Techniques for distance scanning in near field region of reconfigurable smart surface

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. Techniques described herein provide a network entity for determining a beam focusing distance of a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) for a user equipment (UE) located in a near field area of the RIS. Reference signals for different test beam focusing distances within the near field region of the RIS may be used to determine the beam focusing distance. The test beam may have the same angular direction from the RIS to the UE. The test beam may have a beam focus distance selected from a set of beam focus distances within the near-field region of the RIS.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 189,951, filed March 24, 2023, entitled “TECHNIQUES FORDISTANCE SCANNING IN A NEAR FIELD REGION OF A RECONFIGURABLE INTELLIGENTSURFACE”, which is assigned to the assignee of this application and is expressly incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates, for example, to wireless communication, and more specifically to techniques for distance scanning in the near-field region of a reconfigurable smart surface. Background Technology

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, message sending and receiving, broadcasting, and so on. These systems may be able to support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple access systems include fourth-generation (4G) systems (such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-A Advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems) and fifth-generation (5G) systems (which may be referred to as New Radio (NR) systems). These systems may employ technologies such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), or Discrete Fourier Transform Extended Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple access communication system may include one or more base stations, each supporting wireless communication for communication devices, which may be referred to as User Equipment (UE). Summary of the Invention

[0004] The described technology relates to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses for supporting distance scanning in the near-field region of a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS). The RIS may also be referred to as a metasurface, an intelligent reflective surface (IRS), or a reflective array. For example, the described technology provides a network entity for determining a beam-focusing distance for a user equipment (UE) located in the near-field region of the RIS. The beam-focusing distance can be determined using reference signals for different test beam-focusing distances within the near-field region of the RIS. The network entity can transmit a set of reference signals to the RIS. The RIS can direct the reference signals to the UE via a set of beams having the same angular direction to the UE. The beams can have beam-focusing distances selected from a set of beam-focusing distances within the near-field region of the RIS. The UE can receive the set of reference signals from the RIS and can transmit a reference signal received power (RSRP) measurement corresponding to the set of reference signals to the network entity (e.g., via the RIS). The network entity can determine the beam-focusing distance for the UE as the beam-focusing distance associated with the highest RSRP.

[0005] A method for wireless communication at a RIS is described. The method may include: receiving a set of reference signals; directing the set of reference signals to a user equipment (UE) via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances in the near-field region of the RIS; and receiving measurements from the UE for the set of reference signals.

[0006] An apparatus for wireless communication at a RIS is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions are executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receive a set of reference signals; direct the set of reference signals to a UE via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances in the near-field region of the RIS; and receive measurements from the UE for the set of reference signals.

[0007] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a RIS is described. The apparatus may include: components for receiving a set of reference signals; components for directing the set of reference signals to a UE via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances in the near-field region of the RIS; and components for receiving measurements of the set of reference signals from the UE.

[0008] A non-transitory computer-readable medium is described, storing code for wireless communication at a RIS (Reference Signal Provider). The code may include instructions executable by a processor to: receive a set of reference signals; direct the set of reference signals to a UE via a set of beams, each beam having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances in the near-field region of the RIS; and receive measurements from the UE for the set of reference signals.

[0009] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and nontransitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for sending the measurement to the reference signal set to a network entity.

[0010] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and nontransitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving an indication of beam-focusing distance for the UE from a network entity based on the measurement.

[0011] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and nontransitory computer-readable media described herein, the beam-focusing distance set includes varying distance increments.

[0012] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and nontransitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving a first control signaling from a network entity indicating the angular direction of the beam set.

[0013] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and nontransitory computer-readable media described herein, guiding the set of reference signals via the set of beams may include operations, features, components, or instructions for guiding the set of beams in the angular direction.

[0014] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and nontransitory computer-readable media described herein, guiding the set of reference signals via the set of beams may include operations, features, components, or instructions for obtaining the set of beam focusing distances from a codebook.

[0015] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and nontransitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving a third control signaling from a network entity that indicates a phase matrix, wherein the phase matrix indicates the angular direction of the beam set.

[0016] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and nontransitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for sending control signaling to a network entity indicating the attributes of the RIS.

[0017] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and nontransitory computer-readable media described herein, the beam set may include operations, features, components, or instructions for: a first beam having a first beam focusing distance and a second beam having a second beam focusing distance.

[0018] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and nontransitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving a second control signaling from a network entity indicating the set of beam focusing distances.

[0019] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and nontransitory computer-readable media described herein, the second control signaling indicates the set of beam-focusing distances from the codebook.

[0020] A method for wireless communication at a network entity is described. The method may include: transmitting a set of reference signals to a Reference Component (RIS) for the RIS to guide a UE via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances within the near-field region of the RIS; receiving a measurement from the UE for the set of reference signals; and transmitting an indication of a beam focusing distance for the UE to the RIS based on the measurement.

[0021] An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions are executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: transmit a set of reference signals to a RIS for guiding the RIS toward a UE via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances in the near-field region of the RIS; receive a measurement from the UE for the set of reference signals; and transmit an indication of the beam focusing distance for the UE to the RIS based on the measurement.

[0022] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity is described. The apparatus may include: means for transmitting a set of reference signals to a RIS for guiding the RIS toward a UE via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances in the near-field region of the RIS; means for receiving measurements from the UE of the set of reference signals; and means for transmitting an indication of the beam focusing distance toward the UE to the RIS based on the measurements.

[0023] A non-transitory computer-readable medium is described, storing code for wireless communication at a network entity. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to: transmit a set of reference signals to a RIS for the RIS to guide a UE via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam-focusing distance selected from a set of beam-focusing distances in the near-field region of the RIS; receive a measurement from the UE for the set of reference signals; and transmit an indication to the RIS of the beam-focusing distance for the UE based on the measurement.

[0024] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and nontransitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for performing: receiving control signaling from the RIS indicating an attribute of the RIS, wherein the beam focusing distance for the UE is based on that attribute of the RIS.

[0025] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and nontransitory computer-readable media described herein, the beam-focusing distance set includes varying distance increments.

[0026] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and nontransitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for sending a first control signaling to the RIS indicating the angular direction of the beam set.

[0027] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and nontransitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for sending a second control signaling to the RIS indicating the set of beam focusing distances.

[0028] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and nontransitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for performing: receiving control signaling from the RIS that indicates an attribute of the RIS, wherein the beam focusing distance set may be based on that attribute of the RIS.

[0029] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and nontransitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for sending control signaling to the RIS that indicates a phase matrix, wherein the phase matrix indicates the angular direction of the beam set.

[0030] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and nontransitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving a measurement for the set of reference signals may include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving a set of RSRP values ​​corresponding to the set of reference signals.

[0031] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and nontransitory computer-readable media described herein, the beam set may include operations, features, components, or instructions for: a first beam having a first beam focusing distance and a second beam having a second beam focusing distance.

[0032] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and nontransitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving a measurement for the reference signal set may include operations, features, components, or instructions for: receiving a first RSRP value associated with the first beam and a second RSRP value associated with the second beam; calculating the difference between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value; and identifying the beam focusing distance for the UE based on a comparison of the difference with an incremental RSRP grid.

[0033] A method for wireless communication at a UE is described. The method may include: receiving a set of reference signals from a RIS via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances in the near-field region of the RIS; and transmitting measurements for the set of reference signals to a network entity.

[0034] An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions can be executed by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receive a set of reference signals from a RIS via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances in the near-field region of the RIS; and transmit measurements for the set of reference signals to a network entity.

[0035] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include: components for receiving a set of reference signals from a RIS via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances within the near-field region of the RIS; and components for transmitting measurements of the set of reference signals to a network entity.

[0036] A non-transitory computer-readable medium is described, storing code for wireless communication at a UE. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to: receive a set of reference signals from a RIS via a set of beams, each beam having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances within the near-field region of the RIS; and transmit measurements for the set of reference signals to a network entity.

[0037] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and nontransitory computer-readable media described herein, transmitting the measurement for the reference signal set may include operations, features, components, or instructions for transmitting a set of RSRP values ​​corresponding to the reference signal set.

[0038] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and nontransitory computer-readable media described herein, the beam-focusing distance set includes varying distance increments.

[0039] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and nontransitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving the set of reference signals via the set of beams may include operations, features, components, or instructions for: receiving a first reference signal via a first beam having a first beam focusing distance and receiving a second reference signal via a second beam having a second beam focusing distance.

[0040] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and nontransitory computer-readable media described herein, transmitting the measurement for the set of reference signals may include operations, features, components, or instructions for transmitting a first RSRP value associated with the first reference signal and a second RSRP value associated with the second reference signal. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Figure 1 Examples of wireless communication systems supporting techniques for range scanning in the near-field region of a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) are shown, according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0042] Figure 2 Examples of wireless communication systems supporting range scanning techniques in the near-field region of RIS are shown, according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0043] Figure 3 Examples of wireless communication systems supporting range scanning techniques in the near-field region of RIS are shown, according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0044] Figure 4 Examples of wireless communication systems supporting range scanning techniques in the near-field region of RIS are shown, according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0045] Figure 5 Examples of process flows supporting techniques for distance scanning in the near-field region of RIS according to various aspects of this disclosure are shown.

[0046] Figure 6 and Figure 7 A block diagram of an apparatus supporting a technique for distance scanning in the near-field region of a RIS, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0047] Figure 8 A block diagram of a communication manager supporting a technique for distance scanning in the near-field region of a RIS, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0048] Figure 9 A diagram illustrating a system of devices including those supporting distance scanning techniques in the near-field region for RIS, according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0049] Figure 10 and Figure 11 A block diagram of an apparatus supporting a technique for distance scanning in the near-field region of a RIS, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0050] Figure 12 A block diagram of a communication manager supporting a technique for distance scanning in the near-field region of a RIS, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0051] Figure 13 A diagram illustrating a system of devices including those supporting distance scanning techniques in the near-field region for RIS, according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0052] Figure 14 and Figure 15 A block diagram of an apparatus supporting a technique for distance scanning in the near-field region of a RIS, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0053] Figure 16 A block diagram of a communication manager supporting a technique for distance scanning in the near-field region of a RIS, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0054] Figure 17 A diagram illustrating a system of devices including those supporting distance scanning techniques in the near-field region for RIS, according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0055] Figures 18 to 21 A flowchart illustrating a method for supporting distance scanning techniques in the near-field region of a RIS, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0056] Some wireless communication systems implement reconfigurable smart surfaces (RIS) to guide signaling toward user equipment (UE). RIS can be an array of passive or active and reconfigurable reflective elements. RIS may also be referred to as metasurfaces, smart reflective surfaces (IRS), or reflective arrays. RIS guides signaling by adjusting the reflective elements to direct received signals toward the UE. Implementing RIS in a wireless communication system can improve spectral efficiency by bypassing obstacles via new multi-link paths used for signaling. For communication with a UE located in the near-field region of the RIS, the received power at any point in the near-field region of the RIS is a function of the angle and distance to the UE. The boundary of the near-field region of the RIS can be defined by L = ... in the classical Fraunhofer equation. Given, where D is the maximum size of the RIS and λ is the wavelength of the reflected signal. Beam focusing can be used to improve the link quality of near-field communication on the RIS auxiliary link. For example, the RIS beam (e.g., the beam reflected by the RIS) can be focused based on the angle and distance from the RIS to the UE. High received power in the near-field region of the RIS can be useful for some applications other than wireless communication, such as wireless power delivery and wireless charging. In the near-field region of the RIS, high power is concentrated at the focal point and attenuates rapidly with distance from the RIS. To obtain high received power at the UE, beam focusing may involve an accurate estimation of the focusing distance of the UE from the RIS.

[0057] A network entity can determine the beam-focusing distance for a UE located in the near-field region of a RIS to provide high received power at the UE. The beam-focusing distance can be determined using reference signals used for different test beam-focusing distances. The network entity can send a set of reference signals to the RIS. The RIS can direct the reference signals to the UE via a set of beams with the same angular direction. The beams can have beam-focusing distances selected from a set of beam-focusing distances within the near-field region of the RIS. The set of beam-focusing distances can be a range grid with varying distance increments. In another example, the set of beam-focusing distances can be two beam-focusing distances within the near-field region of the RIS. The network entity can send control signaling to the RIS indicating the angular direction and the set of beam-focusing distances. The UE can receive the set of reference signals from the RIS and can send a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement corresponding to the set of reference signals to the network entity (e.g., via the RIS or via a direct link between the UE and the network entity). The network entity can determine the beam-focusing distance for the UE as the beam-focusing distance associated with the highest RSRP. In some examples, network entities can determine the beam focusing distance for the UE by comparing the difference between the RSRP measurement and the incremental RSRP grid, based on RSRP measurements associated with two beam focusing distances within the near-field region of the RIS.

[0058] The aspects of this disclosure are first described in the context of a wireless communication system. Additional aspects of this disclosure are described in the context of a wireless communication system and an example process flow. Aspects of this disclosure are further illustrated by apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts relating to techniques for range scanning in the near-field region for RIS, and are described with reference to these apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts.

[0059] Figure 1 Examples of wireless communication systems 100 supporting range scanning techniques for near-field regions of RIS are shown according to various aspects of this disclosure. Wireless communication system 100 may include one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, wireless communication system 100 may be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an Advanced LTE (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, a New Radio (NR) network, or a network operating under other systems and radio technologies including future systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.

[0060] Network entity 105 may be distributed across a geographical area to form wireless communication system 100, and may include devices employing different forms or having different capabilities. In various examples, network entity 105 may be referred to as a network element, mobility element, radio access network (RAN) node, or network equipment, among other designations. In some examples, network entity 105 and UE 115 may wirelessly communicate via one or more communication links 125 (e.g., radio frequency (RF) access links). For example, network entity 105 may support coverage area 110 (e.g., a geographical coverage area) within which UE 115 and network entity 105 may establish one or more communication links 125. Coverage area 110 may be an example of a geographical area within which network entity 105 and UE 115 may support signal transmission according to one or more radio access technologies (RATs).

[0061] UE 115 can be distributed throughout the coverage area 110 of wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 can be stationary or mobile, or stationary and mobile at different times. UE 115 can be devices in different forms or with different capabilities. Figure 1 Some example UE 115s are illustrated herein. The UE 115 described herein may be able to support various types of devices, such as... Figure 1 The other UE 115 or network entity 105 shown communicates.

[0062] As described herein, nodes of the wireless communication system 100 (which may be referred to as network nodes or wireless nodes) may be network entity 105 (e.g., any network entity described herein), UE 115 (e.g., any UE described herein), network controller, apparatus, device, computing system, one or more components, or another suitable processing entity configured to perform any of the techniques described herein. For example, a node may be UE 115. Alternatively, a node may be network entity 105. Furthermore, a first node may be configured to communicate with a second or third node. In one aspect of this example, the first node may be UE 115, the second node may be network entity 105, and the third node may be UE 115. In another aspect of this example, the first node may be UE 115, the second node may be network entity 105, and the third node may be network entity 105. In other aspects of this example, the first node, the second node, and the third node may be different from these examples. Similarly, references to UE 115, network entity 105, device, equipment, computing system, etc., may include disclosures of UE 115, network entity 105, device, equipment, computing system, etc., as nodes. For example, a disclosure that UE 115 is configured to receive information from network entity 105 also discloses that a first node is configured to receive information from a second node.

[0063] In some examples, network entity 105 may communicate with core network 130, or network entity 105 may communicate with each other, or both. For example, network entity 105 may communicate with core network 130 via one or more backhaul communication links 120 (e.g., according to S1, N2, N3, or other interface protocols). In some examples, network entity 105 may communicate with each other directly (e.g., directly between network entities 105) or indirectly (e.g., via core network 130) via backhaul communication links 120 (e.g., according to X2, Xn, or other interface protocols). In some examples, network entity 105 may communicate with each other via midhaul communication link 162 (e.g., according to midhaul interface protocol) or fronthaul communication link 168 (e.g., according to fronthaul interface protocol) or any combination thereof. Backhaul communication link 120, midhaul communication link 162, or fronthaul communication link 168 may be or include one or more wired links (e.g., electrical links, fiber optic links), one or more wireless links (e.g., radio links, wireless optical links), etc., or various combinations thereof. UE 115 can communicate with core network 130 via communication link 155.

[0064] One or more network entities in network entity 105 described herein may include or be referred to as base station 140 (e.g., transceiver base station, radio base station, NR base station, access point, radio transceiver, node B, eNodeB (eNB), next-generation node B or gigabit node B (any of which may be referred to as gNB), 5G NB, next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), home node B, home evolution node B, or other suitable terms). In some examples, network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140) may be implemented in an aggregated (e.g., monolithic, standalone) base station architecture that may be configured to utilize a protocol stack physically or logically integrated within a single network entity 105 (e.g., a single RAN node, such as base station 140).

[0065] In some examples, network entity 105 may be implemented in a decomposed architecture (e.g., a decomposed base station architecture, a decomposed RAN architecture) that can be configured to utilize protocol stacks physically or logically distributed across two or more network entities 105 (such as an Integrated Access Backhaul (IAB) network, an Open RAN (O-RAN) (e.g., a network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance), or a Virtualized RAN (vRAN) (e.g., a Cloud RAN (C-RAN)). For example, network entity 105 may include one or more of the following: a Central Unit (CU) 160, a Distributed Unit (DU) 165, a Radio Unit (RU) 170, a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) 175 (e.g., a near-real-time RIC, a non-real-time RIC), a Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) 180 system, or any combination thereof. 170 may also be referred to as a radio headend, intelligent radio headend, remote radio headend (RRH), remote radio unit (RRU), or transmit / receive point (TRP). One or more components of network entity 105 in a decomposed RAN architecture may be co-located, or one or more components of network entity 105 may be located in distributed locations (e.g., separate physical locations). In some examples, one or more network entities 105 in a decomposed RAN architecture may be implemented as virtual units (e.g., virtual CU (VCU), virtual DU (VDU), virtual RU (VRU)).

[0066] The functional splitting among CU 160, DU 165, and RU 170 is flexible and can support different functionalities depending on which functions (e.g., network layer functions, protocol layer functions, baseband functions, RF functions, and any combination thereof) are performed at CU 160, DU 165, or RU 170. For example, a protocol stack functional splitting can be used between CU 160 and DU 165, allowing CU 160 to support one or more layers of the protocol stack, and DU 165 to support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. In some examples, CU 160 can host higher protocol layer (e.g., Layer 3 (L3), Layer 2 (L2)) functionalities and signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC), Serving Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP)). CU 160 can connect to one or more DU 165 or RU 170, and one or more DU 165 or RU 170 can host lower protocol layers, such as Layer 1 (L1) (e.g., Physical (PHY) layer) or L2 (e.g., Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, Medium Access Control (MAC) layer) functionality and signaling, and each can be at least partially controlled by CU 160. Additionally or alternatively, a protocol stack functional split can be employed between DU 165 and RU 170, such that DU 165 can support one or more layers of the protocol stack, and RU 170 can support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. DU 165 can support one or more different cells (e.g., via one or more RU 170). In some cases, functional decomposition between CU 160 and DU 165, or between DU 165 and RU 170, can be performed within the protocol layer (e.g., some functions of the protocol layer can be performed by one of CU 160, DU 165, or RU 170, while other functions of the protocol layer can be performed by different of CU 160, DU 165, or RU 170). CU 160 can be further functionally decomposed into CU control plane (CU-CP) and CU user plane (CU-UP) functions. CU 160 can be connected to one or more DU 165 via midhaul communication link 162 (e.g., F1, F1-c, F1-u), and DU 165 can be connected to one or more RU 170 via fronthaul communication link 168 (e.g., open fronthaul (FH) interface). In some examples, the midhaul communication link 162 or the fronthaul communication link 168 may be implemented based on the interfaces (e.g., channels) between the layers of the protocol stack, which are supported by the corresponding network entities 105 communicating via such communication links.

[0067] In some wireless communication systems (e.g., wireless communication system 100), the infrastructure and spectrum resources for radio access can support wireless backhaul link capabilities to supplement wired backhaul connections, thereby providing an IAB network architecture (e.g., to core network 130). In some cases, in an IAB network, one or more network entities 105 (e.g., IAB node 104) may be partially controlled by each other. One or more IAB nodes 104 may be referred to as donor entities or IAB donors. One or more DU 165s or one or more RU 170s may be partially controlled by one or more CU 160s associated with donor network entity 105 (e.g., donor base station 140). One or more donor network entities 105 (e.g., IAB donors) may communicate with one or more additional network entities 105 (e.g., IAB node 104) via supported access and backhaul links (e.g., backhaul communication link 120). IAB node 104 may include an IAB mobile terminal (IAB-MT) controlled (e.g., scheduled) by a DU 165 of a coupled IAB donor. The IAB-MT may include a separate set of antennas for relaying communication with UE 115, or may share the same antennas (e.g., those of RU 170) for access to IAB node 104 via DU 165 of IAB node 104. (e.g., referred to as a virtual IAB-MT (vIAB-MT)). In some examples, IAB node 104 may include a DU 165 that supports communication links with additional entities (e.g., IAB node 104, UE 115) within a relay chain or configuration (e.g., downstream) of the access network. In such cases, one or more components of the decomposed RAN architecture (e.g., one or more IAB nodes 104 or components of IAB node 104) may be configured to operate according to the techniques described herein.

[0068] In the context of applying the techniques described herein to a decomposed RAN architecture, one or more components of the decomposed RAN architecture may be configured to support distance scanning techniques for near-field regions of RIS as described herein. For example, some operations described as being performed by UE 115 or network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140) may additionally or alternatively be performed by one or more components of the decomposed RAN architecture (e.g., IAB node 104, DU 165, CU 160, RU 170, RIC 175, SMO 180).

[0069] UE 115 may include or be referred to as a mobile device, wireless device, remote device, handheld device, or subscriber device, or any other suitable term, wherein "device" may also be referred to as a cell, station, terminal, or client, etc. UE 115 may also include or be referred to as a personal electronic device, such as a cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet computer, laptop computer, or personal computer. In some examples, UE 115 may include or be referred to as a wireless local loop (WLL) station, Internet of Things (IoT) device, Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or machine-type communication (MTC) device, etc., which may be implemented in various objects such as appliances or vehicles, meters, etc.

[0070] The UE 115 described herein may be able to communicate with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115 that may sometimes act as relays, as well as network entities 105 and network equipment including macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, or relay base stations, etc. Figure 1 As shown.

[0071] UE 115 and network entity 105 can wirelessly communicate with each other via one or more communication links 125 (e.g., access links) using resources associated with one or more carriers. The term "carrier" can refer to a set of RF spectrum resources having a physical layer structure defined for supporting communication link 125. For example, a carrier for communication link 125 may include a portion of the RF spectrum band (e.g., a bandwidth portion (BWP)) operating according to one or more physical layer channels for a given radio access technology (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR). Each physical layer channel may carry acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information), control signaling coordinating carrier operation, user data, or other signaling. Wireless communication system 100 may support communication with UE 115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. Depending on the carrier aggregation configuration, UE 115 may be configured with multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers. Carrier aggregation can be used for both frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD) component carriers. Communication between network entity 105 and other devices can refer to communication between these devices and any part of network entity 105 (e.g., entity, sub-entity). For example, the terms “send,” “receive,” or “communicate” when referring to network entity 105 can refer to any part of the RAN’s network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, CU 160, DU 165, RU170) communicating with another device (e.g., directly or via one or more other network entities 105).

[0072] The signal waveform transmitted via a carrier may include multiple subcarriers (e.g., using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques, such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform extended OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM)). In a system employing MCM, a resource element may refer to a resource of one symbol period (e.g., the duration of one modulation symbol) and one subcarrier, in which case the symbol period and subcarrier spacing may be inversely related. The amount of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the decoding rate of the modulation scheme, or both), such that a relatively high amount of resource elements (e.g., in the transmission duration) and a relatively high modulation scheme order may correspond to a relatively high communication rate. Wireless communication resources may refer to a combination of RF spectrum resources, temporal resources, and spatial resources (e.g., spatial layers or beams), and the use of multiple spatial resources may increase the data rate or data integrity used for communication with UE 115.

[0073] The time interval for network entity 105 or UE 115 can be expressed as a multiple of a basic time unit, such as the sampling period. seconds, of which It can represent the supported subcarrier spacing, and This can represent the supported Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) size. The time interval of the communication resources can be organized according to radio frames, each with a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)). Each radio frame can be identified by a System Frame Number (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023).

[0074] Each frame may include multiple consecutively numbered subframes or time slots, and each subframe or time slot may have the same duration. In some examples, a frame may (e.g., in the time domain) be divided into subframes, and each subframe may be further divided into a certain number of time slots. Alternatively, each frame may include variable time slots, and the number of time slots may depend on the subcarrier spacing. Each time slot may include a certain number of symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix appended to each symbol period). In some wireless communication systems 100, time slots may be further divided into multiple micro-time slots associated with one or more symbols. Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may be associated with one or more (e.g., The duration of a symbol period is associated with a (number) sampling period. The duration of a symbol period can depend on the subcarrier spacing or the operating frequency band.

[0075] A subframe, time slot, micro-time slot, or symbol can be the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 (e.g., in the time domain) and can be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In some examples, the duration of the TTI (e.g., the number of symbol periods in the TTI) can be variable. Additionally or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 can be dynamically selected (e.g., in a burst of shortened TTIs (sTTIs)).

[0076] Depending on the technology, carriers can be used to multiplex physical channels for communication. One or more of Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM), or hybrid TDM-FDM techniques can be used, for example, to multiplex physical control channels and physical data channels for signaling via a downlink carrier. The control region of the physical control channel (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET)) can be defined by a set of symbol periods and can extend across the system bandwidth of the carrier or a subset of that bandwidth. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESET) can be configured for a set of UEs 115. For example, one or more UEs in UE 115 can monitor or search control regions to obtain control information based on one or more search space sets, and each search space set can include one or more control channel candidates in one or more aggregation levels arranged in a concatenated manner. The aggregation level of control channel candidates can refer to the amount of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements (CCEs)) associated with coded information for a control information format having a given payload size. The search space set may include: a common search space set configured to transmit control information to multiple UEs 115, and a UE-specific search space set used to transmit control information to a specific UE 115.

[0077] In some examples, network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170) may be mobile, and thus provide communication coverage to mobile coverage areas 110. In some examples, different coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may overlap, but the different coverage areas 110 may be supported by the same network entity 105. In some other examples, overlapping coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may be supported by different network entities 105. The wireless communication system 100 may include, for example, a heterogeneous network in which different types of network entities 105 use the same or different radio access technologies to provide coverage for various coverage areas 110.

[0078] Wireless communication system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable communication or low-latency communication, or various combinations thereof. For example, wireless communication system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC). UE 115 may be designed to support ultra-reliable or low-latency or critical functions. Ultra-reliable communication may include private or group communication and may be supported by one or more services, such as push-to-talk, video, or data. Support for ultra-reliable, low-latency functions may include prioritization of services, and such services may be used for public safety or general business applications. The terms “ultra-reliable,” “low-latency,” and “ultra-reliable low-latency” are used interchangeably herein.

[0079] In some examples, UE 115 may be configured to support direct communication with other UE 115s via device-to-device (D2D) communication link 135 (e.g., according to peer-to-peer (P2P), D2D, or sidelink protocols). In some examples, one or more UE 115s in a group performing D2D communication may be within the coverage area 110 of network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170), which may support aspects of such D2D communication configured (e.g., scheduled by network entity 105). In some examples, one or more UE 115s in such a group may be outside the coverage area 110 of network entity 105, or may otherwise be unable or not configured to receive transmissions from network entity 105. In some examples, the group of UE 115s communicating via D2D communication may support a one-to-many (1:M) system, where each UE 115 transmits to each of the other UE 115s in the group. In some examples, network entity 105 may facilitate the scheduling of resources used for D2D communication. In other examples, D2D communication may be performed between UEs 115 without involving network entity 105.

[0080] Core network 130 provides user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. Core network 130 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC), and may include at least one control plane entity (e.g., a Mobility Management Entity (MME), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF)) for managing access and mobility, and at least one user plane entity (e.g., a Serving Gateway (S-GW), Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway (P-GW), or User Plane Function (UPF)) for routing packets or interconnecting to external networks. The control plane entity manages non-access stratum (NAS) functions, such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management of UE 115 served by network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140) associated with core network 130. User IP packets can be delivered through user plane entities, which provide IP address allocation and other functions. User plane entities may connect to one or more network operator IP services 150. IP services 150 may include access to the Internet, intranets, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or packet-switched streaming services.

[0081] Wireless communication system 100 can operate using one or more frequency bands in the range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz. The region from 300 MHz to 3 GHz is called the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band because the wavelength range is approximately 1 decimeter to 1 meter. UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features (which may be referred to as clusters), but these waves are sufficient to penetrate structures so that macrocells can provide service to UE 115 located indoors. Compared to communication using smaller frequencies and longer waves in the high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portions of the spectrum below 300 MHz, communication using UHF waves can be associated with smaller antennas and shorter ranges (e.g., less than 100 km).

[0082] Wireless communication system 100 may utilize licensed and unlicensed RF spectrum bands. For example, wireless communication system 100 may use unlicensed frequency bands (such as the 5 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band) to employ licensed assisted access (LAA), LTE unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology. When operating with unlicensed RF spectrum bands, devices such as network entity 105 and UE 115 may employ carrier sensing for collision detection and avoidance. In some examples, operation using unlicensed frequency bands may be combined with component carriers operating with licensed frequency bands based on carrier aggregation configurations (e.g., LAA). Operation using unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmission, uplink transmission, P2P transmission, or D2D transmission, etc.

[0083] Network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170) or UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas that can be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication, or beamforming. The antennas of network entity 105 or UE 115 may be located within one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels, which can support MIMO operation or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located at an antenna assembly such as an antenna tower. In some examples, the antennas or antenna arrays associated with network entity 105 may be located at different geographical locations. Network entity 105 may include an antenna array having a collection of multiple rows and columns of antenna ports that network entity 105 can use to support beamforming for communication with UE 115. Similarly, UE 115 may include one or more antenna arrays that can support various MIMO or beamforming operations. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna panel may support RF beamforming for signals transmitted via the antenna ports.

[0084] Network entity 105 or UE 115 can use MIMO communication to leverage multipath signal propagation and improve spectral efficiency by transmitting or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers. This technique is known as spatial multiplexing. The multiple signals can be transmitted, for example, by a transmitting device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Similarly, the multiple signals can be received by a receiving device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Each of the multiple signals can be referred to as a separate spatial stream and can carry information associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams (e.g., different codewords). Different spatial layers can be associated with different antenna ports used for channel measurement and reporting. MIMO techniques include: single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO), where multiple spatial layers are transmitted to the same receiving device; and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO), where multiple spatial layers are transmitted to multiple devices.

[0085] Beamforming (also known as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception) is a signal processing technique that can be used at a transmitting or receiving device (e.g., network entity 105, UE 115) to shape or guide an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam, a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting and receiving devices. Beamforming can be achieved by combining signals transmitted via antenna elements of an antenna array such that some signals propagating along a specific orientation relative to the antenna array experience constructive interference, while other signals experience destructive interference. Adjustments to the signals transmitted via the antenna elements may include applying amplitude shifts, phase shifts, or both to the signals carried via the antenna elements associated with the device. The adjustments associated with each of these antenna elements may be defined by a beamforming weight set associated with a specific orientation (e.g., relative to the antenna array of the transmitting or receiving device or relative to some other orientation).

[0086] Network entity 105 or UE 115 may use beam scanning technology as part of beamforming operations. For example, network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170) may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays (e.g., antenna panels) to perform beamforming operations for directional communication with UE 115. Some signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) may be transmitted multiple times by network entity 105 along different directions. For example, network entity 105 may transmit signals according to different beamforming weight sets associated with different transmission directions. Transmission along different beam directions may be used to identify (e.g., by a transmitting device, such as network entity 105, or by a receiving device, such as UE 115) the beam direction for later transmission or reception by network entity 105.

[0087] Some signals (such as data signals associated with a specific receiving device) may be transmitted by a transmitting device (e.g., transmitting network entity 105, transmitting UE 115) along a single beam direction (e.g., the direction associated with the receiving device (such as receiving network entity 105 or receiving UE 115). In some examples, the beam direction associated with transmission along a single beam direction may be determined based on the signals transmitted along one or more beam directions. For example, UE 115 may receive one or more signals transmitted by network entity 105 in different directions and may report to network entity 105 an indication of signals received by UE 115 with the highest signal quality or other acceptable signal quality.

[0088] In some examples, transmissions performed by a device (e.g., network entity 105 or UE 115) may be performed using multiple beam directions, and the device may use a combination of digital pre-decoding or beamforming to generate a combined beam for transmission (e.g., from network entity 105 to UE 115). UE 115 may report feedback indicating pre-decoding weights for one or more beam directions, and this feedback may correspond to a configured beam set across the system bandwidth or one or more sub-bands. Network entity 105 may transmit reference signals (e.g., cell-specific reference signals (CRS), channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS)) that may or may not be pre-decoded. UE 115 may provide feedback for beam selection, which may be a pre-decoded matrix indicator (PMI) or codebook-based feedback (e.g., multi-panel codebook, linear combination codebook, port selection codebook). Although these techniques are described with reference to signals transmitted by network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170) along one or more directions, UE 115 may use similar techniques to transmit signals multiple times along different directions (e.g., to identify the beam direction used by UE 115 for subsequent transmission or reception), or to transmit signals along a single direction (e.g., to transmit data to a receiving device).

[0089] A receiving device (e.g., UE 115) may perform reception operations according to multiple reception configurations (e.g., directional listening) when receiving various signals (such as synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) from a receiving device (e.g., network entity 105). For example, the receiving device may perform reception according to multiple reception directions by: receiving via different antenna subarrays; processing the received signals according to different antenna subarrays; receiving according to different sets of reception beamforming weights (e.g., different directional listening weights) applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of the antenna array; or processing the received signals according to different sets of reception beamforming weights applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of the antenna array, any of which may refer to “listening” according to different reception configurations or reception directions. In some examples, the receiving device may use a single reception configuration to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when a data signal is received). A single receiver configuration can be aligned along a beam direction determined based on listening in different receiver configuration directions (e.g., a beam direction determined to have the highest signal strength, highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or other acceptable signal quality based on listening in multiple beam directions).

[0090] Some wireless communication systems (such as wireless communication system 100) can implement a Reflection Array (RIS) to guide signaling toward UE 115. The RIS can be an array of passive and reconfigurable reflective elements. The RIS guides signaling by adjusting the reflective elements to guide the received signal toward the UE. Implementing the RIS in wireless communication system 100 can improve spectral efficiency by bypassing obstacles via a new multi-link path for signaling. For communication with UE 115 located in the near-field region of the RIS, the received power at any point in the near-field region of the RIS is a function of the angle and distance to UE 115. Beam focusing can be used to improve the link quality of near-field communication on the RIS auxiliary link. For example, the RIS beam (e.g., the beam reflected by the RIS) can be focused based on the angle and distance from the RIS to UE 115. High received power in the near-field region of the RIS can be useful for some applications other than wireless communication, such as wireless power delivery and wireless charging. In the near-field region of the RIS, high power is concentrated at the focal point and attenuates rapidly over distance from the RIS. To achieve high received power at UE 115, beam focusing may involve an accurate estimation of the focusing distance of UE 115 from RIS.

[0091] Network entity 105 can determine the beam focusing distance for UE 115 located in the near-field region of RIS to provide high received power at UE 115. The beam focusing distance can be determined using reference signals used for different test beam focusing distances. Network entity 105 can send a set of reference signals to RIS. RIS can direct the reference signals to UE 115 via a set of beams having the same angular direction to UE 115. The beams can have beam focusing distances selected from a set of beam focusing distances within the near-field region of RIS. The set of beam focusing distances can be a range grid with varying distance increments. In another example, the set of beam focusing distances can be two beam focusing distances within the near-field region of RIS. Network entity 105 can send control signaling to RIS indicating the angular direction and the set of beam focusing distances. UE 115 can receive the set of reference signals from RIS and can send RSRP measurements corresponding to the set of reference signals to network entity 105 (e.g., via RIS). Network entity 105 may determine the beam focusing distance for UE 115 as the beam focusing distance associated with the highest RSRP. In some examples, network entity 105 may determine the beam focusing distance for UE 115 by comparing the difference between the RSRP measurement and the incremental RSRP grid based on RSRP measurements associated with two beam focusing distances in the near-field region of RIS.

[0092] Figure 2Examples of wireless communication systems 200 supporting range scanning techniques for near-field regions of RIS according to various aspects of this disclosure are shown. In some examples, wireless communication system 200 may implement aspects of wireless communication system 100. Wireless communication system 200 may include network entity 105 and UE 115. Network entity 105 and UE 115 may be respectively as referenced herein. Figure 1 Examples of corresponding network entities 105 and UE 115 are described below. Wireless communication system 200 may include RIS 205, which can be used within wireless communication system 200 to extend coverage (e.g., around obstacles) with negligible power consumption (e.g., compared to active antenna elements). RIS 205 may include an array of passive and reconfigurable reflective surface elements 210.

[0093] In some cases, network entity 105 may communicate with UE 115 via RIS 205. In some examples, the RIS may be configured to guide or relay (e.g., reflect) signals between network entity 105 and UE 115 via a set of reflective surface elements 210. For example, RIS 205 may be configured to guide signals between network entity 105 and UE 115 using one or more communication links. For example, network entity 105 may communicate with UE 115 via communication link 215 between network entity 105 and RIS 205 and communication link 220 between RIS 205 and UE 115. In some examples, network entity 105 may be configured to communicate directly with UE 115 (e.g., without guidance or relay facilitated by RIS 205).

[0094] In some cases, network entity 105 and UE 115 may attempt to establish communication with each other using beamforming technology and via RIS 205. RIS 205 may be able to direct impact or incident waves in a desired direction to a desired location. As illustrated in wireless communication system 200, network entity 105 may communicate with UE 115 by using RIS 205 to reflect one or more beams (such as beam 225) to UE 115 around object 230. In some cases, object 230 may block or otherwise disable the line-of-sight (LoS) link between network entity 105 and UE 115. Beam 225 from network entity 105 may be guided by RIS 205. RIS 205 may include a control unit (RIS CU) that can configure the reflection characteristics of RIS 205 to control the direction or angle of reflection from RIS 205 to guide beam 225. For example, the RIS CU can control one or more reflective elements 210 of the RIS 205 to provide a beam from the RIS 205 to the UE 115 (referred to as RIS beam 235).

[0095] In some examples, network entity 105 may configure or control RIS 205 such that network entity 105 can effectively configure or control the angular orientation and focal length of RIS beam 235. For example, network entity 105 may send control signaling 240 instructing the configuration of RIS 205 to RIS CU of RIS 205, and RIS CU may configure RIS 205 accordingly. In some examples, the network entity may receive control signaling instructing attributes of RIS 205 (such as aperture size, element spacing, and communication settings (e.g., frequency)) from RIS 205 (e.g., RIS CU).

[0096] In some examples, the RIS 205 may function similarly to a mirror or other reflective surface in its ability to reflect beam 225 or other waves (such as light waves), but the difference may be that the RIS 205 may include one or more components capable of controlling how beam 225 or the wave is reflected (such that the angle of incidence may differ from the angle of reflection). Additionally or alternatively, the RIS 205 may control the shape of the reflected beam (referred to as RIS beam 235) or wave, such as via constructive interference or destructive interference via energy focusing or energy zeroing. For example, the RIS 205 may include a number of reflective elements 210, each having controllable delay, phase, or polarization, or any combination thereof. The RIS CU may configure each of the reflective elements 210 to control how beam 225 or the wave may be reflected or to control the shape of the RIS beam 235 or the wave. For example, the RIS 205 may guide beam 225 as RIS beam 235 at a specified beam focusing distance in a specified angular direction.

[0097] In some examples, the RIS 205 may also be referred to as a software-controlled metasurface, a configurable reflective surface, a reflective smart surface, or a configurable smart surface, or may be examples of these, and sometimes may be a metallic surface (e.g., a copper surface) including a number of reflective elements 210. In some aspects, the RIS CU may be integrated with the RIS 205, or the RIS CU may be coupled to the RIS 205 via hardware (such as via fiber optic cable). In some other aspects, the RIS CU may be non-co-located with the RIS 205 and the RIS 205 may be configured via over-the-air signaling.

[0098] In some examples, UE 115 may be located in the near-field region of RIS 205. The near-field region of RIS 205 may depend on the properties of the RIS, such as aperture size, element spacing, and communication settings (e.g., frequency). The boundary of the near-field region of the RIS may be defined by L = Given, where D is the maximum size of the RIS and λ is the wavelength of the reflected signal. UE 115 can be located between the near-field boundary and RIS 205 to be within the near-field region.

[0099] The received power at any point in the near-field region of RIS 205 is a function of the angle and distance to UE 115. Beam focusing can be used to improve the link quality of near-field communication on RIS-assisted communication links 215 and 220. For example, RIS beam 235 can be focused based on the angle and distance from RIS 205 to UE 115. That is, RIS can be guided as RIS beam 235 in the angular direction and with a focusing distance. The high received power in the near-field region of RIS 205 can be useful for some applications other than wireless communication, such as wireless power delivery and wireless charging. In the near-field region of RIS 205, high power is concentrated at the focal point and attenuates rapidly at distances from RIS 205. To obtain high received power at UE 115, beam focusing may involve an accurate estimation of the focusing distance of UE 115 from RIS 205.

[0100] Figure 3 Examples of wireless communication systems 300 supporting range scanning techniques for near-field regions of a RIS are shown according to various aspects of this disclosure. In some examples, wireless communication system 300 may implement aspects of wireless communication systems 100 and 200. Wireless communication system 300 may include network entity 105, UE 115, and RIS 205. Network entity 105 and UE 115 may be respectively as referenced herein. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Examples of corresponding network entities 105 and UE 115 described herein. RIS 205 can be as referenced herein. Figure 2 The example described corresponds to RIS 205. In some examples, the wireless communication system 300 may enable network entity 105 to determine the beam-focusing distance for UE 115 located in the near-field region 305 of RIS 205 in order to provide high received power at UE 115.

[0101] In some examples, network entity 105 may communicate with UE 115 via RIS 205. RIS 205 may be configured to direct signals between network entity 105 and UE 115. In the illustrated example, UE 115 is located in the near-field region 305 of RIS 205. The near-field region 305 of RIS 205 is defined as the area between near-field boundary 310 and RIS 205. In some cases, network entity 105 and UE 115 may establish communication with each other via RIS 205 using beam focusing technology. As illustrated in wireless communication system 300, network entity 105 may communicate with UE 115 by directing one or more signals (such as beam 225) to UE 115 around object 230 using RIS 205. Signals (such as beam 225 from network entity 105) may be directed by RIS 205 via RIS beam 235. The RIS beam 235 can be configured to have an angular direction 315 and a beam focusing distance 320 within the near-field region 305 of the RIS 205 (e.g., d). o ).

[0102] In some examples, network entity 105 may determine a beam-focusing distance for UE 115 located in near-field region 305 of RIS 205 to provide high received power at UE 115. The beam-focusing distance can be determined using reference signals for different test beam-focusing distances. For example, a range of distances along angular direction 315 in near-field region 305 may be scanned by multiple RIS beams. Each RIS beam 235 may be formed by using beam-focusing with the same angular information or angular direction 315 at different predetermined distances to be focused. For example, network entity 105 may send a set of reference signals to RIS 205. RIS 205 may direct the set of reference signals to UE 115 via the RIS beam set. Each RIS beam 235 in the RIS beam set may have a beam-focusing distance selected from a set of beam-focusing distances within near-field region 305. UE 115 may receive the set of reference signals from RIS 205 and may (via RIS 205) send an RSRP measurement corresponding to the set of reference signals to network entity 105. Network entity 105 can determine the beam focusing distance for UE 115 as the beam focusing distance associated with the highest RSRP. Once the beam focusing distance for UE 115 is determined, network entity 105 can send control signaling to RIS 205 (e.g., RIS CU) to configure RIS 205 to direct signals to UE 115 at the determined focusing distance.

[0103] In some examples, the set of beam-focusing distances within the near-field region 305 can be a predefined range grid (e.g., a set of focus distances) used for scanning in the angular direction. The focus distances in the grid may not have fixed range increments. For example, higher-order polynomials, such as orthogonal, third-order, or exponential polynomials with varying range increments, can be used to select the focus distances in the grid.

[0104] like Figure 3 As shown, region 325 represents the area covered by one of the RIS beams 235 with a specified focusing distance. Each region 325 associated with a single RIS beam 235 may have a shorter focusing distance for closer to RIS 205 because the received power attenuates more rapidly at distances closer to RIS 205. The number of regions 325 to be scanned using different test beams can be determined based on the change in received power compared to an optimal received power value (e.g., received power at a focusing distance matching the distance of UE 115 from RIS 205). In some examples, to boost the received power in the near-field region 305 with minimal gap to an optimal received power value, more test beams with smaller distance increments may be used to cover the focusing distances closer to RIS 205.

[0105] In some examples, for codebook-based beam alignment, network entity 105 can configure RIS 205 via a phase matrix to generate a beam set sweeping a desired angular region for a given focus distance range. Network entity 105 can send control signaling to RIS 205 indicative of the phase matrix, and the phase matrix can indicate the angular direction of the test beam set. For any direction from the codebook, multiple test beams can be used to scan or cover the focus distance within near-field region 305, each test beam being focused to a predefined distance selected from a focus distance grid or focus distance set. Network entity 105 can use RIS 205 attributes (e.g., aperture size, element spacing) and communication settings (e.g., frequency) to determine the focus distance grid. In some examples, RIS 205 can inform network entity 105 of its attributes so that network entity 105 can determine the focus distance and angular direction. For example, RIS 205 (such as via RIS CU) can send control signaling indicative of RIS attributes to the network entity, such as during an initial handshake.

[0106] In some examples, network entity 105 may send control signaling to RIS 205 (e.g., to RIS CU) indicating the angular direction of the test beam set. In another example, network entity 105 may send control signaling indicating a beam focusing range set or a focusing range grid. In a further example, the control signaling indicating the beam focusing range set may indicate a beam focusing range set from a codebook. RIS 205 may use a focusing range grid provided by network entity 105 or a focusing range set from a codebook entry set to generate the RIS beam.

[0107] In some examples, network entity 105 may send control signaling instructing the use of a subset of the focused range in the grid, such as when a portion of near-field region 305 may be of interest. In this example, network entity 105 may send control signaling to RIS 205 instructing the use of a subset of beam focused ranges for scanning the desired region of interest, such as by instructing the corresponding index in the codebook. UE 115 characteristics can remain the same in each specific implementation of focused range scanning from the range grid.

[0108] Figure 4 Examples of wireless communication systems 400 supporting range scanning techniques for near-field regions of a RIS are shown according to various aspects of this disclosure. In some examples, wireless communication system 400 may implement aspects of wireless communication systems 100, 200, and 300. Wireless communication system 400 may include network entity 105, UE 115, and RIS 205. Network entity 105 and UE 115 may be respectively as referenced herein. Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 Examples of corresponding network entities 105 and UE 115 described herein. RIS 205 can be as referenced herein. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The example described corresponds to RIS 205. In some examples, the wireless communication system 400 may enable network entity 105 to determine the beam-focusing distance for UE 115 located in the near-field region of RIS 205 in order to provide high received power at UE 115.

[0109] In some examples, network entity 105 may communicate with UE 115 via RIS 205. The RIS may be configured to direct signals between network entity 105 and UE 115. In the illustrated example, UE 115 is located in the near-field region 305 of RIS 205. The near-field region 305 is defined by a near-field boundary 310. In some cases, network entity 105 and UE 115 may establish communication with each other via RIS 205 using beam focusing technology. As illustrated in wireless communication system 400, network entity 105 may communicate with UE 115 by directing one or more signals (such as beam 225) to UE 115 around object 230 using RIS 205. Signals (such as beam 225 from network entity 105) may be directed by RIS 205 via RIS beam 235. The RIS beam 235 can be configured to have an angular direction 315 and beam focusing distances, such as a first beam focusing distance d0 405, a second beam focusing distance d1 410, and a third beam focusing distance d2 415 within the near-field region 305 of the RIS 205.

[0110] In some examples, network entity 105 may determine the beam-focusing distance for UE 115 located in near-field region 305 of RIS 205 to provide high received power at UE 115. For example, dynamic distance scanning techniques may be used to determine the focus distance to UE 115 instead of scanning all focus distances in the focus distance grid. That is, instead of using every focus distance in the focus distance grid, as few as two focus distances may be used.

[0111] For example, network entity 105 can send a first reference signal and a second reference signal to RIS 205. RIS 205 can transmit these signals via a first beam focusing distance (such as a first beam focusing distance d). o The first reference signal is guided by a first beam (405), and the second reference signal can be guided by a second beam having a second beam focusing distance (such as a second beam focusing distance d1 410). The UE 115 can receive the first and second reference signals, and can (via RIS 205) send a first RSRP value corresponding to the first reference signal and a second RSRP value corresponding to the second reference signal to the network entity UE 115. The network entity 105 can calculate the difference between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value and can identify the beam focusing distance for the UE 115 by comparing the difference with an incremental RSRP power grid.

[0112] In some examples, network entity 105 may use a power grid based on relative RSRP (e.g., an incremental RSRP power grid) to determine the focusing distance of UE 115 in near-field region 305. For dynamic techniques, network entity 105 may compare a first RSRP value and a second RSRP value, and may use numerical interpolation on the RSRP power grid to determine the beam focusing distance for UE 115.

[0113] Dynamic techniques using two test beams at two focusing distances and as few as two reference signals can achieve higher performance than combined techniques. Figure 3 The described fixed-distance grid technique has less beam overhead. Network entity 105 can skip many beam focusing distances included in the focusing distance grid using dynamic techniques. For example, the beam focusing distance of the grid between the first beam focusing distance d0 405 and the second beam focusing distance d1 410 can be skipped, and the beam focusing distance of the grid between the second beam focusing distance d1 410 and the third beam focusing distance d2 415 can be skipped. Additionally, beam focusing distances near RIS 205 and near the near-field boundary 310 can also be skipped.

[0114] Dynamic scanning technology can be illustrated by the following example. Example RIS 205 could be an outdoor RIS with 200 × 200 reflective elements spaced at λ / 2 element intervals, where λ = 1 cm, having an aperture surface of 1 m × 1 m and four sub-surfaces each 0.5 m × 0.5 m, and a frequency of 28 GHz. For example RIS 205, for d... o At a first beam-focusing distance of 405 m (independent of the actual UE distance) of 60 m, the received power at UE 115 is superior to beamforming at all distances up to 250 m (both in the near-field region 305 and the far-field). However, for focusing distances below 40 m in the near-field region 305, the received power gap to the optimal received power (e.g., the received power if the focusing distance is the exact UE distance) can be as high as 20 dB. To improve received power within 40 m of RIS 205, a range scanning strategy can use a power grid based on relative RSRP.

[0115] For example, network entity 105 can transmit RIS 205 via a first beam focusing distance d. oA first reference signal guided by a first beam with a focal length of 60m is transmitted by network entity 105. RIS 205 can transmit a second reference signal guided by a second beam with a focal length of d1 = 30m, and a third reference signal guided by a third beam with a focal length of d2 = 5.5m. This ensures that there is no significant gap in received power compared to optimal received power. These beams can be scheduled close enough in time to allow them to experience similar channel conditions.

[0116] Network entity 105 can receive a first RSRP measurement corresponding to a first reference signal, a second RSRP measurement corresponding to a second reference signal, and a third RSRP measurement corresponding to a third reference signal from UE 115 via RIS 205. Network entity 105 can calculate the RSRP difference between the first and second RSRP measurements (to find the focusing distance when UE 115 is located between 10m and 40m from RIS 205) or the RSRP difference between the first and third RSRP measurements (to find the focusing distance when UE 115 is located between 30m and 60m from RIS 205). After calculating the RSRP difference, network entity 105 can compare the RSRP difference with an incremental RSRP grid to determine the focusing distance of UE 115 via numerical interpolation. The incremental RSRP can be pre-calculated offline based on RIS attributes.

[0117] In some examples, network entity 105 may determine the minimum number of distances (besides d1 and d2) to be used in the interpolation for which the corresponding beam achieves optimal received power. For example, focusing distances of {10m, 12m, 15m, 20m} may be used for interpolation for UE 115 located 10m to 40m from RIS 205, and focusing distances of {6m, 7m, 8m, 9m} may be used for interpolation for UE 115 located 5.5m to 10m from RIS 205. For each of these distances, an interval of RIS 205 to UE 115 distances for which the corresponding beam achieves the highest received power is then determined; for a focusing distance of 20m, this interval may be between 17m and 23.5m. For example, an incremental RSRP grid may provide incremental RSRP values ​​[2.3dB, 4.2dB] for 17m and 23.5m. In this example, whenever the calculated RSRP difference is in the range of [2.3dB, 4.2dB], network entity 105 can select a focusing distance of 20m.

[0118] In this example, network entity 105 can determine the focusing distance to UE 115 as 20m. Therefore, although no test beam is transmitted for a focusing distance of 20m, the focusing distance can be selected based on RSRP measurements for beams with focusing distances of 60m, 30m, and 5.5m. If near-field range below 10m is not of any concern, incremental RSRP for 60m and 30m is sufficient, which further reduces beam overhead.

[0119] Figure 5 An example of a process flow 500 supporting a technique for range scanning in the near-field region of a RIS, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown. Process flow 500 may include network entity 105, RIS 205, and UE 115. Network entity 105 may be, as described herein with respect to... Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 Example of network entity 105 described. RIS 205 can be a case study relative to this paper. Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 An example of the RIS 205 described herein. UE 115 may be a case in point relative to this paper. Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 An example of UE 115 is described below. In the following description of process flow 500, operations between network entity 105, RIS 205, and UE 115 may be sent in a different order than the example shown, or operations performed by network entity 105, RIS 205, and UE 115 may be performed in a different order or at different times. Some operations may also be omitted from process flow 500, and other operations may be added to process flow 500.

[0120] In some examples, at 505, RIS 205 may send control signaling to network entity 105 indicating the attributes of RIS 205. In some examples, at 510, network entity 105 may send a first control signaling to RIS 205 indicating the angular direction of the beam set. In some examples, network entity 105 may send control signaling to RIS 205 indicating the phase matrix. The phase matrix may indicate the angular direction of the beam set.

[0121] At 515, network entity 105 may send a set of reference signals to RIS 205. In some examples, at 520, RIS 205 may obtain a set of beam-focusing ranges. Each beam-focusing range in the set of beam-focusing ranges is within the near-field region of RIS 205. In some examples, RIS 205 may obtain the set of beam-focusing ranges from a codebook. In another example, RIS 205 may receive a second control signaling from network entity 105 indicating the set of beam-focusing ranges. In some examples, the second control signaling may indicate the set of beam-focusing ranges from the codebook. In some examples, the set of beam-focusing ranges may be based on attributes of the RIS. In some examples, the set of beam-focusing ranges includes varying range increments.

[0122] At 525, RIS 205 can direct a set of reference signals to UE 115 via a beam set. Each beam in the beam set has a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances within the near-field region of RIS 205. In some examples, the beam set may include a first beam with a first beam focusing distance and a second beam with a second beam focusing distance. RIS 205 can direct the beam set in an angular direction.

[0123] At 530, UE 115 may send measurements for a set of reference signals to network entity 105 (via RIS 205 or via a direct connection between UE 115 and network entity 105). In some examples, the measurements for the set of reference signals may be a set of RSRP values ​​corresponding to the set of reference signals. In some examples, the measurements may include a first RSRP associated with a first reference signal and a second TRP associated with a second reference signal.

[0124] At 535, network entity 105 can identify the beam focus distance for UE 115. At 540, network entity 105 can send the beam focus distance for UE 115 to RIS 205. Network entity 105 can then communicate with UE 115 via RIS using the beam focus distance at RIS 205 for UE 115.

[0125] Figure 6 A block diagram 600 of a device 605 supporting range scanning techniques for near-field regions of a RIS is shown, according to various aspects of this disclosure. Device 605 may be an example of various aspects of a RIS as described herein. Device 605 may include a receiver 610, a transmitter 615, and a communication manager 620. Device 605 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other, for example, via one or more buses.

[0126] Receiver 610 may provide components for receiving information (such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof) associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to range scanning techniques in the near-field region of a RIS). The information may be transmitted to other components of device 605. Receiver 610 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0127] Transmitter 615 may provide components for transmitting signals generated by other components of device 605. For example, transmitter 615 may transmit information associated with various information channels, such as control channels, data channels, and information channels related to range scanning techniques in the near-field region of RIS, including packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, transmitter 615 may be co-located with receiver 610 in a transceiver module. Transmitter 615 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0128] The communication manager 620, receiver 610, transmitter 615, or various combinations thereof, or various components thereof, may be examples of components for performing various aspects of the techniques for performing range scanning in the near-field region of a RIS as described herein. For example, the communication manager 620, receiver 610, transmitter 615, or various combinations thereof, or components thereof, may support methods for performing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0129] In some examples, the communication manager 620, receiver 610, transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communication management circuitry). The hardware may include processors, DSPs, CPUs, ASICs, FPGAs, or other programmable logic devices, microcontrollers, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof, configured as or otherwise to support components for performing the functions described herein. In some examples, the processor and memory coupled to the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by executing instructions stored in memory by the processor).

[0130] Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the communication manager 620, receiver 610, transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code executed by a processor (e.g., implemented as communication management software or firmware). If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functionality of the communication manager 620, receiver 610, transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by (e.g., a general-purpose processor, DSP, CPU, ASIC, FPGA, microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices configured as or otherwise supporting components for performing the functions described in this disclosure).

[0131] In some examples, the communication manager 620 may be configured to use a receiver 610, a transmitter 615, or both, or otherwise cooperate with them to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, acquiring, monitoring, outputting, transmitting). For example, the communication manager 620 may receive information from the receiver 610, transmit information to the transmitter 615, or be integrated with the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or both to acquire information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0132] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 620 can support wireless communication at the RIS (Reference Signal Set). For example, the communication manager 620 can be configured or operable to support components for receiving a set of reference signals. The communication manager 620 can be configured or operable to support components for directing the set of reference signals to the UE via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances in the near-field region of the RIS. The communication manager 620 can be configured or operable to support components for receiving measurements of the set of reference signals from the UE.

[0133] By including or configuring a communication manager 620 according to an example as described herein, device 605 (e.g., a processor that controls or otherwise couples to receiver 610, transmitter 615, communication manager 620, or a combination thereof) can support techniques for more efficient use of communication resources.

[0134] Figure 7 A block diagram 700 illustrates a device 705 supporting techniques for range scanning in the near-field region of a RIS according to various aspects of this disclosure. Device 705 may be an example of device 605 as described herein or of various aspects of a RIS. Device 705 may include a receiver 710, a transmitter 715, and a communication manager 720. Device 705 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0135] Receiver 710 may provide components for receiving information (such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof) associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to range scanning techniques in the near-field region of a RIS). The information may be transmitted to other components of device 705. Receiver 710 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0136] Transmitter 715 may provide components for transmitting signals generated by other components of device 705. For example, transmitter 715 may transmit information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to range scanning techniques in the near-field region for RIS), such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, transmitter 715 may be co-located with receiver 710 in a transceiver module. Transmitter 715 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0137] Device 705 or its various components may be examples of various aspects of a technique for performing range scanning in the near-field region for RIS as described herein. For example, communication manager 720 may include reference signal manager 725, beam manager 730, measurement manager 735, or any combination thereof. Communication manager 720 may be an example of aspects of communication manager 620 as described herein. In some examples, communication manager 720 or its various components may be configured to use receiver 710, transmitter 715, or both, or otherwise cooperate with them to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, acquiring, monitoring, outputting, transmitting). For example, communication manager 720 may receive information from receiver 710, transmit information to transmitter 715, or be integrated in combination with receiver 710, transmitter 715, or both to acquire information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0138] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 720 can support wireless communication at the RIS (Reference Signal Manager). The reference signal manager 725 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for receiving a set of reference signals. The beam manager 730 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for directing a set of reference signals to the UE via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances within the near-field region of the RIS. The measurement manager 735 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for receiving measurements from the UE for the set of reference signals.

[0139] Figure 8A block diagram 800 illustrates a communication manager 820 supporting techniques for range scanning in the near-field region of a RIS according to various aspects of this disclosure. The communication manager 820 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 620, communication manager 720, or both as described herein. The communication manager 820 or its various components may be examples of components for performing various aspects of techniques for range scanning in the near-field region of a RIS as described herein. For example, the communication manager 820 may include a reference signal manager 825, a beam manager 830, a measurement manager 835, a beam-focusing range manager 840, an angular direction manager 845, a phase matrix manager 850, a RIS attribute manager 855, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate directly or indirectly with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0140] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 820 can support wireless communication at the RIS (Reference Signal Manager). The reference signal manager 825 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for receiving a set of reference signals. The beam manager 830 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for directing a set of reference signals to the UE via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances within the near-field region of the RIS. The measurement manager 835 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for receiving measurements from the UE for the set of reference signals.

[0141] In some examples, the measurement manager 835 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for sending measurements to network entities against a set of reference signals.

[0142] In some examples, the beam focus distance manager 840 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for receiving, based on measurements, indications of beam focus distance for a UE from network entities.

[0143] In some examples, the beam-focusing distance set includes varying distance increments.

[0144] In some examples, the angular direction manager 845 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for receiving first control signaling from network entities that indicates the angular direction of a beam set.

[0145] In some examples, in order to support guiding a set of reference signals via a beam set, the beam manager 830 can be configured or operable to support components for guiding the beam set in the angular direction.

[0146] In some examples, in order to support guiding a set of reference signals via a set of beams, the beam manager 830 can be configured or operated to support components for obtaining a set of beam focusing distances from a codebook.

[0147] In some examples, the phase matrix manager 850 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for receiving third control signaling from network entities that indicates the phase matrix, wherein the phase matrix indicates the angular direction of the beam set.

[0148] In some examples, the RIS attribute manager 855 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for sending control signaling to network entities that indicates the attributes of the RIS.

[0149] In some examples, in order to support beam sets, beam manager 830 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for a first beam having a first beam focusing distance and a second beam having a second beam focusing distance.

[0150] In some examples, the beam manager 830 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for receiving second control signaling from network entities that indicates a set of beam focusing distances.

[0151] In some examples, the second control signal indicates the beam-focusing range set from the codebook.

[0152] Figure 9 A diagram of a system 900 including a device 905 supporting range scanning in the near-field region for a RIS, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown. Device 905 may be an example of device 605, device 705, or a RIS as described herein, or a component including such devices. Device 905 may include components for bidirectional voice and data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a communication manager 920, an antenna 910, an input / output (I / O) controller 945, a code 925, a memory 930, a processor 935, and a transceiver 940. These components may communicate electronically or be otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, or electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., bus 915).

[0153] Memory 930 may include RAM and ROM. Memory 930 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 925, including instructions that, when executed by processor 935, cause device 905 to perform the various functions described herein. Code 925 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, code 925 may not be directly executable by processor 935, but may (e.g., when compiled and executed) cause a computer to perform the functions described herein. In some cases, memory 930 may contain a BIOS, etc., which controls basic hardware or software operations such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0154] Processor 935 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., general-purpose processors, DSPs, CPUs, microcontrollers, ASICs, FPGAs, programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor 935 may be configured to use a memory controller to operate a memory array. In other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into processor 935. Processor 935 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory (e.g., memory 930) to cause device 905 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting distance scanning techniques in the near-field region for RIS). For example, device 905 or components of device 905 may include processor 935 and memory 930 coupled to or coupled to processor 935, processor 935 and memory 930 being configured to perform the various functions described herein.

[0155] In some cases, device 905 may include a single antenna 910. However, in other cases, device 905 may have more than one antenna 910, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. Transceiver 940 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas 910, wired or wireless links as described herein. For example, transceiver 940 may represent a wireless transceiver and be capable of bidirectional communication with another wireless transceiver. Transceiver 940 may also include a modem for: modulating packets; providing the modulated packets to one or more antennas 910 for transmission; and demodulating packets received from one or more antennas 910. Transceiver 940, or transceiver 940 and one or more antennas 910, may be an example of transmitter 615, transmitter 715, receiver 610, receiver 710, or any combination thereof or components thereof as described herein.

[0156] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 920 can support wireless communication at the RIS. For example, the communication manager 920 can be, configured, or operated to support components for receiving a set of reference signals. The communication manager 920 can be, configured, or operated to support components for directing the set of reference signals to the UE via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances in the near-field region of the RIS. The communication manager 920 can be, configured, or operated to support components for receiving measurements of the set of reference signals from the UE.

[0157] By including or configuring a communication manager 920 according to an example as described herein, device 905 can support technologies for improving communication reliability, utilizing communication resources more efficiently, and improving coordination between devices.

[0158] In some examples, the communication manager 920 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or otherwise cooperating with transceiver 940, one or more antennas 910, or any combination thereof. Although the communication manager 920 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communication manager 920 may be supported or performed by processor 935, memory 930, code 925, or any combination thereof. For example, code 925 may include instructions that can be executed by processor 935 to cause device 905 to perform various aspects of the techniques for range scanning in the near-field region of RIS as described herein, or processor 935 and memory 930 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations.

[0159] Figure 10 A block diagram 1000 of a device 1005 supporting range scanning techniques for near-field regions of a RIS is shown, according to various aspects of this disclosure. Device 1005 may be an example of various aspects of network entity 105 as described herein. Device 1005 may include a receiver 1010, a transmitter 1015, and a communication manager 1020. Device 1005 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other, for example, via one or more buses.

[0160] Receiver 1010 may provide components for acquiring (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack), such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units). The information may be passed to other components of device 1005. In some examples, receiver 1010 may support acquiring information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, receiver 1010 may support acquiring information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.

[0161] Transmitter 1015 may provide components for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, transmitting) information generated by other components of device 1005. For example, transmitter 1015 may output information associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack), such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units). In some examples, transmitter 1015 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, transmitter 1015 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some examples, transmitter 1015 and receiver 1010 may be co-located in a transceiver, which may include or be coupled to a modem.

[0162] The communication manager 1020, receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or various combinations thereof, or various components thereof, may be examples of components for performing various aspects of the techniques for performing range scanning in the near-field region of a RIS as described herein. For example, the communication manager 1020, receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or various combinations thereof, or components thereof, may support methods for performing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0163] In some examples, the communication manager 1020, receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communication management circuitry). The hardware may include processors, DSPs, CPUs, ASICs, FPGAs, or other programmable logic devices, microcontrollers, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof, configured as or otherwise to support components for performing the functions described herein. In some examples, the processor and memory coupled to the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by executing instructions stored in memory by the processor).

[0164] Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the communication manager 1020, receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code executed by a processor (e.g., implemented as communication management software or firmware). If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functionality of the communication manager 1020, receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by (e.g., a general-purpose processor, DSP, CPU, ASIC, FPGA, microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices configured as or otherwise supporting components for performing the functions described in this disclosure).

[0165] In some examples, the communication manager 1020 may be configured to use the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or both, or otherwise cooperate with them to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, acquiring, monitoring, outputting, transmitting). For example, the communication manager 1020 may receive information from the receiver 1010, transmit information to the transmitter 1015, or integrate with the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or both to acquire information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0166] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 1020 can support wireless communication at a network entity. For example, the communication manager 1020 can be configured or operable to support components for transmitting a set of reference signals to the RIS for the RIS to guide to the UE via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances within the near-field region of the RIS. The communication manager 1020 can be configured or operable to support components for receiving measurements from the UE for the set of reference signals. The communication manager 1020 can be configured or operable to support components for transmitting an indication of the beam focusing distance for the UE to the RIS based on the measurements.

[0167] By including or configuring a communication manager 1020 according to an example as described herein, device 1005 (e.g., a processor that controls or is otherwise coupled to receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, communication manager 1020, or a combination thereof) can support techniques for more efficient use of communication resources.

[0168] Figure 11 A block diagram 1100 of a device 1105 supporting range scanning techniques for near-field regions of a RIS is shown according to various aspects of this disclosure. Device 1105 may be an example of aspects of device 1005 or network entity 105 as described herein. Device 1105 may include a receiver 1110, a transmitter 1115, and a communication manager 1120. Device 1105 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0169] Receiver 1110 may provide components for acquiring (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack), such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units). The information may be passed to other components of device 1105. In some examples, receiver 1110 may support acquiring information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, receiver 1110 may support acquiring information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.

[0170] Transmitter 1115 may provide components for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, transmitting) information generated by other components of device 1105. For example, transmitter 1115 may output information associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack), such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units). In some examples, transmitter 1115 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, transmitter 1115 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some examples, transmitter 1115 and receiver 1110 may be co-located in a transceiver, which may include or be coupled to a modem.

[0171] Device 1105 or its various components may be examples of various aspects of a technique for performing range scanning in the near-field region for RIS as described herein. For example, communication manager 1120 may include reference signal manager 1125, measurement manager 1130, beam-focusing range manager 1135, or any combination thereof. Communication manager 1120 may be an example of aspects of communication manager 1020 as described herein. In some examples, communication manager 1120 or its various components may be configured to use receiver 1110, transmitter 1115, or both, or otherwise cooperate with them to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, acquiring, monitoring, outputting, transmitting). For example, communication manager 1120 may receive information from receiver 1110, transmit information to transmitter 1115, or be integrated in combination with receiver 1110, transmitter 1115, or both to acquire information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0172] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 1120 can support wireless communication at a network entity. The reference signal manager 1125 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for transmitting a set of reference signals to the RIS for the RIS to guide to the UE via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances within the near-field region of the RIS. The measurement manager 1130 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for receiving measurements from the UE for the set of reference signals. The beam focusing distance manager 1135 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for transmitting an indication of the beam focusing distance for the UE to the RIS based on the measurements.

[0173] Figure 12A block diagram 1200 of a communication manager 1220 supporting techniques for range scanning in the near-field region of a RIS according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. The communication manager 1220 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 1020, communication manager 1120, or both as described herein. The communication manager 1220 or its various components may be examples of components for performing various aspects of techniques for range scanning in the near-field region of a RIS as described herein. For example, the communication manager 1220 may include a reference signal manager 1225, a measurement manager 1230, a beam-focusing range manager 1235, a RIS attribute manager 1240, an angular direction manager 1245, a beam manager 1250, a phase matrix manager 1255, an RSRP manager 1260, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate directly or indirectly with each other (e.g., via one or more buses), and such communication may include communication within the protocol layers of the protocol stack, communication associated with logical channels of the protocol stack (e.g., between the protocol layers of the protocol stack, within devices, components or virtualization components associated with network entity 105, between devices, components or virtualization components associated with network entity 105), or any combination thereof.

[0174] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 1220 can support wireless communication at a network entity. The reference signal manager 1225 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for transmitting a set of reference signals to the RIS for the RIS to guide to the UE via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances within the near-field region of the RIS. The measurement manager 1230 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for receiving measurements from the UE for the set of reference signals. The beam focusing distance manager 1235 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for transmitting an indication of the beam focusing distance for the UE to the RIS based on the measurements.

[0175] In some examples, the RIS attribute manager 1240 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for receiving control signaling from the RIS that indicates the attributes of the RIS, wherein the beam focusing distance for the UE is based on the attributes of the RIS.

[0176] In some examples, the beam-focusing distance set includes varying distance increments.

[0177] In some examples, the angular direction manager 1245 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for sending first control signaling to the RIS indicating the angular direction of the beam set.

[0178] In some examples, the beam manager 1250 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for sending a second control signaling to the RIS that indicates a set of beam focusing distances.

[0179] In some examples, the RIS attribute manager 1240 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for receiving control signaling from the RIS that indicates the attributes of the RIS, wherein the beam focusing distance set is based on the attributes of the RIS.

[0180] In some examples, the phase matrix manager 1255 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for sending control signaling to the RIS that indicates the phase matrix, wherein the phase matrix indicates the angular direction of the beam set.

[0181] In some examples, in order to support receiving measurements for a set of reference signals, the reference signal manager 1225 can be configured or operable to support components for receiving a set of RSRP values ​​corresponding to the set of reference signals.

[0182] In some examples, in order to support beam sets, the beam manager 1250 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for a first beam having a first beam focusing distance and a second beam having a second beam focusing distance.

[0183] In some examples, to support receiving measurements for a set of reference signals, the reference signal manager 1225 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for receiving a first RSRP value associated with a beam and a second RSRP value associated with a second beam. In some examples, to support receiving measurements for a set of reference signals, the RSRP manager 1260 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for calculating the difference between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value. In some examples, to support receiving measurements for a set of reference signals, the beam focus distance manager 1235 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for identifying the beam focus distance for the UE based on comparing the difference with an incremental RSRP grid.

[0184] Figure 13A diagram of a system 1300 including a device 1305 supporting range scanning in the near-field region for RIS is shown, according to various aspects of this disclosure. Device 1305 may be an example of device 1005, device 1105, or network entity 105 as described herein, or a component including such devices. Device 1305 may communicate with one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115, or any combination thereof, and this communication may include communication via one or more wired interfaces, one or more wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. Device 1305 may include components supporting output and acquisition of communication, such as a communication manager 1320, a transceiver 1310, an antenna 1315, a memory 1325, code 1330, and a processor 1335. These components may communicate electronically via one or more buses (e.g., bus 1340) or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically).

[0185] Transceiver 1310 may support bidirectional communication via a wired link, a wireless link, or both, as described herein. In some examples, transceiver 1310 may include a wired transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wired transceiver. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, transceiver 1310 may include a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. In some examples, device 1305 may include one or more antennas 1315 that may be capable of transmitting or receiving wireless transmissions (e.g., concurrently). Transceiver 1310 may also include a modem for: modulating a signal; providing the modulated signal for transmission (e.g., via one or more antennas 1315, via a wired transmitter); receiving the modulated signal (e.g., from one or more antennas 1315, from a wired receiver); and demodulating the signal. In some embodiments, transceiver 1310 may include one or more interfaces, such as one or more interfaces coupled to one or more antennas 1315 configured to support various receive or acquire operations, or one or more interfaces coupled to one or more antennas 1315 configured to support various transmit or output operations, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, transceiver 1310 may include one or more processor or memory components or be configured to couple thereto, these processor or memory components being operable to perform: perform or support operations based on received or acquired information or signals; or generate information or other signals for transmission or other output, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, transceiver 1310, or transceiver 1310 and one or more antennas 1315, or transceiver 1310 and one or more antennas 1315 and one or more processor or memory components (e.g., processor 1335, or memory 1325, or both) may be included in a chip or chip assembly mounted in device 1305. In some examples, the transceiver may be able to operate to support communication via one or more communication links (e.g., communication link 125, backhaul communication link 120, midhaul communication link 162, and fronthaul communication link 168).

[0186] Memory 1325 may include RAM and ROM. Memory 1325 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 1330, including instructions that, when executed by processor 1335, cause device 1305 to perform the various functions described herein. Code 1330 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, code 1330 may not be directly executable by processor 1335, but may (e.g., when compiled and executed) cause the computer to perform the functions described herein. In some cases, memory 1325 may contain a BIOS, etc., which controls basic hardware or software operations such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0187] Processor 1335 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, CPUs, FPGAs, microcontrollers, programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic units, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor 1335 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into processor 1335. Processor 1335 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory (e.g., memory 1325) to cause device 1305 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting distance scanning techniques in the near-field region for RIS). For example, device 1305 or components of device 1305 may include processor 1335 and memory 1325 coupled to processor 1335, processor 1335 and memory 1325 being configured to perform the various functions described herein. Processor 1335 may be an example of a cloud computing platform (e.g., one or more physical nodes and supporting software such as an operating system, virtual machine, or container instance) that can host functions (e.g., by executing code 1330) to perform the functions of device 1305. Processor 1335 may be any one or more suitable processors capable of executing scripts or instructions of one or more software programs stored in device 1305 (such as within memory 1325). In some specific implementations, processor 1335 may be a component of a processing system. A processing system may refer to a system or series of machines or components that receive input and process input to produce a set of outputs (which may be passed to other systems or components (e.g., device 1305)). For example, the processing system of device 1305 may refer to a system that includes various other components or subcomponents of device 1305, such as processor 1335, or transceiver 1310, or communication manager 1320, or other components or combinations of components of device 1305. The processing system of device 1305 can interface with other components of device 1305 and can process information (such as inputs or signals) received from other components or output information to other components. For example, the chip or modem of device 1305 may include a processing system and one or more interfaces for outputting information or for receiving information, or both. One or more interfaces may be implemented as or otherwise include a first interface configured to output information and a second interface configured to receive information, or the same interface configured to both output and receive information, and other specific implementations. In some specific implementations, one or more interfaces may refer to the interface between the processing system of the chip or modem and the transmitter, enabling device 1305 to transmit information output from the chip or modem.Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, one or more interfaces may refer to the interface between the processing system of the chip or modem and the receiver, enabling device 1305 to receive information or signal input, and such information to be transmitted to the processing system. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the first interface may also receive information or signal input, and the second interface may also output information or signal output.

[0188] In some examples, bus 1340 may support communication at protocol layers (e.g., within a protocol layer) in a protocol stack. In some examples, bus 1340 may support communication associated with logical channels of a protocol stack (e.g., between protocol layers in a protocol stack), which may include communication performed within components of device 1305, or communication performed between different components of device 1305 that may be co-located or located in different locations (e.g., where device 1305 may refer to a system in which one or more of communication manager 1320, transceiver 1310, memory 1325, code 1330, and processor 1335 may be located in one of the different components or partitioned between the different components).

[0189] In some examples, the communication manager 1320 can manage (e.g., via one or more wired or wireless backhaul links) various aspects of communication with the core network 130. For example, the communication manager 1320 can manage the delivery of data communications by client devices such as one or more UEs 115. In some examples, the communication manager 1320 can manage communication with other network entities 105 and may include a controller or scheduler for cooperating with other network entities 105 to control communication with UE 115. In some examples, the communication manager 1320 may support the X2 interface within LTE / LTE-A wireless communication network technology to provide communication between network entities 105.

[0190] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 1320 can support wireless communication at a network entity. For example, the communication manager 1320 can be configured or operable to support components for transmitting a set of reference signals to the RIS for the RIS to guide to the UE via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances within the near-field region of the RIS. The communication manager 1320 can be configured or operable to support components for receiving measurements from the UE for the set of reference signals. The communication manager 1320 can be configured or operable to support components for transmitting an indication of the beam focusing distance for the UE to the RIS based on the measurements.

[0191] By including or configuring a communication manager 1320 according to an example as described herein, device 1305 can support techniques for improving communication reliability, utilizing communication resources more efficiently, and improving coordination between devices.

[0192] In some examples, the communication manager 1320 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, acquire, monitor, output, transmit) using or in cooperation with transceiver 1310, one or more antennas 1315 (e.g., where applicable), or any combination thereof. Although the communication manager 1320 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communication manager 1320 may be supported or performed by or in conjunction with transceiver 1310, processor 1335, memory 1325, code 1330, or any combination thereof. For example, code 1330 may include instructions that can be executed by processor 1335 to cause device 1305 to perform various aspects of the techniques for range scanning in the near-field region of RIS as described herein, or processor 1335 and memory 1325 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations.

[0193] Figure 14 A block diagram 1400 of a device 1405 supporting range scanning techniques for near-field regions of a RIS is shown according to various aspects of this disclosure. Device 1405 may be an example of various aspects of a UE 115 as described herein. Device 1405 may include a receiver 1410, a transmitter 1415, and a communication manager 1420. Device 1405 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other, for example, via one or more buses.

[0194] Receiver 1410 may provide components for receiving information (such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof) associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to range scanning techniques in the near-field region for RIS). The information may be transmitted to other components of device 1405. Receiver 1410 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0195] Transmitter 1415 may provide components for transmitting signals generated by other components of device 1405. For example, transmitter 1415 may transmit information associated with various information channels, such as control channels, data channels, and information channels related to range scanning techniques in the near-field region of RIS, including packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, transmitter 1415 may be co-located with receiver 1410 in a transceiver module. Transmitter 1415 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0196] The communication manager 1420, receiver 1410, transmitter 1415, or various combinations thereof, or various components thereof, may be examples of components for performing various aspects of the techniques for performing range scanning in the near-field region of a RIS as described herein. For example, the communication manager 1420, receiver 1410, transmitter 1415, or various combinations thereof, or components thereof, may support methods for performing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0197] In some examples, the communication manager 1420, receiver 1410, transmitter 1415, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communication management circuitry). The hardware may include a processor, digital signal processor (DSP), central processing unit (CPU), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, microcontroller, discrete gate or transistor logic component, discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof, configured as or otherwise to support components for performing the functions described herein. In some examples, the processor and memory coupled to the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by executing instructions stored in memory by the processor).

[0198] Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the communication manager 1420, receiver 1410, transmitter 1415, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code executed by a processor (e.g., implemented as communication management software or firmware). If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functionality of the communication manager 1420, receiver 1410, transmitter 1415, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by (e.g., a general-purpose processor, DSP, CPU, ASIC, FPGA, microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices configured as or otherwise supporting components for performing the functions described in this disclosure).

[0199] In some examples, the communication manager 1420 may be configured to use a receiver 1410, a transmitter 1415, or both, or otherwise cooperate with them to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, acquiring, monitoring, outputting, transmitting). For example, the communication manager 1420 may receive information from the receiver 1410, transmit information to the transmitter 1415, or integrate with the receiver 1410, the transmitter 1415, or both to acquire information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0200] Based on the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 1420 can support wireless communication at the UE. For example, the communication manager 1420 can be configured or operable to support components for receiving a set of reference signals from a RIS via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances within the near-field region of the RIS. The communication manager 1420 can be configured or operable to support components for transmitting measurements of the reference signal set to network entities.

[0201] By including or configuring a communication manager 1420 according to an example as described herein, device 1405 (e.g., a processor that controls or is otherwise coupled to receiver 1410, transmitter 1415, communication manager 1420, or a combination thereof) can support techniques for more efficient use of communication resources.

[0202] Figure 15 A block diagram 1500 of a device 1505 supporting range scanning techniques for near-field regions of a RIS is shown, according to various aspects of this disclosure. Device 1505 may be an example of aspects of device 1405 or UE 115 as described herein. Device 1505 may include a receiver 1510, a transmitter 1515, and a communication manager 1520. Device 1505 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other, for example, via one or more buses.

[0203] Receiver 1510 may provide components for receiving information (such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof) associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to range scanning techniques in the near-field region of RIS). The information may be transmitted to other components of device 1505. Receiver 1510 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0204] Transmitter 1515 may provide components for transmitting signals generated by other components of device 1505. For example, transmitter 1515 may transmit information associated with various information channels, such as control channels, data channels, and information channels related to range scanning techniques in the near-field region of RIS, including packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, transmitter 1515 may be co-located with receiver 1510 in a transceiver module. Transmitter 1515 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0205] Device 1505 or its various components may be examples of various aspects of a technique for performing range scanning in the near-field region for RIS as described herein. For example, communication manager 1520 may include reference signal manager 1525, measurement manager 1530, or any combination thereof. Communication manager 1520 may be an example of aspects of communication manager 1420 as described herein. In some examples, communication manager 1520 or its various components may be configured to use receiver 1510, transmitter 1515, or both, or otherwise cooperate with them to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, acquiring, monitoring, outputting, transmitting). For example, communication manager 1520 may receive information from receiver 1510, transmit information to transmitter 1515, or be integrated in combination with receiver 1510, transmitter 1515, or both to acquire information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0206] Based on the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 1520 can support wireless communication at the UE. The reference signal manager 1525 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for receiving a set of reference signals from the RIS via a beam set, each beam in the beam set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances within the near-field region of the RIS. The measurement manager 1530 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for transmitting measurements of the reference signal set to network entities.

[0207] Figure 16 A block diagram 1600 illustrates a communication manager 1620 supporting techniques for range scanning in the near-field region of a RIS according to various aspects of this disclosure. The communication manager 1620 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 1420, communication manager 1520, or both as described herein. The communication manager 1620 or its various components may be examples of components for performing various aspects of techniques for range scanning in the near-field region of a RIS as described herein. For example, the communication manager 1620 may include a reference signal manager 1625, a measurement manager 1630, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate directly or indirectly with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0208] Based on the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 1620 can support wireless communication at the UE. The reference signal manager 1625 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for receiving a set of reference signals from the RIS via a beam set, each beam in the beam set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances within the near-field region of the RIS. The measurement manager 1630 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for transmitting measurements of the reference signal set to network entities.

[0209] In some examples, in order to support the transmission of measurements against a set of reference signals, the measurement manager 1630 can be configured or operated to support components for transmitting a set of RSRP values ​​corresponding to the set of reference signals.

[0210] In some examples, the beam-focusing distance set includes varying distance increments.

[0211] In some examples, in order to support the reception of a set of reference signals via a set of beams, the reference signal manager 1625 can be configured or operable to support components for receiving a first reference signal via a first beam having a first beam focusing distance and receiving a second reference signal via a second beam having a second beam focusing distance.

[0212] In some examples, in order to support the transmission of measurements against a set of reference signals, the measurement manager 1630 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for transmitting a first RSRP value associated with a first reference signal and a second RSRP value associated with a second reference signal.

[0213] Figure 17 A diagram of a system 1700 including a device 1705 supporting range scanning in the near-field region for RIS is shown, according to various aspects of this disclosure. Device 1705 may be an example of device 1405, device 1505, or UE 115 as described herein, or a component including such devices. Device 1705 may communicate with one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115, or any combination thereof (e.g., wirelessly). Device 1705 may include components for bidirectional voice and data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a communication manager 1720, an input / output (I / O) controller 1710, a transceiver 1715, an antenna 1725, a memory 1730, a code 1735, and a processor 1740. These components may communicate electronically or otherwise (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., bus 1745).

[0214] I / O controller 1710 manages the input and output signals of device 1705. I / O controller 1710 can also manage peripheral devices not integrated into device 1705. In some cases, I / O controller 1710 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral device. In some cases, I / O controller 1710 may utilize an operating system such as iOS. ® ANDROID ® MS-DOS ® MS-WINDOWS ® OS / 2 ® UNIX ® LINUX ® Alternatively, it may be another known operating system. Additionally or alternatively, the I / O controller 1710 may represent or interact with a modem, keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, or similar device. In some cases, the I / O controller 1710 may be implemented as part of a processor (such as processor 1740). In some cases, a user may interact with device 1705 via the I / O controller 1710 or via hardware components controlled by the I / O controller 1710.

[0215] In some cases, device 1705 may include a single antenna 1725. However, in other cases, device 1705 may have more than one antenna 1725, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. Transceiver 1715 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas 1725 as described herein, or via a wired or wireless link. For example, transceiver 1715 may represent a wireless transceiver and be capable of bidirectional communication with another wireless transceiver. Transceiver 1715 may also include a modem for: modulating packets; providing the modulated packets to one or more antennas 1725 for transmission; and demodulating packets received from one or more antennas 1725. Transceiver 1715, or transceiver 1715 and one or more antennas 1725, may be an example of transmitter 1415, transmitter 1515, receiver 1410, receiver 1510, or any combination thereof or components thereof as described herein.

[0216] Memory 1730 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). Memory 1730 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 1735, including instructions that, when executed by processor 1740, cause device 1705 to perform the various functions described herein. Code 1735 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, code 1735 may not be directly executable by processor 1740, but may (e.g., when compiled and executed) cause the computer to perform the functions described herein. In some cases, memory 1730 may include a basic I / O system (BIOS), etc., which controls basic hardware or software operations such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0217] Processor 1740 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., general-purpose processors, DSPs, CPUs, microcontrollers, ASICs, FPGAs, programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor 1740 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into processor 1740. Processor 1740 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory (e.g., memory 1730) to cause device 1705 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting distance scanning techniques in the near-field region for RIS). For example, device 1705 or components of device 1705 may include processor 1740 and memory 1730 coupled to or coupled to processor 1740, processor 1740 and memory 1730 being configured to perform the various functions described herein.

[0218] Based on the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 1720 can support wireless communication at the UE. For example, the communication manager 1720 can be configured or operable to support components for receiving a set of reference signals from a RIS via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances within the near-field region of the RIS. The communication manager 1720 can be configured or operable to support components for transmitting measurements of the reference signal set to network entities.

[0219] By including or configuring a communication manager 1720 according to an example as described herein, device 1705 can support techniques for improving communication reliability, utilizing communication resources more efficiently, and improving coordination between devices.

[0220] In some examples, the communication manager 1720 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or otherwise cooperating with transceiver 1715, one or more antennas 1725, or any combination thereof. Although the communication manager 1720 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communication manager 1720 may be supported or performed by processor 1740, memory 1730, code 1735, or any combination thereof. For example, code 1735 may include instructions that can be executed by processor 1740 to cause device 1705 to perform various aspects of the techniques for range scanning in the near-field region for RIS as described herein, or processor 1740 and memory 1730 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations.

[0221] Figure 18 A flowchart illustrating a method 1800 for range scanning in the near-field region of a RIS, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown. Operation of method 1800 can be implemented by a RIS or its components as described herein. For example, operation of method 1800 can be achieved by, as referenced... Figures 1 to 9 The described RIS is used for execution. In some examples, the RIS can execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the wireless RIS to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless RIS can use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described functions.

[0222] At 1805, the method may include receiving a set of reference signals. The operation of 1805 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1805 may be determined by reference to... Figure 8 The reference signal manager 825 is used to perform the described operation.

[0223] At 1810, the method may include guiding a set of reference signals to the UE via a beam set, each beam in the beam set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances within the near-field region of the RIS. Operation of 1810 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1810 may be provided by reference... Figure 8 The beam manager 830 described is used to perform this.

[0224] At 1815, the method may include receiving measurements from the UE for a set of reference signals. Operation of 1815 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of operation of 1815 may be determined by, as in the reference... Figure 8 The measurement manager 835 described is used to perform this.

[0225] Figure 19A flowchart illustrating a method 1900 for range scanning in the near-field region of a RIS, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown. Operation of method 1900 can be implemented by a RIS or its components as described herein. For example, operation of method 1900 can be achieved by, as referenced... Figures 1 to 9 The described RIS is used for execution. In some examples, the RIS can execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the wireless RIS to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless RIS can use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described functions.

[0226] At 1905, the method may include receiving a set of reference signals. The operation of 1905 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1905 may be determined by reference to... Figure 8 The reference signal manager 825 is used to perform the described operation.

[0227] At 1910, the method may include guiding a set of reference signals to the UE via a beam set, each beam in the beam set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances within the near-field region of the RIS. Operation of 1910 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1910 may be provided by reference to... Figure 8 The beam manager 830 described is used to perform this.

[0228] At point 1915, the method may include receiving measurements from the UE for a set of reference signals. Operation at point 1915 can be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of operation at point 1915 may be determined by, as in the reference... Figure 8 The measurement manager 835 described is used to perform this.

[0229] At 1920, the method may include receiving an indication of beam-focusing distance for the UE from a network entity. Operation at 1920 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of operation at 1920 may be provided by reference to [reference needed]. Figure 8 The described beam-focusing distance manager 840 is used to perform this.

[0230] Figure 20 A flowchart illustrating a method 2000 for range scanning in the near-field region of a RIS, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown. Operation of method 2000 may be implemented by a network entity or its components as described herein. For example, operation of method 2000 may be implemented by, as referenced... Figures 1 to 5 as well as Figures 10 to 13The described network entity performs the functions. In some examples, the network entity may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the wireless network entity to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless network entity may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described functions.

[0231] At 2005, the method may include sending a set of reference signals to the RIS (RIS) for the RIS to guide the UE via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances within the near-field region of the RIS. Operation of 2005 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 2005 may be determined by reference to... Figure 12 The reference signal manager 1225 described herein shall be used to execute this.

[0232] At 2010, the method may include receiving measurements from the UE for a set of reference signals. Operation of 2010 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of operation of 2010 may be determined by, as in the reference... Figure 12 The measurement manager 1230 described is used to perform this.

[0233] At 2015, the method may include sending an indication of the beam-focusing distance for the UE to the RIS based on measurements. Operation of 2015 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of operation of 2015 may be derived from references... Figure 12 The described beam-focusing distance manager 1235 is used to perform this.

[0234] Figure 21 A flowchart illustrating a method 2100 for supporting range scanning in the near-field region of a RIS according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Operation of method 2100 can be implemented by a UE or its components as described herein. For example, operation of method 2100 can be achieved by, as referenced... Figures 1 to 5 and Figures 14 to 17 The UE 115 described herein performs the following: In some examples, the UE may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the wireless UE to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless UE may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described functions.

[0235] At 2105, the method may include receiving a set of reference signals from the RIS via a beamset, each beam in the beamset having a corresponding beam-focusing distance selected from a set of beam-focusing distances in the near-field region of the RIS. Operation of 2105 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 2105 may be derived from references... Figure 16 The reference signal manager 1625 described is used to execute this.

[0236] At 2110, the method may include sending measurements to a network entity for a reference set of signals. The operation of 2110 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 2110 may be determined by reference... Figure 16 The measurement manager 1630 described is used to execute this.

[0237] The following provides an overview of the various aspects of this disclosure:

[0238] Aspect 1: A method for wireless communication at a RIS, the method comprising: receiving a set of reference signals; directing the set of reference signals to a UE via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances in the near field region of the RIS; and receiving measurements from the UE for the set of reference signals.

[0239] Aspect 2: According to the method of aspect 1, the method further includes: sending the measurement to the network entity for the reference signal set.

[0240] Aspect 3: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 2, the method further comprising: receiving an indication of beam focusing distance for the UE from a network entity based at least in part on the measurement.

[0241] Aspect 4: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the beam focusing distance set includes varying distance increments.

[0242] Aspect 5: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, the method further comprising: receiving from a network entity a first control signaling indicating the angular direction of the beam set.

[0243] Aspect 6: According to the method of aspect 5, guiding the reference signal set via the beam set includes: guiding the beam set in the angular direction.

[0244] Aspect 7: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6, wherein guiding the reference signal set via the beam set comprises: obtaining the beam focusing distance set from a codebook.

[0245] Aspect 8: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 7, the method further comprising: receiving from a network entity a third control signaling indicating a phase matrix, wherein the phase matrix indicates the angular direction of the beam set.

[0246] Aspect 9: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, the method further comprising: sending control signaling to a network entity indicating the attributes of the RIS.

[0247] Aspect 10: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 9, wherein the beam set comprises: a first beam having a first beam focusing distance and a second beam having a second beam focusing distance.

[0248] Aspect 11: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 10, the method further comprising: receiving from a network entity a second control signaling indicating the set of beam focusing distances.

[0249] Aspect 12: According to the method of aspect 11, wherein the second control signaling indicates the beam focusing distance set from the codebook.

[0250] Aspect 13: A method for wireless communication at a network entity, the method comprising: transmitting a set of reference signals to a RIS for the RIS to be directed to a UE via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances in the near field region of the RIS; receiving a measurement from the UE for the set of reference signals; and transmitting an indication of a beam focusing distance for the UE to the RIS based at least in part on the measurement.

[0251] Aspect 14: The method according to aspect 13, the method further comprising: receiving control signaling from the RIS indicating attributes of the RIS, wherein the beam focusing distance for the UE is at least partially based on the attributes of the RIS.

[0252] Aspect 15: The method according to any one of Aspects 13 to 14, wherein the beam focusing distance set includes varying distance increments.

[0253] Aspect 16: The method according to any one of aspects 13 to 15, the method further comprising: sending a first control signaling to the RIS indicating the angular direction of the beam set.

[0254] Aspect 17: The method according to any one of aspects 13 to 16, the method further comprising: sending a second control signaling to the RIS indicating the beam focusing distance set.

[0255] Aspect 18: The method according to any one of aspects 13 to 17, the method further comprising: receiving from the RIS control signaling indicating attributes of the RIS, wherein the beam focusing distance set is at least partially based on the attributes of the RIS.

[0256] Aspect 19: The method according to any one of aspects 13 to 18, the method further comprising: sending control signaling to the RIS indicating a phase matrix, wherein the phase matrix indicates the angular direction of the beam set.

[0257] Aspect 20: The method according to any one of aspects 13 to 19, wherein receiving a measurement for the reference signal set comprises: receiving a set of RSRP values ​​corresponding to the reference signal set.

[0258] Aspect 21: The method according to any one of aspects 13 to 20, wherein the beam set comprises: a first beam having a first beam focusing distance and a second beam having a second beam focusing distance.

[0259] Aspect 22: According to the method of aspect 21, receiving a measurement for the reference signal set includes: receiving a first RSRP value associated with the first beam and a second RSRP value associated with the second beam; calculating a difference between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value; and identifying the beam focusing distance for the UE based at least in part on comparing the difference with an incremental RSRP grid.

[0260] Aspect 23: A method for wireless communication at a UE, the method comprising: receiving a set of reference signals from a RIS via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances in the near field region of the RIS; and transmitting measurements for the set of reference signals to a network entity.

[0261] Aspect 24: According to the method of aspect 23, transmitting the measurement for the reference signal set includes: transmitting a set of RSRP values ​​corresponding to the reference signal set.

[0262] Aspect 25: The method according to any one of Aspects 23 to 24, wherein the beam-focusing distance set includes varying distance increments.

[0263] Aspect 26: The method according to any one of aspects 23 to 25, wherein receiving the reference signal set via the beam set comprises: receiving a first reference signal via a first beam having a first beam focusing distance and receiving a second reference signal via a second beam having a second beam focusing distance.

[0264] Aspect 27: According to the method of aspect 26, the measurement for the set of reference signals includes: transmitting a first RSRP value associated with the first reference signal and a second RSRP value associated with the second reference signal.

[0265] Aspect 28: An apparatus for wireless communication at a RIS, the apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 12.

[0266] Aspect 29: An apparatus for wireless communication at a RIS, the apparatus comprising at least one component for performing the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 12.

[0267] Aspect 30: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a RIS, the code including instructions executable by a processor to perform the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 12.

[0268] Aspect 31: An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, the apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform the method according to any one of aspects 13 to 22.

[0269] Aspect 32: An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, the apparatus comprising at least one component for performing the method according to any one of aspects 13 to 22.

[0270] Aspect 33: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a network entity, the code including instructions executable by a processor to perform the method according to any one of aspects 13 to 22.

[0271] Aspect 34: An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE, the apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform the method according to any one of aspects 23 to 27.

[0272] Aspect 35: An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE, the apparatus comprising at least one component for performing the method according to any one of aspects 23 to 27.

[0273] Aspect 36: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a UE, the code including instructions executable by a processor to perform the method according to any one of aspects 23 to 27.

[0274] It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possible specific implementations, and the operations and steps can be rearranged or otherwise modified, and other specific implementations are also possible. Furthermore, aspects from two or more of these methods can be combined.

[0275] While aspects of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR systems may be described for illustrative purposes, and the terms LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR may be used in most of the description, the techniques described herein are also applicable to networks other than LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR networks. For example, the techniques described may be applicable to a variety of other wireless communication systems, such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, and other systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.

[0276] The information and signals described herein can be represented using any of a variety of different techniques and methods. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips mentioned throughout the description can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0277] The various exemplary blocks and components described herein can be implemented or performed using a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, CPU, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic unit, discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in alternative embodiments, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors cooperating with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0278] The functionality described herein can be implemented using hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software executed by a processor, the functionality can be stored as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium or transmitted using one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Other examples and specific implementations are within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functionality described herein can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination of these. Features implementing the functionality can also be physically located in different locations, including portions distributed such that the functionality is implemented in different physical locations.

[0279] Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media, encompassing any medium that facilitates the transfer of computer programs from one location to another. Non-transitory storage media can be any available medium accessible by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compressed optical disc (CD) ROM or other optical disc storage devices, magnetic disk storage devices or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code components in the form of instructions or data structures, and accessible by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Furthermore, any connection is appropriately referred to as computer-readable media. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included within the definition of computer-readable media. As used herein, disks and optical discs include CDs, laser discs, optical discs, digital multifunction discs (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs. Disks can reproduce data magnetically, while optical discs can reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0280] As used herein (including in the claims), the word "or" used in an enumeration of items (e.g., an enumeration of items accompanied by phrases such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive enumeration, such that an enumeration of at least one of, for example, A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Furthermore, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step described as "based on condition A" could be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should be interpreted in the same manner as the phrase "at least partially based on".

[0281] The term "determine" encompasses a variety of actions, and therefore, "determine" can include calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, lookup (such as by searching in a table, database, or other data structure), identification, and similar actions. Furthermore, "determine" can include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data stored in memory), etc. Moreover, "determine" can include parsing, acquiring, selecting, choosing, creating, and other similar actions.

[0282] In the accompanying drawings, similar components or features may have the same reference numerals. Furthermore, various components of the same type can be distinguished by adding a dash after the reference numeral and a second reference numeral to differentiate them. If only the first reference numeral is used in the description, the description can be applied to any of the similar components having the same first reference numeral, regardless of the second or other subsequent reference numerals.

[0283] The description herein, illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, describes an example configuration and does not represent all achievable examples or those within the scope of the claims. The term "example" as used herein means "used as an example, instance, or illustration," not "preferred" or "advantageous over other examples." The detailed description includes specific details used to provide an understanding of the described techniques. However, these techniques can be practiced without these specific details. In some cases, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concept of the described examples.

[0284] The description herein is provided to enable those skilled in the art to implement or use this disclosure. Various modifications to this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but should be granted the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication at a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), the method comprising: Receive reference signal set; The reference signal set is directed to the user equipment (UE) via a beam set, each beam in the beam set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances in the near field region of the RIS; as well as The UE receives measurements for the reference signal set.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The measurement is sent to the network entity for the reference signal set.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The network entity receives an indication of the beam focusing distance for the UE based at least in part on the measurement.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the beam focusing distance set includes varying distance increments.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Receive a first control signaling from the network entity indicating the angular direction of the beam set.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein guiding the reference signal set via the beam set comprises: The beam set is guided in the angular direction.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein guiding the reference signal set via the beam set comprises: The set of beam focusing distances is obtained from the codebook.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Receive a third control signaling from a network entity indicating a phase matrix, wherein the phase matrix indicates the angular direction of the beam set.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Send control signaling indicating the attributes of the RIS to the network entity.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the beam set comprises: A first beam with a first beam focusing distance and a second beam with a second beam focusing distance.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Receive a second control signal from the network entity indicating the set of beam focusing distances.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the second control signaling indicates the beam focusing distance set from the codebook.

13. A method for conducting wireless communication at a network entity, the method comprising: A set of reference signals is sent to a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) for the RIS to be guided to a user equipment (UE) via a set of beams, each beam in the set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances in the near field region of the RIS. Receive measurements from the UE for the reference signal set; and The beam focusing distance for the UE is sent to the RIS at least in part based on the measurement.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: Receive control signaling from the RIS indicating the attributes of the RIS, wherein the beam focusing distance for the UE is at least partially based on the attributes of the RIS.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the beam-focusing distance set includes varying distance increments.

16. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: Send a first control signal to the RIS indicating the angular direction of the beam set.

17. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: Send a second control signal to the RIS indicating the beam focusing distance set.

18. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: Receive control signaling from the RIS indicating the properties of the RIS, wherein the beam focusing distance set is at least in part based on the properties of the RIS.

19. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: Send a control signaling instruction to the RIS indicating the phase matrix, wherein the phase matrix indicates the angular direction of the beam set.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein receiving a measurement for the reference signal set comprises: Receive a set of reference signal received power values ​​corresponding to the set of reference signals.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the beam set comprises: A first beam with a first beam focusing distance and a second beam with a second beam focusing distance.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein receiving a measurement for the reference signal set comprises: Receive a first reference signal received power value associated with the first beam and a second reference signal received power value associated with the second beam; Calculate the difference between the received power value of the first reference signal and the received power value of the second reference signal; as well as The beam focusing distance for the UE is identified at least in part by comparing the difference with an incremental reference signal received power grid.

23. A method for conducting wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: A set of reference signals is received from a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) via a beamset, each beam in the beamset having a corresponding beam-focusing distance selected from a set of beam-focusing distances within the near-field region of the RIS; and Measurements for the reference signal set are sent to the network entity.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein transmitting the measurement for the reference signal set comprises: Transmit a set of reference signal received power values ​​corresponding to the set of reference signals.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the beam-focusing distance set includes varying distance increments.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein receiving the reference signal set via the beam set comprises: A first reference signal is received via a first beam having a first beam focusing distance, and a second reference signal is received via a second beam having a second beam focusing distance.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein transmitting the measurement for the reference signal set comprises: Transmit a first reference signal received power value associated with the first reference signal and a second reference signal received power value associated with the second reference signal.

28. An apparatus for wireless communication at a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), the apparatus comprising: processor; A memory coupled to the processor; and Instructions, which are stored in the memory and can be executed by the processor, to cause the device to: Receive reference signal set; The reference signal set is directed to the user equipment (UE) via a beam set, each beam in the beam set having a corresponding beam focusing distance selected from a set of beam focusing distances in the near field region of the RIS; as well as The UE receives measurements for the reference signal set.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: The measurement is sent to the network entity for the reference signal set.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: The network entity receives an indication of the beam focusing distance for the UE based at least in part on the measurement.

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