Wireless communication with environmental internet of things devices

Abstract

Wireless communication systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided. A method of wireless communication performed by an environmental Internet of Things (IoT) device may include receiving a first signal from a first wireless communication device. The environmental IoT device may be powered by energy transmitted by the first wireless communication device. The method may further include selecting a second wireless communication device based on at least one of an energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal or a communication link quality associated with the first wireless communication device; and receiving a second signal from the second wireless communication device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to wireless communication systems, and more particularly to improving wireless communications between an environmental Internet of Things (IoT) device and other wireless communication devices, particularly selecting a secondary node to assist in wireless communications between the environmental IoT device and the wireless communication devices. BACKGROUND

[0002] Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems can be capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the 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-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems which can be referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems can 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 spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple-access communications system can include one or more base stations each simultaneously supporting communication with multiple communication devices, which can be passive IoT devices.

[0003] A wireless communication system can include one or more base stations each simultaneously supporting communication with multiple communication devices, which can be passive IoT devices.

[0004] To meet the growing demand for expanded mobile broadband communication, wireless communication technologies are advancing from LTE technologies to next generation NR technologies. For example, NR is expanding to enhance mobile broadband (eMBB), for example, ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), and machine type communication (MTC). NR can be expanded to support passive IoT, for example, in use cases supporting radio frequency identification (RFID) sensors. SUMMARY

[0005] The following presents a simplified summary of some aspects of the present disclosure to provide a basic understanding of the discussed technology. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects of the present disclosure, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects of the present disclosure nor delineate the scope of any or all aspects of the present disclosure. This summary is presented as a prelude to the more detailed description presented later to give some concepts of one or more aspects of the present disclosure in a generalized form of summary, before the more detailed description is given.

[0006] In one aspect of this disclosure, a method of wireless communication performed by an environmental Internet of Things (IoT) device may include: receiving a first signal from a first wireless communication device, wherein the environmental IoT device is powered by energy transmitted by the first wireless communication device; selecting a second wireless communication device based on at least one of an energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal or a communication link quality associated with the first wireless communication device; and receiving a second signal from the second wireless communication device.

[0007] In an additional aspect of this disclosure, a method of wireless communication performed by a first wireless communication device may include: establishing a communication link with an environmental Internet of Things (IoT) device; transmitting a first signal to the environmental IoT device, wherein the first signal is an energy signal for powering the environmental IoT device; selecting a second wireless communication device based on at least one of an energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal or a communication link quality associated with the environmental IoT device; and receiving a second signal from the second wireless communication device.

[0008] In an additional aspect of this disclosure, an environmental IoT device may include: at least one memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicating with the at least one memory and the at least one transceiver, wherein the environmental IoT device is configured to: receive a first signal from a first wireless communication device, wherein the environmental IoT device is powered by energy transmitted by the first wireless communication device; select a second wireless communication device based on at least one of an energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal or a communication link quality associated with the first wireless communication device; and receive a second signal from the second wireless communication device.

[0009] In an additional aspect of this disclosure, a first wireless communication device may include: at least one memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicating with the at least one memory and the at least one transceiver, wherein the environmental IoT device is configured to: establish a communication link with an environmental Internet of Things (IoT) device; transmit a first signal to the environmental IoT device, wherein the first signal is an energy signal for powering the environmental IoT device; select a second wireless communication device based on at least one of an energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal or a communication link quality associated with the environmental IoT device; and receive a second signal from the second wireless communication device.

[0010] Other aspects, features, and examples of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following description of specific exemplary embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. While features of the invention may be discussed below with respect to certain aspects and drawings, all instances of the invention may include one or more of the advantageous features discussed herein. In other words, while one or more instances may be discussed as having certain advantageous features, one or more such features may also be used according to the various instances of the invention discussed herein. Similarly, while exemplary aspects may be discussed below as examples of devices, systems, or methods, it should be understood that such exemplary instances may be implemented in various devices, systems, and methods. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 Example wireless communication networks according to some aspects of this disclosure are illustrated.

[0012] Figure 2 An example decomposed base station architecture based on some aspects of this disclosure is illustrated.

[0013] Figure 3 Example wireless communication between a base station and an environmental IoT device is illustrated according to some aspects of this disclosure.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a signal flow diagram of an exemplary communication method according to some aspects of this disclosure.

[0015] Figure 5 Exemplary wireless communication between environmental devices and network units according to some aspects of this disclosure is illustrated.

[0016] Figure 6 Exemplary wireless communication between environmental devices and network units according to some aspects of this disclosure is illustrated.

[0017] Figure 7 Exemplary wireless communication between environmental devices and network units according to some aspects of this disclosure is illustrated.

[0018] Figure 8 This is a block diagram of an exemplary IoT device in an environment based on some aspects of this disclosure.

[0019] Figure 9 This is a block diagram of an exemplary network unit according to some aspects of this disclosure.

[0020] Figure 10 This is a flowchart of a communication method based on some aspects of this disclosure.

[0021] Figure 11 This is a flowchart of a communication method based on some aspects of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The detailed description below, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configuration in which the concepts described herein can be practiced. To provide a comprehensive understanding of the various concepts, the detailed description includes specific details. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts can be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring such concepts.

[0023] This disclosure relates throughout to wireless communication systems, also known as wireless communication networks. In various instances, technologies and apparatus can be used in wireless communication networks such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) networks, Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) networks, Orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) networks, Single Carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) networks, LTE networks, GSM networks, 5G or New Radio (NR) networks, and other communication networks. As described herein, the terms "network" and "system" are used interchangeably.

[0024] Various other aspects and features of this disclosure are further described below. It should be apparent that the teachings herein can be embodied in various forms, and any particular structure, function, or both disclosed herein are merely representative and not limiting. Based on the teachings herein, those skilled in the art will understand that the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented independently of any other aspect, and two or more of these aspects can be combined in various ways. For example, any number of aspects set forth herein can be used to implement an apparatus or practice a method. Furthermore, such apparatuses or methods can be implemented using structures, functionalities, or structures and functionalities other than or different from one or more of the aspects set forth herein. For example, a method can be implemented as part of a system, device, apparatus, and / or as instructions stored on a computer-readable medium for execution on a processor or computer. Moreover, an aspect may include at least one element of the claims.

[0025] RFID is a rapidly evolving technology across many industries due to its significant economic potential in areas such as asset management, IoT, sustainable sensor networks, and smart homes. RFID can include small transponders that transmit information-carrying signals upon receiving a signal, enabling RFID to operate with low operating costs without batteries. As 5G expands into more industrial verticals beyond eMBB (e.g., URLLC and MTC), 5G and subsequent technologies may extend to support passive IoT. Backscatter-based devices (e.g., passive environmental IoT devices) can be powered and communicate with a base station (BS), and a third node (e.g., another BS or another UE that is not a communication device associated with the environmental IoT device) can serve as an auxiliary node to assist the power link and / or communication link between the environmental IoT device and the BS. Therefore, a method for selecting a third node as a relay in communication between a BS and an environmental IoT device can be considered. For example, a method for selecting a third node may include considering whether the BS or the environmental IoT device requires a third node (e.g., an auxiliary node) in the communication. In addition, the method for selecting a third node may include: selecting another third node when the initially selected third node may no longer be suitable for assisting communication between the BS and the environmental IoT devices.

[0026] The various aspects involve wireless communication as a whole, and more specifically, wireless communication with environmental IoT devices. Some aspects more specifically involve wireless communication between a BS (Base Station) and an environmental IoT device, where the environmental IoT device is powered by the wireless communication device. In response to certain events, auxiliary nodes (e.g., a third node, which is not the BS communicating with the environmental IoT device) may be needed in the wireless communication. For example, when the energy conversion efficiency (e.g., energy loss) between the BS and the environmental IoT device becomes worse and / or the quality of the communication link (e.g., data transmission failure) becomes worse, the BS (or the environmental IoT device) may be triggered to select an auxiliary node to assist the wireless communication between the BS and the environmental IoT device. Therefore, the transmission quality and efficiency of the wireless communication between the BS and the environmental IoT device can be improved.

[0027] Additionally or alternatively, if the performance of the initially selected auxiliary node is unsatisfactory, the BS (or environmental IoT device) may further select new auxiliary nodes to assist in the wireless communication between the BS and the environmental IoT device. For example, the BS (or environmental IoT device) may monitor the power conversion efficiency and / or communication link quality associated with the initially selected auxiliary node, and if either the power conversion efficiency or the communication link quality associated with the initially selected auxiliary node decreases, a new auxiliary node is selected. In this way, the performance of the wireless communication between the BS and the environmental IoT device can be maintained efficiently and continuously.

[0028] Specific aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented to achieve one or more of the following potential advantages. In some examples, by implementing a wireless communication process according to embodiments of this disclosure, the described techniques can be used to support the transmission of RFID sensors in NR technology and improve transmission efficiency in selecting appropriate, suitable auxiliary nodes as relays in the wireless communication process. For example, the described techniques can reduce power waste by selecting auxiliary nodes in the wireless communication process when the energy conversion efficiency of the wireless communication process decreases. Furthermore, the described techniques can improve the quality of data transmission by selecting auxiliary nodes in the wireless communication process when the quality of the communication link is compromised.

[0029] Figure 1 A wireless communication network 100 according to some aspects of this disclosure is illustrated. Network 100 includes multiple base stations (BSs) 105 and other network entities. In some aspects, BSs 105 may be interchangeable with network nodes and are not limited to base stations. BSs 105 may be stations communicating with UEs 115 and / or Internet of Things (IoT) devices 120, and may also be referred to as evolved Node Bs (eNBs), next-generation eNBs (gNBs), and access points, etc. Each BS 105 may provide communication coverage for a specific geographic area. In 3GPP, the term "cell" may refer to that specific geographic coverage area of ​​BS 105 and / or the BS subsystem serving that coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used.

[0030] BS 105 provides communication coverage for macrocells or small cells (such as picocells or femtocells) and / or other types of cells. Macrocells generally cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and allow unrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptions to a network provider. Small cells (such as picocells) generally cover a relatively small geographic area and allow unrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptions to a network provider. Small cells (such as femtocells) also generally cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a home) and, in addition to unrestricted access, provide restricted access by UEs associated with the femtocell (e.g., UEs in a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG), UEs of users in a home, etc.). A BS used for macrocells may be referred to as a macro BS. A BS used for small cells may be referred to as a small cell BS, pico BS, femtocell BS, or home BS. Figure 1In the examples shown, BS 105d and 105e can be conventional macro BSs, while BS 105a to 105c can be macro BSs with one of three-dimensional (3D), full-dimensional (FD), or massive MIMO capabilities. BS 105a to 105c can utilize their higher-dimensional MIMO capabilities to employ 3D beamforming, either elevation or azimuth beamforming, to increase coverage and capacity. BS 105f can be a small cell BS, which can be a home node or a portable access point. BS 105 can support one or more (e.g., two, three, four, etc.) cells.

[0031] Network 100 can support synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, BSs can have similar frame timings, and transmissions from different BSs can be approximately time-aligned. For asynchronous operation, BSs can have different frame timings, and transmissions from different BSs can be out of time-aligned.

[0032] UE 115 and / or IoT device 120 may be distributed throughout the wireless network 100, and each UE 115 and / or IoT device 120 may be stationary or mobile. UE 115 may also be referred to as a terminal, mobile station, subscriber unit, station, etc. UE 115 may be a cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless modem, wireless communication device, handheld device, tablet computer, laptop computer, cordless phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, etc. In one aspect, UE 115 may be a device including a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC). In another aspect, UE may be a device without a UICC. In some aspects, UE 115 without a UICC may also be referred to as IoT device 120 or Internet of Things (IoE) device. UE 115a-115d are examples of mobile smartphone-type devices accessing network 100. UE 115 may also be a machine specifically configured for connected communications, including Machine Type Communication (MTC), Enhanced MTC (eMTC), Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), etc. UEs 115e-115h are examples of various machines configured for communication with access network 100. IoT device 120 may include one or more sensors and is configured to communicate with BS 105 and / or UE 115. UEs 115i-115k are examples of vehicles equipped with wireless communication devices configured for communication with access network 100. UE 115 can be able to communicate with any type of BS (whether a macro BS or a small cell, etc.). Figure 1In this context, a lightning bolt (e.g., a communication link) indicates a wireless transmission between devices. For example, a lightning bolt could indicate a wireless transmission between UE 115 and serving BS 105 (which is a BS designated to provide service for UE 115 on the downlink (DL) and / or uplink (UL), a desired transmission between BS 105, a backhaul transmission between BSs, or a sidelink transmission between UE 115.

[0033] In operation, BS 105a-105c can use 3D beamforming and cooperative spatial technologies, such as Cooperative Multipoint (CoMP) or multiple connectivity, to serve UEs 115a and 115b. Macro BS 105d can perform backhaul communications with BS 105a to 105c and the small cell BS 105f. Macro BS 105d can also transmit multicast services subscribed to and received by UEs 115c and 115d. Such multicast services may include mobile TV or streaming video, or other services for providing community information, such as weather emergencies or alerts, such as Amber Alerts or Grey Alerts.

[0034] BS 105 can also communicate with the core network. This core network provides user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. At least some BS 105s (e.g., examples of evolved Node Bs (eNBs) or Access Node Controllers (ANCs)) can interface with the core network 130 via backhaul links (e.g., S1, S2, etc.) and can perform radio configuration and scheduling to communicate with the UE 115. In various examples, BS 105s can communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., through the core network) via backhaul links (e.g., X1, X2, etc.), which can be wired or wireless communication links.

[0035] Network 100 can also support mission-critical communication with ultra-reliable and redundant links for mission-critical devices such as UE 115e, which can be vehicles (e.g., cars, trucks, buses, autonomous vehicles, airplanes, ships, etc.). Redundant communication links with UE 115e may include links from macro BS 105d and 105e, as well as links from small cell BS 105f. Other machine-type devices (such as UE 115f (e.g., a thermometer), UE 115g (e.g., a smart meter), UE 115h (e.g., a wearable device), and IoT device 120 (e.g., an RFID sensor)) can communicate directly with BSs (such as small cell BS 105f and macro BSs 105d and 105e) via network 100, or be in a multi-hop configuration by communicating with another user equipment that relays its information to the network (e.g., UE 115f conveys temperature measurement information to smart meter UE 115g, which is then reported to the network via small cell BS 105f). In some aspects, UE 115h can harvest energy from the surrounding environment associated with UE 115h. In some aspects, IoT device 120 can harvest energy from the surrounding environment associated with IoT device 120. For example, IoT device 120 can be an environmental IoT device that can harvest energy from BS 105d or UE 115d. Network 100 can also provide additional network efficiency through dynamic, low-latency TDD / FDD communications, such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) communications, and / or vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications between UE 115i, 115j, or 115k and other UE 115.

[0036] In some implementations, network 100 utilizes OFDM-based waveforms for communication. OFDM-based systems can divide the system BW into multiple (K) orthogonal subcarriers, which are often referred to as subcarriers, tones, frequency slots, etc. Each subcarrier can be modulated with data. In some instances, the subcarrier spacing between adjacent subcarriers can be fixed, and the total number of subcarriers (K) can depend on the system BW. The system BW can also be divided into subbands. In other instances, the subcarrier spacing and / or the duration of the time interval (TTI) can be scalable.

[0037] In some instances, BS 105 can assign or schedule transmission resources (e.g., in the form of time-frequency resource blocks (RBs)) for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) transmissions in network 100. DL refers to the transmission direction from BS 105 to UE 115, while UL refers to the transmission direction from UE 115 to BS 105. This communication can take the form of radio frames. Radio frames can be divided into multiple subframes, for example, about 10. Each subframe can be divided into time slots, for example, about 2. Each time slot can also be divided into micro-time slots. In FDD mode, simultaneous UL and DL transmissions can occur in different frequency bands. For example, each subframe includes UL subframes in the UL band and DL subframes in the DL band. In TDD mode, UL and DL transmissions occur at different time periods using the same frequency band. For example, a subset of subframes in a radio frame (e.g., DL subframes) can be used for DL ​​transmission, and another subset of subframes in the radio frame (e.g., UL subframes) can be used for UL transmission.

[0038] DL subframes and UL subframes can also be divided into several zones. For example, each DL subframe or UL subframe may have a predefined zone for transmitting reference signals, control information, and data. Reference signals are predetermined signals that facilitate communication between BS 105 and UE 115. For example, reference signals may have a specific pilot pattern or structure, where pilot tones may span the operating BW or frequency band, and each pilot tone is located at a predefined time and predefined frequency. For example, BS 105 may transmit a cell-specific reference signal (CRS) and / or a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) to enable UE 115 to estimate the DL channel. Similarly, UE 115 may transmit a sounding reference signal (SRS) to enable BS 105 to estimate the UL channel. Control information may include resource allocation and protocol control. Data may include protocol data and / or operational data. In some instances, BS 105 and UE 115 may communicate using self-contained subframes. Self-contained subframes may include portions for DL ​​communication and portions for UL communication. Self-contained subframes can be DL-centric or UL-centric. DL-centric subframes can include DL communication durations longer than UL communication durations. UL-centric subframes can include UL communication durations longer than UL communication durations.

[0039] In some instances, network 100 may be an NR network deployed on licensed spectrum. BS 105 may transmit synchronization signals (e.g., including primary synchronization signal (PSS) and secondary synchronization signal (SSS)) within network 100 to facilitate synchronization. BS 105 may broadcast system information associated with network 100 (e.g., including primary information block (MIB), residual minimum system information (RMSI), and other system information (OSI)) to facilitate initial network access. In some instances, BS 105 may broadcast PSS, SSS, and / or MIB in the form of synchronization signal block (SSB) on the physical broadcast channel (PBCH) and may broadcast RMSI and / or OSI on the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[0040] In some instances, UE 115 attempting to access network 100 can perform an initial cell search by detecting the PSS from BS 105. The PSS enables time-slot synchronization and indicates a physical layer identification value. UE 115 can then receive the SSS. The SSS enables radio frame synchronization and provides a cell identification value, which can be combined with the physical layer identification value to identify the cell. The SSS also enables detection of duplex mode and cyclic prefix length. The PSS and SSS can be located in the center portion of the carrier or at any suitable frequency within the carrier.

[0041] After receiving the PSS and SSS, UE 115 can receive the MIB. The MIB may include system information for initial network access and scheduling information for RMSI and / or OSI. After decoding the MIB, UE 115 can receive the RMSI and / or OSI. The RMSI and / or OSI may include radio resource control (RRC) information related to the Random Access Channel (RACH) procedure, paging, control resource set (CORESET) for monitoring the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), power control, SRS, and cell prohibition.

[0042] After obtaining the MIB, RMSI, and / or OSI, UE 115 can perform a random access procedure to establish a connection with BS 105. For the random access procedure, UE 115 can send a random access preamble, and BS 105 can respond with a random access response. Upon receiving the random access response, UE 115 can send a connection request to BS 105, and BS 105 can respond with a connection response (e.g., a contention resolution message).

[0043] After the connection is established, UE 115 and BS 105 can enter the normal operation phase, during which they can exchange operational data. For example, BS 105 can schedule UE 115 for UL communication and / or DL ​​communication. BS 105 can send UL scheduling permission and / or DL ​​scheduling permission to UE 115 via PDCCH. BS 105 can send DL communication signals to UE 115 via PDSCH based on DL scheduling permission. UE 115 can send UL communication signals to BS 105 via PUSCH and / or PUCCH based on UL scheduling permission.

[0044] Network 100 can be designed to enable a wide range of use cases. While in some examples, network 100 may utilize a monolithic base station, various other architectures exist that can be used to implement aspects of this disclosure. For example, BS 105 may be separated into a Remote Radio Header (RRH) and a Baseband Unit (BBU). The BBU may be centralized in a BBU pool and connected to the RRH via low-latency and high-bandwidth transmission links, such as optical transmission links. The BBU pool may be a cloud-based resource. In some aspects, baseband processing is performed on virtualized servers running in a data center rather than co-located with BS 105. In another example, base station functionality may be split among Remote Units (RUs), Distributed Units (DUs), and Central Units (CUs). RUs typically perform low physical layer functions, while DUs perform higher layer functions, which may include higher physical layer functions. CUs perform higher RAN functions, such as Radio Resource Control (RRC).

[0045] For simplicity of discussion, this disclosure refers to the methods of this disclosure being implemented by a base station or more generally by a network entity, while functionality can be implemented by various architectures other than monolithic base stations. In addition to decomposed base stations, aspects of this disclosure can also be implemented by centralized units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), radio units (RUs), near real-time (near-RT) RAN intelligent controllers (RICs), non-real-time (non-RT) RICs, IAB nodes, relay nodes, sidelink nodes, etc.

[0046] In some respects, IoT device 120 may receive a first signal from first BS 105. IoT device 120 may be powered by energy transmitted by first BS 105. IoT device 120 may select second BS 105 and / or UE 115 based on at least one of power conversion efficiency associated with the first signal or communication link quality associated with first BS 105. IoT device 120 may receive a second signal from second BS 105 or UE 115.

[0047] In some aspects, the environmental IoT device 120 may receive a first signal from the first wireless communication device 105. The environmental IoT device 120 may be powered by energy transmitted by the first wireless communication device 105. The environmental IoT device 120 may select the second wireless communication device 105 based on at least one of the power conversion efficiency associated with the first signal or the communication link quality associated with the first wireless communication device 105. The environmental IoT device 120 may receive a second signal from the second wireless communication device 105.

[0048] In some aspects, the first BS 105 may establish a communication link with the IoT device 120. The first BS 105 may transmit a first signal to the IoT device 120. The first signal may be an energy signal for powering the IoT device 120. For example, the first BS 105 may transmit a continuous wave to the environmental IoT device 120 from one or more selected resources to power the environmental IoT device 120. The first BS 105 may transmit electromagnetic waves (e.g., radio waves or a single sine wave signal) to the environmental IoT device 120, and the environmental IoT device 120 may receive the electromagnetic waves from the first BS 105 at a frequency matching the resonant frequency of the environmental IoT device 120's antenna to induce current, such that the integrated circuits of the environmental IoT device 120 can be powered to participate in the communication link. In some embodiments, the energy signal may include a peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) signal, multiple sine waves, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) carrier signals, or chaotic signals. In some embodiments, the communication link may serve as an energy link for powering the environmental IoT device 120. The first BS 105 may select the second BS 105 and / or UE 115 based on at least one of the power conversion efficiency associated with the first signal or the communication link quality associated with the IoT device 120. The first BS 105 may receive the second signal from the second BS 105 or UE 115.

[0049] In some aspects, the first wireless communication device 105 can establish a communication link with the environmental IoT device 120. The first wireless communication device 105 can transmit a first signal to the environmental IoT device 120. The first signal may be an energy signal for powering the environmental IoT device 120. The first wireless communication device 105 can select a second wireless communication device 105 based on at least one of the power conversion efficiency associated with the first signal or the communication link quality associated with the environmental IoT device 120. The first wireless communication device 105 can receive a second signal from the second wireless communication device 105.

[0050] Figure 2A diagram illustrating an example decomposed base station 200 architecture is shown. The decomposed base station 200 architecture may include one or more central units (CUs) 210, which may communicate directly with the core network 220 via a backhaul link, or indirectly with the core network 220 via one or more decomposed base station units, such as a near real-time (near-RT) RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) 225 via an E2 link, or a non-real-time (non-RT) RIC 215 associated with a Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) framework 205, or both. CUs 210 may communicate with one or more distributed units (DUs) 230 via corresponding midhaul links (such as F1 interfaces). DUs 230 may communicate with one or more radio units (RUs) 240 via corresponding fronthaul links. RUs 240 may communicate with corresponding UEs 115 (e.g., UEs 115a to 115j) and / or IoT devices 120 via one or more radio frequency (RF) access links. In some specific implementations, UE 115 can be served by multiple RU 240s simultaneously.

[0051] Each of these units (i.e., CU 210, DU 230, RU 240, and near-RT RIC 225, non-RT RIC 215, and SMO frame 205) may include or be coupled to one or more interfaces configured to receive or transmit signals, data, or information (collectively, signals) via wired or wireless transmission media. Each of these units, or an associated processor or controller providing instructions to the communication interfaces of these units, may be configured to communicate with one or more other units via transmission media. For example, these units may include wired interfaces configured to receive signals or transmit signals to one or more other units via wired transmission media. Additionally, these units may include wireless interfaces that may include receivers, transmitters, or transceivers (such as radio frequency (RF) transceivers) configured to receive signals via wireless transmission media or transmit signals to one or more other units, or both.

[0052] In some aspects, the CU 210 can host one or more higher-level control functions. Such control functions may include Radio Resource Control (RRC), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), or Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), etc. Each control function can be implemented using an interface configured to signal to other control functions hosted by the CU 210. The CU 210 can be configured to handle user plane functionality (i.e., Central Unit-User Plane (CU-UP)), control plane functionality (i.e., Central Unit-Control Plane (CU-CP)), or a combination thereof. In some specific implementations, the CU 210 can be logically divided into one or more CU-UP units and one or more CU-CP units. When implemented in an O-RAN configuration, the CU-UP units can communicate bidirectionally with the CU-CP units via an interface such as an E1 interface. The CU 210 can be implemented to communicate with the DU 230 as needed for network control and signaling.

[0053] DU 230 may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more base station functions for controlling the operation of one or more RU 240s. In some aspects, DU 230 may at least partially host one or more of the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, and one or more high physical (PHY) layers (such as modules for forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, etc.) according to functional splits (such as those defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). In some aspects, DU 230 may further host one or more low PHY layers. Each layer (or module) may be implemented using an interface configured to communicate signals with other layers (and modules) hosted by DU 230 or with control functions hosted by CU 210.

[0054] Lower-layer functionality can be implemented by one or more RU 240s. In some deployments, an RU240 controlled by a DU 230 may correspond to a logical node that hosts RF processing functions or low-PHY layer functions (such as performing Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Inverse FFT (iFFT), digital beamforming, Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) extraction and filtering, or both, based at least in part on functional decomposition (such as lower-layer functional decomposition). In such architectures, the RU 240 may be implemented to handle over-the-air (OTA) communications with one or more UE 115s. In some specific implementations, the real-time and non-real-time aspects of control plane and user plane communications with the RU 240 may be controlled by the corresponding DU 230. In some scenarios, this configuration enables the implementation of the DU 230 and CU 210 in cloud-based RAN architectures such as vRAN architectures.

[0055] SMO framework 205 can be configured to support RAN deployment and provisioning of both non-virtualized and virtualized network elements. For non-virtualized network elements, SMO framework 205 can be configured to support the deployment of dedicated physical resources for RAN coverage requirements, which can be managed via operation and maintenance interfaces such as the O1 interface. For virtualized network elements, SMO framework 205 can be configured to interact with a cloud computing platform such as Open Cloud (O-Cloud) 290 to perform network element lifecycle management (such as instantiating virtualized network elements) via a cloud computing platform interface such as the O2 interface. Such virtualized network elements may include CU 210, DU 230, RU 240, and near-RT RIC 225. In some implementations, SMO framework 205 may communicate with hardware aspects of the 4G RAN such as Open eNB (O-eNB) 211 via the O1 interface. Additionally, in some implementations, SMO framework 205 may communicate directly with one or more RU 240s via the O1 interface. SMO framework 205 may also include a non-RT RIC 215 configured to support the functionality of SMO framework 205.

[0056] The non-RT RIC 215 can be configured to include logical functions that enable non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, including artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML) workflows for model training and updates, or policy-based guidance for applications / features in the near-RT RIC 225. The non-RT RIC 215 can be coupled to or communicate with the near-RT RIC 225, such as via an A1 interface. The near-RT RIC 225 can be configured to include logical functions that enable near real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources via an interface, such as via an E2 interface, through data collection and actions, connecting one or more CU 210s, one or more DU 230s, or both, and O-eNBs to the near-RT RIC 225.

[0057] In some implementations, to generate AI / ML models to be deployed in the near-RT RIC 225, the non-RT RIC 215 may receive parameters or external enrichment information from an external server. This information can be utilized by the near-RT RIC 225 and may be received from non-network data sources or network functions at the SMO framework 205 or the non-RT RIC 215. In some examples, the non-RT RIC 215 or the near-RT RIC 225 may be configured to tune RAN behavior or performance. For example, the non-RT RIC 215 may monitor long-term trends and patterns in performance and employ AI / ML models to perform corrective actions via the SMO framework 205 (such as reconfiguration via O1) or by creating RAN management policies (such as A1 policies).

[0058] In some respects, the environmental IoT device 120 may receive a first signal from the first RU 240. The environmental IoT device 120 may be powered by energy transmitted by the first RU 240. The environmental IoT device 120 may select the second RU 240 and / or the UE 115 based on at least one of the power conversion efficiency associated with the first signal or the communication link quality associated with the first RU 240. The environmental IoT device 120 may receive a second signal from the second RU 240 or the UE 115.

[0059] In some respects, the first RU 240 may establish a communication link with the environmental IoT device 120. The first RU 240 may transmit a first signal to the environmental IoT device 120. The first signal may be an energy signal for powering the environmental IoT device 120. The first RU 240 may select the second RU 240 and / or the UE 115 based on at least one of the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal or the quality of the communication link associated with the environmental IoT device 120. The first RU 240 may receive a second signal from the second RU 240 or the UE 115.

[0060] Figure 3 An example of wireless communication between network unit 310 and environmental IoT device 120 according to some aspects of this disclosure is illustrated. The wireless communication network 300 includes network unit 310, environmental IoT device 120, and UE 115. In some aspects, network unit 310 may be a BS, CU, DU, and / or RU communicating with UE 115. In some aspects, network unit 310 may be... Figures 1 to 2 or Figure 9 The BS 105, CU 210, DU 230, RU 240, and / or network unit 900 described herein. In some aspects, network unit 310 may be an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a relay node, or a gNB. In some aspects, UE 115 may be... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The UE 115 described herein. In some aspects, the environmental IoT device 120 may be... Figure 1 , Figure 2 or Figure 8 The environmental IoT device 120 or environmental IoT device 800 described herein. Network unit 310 can provide communication coverage for cell 312. Cell 312 can allow UE 115 to access its network provider and support UE 115 and environmental IoT device 120 to initiate association procedures. In some aspects, cell 312 can be Figure 1 The community described in the text.

[0061] In some respects, the environmental IoT device 120 may receive a first signal from the network unit 310. The environmental IoT device 120 may be powered by energy transmitted by the network unit 310. The environmental IoT device 120 may select the second network unit 310 and / or the UE 115 based on at least one of the power conversion efficiency associated with the first signal or the communication link quality associated with the network unit 310. The environmental IoT device 120 may receive a second signal from the second network unit 310 or the UE 115. Figures 4 to 7 The document further describes detailed steps for an example of selecting a relay (e.g., an auxiliary node) in a wireless communication device between the environmental IoT device 120 and the network unit 310 (e.g., BS 105, CU 210, DU 230 and / or RU 240).

[0062] In some aspects, network unit 310 can establish a communication link with environmental IoT device 120. Network unit 310 can transmit a first signal to environmental IoT device 120. The first signal may be an energy signal for powering environmental IoT device 120. Network unit 310 can select a second network unit 310 and / or UE 115 based on at least one of the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal or the communication link quality associated with environmental IoT device 120. Network unit 310 can receive a second signal from the second network unit 310 or UE 115. Figures 4 to 7 The document further describes detailed steps for an example of selecting a relay (e.g., an auxiliary node) in a wireless communication device between network unit 310 (e.g., BS 105, CU 210, DU 230 and / or RU 240) and environmental IoT device 120.

[0063] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a communication method 400 according to some aspects of this disclosure. Aspects of method 400 may be performed by a computing device of the communication device (e.g., a processor, processing circuitry, and / or other suitable components) or other suitable components for performing these actions. For example, a communication device (such as environmental IoT device 120 or environmental IoT device 800) may utilize one or more components (such as processor 802, memory 804, auxiliary node selection module 808, transceiver 810, modem 812, and one or more antennas 816) to perform aspects of method 400. Method 400 may employ mechanisms similar to those in network 100 and network 200, and relative to... Figure 3The described aspects and actions. For example, a communication device (such as network unit 105) may utilize one or more components (such as processor 902, memory 904, auxiliary node selection module 908, transceiver 910, modem 912, and one or more antennas 916) to perform aspects of method 400. As illustrated, method 400 includes a plurality of enumerated actions, but method 400 may include additional actions before, after, and between these enumerated actions. In some aspects, one or more of these enumerated actions may be omitted or performed in a different order.

[0064] At action 402, the environmental IoT device 120 can communicate from a first communication device (e.g., such as...) Figure 4 The network unit 105, UE 115, Internet Access Backhaul (IAB) node, relay node, etc., shown in the example receive the first signal. In one embodiment, the environmental IoT device 120 may be powered by energy transmitted by the first communication device. For example, the first signal may be an energy signal that provides an energy link between the environmental IoT device 120 and the first communication device. In some embodiments, the first signal may be a communication signal that provides a communication link between the environmental IoT device 120 and the first communication device. In some embodiments, the first signal may include an energy signal and a communication signal that power the environmental IoT device 120 and provide a communication link between the environmental IoT device 120 and the first communication device.

[0065] At action 404, the environmental IoT device 120 may select a second communication device (e.g., network unit 105, UE 115, IAB node, relay node, etc.) as a relay (e.g., auxiliary node) in response to a specific event / scenario (e.g., the number of ACK or NACK messages transmitted by the environmental IoT device 120 exceeds a threshold). Figure 4 The example is shown in the image.

[0066] In some implementations, when the first signal is a communication signal providing a communication link between the environmental IoT device 120 and the first communication device, if the quality of the communication link between the first communication device and the environmental IoT device 120 is worse than a predefined / configured quality (e.g., receiving a NACK message), the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) may be triggered to select a second communication device as an auxiliary node to assist communication. For example, the quality of the communication link may be determined based on the number of NACKs received from the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device). When the number of NACKs exceeds a threshold, the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) may select an auxiliary node (e.g., the second communication device) to assist in communication transmission. In some implementations, the number of NACKs may be the total number of NACKs received during a monitoring window. For example, a threshold can be set to the maximum number of NACKs that can be received during a 15-minute monitoring window (e.g., three NACK messages). Once the first communication device (or environmental IoT device 120) receives more than three NACKs within the 15-minute monitoring window, it can be triggered to select a second communication device as a relay in the communication transmission. In some implementations, the number of NACKs can be the number of consecutively received NACKs. For example, a threshold can be set to the maximum number of consecutively received NACKs (e.g., three NACK messages). When the first communication device (or environmental IoT device 120) receives three consecutive NACKs, it can be triggered to select a second communication device as a relay in the communication transmission. This means that if an ACK message is received before the number of NACKs reaches the threshold (e.g., the maximum number of consecutively received NACKs), the counter used to count the number of NACKs will be reset to 0. Figure 5 The document further describes in detail the steps of an example of an environmental IoT device 120 (or a first communication device) selecting an auxiliary node based on ACK / NACK.

[0067] In some implementations, when the first signal is a communication signal providing a communication link between the environmental IoT device 120 and the first communication device, if the performance of the communication link between the first communication device and the environmental IoT device 120 is worse than a threshold, the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) may be triggered to select a second communication device as an auxiliary node to assist communication. The performance of the communication link may be indicated by the block error rate / bit error rate (BLER / BER) of the control information and / or the BLER / BER of the data information, and the threshold may be the BLER / BER value of the control information and / or the BLER / BER value of the data information. For example, when the BLER / BER value of the control information and / or the BLER / BER value of the data information is greater than a predefined threshold, the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) may be triggered to select a second communication device. In another implementation, if the number of times the BLER / BER value of the control information and / or the BLER / BER value of the data information is greater than a first threshold during the monitoring window is greater than a second threshold, the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) may be triggered to select a second communication device. For example, a first threshold for the BLER / BER value of the data information is set to 10%, and a second threshold for the number of times the BLER / BER value of the data information is less than 10% is three. Therefore, during the monitoring window, when the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) observes that the BLER / BER value of the data information is less than 10% more than three times, the environmental IoT device (or the first communication device) can select an auxiliary node.

[0068] In some implementations, when the first signal is a communication signal providing a communication link between the environmental IoT device 120 and the first communication device, the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) may be triggered to select a second communication device as an auxiliary node to assist communication based on at least one of Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR), or Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI). For example, the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) may select the second communication device based on the measured RSRP / SINR / RSSI values ​​(e.g., the measured RSRP / SINR / RSSI values ​​are greater than or less than a preset threshold).

[0069] In some implementations, when the first signal is a communication signal providing a communication link between the environmental IoT device 120 and the first communication device, if the quality of the current communication link (e.g., the communication link between the environmental IoT device 120 and the first communication device) is worse than the quality of the new communication link (e.g., the communication link between the environmental IoT device 120 and the second communication device), the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) may be triggered to select the second communication device as an auxiliary node to assist communication. In this implementation, the first communication device (e.g., BS 105) may configure periodic resources for the environmental IoT device 120, the first communication device, and the second communication device to send signals for measuring the communication links (e.g., the current communication link and the new communication link). In this implementation, the environmental IoT device 120, the first communication device, and / or the second communication device may periodically perform measurements of the communication links such that when any of the environmental IoT device 120, the first communication device, and the second communication device observes that the quality of the current communication link is worse than the quality of the new communication link, the selection of an auxiliary node may be triggered.

[0070] In some implementations, each of the criteria mentioned in the implementation where the first signal is a communication signal for triggering the selection of an auxiliary node can be used in common. For example, the first criterion for triggering the selection of an auxiliary node could be that the number of NACKs received from the environmental IoT device 120 is greater than a threshold, and the second criterion for triggering the selection of an auxiliary node could be that the quality of the current communication link is worse than the quality of the new communication link. The first communication device can select an auxiliary node if both the first and second criteria are met. In this case, when multiple criteria are applied to trigger the selection of an auxiliary node, compared to a scenario where only one criterion is applied, the environmental IoT device 120, the first communication device, and / or the second communication device can perform measurements of the communication link at a lower frequency (e.g., longer intervals or longer turnaround times). Figure 6 The document further describes detailed steps for an example of an environmental IoT device 120 (or a first communication device) selecting an auxiliary node based on multiple criteria.

[0071] In some implementations, the monitoring window mentioned above (e.g., in an implementation where the first signal is a communication signal) may be a periodic monitoring window configured by Radio Resource Control (RRC). In some implementations, the monitoring window may be triggered (e.g., started) upon receiving a NACK message. In some implementations, the monitoring window may be triggered and started (e.g., at time T1) when the BLER / BER values ​​of the control information and / or the data information are less than a predefined threshold.

[0072] In some implementations, when the first signal can be an energy signal providing an energy link between the environmental IoT device 120 and the first communication device, if the energy conversion efficiency is less than a threshold (e.g., a preset percentage of energy conversion efficiency), the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) may be triggered to select a second communication device as a relay. For example, a threshold for the energy conversion efficiency used to trigger the selection of the second communication device (e.g., an auxiliary node for assisting energy transmission between the first communication device and the environmental IoT device 120) may be set in the RAN's policy or protocol, such as a threshold of 60%. When the energy conversion efficiency is less than 60%, the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) may select an auxiliary node (e.g., the second communication device) to assist in energy transmission.

[0073] In some implementations, when the first signal can be an energy signal providing an energy link between the environmental IoT device 120 and the first communication device, if the energy conversion efficiency during a configured monitoring window is less than a threshold, the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) may be triggered to select a second communication device as a relay. The energy conversion efficiency in this implementation can be at least one of average energy conversion efficiency, maximum energy conversion efficiency, or minimum energy conversion efficiency. For example, when the energy conversion efficiency is less than a preset threshold (e.g., 60% energy conversion efficiency) within a default monitoring window (e.g., three hours from 12 AM to 3 AM), the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) may select a second communication device to assist in energy transmission. In some implementations, the monitoring window can be predefined or configured by RRC. In some implementations, the monitoring window can be dynamically indicated. In some implementations, the monitoring window can be initiated by an event (e.g., receiving a NACK message or the energy conversion efficiency being less than a threshold).

[0074] In some implementations, when the first signal can be an energy signal providing an energy link between the environmental IoT device 120 and the first communication device, if the number of times the energy conversion efficiency is less than a first threshold (e.g., energy link failure) during the monitoring window is greater than a second threshold, the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) may be triggered to select a second communication device as a relay. For example, the first threshold for energy conversion efficiency is set to 60%, and the second threshold for the number of times the energy conversion efficiency is less than 60% is five. Therefore, during the monitoring window, when the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) observes more than five energy link failures (e.g., five instances of energy conversion efficiency less than 60% in the energy link during the entire monitoring window), the environmental IoT device (or the first communication device) may select an auxiliary node. In some implementations, the energy conversion efficiency can be an instantaneous energy conversion efficiency, such as the energy conversion efficiency at the current time when calculating the energy conversion efficiency. In some implementations, the energy conversion efficiency can be at least one of the average energy conversion efficiency, maximum energy conversion efficiency, or minimum energy conversion efficiency during the configured monitoring window. In some implementations, the monitoring window can be predefined or configured by RRC. In some implementations, the monitoring window can be dynamically indicated. In some implementations, the monitoring window can be initiated by an event (e.g., receiving a NACK message or the energy conversion efficiency being less than a threshold). Figure 7 The document further describes in detail the steps of an example of an environmental IoT device 120 (or a first communication device) selecting an auxiliary node based on energy conversion efficiency.

[0075] In some implementations, when the first signal can be an energy signal that provides an energy link between the environmental IoT device 120 and the first communication device, if the total energy collected during the monitoring window is less than a threshold, the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) may be triggered to select a second communication device as a relay.

[0076] In some implementations, when the first signal can be an energy signal that provides an energy link between the environmental IoT device 120 and the first communication device, if the energy conversion efficiency of the new energy link (e.g., the energy link between the environmental IoT device 120 and the second communication device) is better than the energy conversion efficiency of the current energy link (e.g., the energy link between the environmental IoT device 120 and the first communication device), the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) may be triggered to select the second communication device as a relay.

[0077] In some implementations, when the first signal can be an energy signal providing an energy link between the environmental IoT device 120 and the first communication device, if the gap between two energy transmissions (e.g., the interruption time between two energy transmissions) is greater than a predefined duration, the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) may be triggered to select a second communication device as a relay. For example, the predefined duration between two energy transmissions may be set to three seconds; therefore, when the gap / interval between two energy transmissions (e.g., 30 seconds) is longer than the predefined duration (e.g., 3 seconds), the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) may select a second communication device to assist the energy link.

[0078] In some implementations, when the second communication device can only be used for auxiliary communication links, the triggering conditions for selecting the second communication device may follow the standards discussed in the implementation where the first signal is a communication signal. For example, the second communication device may only be used for downlink transmission or uplink transmission, and the triggering conditions for selecting the second communication device may include: (1) the quality of the communication link between the first communication device and the environmental IoT device 120 is worse than a predefined / configured quality, (2) the performance of the communication link between the first communication device and the environmental IoT device 120 is worse than a threshold, (3) the measured RSRP / SINR / RSSI values ​​are greater than or less than a preset threshold, (4) the quality of the current communication link is worse than the quality of the new communication link, and (5) a combination of at least two of the above (1) to (4) in this implementation.

[0079] As discussed above, when the second communication device can be used only to assist the communication link, it can be used for both downlink and uplink transmission. Therefore, the triggering conditions for selecting a third communication device as a new relay may include: (1) the downlink or uplink transmission provided by the second communication device meets the criteria discussed in the implementation where the first signal is a communication signal, and (2) both the downlink and uplink transmissions provided by the second communication device meet the criteria discussed in the implementation where the first signal is a communication signal. For example, when the quality of the downlink transmission between the second communication device and the environmental IoT device 120 is worse than a predefined quality, the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) may select a third communication device (e.g., network unit 105, UE 115, IAB node, or a relay node as a new relay) to assist the wireless communication between the environmental IoT device 120 and the first communication device. In some implementations, the threshold discussed when determining the second communication device may differ from the threshold discussed when determining the third communication device. For example, the threshold for the number of NACKs received when triggering the selection of a third communication device can be lower / stricter than the threshold for the number of NACKs received when triggering the selection of a second communication device. Similarly, the BLER / BER value used to trigger the selection of a third communication device can be lower / stricter than the BLER / BER value used to trigger the selection of a second communication device.

[0080] In some implementations, when the second communication device is only available for the auxiliary energy link, the triggering conditions for selecting the second communication device may follow the standards discussed in the implementation where the first signal is an energy signal. For example, the triggering conditions for selecting the second communication device when it only supports the energy link may include: (1) the energy conversion efficiency is less than a threshold, (2) the energy conversion efficiency is less than a threshold during the configured monitoring window, (3) the number of times the energy conversion efficiency is less than a first threshold during the monitoring window is greater than a second threshold, (4) the total energy collected during the monitoring window is less than a threshold, (5) the energy conversion efficiency of the new energy link is better than the energy conversion efficiency of the current energy link, and (6) the interval between two energy transmissions is greater than a predefined duration.

[0081] In some implementations, when the second communication device can be used for both the auxiliary communication link and the energy link, the triggering conditions for selecting the second communication device may include: (1) the communication link or the energy link satisfies either the triggering conditions discussed in the implementation in which the second communication device can only be used for the auxiliary communication link and the triggering conditions discussed in the implementation in which the second communication device can only be used for the auxiliary energy link.

[0082] In some implementations, when a second communication device is available for both an auxiliary communication link and an energy link, the triggering conditions for selecting the second communication device may include jointly considering both the communication link and the energy link. For example, the threshold for the communication link used to trigger the selection of the second communication device may be determined by the energy state (e.g., currently available energy). The energy state may represent the energy level of available energy, such that the threshold (e.g., the number of NACKs, the BLER / BER value, etc.) may correspond to different energy levels. In another implementation, the threshold for the energy link used to trigger the selection of the second communication device may be determined by the performance of the communication link. For example, the performance of the communication link may be indicated by a corresponding level (e.g., excellent, good, poor, etc.), such that the threshold may correspond to different levels of communication link performance.

[0083] In some implementations, when the second communication device is available for both the auxiliary communication link and the energy link, the triggering conditions for selecting the third communication device may include: (1) the energy conversion efficiency of the new energy link (e.g., the energy link associated with the third communication device) is better than that of the current energy link (e.g., the energy link associated with the second communication device), and (2) the quality of the communication link (e.g., the communication link associated with the third communication device) is greater than a predefined / configured threshold.

[0084] In some implementations, when the second communication device is available for both the auxiliary communication link and the energy link, the triggering conditions for selecting the third communication device may include: (1) the quality of the new communication link (e.g., the communication link associated with the third communication device) is better than the quality of the current communication link (e.g., the communication link associated with the second communication device), and (2) the energy conversion efficiency (e.g., the energy conversion efficiency associated with the third communication device) is greater than a predefined / configured threshold.

[0085] In some implementations, when a second communication device is available for both an auxiliary communication link and an energy link, the triggering conditions for selecting a third communication device may include: both the energy conversion efficiency and the quality of the new communication link (e.g., the energy conversion efficiency and communication link quality associated with the third communication device) are superior to the current energy link and the current communication link (e.g., the energy conversion efficiency and communication link quality associated with the second communication device). In some implementations, the threshold may be different for a second communication device that provides both an auxiliary communication link (including downlink transmission and uplink transmission) and an energy link, and for a second communication device that only provides auxiliary energy link and downlink transmission.

[0086] At action 406, the first communication device can transmit a second signal to the selected second communication device.

[0087] Furthermore, at action 408, the selected second communication device can transmit a second signal to the environmental IoT device 120 as a relay in the wireless communication between the first communication device and the environmental IoT device 120. In some embodiments, the second signal can be an energy signal (e.g., a continuous wave, multiple sine waves, OFDM carrier signals, or chaotic signals). For example, the second signal can be an energy signal received by the environmental IoT device 120. In some aspects, the environmental IoT device 120 can receive the energy signal from a UE acting as a second wireless communication device.

[0088] Figure 5 Exemplary wireless communication 500 between an environmental device and a network unit is illustrated according to some aspects of this disclosure. Aspects of wireless communication 500 may be performed by the computing device of the communication device (e.g., a processor, processing circuitry, and / or other suitable components) or other suitable components for performing these actions. For example, a communication device (such as environmental IoT device 120) may utilize one or more components (such as processor 802, memory 804, auxiliary node selection module 808, transceiver 810, modem 812, and one or more antennas 816) to perform aspects of wireless communication 500. For example, a communication device (such as network unit 105) may utilize one or more components (such as processor 902, memory 904, auxiliary node selection module 908, transceiver 910, modem 912, and one or more antennas 916) to perform aspects of wireless communication 500.

[0089] like Figure 4 The wireless communication 500 discussed herein may indicate a method for selecting an auxiliary node for communication between an environmental IoT device 120 and a first communication device (e.g., network unit 105, UE 115, IAB node, relay node, etc.), and the wireless communication 500 may be performed by the environmental IoT device 120 and the first communication device. The wireless communication 500 illustrates an embodiment where a first signal received at the environmental IoT device 120 from the first communication device is a communication signal providing a communication link between the environmental IoT device 120 and the first communication device. The triggering condition (e.g., the number of NACKs) applied in the wireless communication 500 for selecting an auxiliary node in the communication link may be the number of ACKs / NACKs received at the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device). For example, a threshold (e.g., a maximum number of NACKs) allowed to be received at the first communication device may be predetermined as 3. When the number of NACKs received at the environmental IoT device 120 reaches the threshold (e.g., three NACKs), the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) may continue to select an auxiliary node (e.g., a second communication device).

[0090] likeFigure 5 As shown, the threshold for the number of NACKs can be the total number of NACKs received during a monitoring window 502 starting at time 504. For example, the threshold can be set to the maximum number of NACKs allowed to be received during a 15-minute monitoring window (or any time period predefined by the user or system) (e.g., three NACK messages). The first communication device (or environmental IoT device 120) can observe: (1) the number of NACKs received at environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) during monitoring window 502, and (2) whether that number of NACKs is received consecutively. For example, in a first scenario 506, the first communication device (or environmental IoT device 120) can observe receiving three consecutive NACKs at environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device), such that the first communication device can select an auxiliary node as a relay to assist communication between environmental IoT device 120 and the first communication device. In the second scenario 508, the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) can observe the reception of a NACK message, which is received at the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device), followed by an ACK message. Receiving an ACK message resets the count of NACKs to zero, so that when the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) receives another NACK after receiving an ACK message, the count of NACKs received for that NACK is one. The environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) can continuously count the number of NACKs unless another ACK is received before the number of NACKs reaches a threshold (e.g., the maximum number of NACKs allowed to be received consecutively).

[0091] Figure 6 Exemplary wireless communication 600 between an environmental device and a network unit is illustrated according to some aspects of this disclosure. Aspects of wireless communication 600 may be performed by a computing device of the communication device (e.g., a processor, processing circuitry, and / or other suitable components) or other suitable components for performing these actions. For example, a communication device (such as environmental IoT device 120) may utilize one or more components (such as processor 802, memory 804, auxiliary node selection module 808, transceiver 810, modem 812, and one or more antennas 816) to perform aspects of wireless communication 600. For example, a communication device (such as network unit 105) may utilize one or more components (such as processor 902, memory 904, auxiliary node selection module 908, transceiver 910, modem 912, and one or more antennas 916) to perform aspects of wireless communication 600.

[0092] like Figure 4As discussed, wireless communication 600 can instruct a method for selecting an auxiliary node for communication between environmental IoT device 120 and a first communication device (e.g., network unit 105, UE 115, IAB node, relay node, etc.), and wireless communication 600 can be performed by environmental IoT device 120 and the first communication device. Wireless communication 600 illustrates an implementation where a first signal received at environmental IoT device 120 from the first communication device is a communication signal providing a communication link between environmental IoT device 120 and the first communication device. The triggering conditions applied in wireless communication 600 for selecting an auxiliary node in the communication link can be at least two criteria, such as the number of NACKs and the quality of the current communication link.

[0093] like Figure 6 As shown, the first trigger condition 602 and the second trigger condition 604 applied in the wireless communication 600 may include: the quality of the communication link is worse than a predefined / configured threshold, and the quality of the new communication link is better than the quality of the current communication link. For example, during data transmission, the first trigger condition 602 may be satisfied, for example, the quality of the communication link is worse than a predefined threshold, so that the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) may select an auxiliary node (e.g., a second communication device) in response. For example, the first trigger condition 602 may include scenarios where the measured RSRP / SINR / RSSI values ​​are greater than or less than a preset threshold (e.g., ...). Figure 4 (As discussed in the previous section) Scenarios where the BLER / BER of control information and / or the BLER / BER of data information are greater than a predefined threshold (e.g.) Figure 4 (as discussed in the text), or in scenarios where a new communication link with better quality than the current communication link exists, or in scenarios where either party receives more than a predefined number of NACKs (such as...). Figure 4 and Figure 6(Discussed in [reference]). Furthermore, in some embodiments, when both the first trigger condition 602 and the second trigger condition 604 are met, the environmental device or network unit may select a new auxiliary node in the wireless communication 600. For example, multiple measurements of the signal in the communication link may be performed during data transmission. The measurement of the signal may indicate whether the second trigger condition 604 is met, for example, the quality of the new communication link (e.g., a communication link associated with a third communication device) is better than the quality of the current communication link (e.g., a communication link associated with a second communication device), such that the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) may select a new auxiliary node (e.g., the third communication device) in response. In some embodiments, the second trigger condition 604 may be used to trigger the selection of a second communication device. In some embodiments, when both the first trigger condition 602 and the second trigger condition 604 are met, the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) may select an auxiliary node as a relay. In some embodiments, when the first trigger condition 602 and / or the second trigger condition 604 are met, the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) may select an auxiliary node as a relay, such as [reference]. Figure 4 The discussion.

[0094] Figure 7 Exemplary wireless communication 700 between an environmental device and a network unit is illustrated according to some aspects of this disclosure. Aspects of wireless communication 700 may be performed by a computing device of the communication device (e.g., a processor, processing circuitry, and / or other suitable components) or other suitable components for performing these actions. For example, a communication device (such as environmental IoT device 120) may utilize one or more components (such as processor 802, memory 804, auxiliary node selection module 808, transceiver 810, modem 812, and one or more antennas 816) to perform aspects of wireless communication 700. For example, a communication device (such as network unit 105) may utilize one or more components (such as processor 902, memory 904, auxiliary node selection module 908, transceiver 910, modem 912, and one or more antennas 916) to perform aspects of wireless communication 700.

[0095] like Figure 4As discussed, wireless communication 700 can instruct a method for selecting an auxiliary node for communication between environmental IoT device 120 and a first communication device (e.g., network unit 105, UE 115, IAB node, relay node, etc.), and wireless communication 700 can be performed by environmental IoT device 120 and the first communication device. Wireless communication 700 exemplifies an implementation where the first signal received at environmental IoT device 120 from the first communication device is an energy signal providing an energy link between environmental IoT device 120 and the first communication device. The triggering condition applied in wireless communication 700 for selecting an auxiliary node in the communication link can be that the number of times the energy conversion efficiency is less than a first threshold 702 (e.g., energy link failure) during a monitoring window is greater than a second threshold 704.

[0096] like Figure 7 As shown, the first threshold 702 for energy conversion efficiency is a predefined threshold. If the energy conversion efficiency is lower than the predefined threshold, the selection of an auxiliary node can be triggered. For example, the first threshold 702 can be set to 60%. Therefore, an energy conversion efficiency lower than the first threshold 702 can be considered an energy link failure (e.g., lower than...). Figure 7The first threshold (energy conversion efficiency 706) is shown, and the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) can count the number of failures to determine whether an auxiliary node needs to be selected. Furthermore, a second threshold 704, representing the number of times the energy conversion efficiency is less than the first threshold 702, can be a predefined number (e.g., five times). Therefore, during a monitoring window (e.g., a first monitoring window from time T1 at 708 to time T2 at 710), multiple signal transmission failures may occur between the environmental IoT device 120 and the first communication device, including a first signal transmission failure 714, a second signal transmission failure 716, a third signal transmission failure 718, and a fourth signal transmission failure 720. The environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) can monitor the number of failures observed within the monitoring window to determine whether an auxiliary node needs to be selected. For example, during a first monitoring window from time T1 to time T2, if the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) observes four failures in the energy link that do not exceed a second threshold 704 (e.g., five times) (e.g., first signal transmission failure 714, second signal transmission failure 716, third signal transmission failure 718, and fourth signal transmission failure 720), then no auxiliary node is needed for the energy link. Similarly, during a second monitoring window from time T2 at 710 to time T3 at 712, if the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) observes five failures in the energy link that exceed or reach the second threshold 704 (e.g., five times) (e.g., first signal transmission failure 722, second signal transmission failure 724, third signal transmission failure 726, fourth signal transmission failure 728, and fifth signal transmission failure 730), in response, the environmental IoT device 120 (or the first communication device) can select an auxiliary node for the energy link.

[0097] Figure 8 This is a block diagram of an exemplary environmental IoT device 800 according to some aspects of this disclosure. The environmental IoT device 800 may be environmental IoT device 120 in network 100 or 200 as discussed above. As shown, the environmental IoT device 800 may include: a processor 802, a memory 804, an auxiliary node selection module 808, a transceiver 810 including a modem subsystem 812 and a radio frequency (RF) unit 814, and one or more antennas 816. These components may be coupled to each other and communicate directly or indirectly with each other, for example, via one or more buses.

[0098] Processor 802 may include a central processing unit (CPU), digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), controller, field-programmable gate array (FPGA) device, other hardware device, firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein. Processor 802 may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0099] Memory 804 may include cache memory (e.g., the cache memory of processor 802), random access memory (RAM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, solid-state memory devices, hard disk drives, other forms of volatile and non-volatile memory, or combinations of different types of memory. In some instances, memory 804 includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Memory 804 may store instructions 806. Instructions 806 may include, when executed by processor 802, causing processor 802 to perform actions applicable to the IoT device 120 in conjunction with various aspects of this disclosure (e.g., ...). Figures 3 to 7 Instructions (in all aspects) describe the operations described. Instruction 806 may also be referred to as code. The terms "instruction" and "code" should be interpreted broadly to include any type of computer-readable statement. For example, the terms "instruction" and "code" can refer to one or more programs, routines, subroutines, functions, procedures, etc. "Instruction" and "code" can include a single computer-readable statement or multiple computer-readable statements.

[0100] The auxiliary node selection module 808 may be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the auxiliary node selection module 808 may be implemented as a processor, circuitry, and / or instructions 806 stored in memory 804 and executed by processor 802. In some aspects, the auxiliary node selection module 808 may implement... Figures 3 to 7 In various aspects. For example, the auxiliary node selection module 808 can receive a first signal from the first wireless communication device, and the environmental IoT device is powered by energy transmitted by the first wireless communication device. The auxiliary node selection module 808 can select a second wireless communication device based on at least one of the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal or the communication link quality associated with the first wireless communication device. The auxiliary node selection module 808 can receive a second signal from the second wireless communication device.

[0101] As shown in the figure, transceiver 810 may include a modem subsystem 812 and an RF unit 814. Transceiver 810 may be configured to communicate bidirectionally with other devices, such as BS 105 and / or UE 115. Modem subsystem 812 may be configured to modulate and / or encode data from memory 804 according to a modulation and decoding scheme (MCS) (e.g., low-density parity-check (LDPC) decoding scheme, turbo decoding scheme, convolutional decoding scheme, digital beamforming scheme, etc.). RF unit 814 may be configured to process (e.g., perform analog-to-digital conversion or digital-to-analog conversion, etc.) the modulated / encoded data transmitted from modem subsystem 812 (regarding outbound transmission) or originating from another source (such as UE 115 or BS 105). RF unit 814 may be further configured to perform analog beamforming in conjunction with digital beamforming. Although shown as being integrated together in transceiver 810, modem subsystem 812 and RF unit 814 may be separate devices coupled together to enable ambient IoT device 800 to communicate with other devices.

[0102] RF unit 814 can provide modulated and / or processed data (e.g., data packets (or more generally, data messages containing one or more data packets and other information)) to antenna 816 for transmission to one or more other devices. Antenna 816 can further receive data messages transmitted from other devices. Antenna 816 can provide the received data messages for processing and / or demodulation at transceiver 810. Antenna 816 may include multiple antennas with similar or different designs to maintain multiple transmission links. RF unit 814 can configure antenna 816.

[0103] In some instances, the environmental IoT device 800 may include multiple transceivers 810 implementing different RATs (e.g., NR and LTE). In some instances, the environmental IoT device 800 may include a single transceiver 810 implementing multiple RATs (e.g., NR and LTE). In some instances, the transceiver 810 may include various components, wherein different combinations of the components can implement a RAT.

[0104] Figure 9 This is a block diagram of an exemplary network unit 900 according to some aspects of this disclosure. The network unit 900 may be a BS 105, CU 210, DU 230, or RU 240 as discussed above. As shown, the network unit 900 may include: a processor 902, a memory 904, an auxiliary node selection module 908, a transceiver 910 including a modem subsystem 912 and an RF unit 914, and one or more antennas 916. These components may be coupled to each other and communicate directly or indirectly with each other, for example, via one or more buses.

[0105] Processor 902 may have various features as a particular type of processor. For example, these features may include a CPU, DSP, ASIC, controller, FPGA device, another hardware device, firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein. Processor 902 may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0106] Memory 904 may include cache memory (e.g., the cache memory of processor 902), RAM, MRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, solid-state memory devices, one or more hard disk drives, memristor-based arrays, other forms of volatile and non-volatile memory, or combinations of different types of memory. In some instances, memory 904 may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Memory 904 may store instructions 906. Instructions 906 may include instructions that, when executed by processor 902, cause processor 902 to execute this document (e.g., ...). Figures 3 to 7 Instructions 906 describe the operations described in various aspects. Instructions 906 can also be referred to as code, which can be broadly interpreted as including any type of computer-readable statement.

[0107] The auxiliary node selection module 908 can be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the auxiliary node selection module 908 can be implemented as a processor, circuitry, and / or instructions 906 stored in memory 904 and executed by processor 902. In some aspects, the auxiliary node selection module 908 can implement... Figures 3 to 7 In various aspects, such as, the auxiliary node selection module 908 can establish a communication link with the environmental IoT network device 120. The auxiliary node selection module 908 can transmit a first signal to the environmental IoT device 120, which is an energy signal for powering the environmental IoT device 120. The auxiliary node selection module 908 can select a second wireless communication device based on at least one of the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal or the communication link quality associated with the environmental IoT device 120. The auxiliary node selection module 908 can receive a second signal from the second wireless communication device.

[0108] Additionally or alternatively, the auxiliary node selection module 908 may be implemented in any combination of hardware and software, and in some specific implementations may involve, for example, a processor 902, a memory 904, an instruction set 906, a transceiver 910, and / or a modem 912.

[0109] As shown, transceiver 910 may include modem subsystem 912 and RF unit 914. Transceiver 910 may be configured to communicate bidirectionally with other devices, such as UE 115. Modem subsystem 912 may be configured to modulate and / or encode data according to MCS (e.g., LDPC decoding scheme, turbo decoding scheme, convolutional decoding scheme, digital beamforming scheme, etc.). RF unit 914 may be configured to process (e.g., perform analog-to-digital conversion or digital-to-analog conversion, etc.) the modulated / encoded data transmitted from modem subsystem 912 (with regard to outbound transmission) or originating from another source (such as UE 115). RF unit 914 may be further configured to perform analog beamforming in conjunction with digital beamforming. Although shown as integrated together in transceiver 910, modem subsystem 912 and / or RF unit 914 may be separate devices coupled together at network unit 900 to enable network unit 900 to communicate with other devices.

[0110] RF unit 914 may provide modulated and / or processed data (e.g., data packets (or more generally, data messages containing one or more data packets and other information)) to antenna 916 for transmission to one or more other devices. For example, according to aspects of this disclosure, this may include a configuration indicating multiple sub-time slots within a time slot. Antenna 916 may further receive data messages transmitted from other devices and provide the received data messages for processing and / or demodulation at transceiver 910. Antenna 916 may include multiple antennas with similar or different designs to maintain multiple transmission links.

[0111] In some instances, network element 900 may include multiple transceivers 910 implementing different RATs (e.g., NR and LTE). In some instances, network element 900 may include a single transceiver 910 implementing multiple RATs (e.g., NR and LTE). In some instances, transceiver 910 may include various components, wherein different combinations of the components can implement a RAT.

[0112] Figure 10This is a flowchart of a communication method 1000 according to some aspects of this disclosure. Aspects of method 1000 may be performed by a computing device of a wireless communication device (e.g., a processor, processing circuitry, and / or other suitable components) or other suitable components for performing these actions. For example, a wireless communication device (such as an environmental IoT device 120) may utilize one or more components (such as a processor 802, a memory 804, an auxiliary node selection module 808, a transceiver 810, a modem 812, and one or more antennas 816) to perform aspects of method 1000. Method 1000 may employ mechanisms similar to those in network 100 and network 200, and regarding… Figures 3 to 7 The described aspects and actions. As illustrated, method 1000 includes a plurality of enumerated actions, but method 1000 may include additional actions before, after, and between these enumerated actions. In some respects, one or more of these enumerated actions may be omitted or performed in a different order.

[0113] At action 1010, method 1000 may include: an environmental IoT device receiving a first signal from a first wireless communication device (e.g., UE 115, network unit 900, BS 105, RU 240, DU 230, and / or CU 210). The environmental IoT device may be powered by energy transmitted by the first wireless communication device.

[0114] At action 1020, method 1000 includes: an environmental IoT device selecting a second wireless communication device based on at least one of power conversion efficiency associated with a first signal or communication link quality associated with a first wireless communication device. In some aspects, method 1000 may further include: the environmental IoT device receiving an indicator indicating a monitoring period; and monitoring the power conversion efficiency associated with the first signal during the monitoring period.

[0115] In some respects, the monitoring period can be based on at least one of the following: a predefined period, a period configured by RRC, a period of dynamic indication, or a period triggered by an event.

[0116] In some respects, the selection of a second wireless communication device may be based on at least one of the following: the average energy conversion efficiency during the monitoring period does not meet a first threshold; the maximum energy conversion efficiency during the monitoring period does not meet a second threshold; or the minimum energy conversion efficiency during the monitoring period does not meet a third threshold.

[0117] In some aspects, method 1000 may further include: an environmental IoT device determining the number of instances where the energy conversion efficiency does not meet a first threshold during the monitoring period; and selecting a second wireless communication device that meets the second threshold based on the number of instances where the energy conversion efficiency meets the second threshold.

[0118] In some aspects, method 1000 may further include: an environmental IoT device receiving a third signal from a first wireless communication device. The selection of a second wireless communication device may further be based on a threshold being satisfied between the time interval between receiving the first signal and receiving the third signal.

[0119] In some aspects, method 1000 may further include: the environmental IoT device receiving an indication of a threshold number of NACKs; and receiving an indication of a monitoring period. Selecting a second wireless communication device may include: selecting the second wireless communication device based on the number of NACKs transmitted during the monitoring period satisfying a threshold number of NACKs.

[0120] In some aspects, selecting a second wireless communication device may include selecting the second wireless communication device based on at least one of the following: BLER associated with control information transmitted by the environmental IoT device; BER associated with control information transmitted by the environmental IoT device; BLER associated with data transmitted by the environmental IoT device; or BER associated with data transmitted by the environmental IoT device.

[0121] In some respects, selecting a second wireless communication device may include selecting a second wireless communication device based on the fact that the quality of the communication link associated with the first wireless communication device does not meet at least one of the following: RSRP threshold, SINR threshold, or RSSI threshold.

[0122] In some aspects, the environmental IoT device can perform downlink and uplink communications with the second wireless communication device. Method 100 may include: the environmental IoT device selecting a third wireless communication device based on at least one of the following: the quality of the communication link associated with the uplink or downlink communication with the second wireless communication device does not meet a first threshold; or the quality of the communication link associated with both the uplink and downlink communication with the second wireless communication device does not meet a second threshold.

[0123] In some aspects, the environmental IoT device can communicate with the first wireless device via a communication link, and the selection of the second wireless communication device can be based on at least one of the following: the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal does not meet a first threshold; the communication link quality associated with the first wireless communication device does not meet a second threshold; the energy conversion efficiency associated with the second signal is greater than the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal and meets a third threshold; the communication link quality associated with the second wireless communication device is greater than the communication link quality associated with the first wireless communication device and meets a fourth threshold; or the energy conversion efficiency associated with the second signal and the communication link quality associated with the second wireless communication device are greater than the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal and the communication link quality associated with the first wireless communication device.

[0124] At action 1020, method 1000 includes: an environmental IoT device receiving a second signal from a second wireless communication device.

[0125] Figure 11 This is a flowchart of a communication method 1100 according to some aspects of this disclosure. Aspects of method 1100 may be performed by a computing device of a wireless communication device (e.g., a processor, processing circuitry, and / or other suitable components) or other suitable components for performing these actions. For example, a wireless communication device, such as a wireless communication device (e.g., network unit 900, BS 105, RU 240, DU 230, and / or CU 210), may utilize one or more components (such as processor 902, memory 904, auxiliary node selection module 908, transceiver 910, modem 912, and one or more antennas 916) to perform aspects of method 1100. Method 1100 may employ mechanisms similar to those in network 100 and network 200, and regarding… Figures 3 to 7 The described aspects and actions. As illustrated, method 1100 includes a plurality of enumerated actions, but method 1100 may include additional actions before, after, and between these enumerated actions. In some respects, one or more of these enumerated actions may be omitted or performed in a different order.

[0126] At action 1110, method 1100 includes: a wireless communication device (e.g., UE 115, network unit 900, BS105, RU 240, DU 230 and / or CU 210) establishing a communication link with an environmental IoT device.

[0127] At action 1120, method 1100 includes: a wireless communication device transmitting a first signal to an environmental IoT device. The first signal may be an energy signal for powering the environmental IoT device.

[0128] At action 1130, method 1100 includes: the wireless communication device selecting a second wireless communication device based on at least one of the power conversion efficiency associated with the first signal or the communication link quality associated with an environmental IoT device.

[0129] In some aspects, method 110 may further include: a wireless communication device receiving an indicator indicating a monitoring period; and monitoring the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal during the monitoring period.

[0130] In some respects, the selection of a second wireless communication device may be based on at least one of the following: the average energy conversion efficiency during the monitoring period does not meet a first threshold; the maximum energy conversion efficiency during the monitoring period does not meet a second threshold; or the minimum energy conversion efficiency during the monitoring period does not meet a third threshold.

[0131] In some respects, the selection of the second wireless communication device may be based on at least one of the following: the power conversion efficiency associated with the first signal does not meet a first threshold; the communication link quality associated with the environmental IoT device does not meet a second threshold; the power conversion efficiency associated with the second signal is greater than the power conversion efficiency associated with the first signal and meets a third threshold; the communication link quality associated with the second wireless communication device is greater than the communication link quality associated with the environmental IoT device and meets a fourth threshold; or the power conversion efficiency associated with the second signal and the communication link quality associated with the second wireless communication device are greater than the power conversion efficiency associated with the first signal and the communication link quality associated with the environmental IoT device.

[0132] At action 1140, method 1100 includes: a wireless communication device receiving a second signal from a second wireless communication device. In some embodiments, the second signal may be an energy signal (e.g., a continuous wave, multiple sine waves, OFDM carrier signals, or chaotic signals). For example, the second signal may be an energy signal received by an environmental IoT device 120. In some aspects, the environmental IoT device may receive the energy signal from a UE acting as the second wireless communication device.

[0133] Other aspects of this disclosure include the following.

[0134] Aspect 1 includes a method of wireless communication performed by an environmental Internet of Things (IoT) device, the method comprising: receiving a first signal from a first wireless communication device, wherein the environmental IoT device is powered by energy transmitted by the first wireless communication device; selecting a second wireless communication device based on at least one of an energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal or a communication link quality associated with the first wireless communication device; and receiving a second signal from the second wireless communication device.

[0135] Aspect 2 includes the method according to aspect 1, wherein selecting the second wireless communication device includes: selecting the second wireless communication device based on the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal not meeting a threshold.

[0136] Aspect 3 includes the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 2, the method further comprising: receiving an indicator indicating a monitoring period; and monitoring the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal during the monitoring period.

[0137] Aspect 4 includes the method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the monitoring time period is based on at least one of: a predefined time period, a time period configured by Radio Resource Control (RRC), a time period of dynamic indication, or a time period triggered by an event.

[0138] Aspect 5 includes the method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein the second wireless communication device is selected based on at least one of the following: the average energy conversion efficiency during the monitoring time period does not meet a first threshold; the maximum energy conversion efficiency during the monitoring time period does not meet a second threshold; or the minimum energy conversion efficiency during the monitoring time period does not meet a third threshold.

[0139] Aspect 6 includes the method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, the method further comprising: determining the number of instances in which the energy conversion efficiency does not meet a first threshold during the monitoring time period, wherein the second wireless communication device is selected based on the number of instances in which the energy conversion efficiency meets a second threshold.

[0140] Aspect 7 includes the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein the second wireless communication device is selected based on the energy conversion efficiency associated with the second signal being greater than the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal.

[0141] Aspect 8 includes the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, the method further comprising: receiving a third signal from the first wireless communication device, wherein the second wireless communication device is selected further based on a threshold being satisfied between the time period between receiving the first signal and receiving the third signal.

[0142] Aspect 9 includes the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, wherein selecting the second wireless communication device includes: selecting the second wireless communication device based on the communication link quality associated with the first wireless communication device not meeting a threshold.

[0143] Aspect 10 includes the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, the method further comprising: receiving an indication of a threshold number of negative acknowledgments (NACKs); and receiving an indication of a monitoring period, wherein selecting the second wireless communication device comprises: selecting the second wireless communication device based on the number of NACKs transmitted during the monitoring period satisfying the threshold number of NACKs.

[0144] Aspect 11 includes the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 10, wherein selecting the second wireless communication device includes selecting the second wireless communication device based on at least one of: block error rate (BLER) associated with control information transmitted by the environmental IoT device; bit error rate (BER) associated with the control information transmitted by the environmental IoT device; BLER associated with data transmitted by the environmental IoT device; or BER associated with the data transmitted by the environmental IoT device.

[0145] Aspect 12 includes the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 11, wherein the second wireless communication device is selected based on at least one of the following satisfying a first threshold: the BLER associated with the control information transmitted by the environmental IoT device; the BER associated with the control information transmitted by the environmental IoT device; the BLER associated with the data transmitted by the environmental IoT device; or the BER associated with the data transmitted by the environmental IoT device.

[0146] Aspect 13 includes the method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 12, wherein the second wireless communication device is selected based on at least one of the following instances exceeding a first threshold during the monitoring period: the BLER associated with the control information transmitted by the environmental IoT device; the BER associated with the control information transmitted by the environmental IoT device; the BLER associated with the data transmitted by the environmental IoT device; or the BER associated with the data transmitted by the environmental IoT device.

[0147] Aspect 14 includes the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 13, wherein selecting the second wireless communication device includes selecting the second wireless communication device based on at least one of the communication link quality associated with the first wireless communication device not meeting a reference received power (RSRP) threshold, a signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) threshold, or a received signal strength indication (RSSI) threshold.

[0148] Aspect 15 includes the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 14, wherein the second wireless communication device is selected based on the communication link quality associated with the second wireless communication device being greater than the communication link quality associated with the first wireless communication device.

[0149] Aspect 16 includes a method according to any one of aspects 1 to 15, wherein the environmental IoT device communicates with the second wireless communication device via downlink and uplink, and the method further includes selecting a third wireless communication device based on at least one of the following: the quality of the communication link associated with the uplink communication or the downlink communication with the second wireless communication device does not meet a first threshold; or the quality of the communication link associated with both the uplink communication and the downlink communication with the second wireless communication device does not meet a second threshold.

[0150] Aspect 17 includes the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 16, wherein selecting the second wireless communication device further comprises: selecting the second wireless communication device based on at least one of the following: the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal does not meet a first threshold; the communication link quality associated with the first wireless communication device does not meet a second threshold; the energy conversion efficiency associated with the second signal is greater than the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal and meets a third threshold; the communication link quality associated with the second wireless communication device is greater than the communication link quality associated with the first wireless communication device and meets a fourth threshold; or the energy conversion efficiency associated with the second signal and the communication link quality associated with the second wireless communication device are greater than the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal and the communication link quality associated with the first wireless communication device.

[0151] Aspect 18 includes a method of wireless communication performed by a first wireless communication device, the method comprising: establishing a communication link with an environmental Internet of Things (IoT) device; transmitting a first signal to the environmental IoT device, wherein the first signal is an energy signal for powering the environmental IoT device; selecting a second wireless communication device based on at least one of an energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal or a communication link quality associated with the environmental IoT device; and receiving a second signal from the second wireless communication device.

[0152] Aspect 19 includes the method according to aspect 18, the method further comprising: receiving an indicator indicating a monitoring period; and monitoring the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal during the monitoring period.

[0153] Aspect 20 includes the method according to any one of aspects 18 to 19, wherein the second wireless communication device is selected based on at least one of the following: the average energy conversion efficiency during the monitoring time period does not meet a first threshold; the maximum energy conversion efficiency during the monitoring time period does not meet a second threshold; or the minimum energy conversion efficiency during the monitoring time period does not meet a third threshold.

[0154] Aspect 21 includes a method according to any one of aspects 18 to 20, wherein the second wireless communication device is selected based on at least one of the following: the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal does not meet a first threshold; the communication link quality associated with the environmental IoT device does not meet a second threshold; the energy conversion efficiency associated with the second signal is greater than the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal and meets a third threshold; the communication link quality associated with the second wireless communication device is greater than the communication link quality associated with the environmental IoT device and meets a fourth threshold; or the energy conversion efficiency associated with the second signal and the communication link quality associated with the second wireless communication device are greater than the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal and the communication link quality associated with the environmental IoT device.

[0155] Aspect 22 includes an environmental Internet of Things (IoT) device, the environmental IoT device comprising: at least one memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor, the at least one processor communicating with the at least one memory and the at least one transceiver, wherein the environmental IoT device is configured to perform any one or more of aspects 1 to 17.

[0156] Aspect 24 includes a first wireless communication device comprising: at least one memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor, the at least one processor communicating with the at least one memory and the at least one transceiver, wherein the wireless communication device is configured to perform any one or more of aspects 18 to 21.

[0157] Aspect 25. An environmental Internet of Things (IoT) device, the environmental Internet of Things (IoT) device comprising one or more components for performing any one or more of aspects 1 to 17.

[0158] Aspect 26. A wireless communication device comprising one or more components for performing any one or more of aspects 18 to 21.

[0159] Aspect 27. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions for wireless communication, the one or more instructions including, when executed by one or more processors of an environmental Internet of Things (IoT) device, causing the environmental IoT device to perform one or more of aspects 1 to 17.

[0160] Aspect 28. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions for wireless communication, the one or more instructions including, when executed by one or more processors of a wireless communication device, causing the wireless communication device to perform one or more of aspects 18 to 21.

[0161] Aspect 29. A method, apparatus, device, computer program product, non-transitory computer-readable medium, user equipment, base station, network entity, network node, wireless communication device and / or processing system according to one or more of aspects 1 to 21 and / or as described in the detailed description and / or drawings attached herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0162] Information and signals can be represented using any of a variety of different techniques and skills. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be mentioned throughout the above description can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0163] The various exemplary blocks and modules described herein can be implemented or executed using general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof, designed to perform the functions described herein. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in alternatives, the processor may be any conventional 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).

[0164] The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or code on or transmitted via 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 functions described above may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination of these. Features implementing the functions may also be physically located in various locations, including various portions distributed such that the functions are implemented in different physical locations. Furthermore, as used herein, including in the claims, the word "or" as used in an item list (e.g., followed by an item list such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive list, such that an enumeration such as [at least one of 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).

[0165] As those skilled in the art will understand to date and depending on the specific application at hand, many modifications, substitutions, and variations can be made to the materials, apparatus, configuration, and methods of use of the devices disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure should not be limited to the specific examples illustrated and described herein, as they are merely examples, but should be fully equivalent to the appended claims and their functional equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication performed by an environmental Internet of Things (IoT) device, the method comprising: The environmental IoT device receives a first signal from a first wireless communication device, wherein the device is powered by energy transmitted by the first wireless communication device. The second wireless communication device is selected based on at least one of the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal or the communication link quality associated with the first wireless communication device; and Receive a second signal from the second wireless communication device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: Receive an indicator indicating the monitoring period; as well as The energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal is monitored during the monitoring period.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the monitoring time period is based on at least one of the following: a predefined time period, a time period configured by Radio Resource Control (RRC), a time period of dynamic indication, or a time period triggered by an event.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the second wireless communication device is selected based on at least one of the following: The average energy conversion efficiency during the monitoring period does not meet the first threshold. The maximum energy conversion efficiency during the monitoring period does not meet the second threshold; or The minimum energy conversion efficiency during the monitoring period does not meet the third threshold.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the method further comprises: The number of instances in which the energy conversion efficiency does not meet a first threshold during the monitoring period is determined, wherein the second wireless communication device is selected based on the number of instances in which the energy conversion efficiency meets a second threshold.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: The third signal is received from the first wireless communication device, wherein the second wireless communication device is selected further based on a threshold being satisfied between the time period between receiving the first signal and receiving the third signal.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: Receive an indication of the threshold number of negative acknowledgments (NACK); as well as Receiving an indication of a monitoring period, wherein selecting the second wireless communication device includes: selecting the second wireless communication device based on the number of NACKs transmitted during the monitoring period satisfying the threshold number of NACKs.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the second wireless communication device comprises: The second wireless communication device is selected based on at least one of the following: Block error rate (BLER) associated with control information sent by the IoT device in the environment; The bit error rate (BER) associated with the control information sent by the IoT device in the environment; BLER associated with data sent by the environmental IoT device; or The BER associated with the data sent by the IoT device in the environment.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the second wireless communication device comprises: The second wireless communication device is selected based on the communication link quality associated with the first wireless communication device not meeting at least one of the following: Reference signal received power (RSRP) threshold, The signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) threshold, or Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) threshold.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the environmental IoT device performs downlink and uplink communication with the second wireless communication device, and the method further comprises: The third wireless communication device is selected based on at least one of the following: The communication link quality associated with the uplink or downlink communication with the second wireless communication device does not meet the first threshold; or The communication link quality associated with both the uplink communication with the second wireless communication device and the downlink communication with the second wireless communication device does not meet the second threshold.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the environmental IoT device communicates with the first wireless device via a communication link, and the second wireless communication device is selected based on at least one of the following: The energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal does not meet the first threshold; The quality of the communication link associated with the first wireless communication device does not meet the second threshold. The energy conversion efficiency associated with the second signal is greater than the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal and satisfies the third threshold; The communication link quality associated with the second wireless communication device is greater than the communication link quality associated with the first wireless communication device and satisfies the fourth threshold; or The energy conversion efficiency associated with the second signal and the communication link quality associated with the second wireless communication device are greater than the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal and the communication link quality associated with the first wireless communication device.

12. A method for wireless communication performed by a first wireless communication device, the method comprising: Establish communication links with environmental Internet of Things (IoT) devices; A first signal is transmitted to the environmental IoT device, wherein the first signal is an energy signal for powering the environmental IoT device; The second wireless communication device is selected based on at least one of the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal or the communication link quality associated with the environmental IoT device; and Receive a second signal from the second wireless communication device.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: Receive an indicator indicating the monitoring period; as well as The energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal is monitored during the monitoring period.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the second wireless communication device is selected based on at least one of the following: The average energy conversion efficiency during the monitoring period does not meet the first threshold. The maximum energy conversion efficiency during the monitoring period does not meet the second threshold; or The minimum energy conversion efficiency during the monitoring period does not meet the third threshold.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the second wireless communication device is selected based on at least one of the following: The energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal does not meet the first threshold; The quality of the communication link associated with the IoT device in the environment does not meet the second threshold. The energy conversion efficiency associated with the second signal is greater than the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal and satisfies the third threshold; The communication link quality associated with the second wireless communication device is greater than the communication link quality associated with the environmental IoT device and meets the fourth threshold; or The energy conversion efficiency associated with the second signal and the communication link quality associated with the second wireless communication device are greater than the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal and the communication link quality associated with the environmental IoT device.

16. An environmental Internet of Things (IoT) device, said environmental Internet of Things (IoT) device comprising: At least one memory; At least one transceiver; and At least one processor, which communicates with at least one memory and at least one transceiver, wherein the environmental IoT device is configured to: The environmental IoT device receives a first signal from a first wireless communication device, wherein the device is powered by energy transmitted by the first wireless communication device. The second wireless communication device is selected based on at least one of the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal or the communication link quality associated with the first wireless communication device; and Receive a second signal from the second wireless communication device.

17. The environmental IoT device of claim 16, wherein the environmental IoT device is further configured to: The indicator that receives the monitoring time period; and The energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal is monitored during the monitoring period.

18. The environmental IoT device of claim 17, wherein the monitoring time period is based on at least one of the following: a predefined time period, a time period configured by Radio Resource Control (RRC), a time period of dynamic indication, or a time period triggered by an event.

19. The environmental IoT device of claim 17, wherein the second wireless communication device is selected based on at least one of the following: The average energy conversion efficiency during the monitoring period does not meet the first threshold. The maximum energy conversion efficiency during the monitoring period does not meet the second threshold; or The minimum energy conversion efficiency during the monitoring period does not meet the third threshold.

20. The environmental IoT device of claim 17, wherein the environmental IoT device is further configured to: The number of instances in which the energy conversion efficiency does not meet a first threshold during the monitoring period is determined, wherein the second wireless communication device is selected based on the number of instances in which the energy conversion efficiency meets a second threshold.

21. The environmental IoT device of claim 16, wherein the environmental IoT device is further configured to: The third signal is received from the first wireless communication device, wherein the second wireless communication device is selected further based on a threshold being satisfied between the time period between receiving the first signal and receiving the third signal.

22. The environmental IoT device of claim 16, wherein the environmental IoT device is further configured to: Receive an indication of the threshold number of negative acknowledgments (NACK); and Receiving an indication of a monitoring time period, wherein selecting the second wireless communication device includes: The second wireless communication device is selected based on the number of NACKs transmitted during the monitoring period that meet the threshold number of NACKs.

23. The environmental IoT device of claim 16, wherein selecting the second wireless communication device comprises: The second wireless communication device is selected based on at least one of the following: Block error rate (BLER) associated with control information sent by the IoT device in the environment; The bit error rate (BER) associated with the control information sent by the IoT device in the environment; BLER associated with data sent by the environmental IoT device; or The BER associated with the data sent by the IoT device in the environment.

24. The environmental IoT device of claim 16, wherein selecting the second wireless communication device comprises: The second wireless communication device is selected based on the communication link quality associated with the first wireless communication device not meeting at least one of the following: Reference signal received power (RSRP) threshold, The signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) threshold, or Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) threshold.

25. The environmental IoT device according to claim 16, wherein the environmental IoT device performs downlink and uplink communication with the second wireless communication device, and is further configured to: The third wireless communication device is selected based on at least one of the following: The communication link quality associated with the uplink or downlink communication with the second wireless communication device does not meet the first threshold; or The communication link quality associated with both the uplink communication with the second wireless communication device and the downlink communication with the second wireless communication device does not meet the second threshold.

26. The environmental IoT device of claim 16, wherein the environmental IoT device communicates with the first wireless device via a communication link, and the second wireless communication device is selected based on at least one of the following: The energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal does not meet the first threshold; The quality of the communication link associated with the first wireless communication device does not meet the second threshold. The energy conversion efficiency associated with the second signal is greater than the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal and satisfies the third threshold; The communication link quality associated with the second wireless communication device is greater than the communication link quality associated with the first wireless communication device and satisfies the fourth threshold; or The energy conversion efficiency associated with the second signal and the communication link quality associated with the second wireless communication device are greater than the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal and the communication link quality associated with the first wireless communication device.

27. A first wireless communication device, the first wireless communication device comprising: At least one memory; At least one transceiver; and At least one processor, which communicates with at least one memory and at least one transceiver, wherein the environmental IoT device is configured to: Establish communication links with environmental Internet of Things (IoT) devices; A first signal is transmitted to the environmental IoT device, wherein the first signal is an energy signal for powering the environmental IoT device; The second wireless communication device is selected based on at least one of the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal or the communication link quality associated with the environmental IoT device; and Receive a second signal from the second wireless communication device.

28. The first wireless communication device according to claim 27, wherein the first wireless communication device is further configured to: The indicator that receives the monitoring time period; and The energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal is monitored during the monitoring period.

29. The first wireless communication device of claim 28, wherein the second wireless communication device is selected based on at least one of the following: The average energy conversion efficiency during the monitoring period does not meet the first threshold. The maximum energy conversion efficiency during the monitoring period does not meet the second threshold; or The minimum energy conversion efficiency during the monitoring period does not meet the third threshold.

30. The first wireless communication device of claim 27, wherein the second wireless communication device is selected based on at least one of the following: The energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal does not meet the first threshold; The quality of the communication link associated with the IoT device in the environment does not meet the second threshold. The energy conversion efficiency associated with the second signal is greater than the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal and satisfies the third threshold; The communication link quality associated with the second wireless communication device is greater than the communication link quality associated with the environmental IoT device and meets the fourth threshold; or The energy conversion efficiency associated with the second signal and the communication link quality associated with the second wireless communication device are greater than the energy conversion efficiency associated with the first signal and the communication link quality associated with the environmental IoT device.

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