plus one, and an identifier of the one of the two neighboring devices targeted by the third signal.

[0186] Example 10. The first apparatus of Example 8 or 9, wherein the communicating with the one or two neighboring apparatuses to perform the sequential identification comprises:

[0187] in response to receiving a fourth signal from one of the one or two neighboring devices, the fourth signal including any sequence number and an identifier of a target device that matches the identifier of the first device, resetting the sequence number of the first device to be equal to the received sequence number;

[0188] in response to receiving a fourth signal from one of the one or two neighboring devices, the fourth signal including a sequence number higher than the set sequence number of the first device plus one and lacking an identifier of a target device, resetting the sequence number of the first device to be equal to the received sequence number plus one; and

[0189] If the one or two neighboring apparatuses include two neighboring apparatuses, a fifth signal including the sequence number of the first device is backscattered to at least the neighboring apparatus from which the fourth signal was not received.

[0190] Example 11. The first apparatus of any one of Examples 4 to 10, wherein the signals associated with the sequence identifications each include an identifier of a transmitting apparatus in the group.

[0191] Example 12. The first apparatus of any one of Examples 4 to 11, wherein the performing of the neighbor discovery comprises:

[0192] backscattering a first neighbor discovery signal including the identifier of the first device using a randomized backscatter response time; and

[0193] A second neighbor discovery signal including an identifier of the transmitting device is received from each of the one or two neighboring devices.

[0194] Example 13. The first apparatus of any of Examples 4 to 12, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the first apparatus, upon receiving the activation signal from the second apparatus, to:

[0195] receiving one or more signals from the one or two neighboring devices, wherein the one or more signals include a sequence number and an identifier of one or more devices in the group;

[0196] If the first device has two neighboring devices, forwarding all or at least some of the one or more signals to the other neighboring devices, and

[0197] A signal including the sequence number of the first device and an identifier of the first device is sent to one or both of the one or two neighboring devices for sharing the sequence number of the first device with the group.

[0198] Example 14. The first apparatus of Example 13, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus to perform:

[0199] storing the order of the devices within the device group in the at least one memory; and

[0200] Information about the order is included in the beamforming signal.

[0201] Example 15. A first device according to any one of Examples 4 to 14, wherein the beamforming signal includes grouped data, the grouped data being predefined data stored to at least one memory of each of the devices in the group, or data measured by at least one of the devices in the group.

[0202] Example 16. The first apparatus according to any preceding example, wherein the first apparatus comprises an ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) device, or is an ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) device, and the group is an A-IoT device group.

[0203] Example 17. The first apparatus of Example 16, wherein the group of A-IoT devices is a group arranged in a linear array.

[0204] Example 18. A second apparatus according to any preceding example, comprising:

[0205] at least one processor; and

[0206] at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second device to at least perform:

[0207] sending a sequence identification request for group beamforming for the group of devices to a group of devices, wherein the sequence identification request includes at least one of: an indication to randomize backscatter response time, or a backscatter group identifier for the group;

[0208] sending an activation signal to the group of devices; and

[0209] Send a trigger for the packetized backscatter response.

[0210] Example 19. The second apparatus of Example 18, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus to perform:

[0211] As part of the sequential identification request, or in a separate message following the sequential identification request, the allowed time ranges for the randomized backscatter response times are sent to the group of devices.

[0212] Example 20. The second apparatus of any of Examples 18 to 19, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus to, prior to the sending of the trigger for a grouped backscatter response, perform:

[0213] receiving, from a third device, a request to adjust a transmit power level of the second device;

[0214] adjusting a transmit power level of the second apparatus based on the request; and

[0215] The sending of the backscatter group identifier and the sending of the activation signal for the group of devices are repeated.

[0216] Example 21. The second apparatus of any one of Examples 18 to 20, wherein the second apparatus comprises or is an activator, and the group of apparatuses is a group of A-IoT devices arranged in a linear array.

[0217] Example 22. A third apparatus comprising:

[0218] at least one processor; and

[0219] at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the third device to at least perform:

[0220] determining an order of the devices within a group of devices by listening for order-identifying backscatter communications between the devices, and receiving a backscatter beamforming signal from the group of devices, the backscatter beamforming signal including at least a backscatter group identifier for the group; or

[0221] A backscatter beamforming signal is received from a group of devices, the backscatter beamforming signal including at least a backscatter group identifier of the group and an order of the devices within the group.

[0222] Example 23. The third apparatus of Example 22, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the third apparatus to perform:

[0223] 1) sending a request to a second device for adjusting a transmit power level of the second device for illuminating the group of devices with an activation signal;

[0224] 2) repeating said determining of said order of said devices and said receiving of said backscatter beamforming signal including said backscatter group identifier of said group, or said receiving of said backscatter beamforming signal including said backscatter group identifier of said group and said order of devices within said group;

[0225] 3) comparing the new order of the devices with the previous order of the devices; and

[0226] Repeat steps 1) to 3) until the new sequence matches the previous sequence.

[0227] Example 24. A third apparatus according to Example 22 or 23, wherein the beamforming signal comprises grouped data, the grouped data being predefined data stored to at least one memory of each of the apparatuses in the group, or data measured by at least one of the apparatuses in the group.

[0228] Example 25. The third apparatus of any one of Examples 22 to 24, wherein the third apparatus comprises or is a reader, and the group of apparatuses is a group of A-IoT devices arranged in a linear array.

[0229] Industrial Applicability

[0230] At least some embodiments have industrial applications in wireless communications.

Claims

1. A first apparatus for communication, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device to at least perform: A sequence identification request is received from a second device, the sequence identification request being group beamformed for a group of devices including the first device, wherein the sequence identification request includes at least one of: an indication to randomize a backscatter response time of the first device, or a backscatter group identifier for the group.

2. The first device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the first device to execute: In response to receiving the sequence identification request, determining a sequence number of the first device within the group; and As part of the group beamforming, a backscatter signal is sent to a third device based on the sequence number of the first device.

3. The first device of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the first device to, upon receiving an activation signal from the second device, perform the following: - performing neighbor discovery to discover one or two neighboring devices of the first device; - communicating with the one or two neighboring devices to perform sequence identification based on the sequence identification request to determine the sequence of devices within the device group; as well as - In response to receiving a trigger for a grouped backscatter response from the second device or another device, performing beamforming with one or more devices in the group based on an order of devices within the group of devices to backscatter a beamformed signal to a third device.

4. The first device according to claim 3, wherein the communicating with the one or two neighboring devices to perform the sequential identification comprises: determining a sequence number for the first device within the group of devices based on the neighbor discovery and zero signals, one signal, or two signals received from one or two neighboring devices of the first device, wherein each of the zero signals, one signal, or two signals includes: a sequence number of the sending neighboring device and / or a sequence number to be set for the first device; setting the sequence number of the first device; backscattering at least one signal including the sequence number set for the first device and / or the sequence number to be set for the neighboring device to at least one of the one or two neighboring devices; and In response to receiving a signal from a neighboring device, resetting the sequence number of the first device based on the received sequence number, the signal including the sequence number of the neighboring device that is inconsistent with the set sequence number of the first device, or including any sequence number and an identifier of the target device that matches the identifier of the first device.

5. The first device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the communicating with the one or two neighboring devices for performing the sequential identification comprises: In response to only one device being adjacent to the first device based on the neighbor discovery, setting a sequence number of the first device equal to 1 and backscattering a first signal including the sequence number of the first device to the one neighboring device.

6. The first device according to claim 5, wherein the communicating with the one or two neighboring devices to perform the sequential identification comprises: In response to two devices based on the neighbor discovery being adjacent to the first device, and also in response to receiving a second signal including the same or different sequence numbers from one or both of the two adjacent devices, setting the sequence number of the first device equal to the received sequence number plus one, or the larger of the two received different sequence numbers plus one, and backscattering a third signal including the sequence number of the first device or the sequence number to be set for the target adjacent device.

7. The first device according to claim 6, wherein: If the second signal is received from only one of the two neighboring devices, backscattering the third signal including the sequence number of the first device to at least the other of the two neighboring devices, and / or backscattering the third signal including the sequence number of the first device to at least one of the two neighboring devices having a lower sequence number if the second signal is received from both of the two neighboring devices and the received sequence numbers are different, and / or If the second signal is received from both of the two neighboring devices and the received sequence numbers are the same, backscattering the third signal to one of the two neighboring devices selected randomly or one of the two neighboring devices deterministically selected according to a predefined rule, wherein the third signal sent to the one of the two neighboring devices includes the sequence number to be set for the target neighboring device, which is equal to the sequence number of the first device plus one, and an identifier of the one of the two neighboring devices targeted by the third signal.

8. The first device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the communicating with the one or two neighboring devices to perform the sequential identification comprises: in response to receiving a fourth signal from one of the one or two neighboring devices, the fourth signal including any sequence number and an identifier of a target device that matches the identifier of the first device, resetting the sequence number of the first device to be equal to the received sequence number; in response to receiving a fourth signal from one of the one or two neighboring devices, the fourth signal including a sequence number higher than the set sequence number of the first device plus one and lacking an identifier of a target device, resetting the sequence number of the first device to be equal to the received sequence number plus one; as well as If the one or two neighboring apparatuses include two neighboring apparatuses, a fifth signal including the sequence number of the first device is backscattered to at least the neighboring apparatus from which the fourth signal was not received.

9. The first apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the performing of the neighbor discovery comprises: backscattering a first neighbor discovery signal including the identifier of the first device using a randomized backscatter response time; as well as A second neighbor discovery signal including an identifier of the transmitting device is received from each of the one or two neighboring devices.

10. The first device according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the first device to, upon receiving the activation signal from the second device, execute: receiving one or more signals from the one or two neighboring devices, wherein the one or more signals include a sequence number and an identifier of one or more devices in the group; If the first device has two neighboring devices, forwarding all or at least some of the one or more signals to the other neighboring devices, and A signal including the sequence number of the first device and an identifier of the first device is sent to one or both of the one or two neighboring devices for sharing the sequence number of the first device with the group.

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