Ambient IoT paging for inactive user devices

Abstract

Various example embodiments of this disclosure relate generally to the telecommunications field, and more specifically to a method, apparatus, device, and computer-readable storage medium for ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) paging of user equipment in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactive state. The method includes: at an apparatus, receiving a paging message from a network node to trigger the inactive apparatus to participate in an A-IoT session; obtaining a configuration associated with participating in the A-IoT session for the inactive apparatus; and joining the A-IoT session based on the configuration and the paging message while remaining inactive.

Description

Cross-reference to related applications

[0001] This application claims priority and benefit to GB application number 2400560.5, filed on January 16, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0002] Various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure relate generally to the telecommunications field, and more particularly to methods, apparatuses, devices, and computer-readable storage media for ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) paging of user equipment in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state. Background Technology

[0003] Communication services that support energy harvesting (also known as A-IoT in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)) are already widely used in various vertical industries, including logistics, manufacturing, transportation, and energy. Enabling A-IoT devices in public and private networks will benefit the entire 5G ecosystem. Therefore, supporting A-IoT using battery-free terminals or terminals with limited energy storage capabilities (e.g., using capacitors) may become a new requirement for existing 3GPP technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In a first aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive a paging message from a network node to trigger the inactive device to participate in an A-IoT session; obtain a configuration associated with participating in the A-IoT session for the inactive device; and join the A-IoT session based on the configuration and the paging message while remaining inactive.

[0005] In a second aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: determine a configuration associated with participating in an A-IoT session for an inactive user device; and transmit a paging message to the user device to trigger the inactive user device to participate in the A-IoT session.

[0006] In a third aspect of this disclosure, a method is provided. The method includes: receiving a paging message from a network node to trigger an inactive device to participate in an A-IoT session; obtaining a configuration associated with participating in the A-IoT session for the inactive device; and joining the A-IoT session based on the configuration and the paging message while remaining inactive.

[0007] In a fourth aspect of this disclosure, a method is provided. The method includes: determining a configuration associated with participating in an A-IoT session for a user device in an inactive state; and transmitting a paging message to the user device to trigger the inactive user device to participate in the A-IoT session.

[0008] In a fifth aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes: components for receiving a paging message from a network node to trigger an inactive device to participate in an A-IoT session; components for obtaining a configuration associated with participating in the A-IoT session for the inactive device; and components for joining the A-IoT session based on the configuration and the paging message while remaining inactive.

[0009] In a sixth aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes: components for determining a configuration associated with participating in an A-IoT session for a user equipment in an inactive state; and components for transmitting a paging message to the user equipment to trigger the inactive user equipment to participate in the A-IoT session.

[0010] In a seventh aspect of this disclosure, a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer-readable medium includes instructions stored thereon for causing a device to at least execute the method according to a third aspect.

[0011] In an eighth aspect of this disclosure, a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer-readable medium includes instructions stored thereon for causing a device to at least execute the method according to the fourth aspect.

[0012] It should be understood that the summary portion is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Other features of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Some exemplary embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 An example communication environment in which example embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented is shown; Figure 2 A signaling diagram is shown for an example procedure of A-IoT paging for a user equipment in an RRC inactive state, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 3 An example process for A-IoT paging of a user equipment in an RRC inactive state is shown according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 4An example process for A-IoT paging of a user equipment in an RRC inactive state is shown according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 5 An example process for A-IoT paging of a user equipment in an RRC inactive state is shown according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 6 A flowchart is shown illustrating a method implemented at a user equipment according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating a method implemented at a network node according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown; and Figure 8 A simplified block diagram of an apparatus suitable for implementing an example embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0014] In all the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The principles of this disclosure will now be described with reference to some exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described for illustrative purposes only and to assist those skilled in the art in understanding and implementing this disclosure, and do not imply any limitation on the scope of this disclosure. The embodiments described herein can be implemented in various ways other than those described below.

[0016] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

[0017] References to "an embodiment," "an embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc., in this disclosure indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment must include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Additionally, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is believed that incorporating other embodiments, whether explicitly described or not, to affect such a feature, structure, or characteristic is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0018] It should be understood that although terms such as "first," "second," etc., preceding nouns may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another, and they do not restrict the order of the nouns. For example, without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0019] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording (where the list of two or more elements is connected by “and” or “or”) means at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all of the elements.

[0020] As used herein, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the execution step “in response to A” does not indicate that the step is performed immediately after “A” occurs, and may include one or more intermediate steps.

[0021] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that, when used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has,” “having,” “includes,” and / or “including” specify the presence of the stated features, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0022] As used in this application, the term "circuit" may refer to one or more of the following: (a) Hardware circuit implementation only (such as implementation in analog and / or digital circuits only), and (b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (if applicable): (i) A combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry with software / firmware, and (ii) Any part of a hardware processor with software (including digital signal processors, software, and memory, which work together to enable devices such as mobile phones or servers to perform various functions), and (c) (Multiple) hardware circuits and / or (multiple) processors, such as (multiple) microprocessors or a portion thereof, which require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but may be absent when the software is not required to operate.

[0023] This definition of "circuit" applies to all uses of the term in this application (including in any claim). As another example, as used in this application, the term "circuit" also covers implementations of hardware circuitry or processors (or processors in general) and their accompanying software and / or firmware. The term "circuit" also covers, for example and if applicable to a particular claim element, baseband integrated circuits or processor integrated circuits for mobile devices or similar integrated circuits in servers, cellular network devices, or other computing or network devices.

[0024] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that conforms to any suitable communication standard, such as New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-A Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), etc. Furthermore, communication between terminal devices and network devices in a communication network can be performed according to any suitable generation of communication protocol, including but not limited to first-generation (1G), second-generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth-generation (5G), sixth-generation (6G) communication protocols and / or any other currently known or future-developed protocols. Embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to a variety of communication systems. Given the rapid development of communications, there will certainly be future types of communication technologies and systems that embody the future types of this disclosure. The scope of this disclosure should not be construed as limited to the aforementioned systems.

[0025] As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a node in a communications network through which terminal devices access the network and receive services. Depending on the terminology and technology applied, a network device can refer to a base station (BS) or access point (AP), such as a Node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), an NR NB (also known as a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a Radio Header (RH), a Remote Radio Header End (RRH), a relay, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a low-power node (such as a femtosecond or picosecond), a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-terrestrial network device (such as satellite network equipment, low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, and geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellites), an aircraft network device, etc. In some example embodiments, the Radio Access Network (RAN) split architecture includes a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU) at the IAB donor node. An IAB node includes a mobile terminal (IAB-MT) portion that behaves as a UE to its parent node, and the DU portion of the IAB node behaves as a base station to the next-hop IAB node.

[0026] The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication. By way of example and not limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), subscriber station (SS), portable subscriber station, mobile station (MS), or access terminal (AT). Terminal devices may include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, Voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, tablets, wearable terminal devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, desktop computers, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback devices, in-vehicle wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop embedded devices (LEEs), laptop-mounted devices (LMEs), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer premises equipment (CPEs), Internet of Things (IoT) devices, watches or other wearable devices, head-mounted displays (HMDs), vehicles, drones, medical devices and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial devices and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in industrial and / or automated processing chain environments), consumer electronics devices, devices operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, etc. The terminal equipment may also correspond to the mobile termination (MT) portion of an IAB node (e.g., a relay node). In the following description, the terms "terminal equipment," "communication equipment," "terminal," "user equipment," and "UE" are used interchangeably.

[0027] As used herein, the terms “resource,” “transmission resource,” “resource block,” “physical resource block” (PRB), “uplink resource,” or “downlink resource” can refer to any resource used to perform communication (e.g., communication between a terminal device and a network device), such as resources in the time domain, resources in the frequency domain, resources in the spatial domain, resources in the code domain, or any other combination of time, frequency, spatial, and / or code domain resources used to implement communication. In the following, unless explicitly stated otherwise, resources in the frequency and time domains will be used as examples of transmission resources used to describe some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. Note that the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.

[0028] As used herein, the term "A-IoT" refers to devices without batteries or with limited energy storage capabilities. A-IoT devices are powered by collecting energy from radio waves, light, motion, heat, or any other suitable source. A-IoT devices may also be referred to as zero-power terminals, near-zero-power terminals, passive IoT devices, ambient backscatter communication (AmBC) devices, tags, etc. Compared to low-power and wide-coverage services such as NB-IoT, Enhanced Machine-Type Communication (eMTC) offers lower complexity and lower power consumption, making it suitable for a wider range of applications.

[0029] IoT devices can use energy from wireless signals transmitted on a specific carrier and / or bandwidth to charge simple circuit systems. Once activated, an A-IoT device can transmit or reflect signals encoded with at least its own ID. A typical system architecture around an A-IoT device can include at least two of the following: an activator, an A-IoT device, or a reader.

[0030] An activator is a device responsible for sending an activation signal aimed at waking up an A-IoT device. A-IoT devices have the ability to harness energy across a range of frequencies and listen for activation signals. Once such a signal is detected, the A-IoT device transmits or reflects a signal specific to its radio ID. A reader is a device that listens for and detects the signals transmitted or reflected by the A-IoT device. A reader may or may not be co-located with the activator.

[0031] There are three types of A-IoT devices: Type A, Type B, and Type C. Type A A-IoT devices lack energy storage, independent signal generation, or amplification capabilities, and can perform backscatter transmission (BC). Type B A-IoT devices have energy storage but lack independent signal generation. They also utilize backscatter transmission. The stored energy can be used to amplify the reflected signal. Type C A-IoT devices possess both energy storage and independent signal generation capabilities. This means they have active RF components for transmission.

[0032] In other words, A-IoT devices can use two communication technologies: backscatter communication (i.e., Type A and Type B) and harvest-then-transmit (HTT) (i.e., Type C). Wireless-powered backscatter communication systems deliver energy to the wireless tag device. The wirelessly powered tag then reflects and modulates the input RF signal to communicate with the tag reader. Wireless-powered HTT communication systems deliver wireless energy to power the communication devices. The energy harvested by these devices is then used to transmit their information to an information decoding receiver. BC does not incur RF-to-DC conversion losses during the energy harvesting (EH) process. The BC transmitter does not convert data into an analog signal and does not amplify the signal. Therefore, it does not require digital-to-analog converters and power amplifier circuitry, which are among the most power-consuming components in a general-purpose RF transceiver. However, the range of BC is much smaller compared to HTT systems, limited by dual near-far gain.

[0033] Furthermore, the design goals for the complexity of A-IoT devices are as follows: Type A A-IoT devices are designed to be comparable to UHF RFID in terms of complexity; Type A A-IoT devices have a complexity level less than or equal to that of Type B A-IoT devices, and Type B A-IoT devices have a complexity level less than or equal to that of Type C A-IoT devices; and Type C A-IoT devices are designed to have a complexity level that is several orders of magnitude lower than that of NB-IoT.

[0034] Several connection topologies for A-IoT networks and devices were defined during the study. In all these topologies, carriers can be provided to A-IoT devices from other nodes inside or outside the topology. Links in each topology can be bidirectional or unidirectional. This mix of indoor and outdoor node placement is considered a network implementation option.

[0035] As an example, A-IoT devices can communicate directly and bidirectionally with a BS. Communication between the BS and the A-IoT device includes A-IoT data and / or signaling. This topology allows for the possibility that the BS transmitting to the A-IoT device is different from the BS receiving from the A-IoT device.

[0036] As another example, A-IoT devices can communicate bidirectionally with an intermediate node between the A-IoT device and the BS. In this topology, the intermediate node can be a relay, IAB node, UE, repeater, etc., capable of A-IoT. The intermediate node can transmit information between the BS and the A-IoT device.

[0037] IoT devices may also transmit data / signaling to the BS and receive data / signaling from auxiliary nodes; or A-IoT devices may receive data / signaling from the BS and transmit data / signaling to auxiliary nodes. In this topology, auxiliary nodes can be relays, IABs, UEs, repeaters, etc., capable of A-IoT.

[0038] As another example, A-IoT devices can communicate bidirectionally with UEs. Communication between the UE and the A-IoT device may include A-IoT data and / or signaling.

[0039] Furthermore, the technical background of this invention also relates to Small Data Transmission (SDT). A detailed description of this aspect will be provided below.

[0040] SDT is a process that allows data and / or signaling transmissions to remain in the RRC_INACTIVE state simultaneously (i.e., without transitioning to the RRC_CONNECTED state). SDT is enabled on a radio bearer basis and is initiated by the UE only if less than the configured amount of uplink (UL) data awaits transmission across all radio bearers for which SDT is enabled, the downlink (DL) reference signal received power (RSRP) is above a configured threshold, and effective SDT resources are available. The maximum duration an SDT procedure can last is determined by the network-configured SDT failure detection timer.

[0041] Access granted (CG) resources via Random Access Channel (RACH) (configured via system information) or Type 1 configuration (via RRCRelease The SDT procedure is initiated by transmission on a dedicated signaling configuration (in the initial bandwidth portion (BWP)). SDT resources can be configured for both RACH and CG on the initial bandwidth portion (BWP). RACH and CG resources for SDT can be configured on either or both of the normal uplink (NUL) and supplementary uplink (SUL) carriers. When a pause indication is received... RRCRelease At this time, CG resources used for SDT are only valid within the UE's primary cell (PCell). CG resources are associated with one or more synchronization signals / blocks (SSBs). For RACH, the network can configure 2-step and / or 4-step random access (RA) resources for SDT. When both 2-step and 4-step RA resources are configured for SDT, the UE selects the RA type that SDT does not support via RACH.

[0042] In some cases, once initiated, the SDT procedure is redirected to RRC_IDLE in the UE (via RRCRelease ) or continue with RRC_INACTIVE (via RRCRelease or RRCReject ) or be directed to RRC_CONNECTED (via RRCResume or RRCSetupAfter that, it was successfully completed. In some other cases, once initiated, the SDT procedure fails to complete successfully when the cell reselection occurs, the SDT failure detection timer expires, the Media Access Control (MAC) entity reaches the configured maximum Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) preamble transmission threshold, the Radio Link Control (RLC) entity reaches the configured maximum retransmission threshold, or the SDT-specific timing alignment timer expires, while the SDT procedure is in progress on the CG and the UE has not received a response from the network after the initial Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) transmission.

[0043] If the SDT procedure fails to complete, the UE transitions to RRC_IDLE. For SDT, if DL data is transmitted via any radio bearer configured for SDT, the network should not respond to... RRCResumeRequest / RRCResumeRequest1 And send RRCReject .

[0044] The initial PUSCH transmission during the SDT procedure includes at least a Common Control Channel (CCCH) message. When using CG resources for the initial SDT transmission, if the UE does not receive an acknowledgment (Dynamic UL Authorization or DL ​​Assignment) from the network before the configured timer expires, the UE may perform an autonomous retransmission of the initial transmission. After the initial PUSCH transmission, subsequent transmissions are processed differently depending on the resource type used to initiate the SDT procedure.

[0045] When using CG resources, the network can use dynamic granting to schedule subsequent UL transmissions, or they can occur on subsequent CG resource timings. Dynamic assignment is used to schedule DL transmissions. The UE can initiate subsequent UL transmissions only after receiving confirmation (dynamic UL granting or DL ​​assignment) from the network for the initial PUSCH transmission. For subsequent UL transmissions, the UE cannot initiate retransmissions on CG resources.

[0046] When using RACH resources, the network can schedule subsequent UL and DL transmissions using dynamic UL authorization and DL assignment respectively after the RA process is completed.

[0047] If data appears in the buffer of any radio bearer not enabled for SDT while the SDT procedure is in progress, the UE uses UEAssistanceInformation The message initiates a transmission of non-SDT data arrival indication to the network, and includes a recovery reason if available.

[0048] The SDT procedure on CG resources can only be initiated with valid UL timing alignment. UL timing alignment is maintained by the UE based on an SDT-specific timing alignment timer configured by the network via dedicated signaling, and for the initial CG-SDT transmission, it is also maintained by the DL RSRP of the highest-ranking SSB with a configuration number higher than the configured RSRP threshold. When the SDT-specific timing alignment timer expires, the CG resource is released while maintaining the CG resource configuration.

[0049] By the network when it is in the RRC_CONNECTED state and / or RRCRelease The logical channel restrictions configured in the message for radio bearers enabled for SDT (if any) are applied by the UE during the SDT process.

[0050] When the UE receives a message with a pause instruction RRCRelease When the UE initiates an SDT in its PCell or when the UE initiates an SDT in its RNA cell, the network can configure the UE to apply ROHC continuity to the SDT.

[0051] As described above, several defined A-IoT topologies exist, in which various NR network elements / nodes are selected to participate in the activation and / or reading of one or more A-IoT devices. In some topologies, an intermediate node (such as a UE) participates in activating the A-IoT device, reading it, or both, and then reports the obtained reading results back to the network node (such as a BS or gNB). The UE needs to be very close to the A-IoT device, with an activation range of up to 20m and a reading range of up to 200m.

[0052] Given that proximity plays a crucial role in achieving successful A-IoT reads, it is important to select the nearest UE to serve in the session, regardless of the UE's own RRC state. In other words, physical proximity takes precedence over the UE's RRC state, and the UE should be able to participate in the A-IoT session even after transitioning to RRC inactivity. Enabling RRC-inactive UEs to operate within an A-IoT session is an open question and is the objective of this invention.

[0053] This disclosure presents a solution for A-IoT paging of user equipment in an RRC inactive state. In this solution, the device receives a paging message from a network node to trigger the inactive device to participate in an A-IoT session. The device obtains a configuration associated with participating in an A-IoT session for the inactive device. The device joins the A-IoT session based on the configuration and the paging message while remaining inactive.

[0054] In this way, an RRC-inactive UE can have the ability to facilitate discovery sessions for one or more A-IoT devices. More specifically, an RRC-inactive UE can be configured to join an A-IoT session and perform activation / reading of A-IoT devices.

[0055] The exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0056] Figure 1 An example communication environment 100 in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented is shown. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the communication environment 100 may include user equipment 110, network node 120, and A-IoT device 130. User equipment 110 can communicate with network node 120 and A-IoT device 130.

[0057] In some scenarios, the A-IoT device 130 can be based on energy harvesting, operate in passive mode, and harvest energy from both 3GPP and non-3GPP devices. For example, the A-IoT device 130 can use energy harvested from radio waves, solar / light, or any other form of energy that can be harvested in its deployment scenario, and can be expected to operate at ultra-low power in the range of tens to hundreds of microwatts.

[0058] As an example, A-IoT device 130 can harvest energy and then use active circuitry to transmit data, acting as a transmitter. As another example, A-IoT device 130 can operate as a passive device and use backscattering to transmit information.

[0059] In some scenarios, A-IoT device 130 can operate as a tag. Network node 120 can operate as a RAN device (e.g., gNB, BS, or eNB). User equipment 110 can operate as a radio terminal equipment (e.g., UE), which can act as an activator and / or reader of A-IoT device 130 in an A-IoT scenario. In some embodiments, network node 120 can communicate with A-IoT device 130; for example, network node 120 can be considered as an activator or reader of A-IoT device 130.

[0060] Communication in communication environment 100 can be implemented according to any suitable communication protocol, including but not limited to cellular communication protocols such as first-generation (1G), second-generation (2G), third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), fifth-generation (5G), and sixth-generation (6G), wireless local network communication protocols such as IEEE 802.11, and / or any other currently known or future-developed protocols. Furthermore, communication can utilize any suitable wireless communication technology, including but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDM), Discrete Fourier Transform Extended OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM), and / or any other currently known or future-developed technologies.

[0061] Now for reference Figure 2 This illustrates a signaling diagram of an example procedure for A-IoT paging of a user equipment in an RRC inactive state, according to some example embodiments of this disclosure. Figure 2 As shown, signaling diagram 200 involves user equipment 110, network node 120 and A-IoT device 130.

[0062] like Figure 2 As shown, network node 120 can transmit a paging message (210) to user equipment 110 in the RRC inactive state to trigger user equipment 110 to participate in an A-IoT session.

[0063] Optionally, user equipment 110 may acquire a configuration associated with participating in an A-IoT session while transitioning to an inactive state. For example, when user equipment 110 transitions to an inactive state, network node 120 may transmit (205) a configuration to user equipment 110 via an RRC release message. This configuration may indicate that user equipment 110 is permitted to participate in an A-IoT session after transitioning to an inactive state.

[0064] In this scenario, the configuration received from network node 120 can be indicated by one or more information elements (IEs) in the pause configuration of the RRC release message.

[0065] For example, the configuration may include a time period during which user equipment 110 can participate in an A-IoT session as a reader or activator. This ensures that user equipment 110 prioritizes its actions in the network even when it is inactive, such as when operating with a multi-subscriber identity module (MUSIM) or multi-radio access technology (multi-RAT).

[0066] Alternatively or additionally, the configuration may include resources in the time and / or frequency domains on which user device 110 is allowed to transmit activation signals for an A-IoT session (e.g., when user device 110 will act as an activator) and / or resources in the time and / or frequency domains on which user device 110 is expected to receive responses from A-IoT devices in the A-IoT session (e.g., when user device 110 will act as a reader).

[0067] The configuration may also include a paging resource on which the user equipment 110 is expected to listen for potential trigger requests to become an activator and / or reader.

[0068] In addition, this configuration may include resources for user equipment 110 to request the start of an A-IoT session. Resources may include, for example, 2-step RACH, 4-step RACH, or CG-SDT.

[0069] Alternatively or additionally, the configuration may include an instruction for the A-IoT device 130, for which the user equipment 110 to be queried acts as an activator and / or reader.

[0070] In some example embodiments, the indication of A-IoT device 130 may include an identifier of the A-IoT device, such as an actual device ID (e.g., for sending an activation signal or decoding a response from A-IoT device 130). Alternatively, the indication of A-IoT device 130 may include the type of A-IoT device, such as the type of A-IoT device 130 (e.g., type A, B, and / or C).

[0071] In other words, based on the configuration configured by network node 120, user device 110 can join the A-IoT session as an activator and / or reader even when RRC is inactive.

[0072] It should be understood that one or more pieces of information included in the configuration described above (such as resources in the time and / or frequency domains on which user device 110 is allowed to transmit activation signals for an A-IoT session and / or resources in the time and / or frequency domains on which user device 110 is expected to receive responses from A-IoT devices in an A-IoT session) can also be configured by network node 120 via paging messages.

[0073] In addition to resource indications for user equipment acting as activators and / or readers, in this scenario, user equipment 110 may obtain indications from paging messages that user equipment 110 acts as an activator and / or reader.

[0074] Alternatively or additionally, the paging message may also instruct the user equipment 110 to act as an activator and / or reader for a specific A-IoT device, for example, by providing an associated ID in the paging message or for a specific type of A-IoT device.

[0075] In addition, when user equipment 110 acts as a reader, the paging message can also instruct user equipment 110 to report responses from A-IoT devices to, for example, network node 120 2-step RACH SDT, 4-step RACH SDT, or CG-SDT.

[0076] In summary, User Equipment 110 has been configured to be eligible to participate in A-IoT sessions even when in an RRC inactive state. As a result, it can be triggered to become active in an A-IoT session via a paging message. Some paging information can be included in the configuration, such as indications that User Equipment 110 acts as an activator and / or reader. The information included in the paging message as described above can be indicated by new information elements in the paging message.

[0077] As an alternative, a paging message can be used to provide user equipment 110 with the configuration associated with participating in an A-IoT session for user equipment in an inactive state. That is, for user equipment 110 in an RRC inactive state, network node 120 can transmit a paging message (210) to user equipment 110 to configure and trigger user equipment 110 to participate in an A-IoT session in an inactive state.

[0078] In this scenario, if network node 120 identifies the currently RRC-inactive user equipment 110 as a candidate for service in an A-IoT session (as an activator, reader, or both), user equipment 110 can be configured by network node 120 for an A-IoT role while remaining RRC inactive. Role configuration can be accomplished via an enhanced paging message that requests the UE-ID-x identified by the A-IoT role-ID-R. For example, if R=1, its role is active; if R=2, its role is reader; and if R=3, its role is report to the network.

[0079] Furthermore, to support the configuration of A-IoT sessions, the functionality of paging messages can be extended. As a result, new IEs can be added to paging messages.

[0080] As an example, the paging message may include a new IE to indicate the identifier of the A-IoT session in which user equipment 110 will participate, such as an A-IoT session ID. If the paging message includes the identifier of the A-IoT session, and the A-IoT session has been pre-configured while in an RRC connected state, and user equipment 110 has stored the context, the A-IoT session can be resumed by referencing only the ID and using the stored configuration. This configuration may include a list of A-IoT device IDs in the baseband and corresponding activation signal waveform parameterizations, but not resource allocation depending on the RRC state of user equipment 110.

[0081] As another example, a paging message may include one or more IEs to indicate at least one additional user equipment (UE) to participate in an A-IoT session and the corresponding role of that additional UE. For example, the paging message may indicate a mapping between all target UEs, i.e., a mapping between UE_ID-x and role-ID-R. UE_ID-x identifies each UE that should join the session.

[0082] Furthermore, the paging message may include one or more IEs to indicate the time and / or frequency domain resources on which user device 110 is allowed to transmit activation signals for an A-IoT session, and the time and / or frequency domain resources on which user device 110 is expected to receive a response from A-IoT device 130 in the A-IoT session. For example, the paging message may indicate the duration of activation signal transmission during RRC inactivity, such as its period and frequency band. This information is used by the activator to transmit during RRC inactivity and by the reader to monitor A-IoT responses.

[0083] The paging message may also include a new IE to indicate the configuration for reporting information / responses received from the user equipment 110 acting as the reader. For example, the IE may specify the resources through which the reading results should be sent back to network node 120 after the A-IoT session is completed. For example, a UL SDT can be used to send the report, which does not require an RRC inactive reader to switch to an RRC connection. For example, the UL SDT transmission should occur shortly after the activation signal transmission and can be configured to occur relative to the start time of the activation signal.

[0084] Based on paging messages and / or configuration, user equipment 110 can determine (215) its role and other corresponding information to join an A-IoT session.

[0085] In an A-IoT session, if user equipment 110 acts only as an activator, user equipment 110 can send an activation signal (220) to A-IoT device 130. In this case, if network node 120 acts as a reader, A-IoT device 130 can send a reply (225) to network node 120.

[0086] In some cases, if user equipment 110 acts as both an activator and a reader, after user equipment 110 sends an activation signal, A-IoT device 130 can send (235) a reply to user equipment 110, and user equipment 110 can transmit (240) the reply to network node 120.

[0087] In some other cases, if user equipment 110 acts only as a reader, it can receive (235) a reply from A-IoT device 130 activated by network node 120 (via action 230) and transmit (240) the reply to network node 120.

[0088] Figures 3 to 5 The procedure for A-IoT paging of a user equipment in an RRC inactive state, according to some example embodiments of this disclosure, is illustrated. References Figures 3 to 5 This can be further described in detail in terms of the behavior of user devices that play different roles.

[0089] As described above, in the topology used for A-IoT sessions, A-IoT devices can communicate bidirectionally with intermediate nodes between A-IoT devices and network nodes. In such a topology... Figure 3 In the topology shown, user equipment 110 in an RRC inactive state can act as an intermediate node. It should be understood that intermediate nodes may include more user equipment in an RRC inactive state.

[0090] In this topology, user equipment 110 in an RRC inactive state can perform one or both of the following actions with the help of network node 120 (which has configured user equipment 110 for activation and / or reading): transmitting an activation signal while remaining in an RRC inactive state, or reading A-IoT device 130 and reporting the result to network node 120 via UL, all while remaining in an RRC inactive state.

[0091] If user equipment 110, which is in an RRC inactive state, acts as both an activator and a reader, the paging message can configure user equipment 110 with all A-IoT roles, namely role-ID-1, role-ID-2, role-ID-3, etc.

[0092] If user equipment 110, in an RRC inactive state, acts as the activator, and another user equipment, in an RRC connected state, acts as the reader, the paging message for user equipment 110 can identify only the activator; that is, the paging IE only contains the activator mapping, i.e., the mapping between UE_ID-x and role-ID-R. In this case, the paging message will not instruct the reader to report the configuration.

[0093] Simultaneously, a network node can configure another user equipment (UE) to read A-IoT device 130 activated by UE 110, which is in an RRC inactive state. In this case, the reader reporting configuration is implemented via RRC IE or LTE positioning protocol (LPP) and may include at least a paging IE for an identifier for the A-IoT session, a paging IE for activating signal transmission time, and a paging IE for the reader reporting configuration.

[0094] In another topology used for A-IoT sessions, A-IoT devices transmit data / signaling to network nodes and receive data / signaling from auxiliary nodes; or A-IoT devices receive data / signaling from network nodes and transmit data / signaling to auxiliary nodes. Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the topology shown, user equipment 110 acts as an auxiliary node.

[0095] For example, such as Figure 4 As shown, user equipment 110-1 in an RRC inactive state acts as an activator, and its own serving network node 120 acts as a reader. In this case, the paging message for user equipment 110-1 can identify only the activator. That is, the paging IE only contains the activator mapping and does not contain the paging IE for reader report configuration.

[0096] As a further option, such as Figure 5 As shown, if user equipment 110 acts as a reader, after A-IoT device 130 is activated by network node 120 or another user equipment, user equipment 110 can receive a response from A-IoT device 130 and transmit it to network node 120 while remaining inactive. In this case, the reader reporting configuration is implemented via RRCIE and may include at least a paging IE for the identifier of the A-IoT session, a paging IE for activating the signal transmission time, and a paging IE for the reader reporting configuration.

[0097] The solution disclosed herein enables a UE to join an A-IoT session via paging even when in an RRC inactive state. In this way, a UE in an RRC inactive state can assist in the discovery session of one or more AIoT devices.

[0098] Figure 6 A flowchart of an example method 600 implemented at a device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For the purposes of discussion, [the following will be discussed]. Figure 1 Method 600 is described from the perspective of user equipment 110.

[0099] At box 610, user equipment 110 receives a paging message from a network node to trigger an inactive device to participate in an A-IoT session.

[0100] At box 620, user equipment 110 obtains the configuration associated with participating in an A-IoT session for an inactive device.

[0101] At box 630, user equipment 110 joins an A-IoT session based on the configuration and paging message, while remaining inactive.

[0102] In some example embodiments, method 600 further includes: during the transition to an inactive state, obtaining a configuration via a Radio Resource Control (RRC) release message, wherein the configuration indicates that the device is permitted to participate in an A-IoT session after the transition to an inactive state.

[0103] In some example embodiments, the configuration includes at least one of the following: the device can be used as a reader or activator for a period of time during which it participates in an A-IoT session; the device is permitted to transmit time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources thereon for activation signals for the A-IoT session; the device is expected to receive time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources thereon from A-IoT devices in the A-IoT session; the device is expected to listen for paging resources thereon for potential trigger requests to become an activator and / or reader; resources for the device to request the start of the A-IoT session; or indications that the device is used as an activator and / or reader for A-IoT devices.

[0104] In some example embodiments, the indication of an A-IoT device includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the A-IoT device, or the type of the A-IoT device.

[0105] In some example embodiments, the configuration is indicated by one or more information elements in the pause configuration of the RRC release message.

[0106] In some example embodiments, the paging message includes at least one of the following: an indication that the device acts as an activator and / or reader; an indication that the device acts as an activator and / or reader for a specific A-IoT device; an indication that the device acts as an activator and / or reader for a specific type of A-IoT device; resources in the time and / or frequency domain on which the device is permitted to transmit activation signals for an A-IoT session; resources in the time and / or frequency domain on which the device is expected to receive responses from A-IoT devices in an A-IoT session; or an indication that the device acts as a reader and reports the received information via Small Data Transmission Techniques (SDT).

[0107] In some example embodiments, method 600 further includes: obtaining configuration from a paging message, wherein the paging message includes at least one of the following: an indication that the device acts as an activator and / or reader; an identifier of the A-IoT session to which the device intends to participate; time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources on which the device is permitted to transmit activation signals for the A-IoT session; time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources on which the device is expected to receive responses from A-IoT devices in the A-IoT session; a configuration for reporting information received from the device acting as a reader; or an indication of at least one additional user device to participate in the A-IoT session and the corresponding role of the at least one additional user device.

[0108] In some example embodiments, method 600 further includes: transmitting an activation signal to an A-IoT device based on a configuration associated with participating in an A-IoT session, depending on the determining device acting as an activator and reader; and transmitting the response to a network node via SDT, depending on the determining device receiving a response from the A-IoT device.

[0109] In some example embodiments, method 600 further includes: determining that the device acts as an activator and transmitting an activation signal to the A-IoT device based on a configuration associated with participating in an A-IoT session.

[0110] In some example embodiments, method 600 further includes: based on determining that the device acts as a reader and receives information from an A-IoT device activated by a network node or another user device, transmitting the received information to the network node via SDT.

[0111] Figure 7 A flowchart of an example method 700 implemented at a device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For the purposes of discussion, [the following will be discussed]. Figure 1 Method 700 is described from the perspective of network node 120.

[0112] At box 710, network node 120 determines the configuration associated with the A-IoT session of a user device that is inactive.

[0113] At box 720, network node 120 transmits a paging message to user equipment to trigger inactive user equipment to participate in an A-IoT session.

[0114] In some example embodiments, method 700 further includes transmitting a configuration to the user equipment via a Radio Resource Control (RRC) release message during the transition to an inactive state, wherein the configuration indicates that the user equipment is permitted to participate in an A-IoT session after the transition to an inactive state.

[0115] In some example embodiments, the configuration includes at least one of the following: a period of time during which the user equipment can participate in an A-IoT session as a reader or activator; time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources on which the user equipment is permitted to transmit activation signals for the A-IoT session; time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources on which the user equipment is expected to receive responses from A-IoT devices in the A-IoT session; paging resources on which the user equipment is expected to listen for potential trigger requests to become an activator and / or reader; resources for the user equipment to request the start of the A-IoT session; or an indication that the user equipment will be used as an activator and / or reader of an A-IoT device.

[0116] In some example embodiments, the indication of an A-IoT device includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the A-IoT device or the type of the A-IoT device.

[0117] In some example embodiments, the paging message includes at least one of the following: an indication that the user equipment acts as an activator and / or reader; an indication that the user equipment acts as an activator and / or reader for a specific A-IoT device; an indication that the user equipment acts as an activator and / or reader for a specific type of A-IoT device; resources in the time and / or frequency domain on which the user equipment is permitted to transmit activation signals for an A-IoT session; resources in the time and / or frequency domain on which the user equipment is expected to receive responses from A-IoT devices in an A-IoT session; or an indication that the user equipment acts as a reader and reports the received information via Small Data Transmission Techniques (SDT).

[0118] In some example embodiments, method 700 further includes transmitting configuration to a user equipment via a paging message, wherein the paging message includes at least one of the following: an indication that the user equipment acts as an activator and / or reader; an identifier of an A-IoT session to which the user equipment wishes to participate; time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources on which the user equipment is permitted to transmit activation signals for the A-IoT session; time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources on which the user equipment is expected to receive responses from A-IoT devices in the A-IoT session; a configuration for reporting information received from the user equipment acting as a reader; or an indication of at least one other user equipment to participate in the A-IoT session and the corresponding role of the at least one other user equipment.

[0119] In some example embodiments, method 700 further includes receiving a response from an A-IoT device via SDT from a user equipment acting as a reader in an A-IoT session.

[0120] In some example embodiments, any method 600 can be executed (e.g., Figure 1 The means of user equipment 110 (in the system) may include components for performing corresponding operations of method 600. These components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit or software module. The means may be implemented as or included in... Figure 1 In user equipment 110.

[0121] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes: components for receiving a paging message from a network node to trigger an inactive device to participate in an A-IoT session; components for obtaining a configuration associated with participating in an A-IoT session for an inactive device; and components for joining the A-IoT session based on the configuration and the paging message while remaining inactive.

[0122] In some example embodiments, the device includes components for obtaining a configuration via a Radio Resource Control (RRC) release message during a transition to an inactive state, wherein the configuration indicates that the device is permitted to participate in an A-IoT session after the transition to an inactive state.

[0123] In some example embodiments, the configuration includes at least one of the following: the device can be used as a reader or activator to participate in an A-IoT session for a period of time; the device is allowed to transmit time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources for activation signals for the A-IoT session; the device is expected to receive time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources for responses from A-IoT devices in the A-IoT session; the device is expected to listen for paging resources for potential trigger requests to become an activator and / or reader; resources for the device to request the start of the A-IoT session; or the device is used as an indication of an A-IoT device as its activator and / or reader.

[0124] In some example embodiments, the indication of an A-IoT device includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the A-IoT device or the type of the A-IoT device.

[0125] In some example embodiments, this configuration is indicated by one or more information elements in the pause configuration of the RRC release message.

[0126] In some example embodiments, the paging message includes at least one of the following: an indication that the device acts as an activator and / or reader; an indication that the device acts as an activator and / or reader for a specific A-IoT device; an indication that the device acts as an activator and / or reader for a specific type of A-IoT device; resources in the time and / or frequency domain on which the device is permitted to transmit activation signals for an A-IoT session; resources in the time and / or frequency domain on which the device is expected to receive responses from A-IoT devices in an A-IoT session; or an indication that the device acts as a reader and reports the received information via Small Data Transmission Techniques (SDT).

[0127] In some example embodiments, the device further includes: a component for obtaining configuration from a paging message, wherein the paging message includes at least one of the following: an indication that the device acts as an activator and / or reader; an identifier of an A-IoT session to which the device intends to participate; time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources on which the device is permitted to transmit activation signals for the A-IoT session; time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources on which the device is expected to receive responses from A-IoT devices in the A-IoT session; a configuration for reporting information received from the device acting as a reader; or an indication of at least one additional user device to participate in the A-IoT session and the corresponding role of the at least one additional user device.

[0128] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further includes: a component for transmitting an activation signal to an A-IoT device based on a configuration associated with participating in an A-IoT session, depending on whether the apparatus is determined to act as an activator and reader; and a component for transmitting the response to a network node via SDT, depending on whether the apparatus receives a response from the A-IoT device.

[0129] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further includes a component for transmitting an activation signal to an A-IoT device based on a configuration associated with participating in an A-IoT session, depending on whether the apparatus is determined to act as an activator.

[0130] In some example embodiments, the device further includes a component for transmitting the received information to the network node via SDT based on determining that the device is acting as a reader and receiving information from an A-IoT device activated by a network node or another user equipment.

[0131] In some example embodiments, the apparatus also includes components for performing other operations in some example embodiments of method 600 or user equipment 110. In some example embodiments, the components include: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform.

[0132] In some example embodiments, any method 700 can be executed (e.g., Figure 1 The apparatus of network node 120 (in the network) may include components for performing the corresponding operations of method 700. These components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit or software module. The apparatus may be implemented as or included in... Figure 1 In network node 120.

[0133] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes: components for determining a configuration associated with participating in an A-IoT session for an inactive user equipment; and components for transmitting a paging message to the user equipment to trigger the inactive user equipment to participate in the A-IoT session.

[0134] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further includes a component for transmitting a configuration to a user equipment via a Radio Resource Control (RRC) release message during a transition to an inactive state, wherein the configuration indicates that the user equipment is allowed to participate in an A-IoT session after the transition to an inactive state.

[0135] In some example embodiments, the configuration includes at least one of the following: a period of time during which the user equipment can participate in an A-IoT session as a reader or activator; resources in the time and / or frequency domain on which the user equipment is permitted to transmit activation signals for the A-IoT session; resources in the time and / or frequency domain on which the user equipment is expected to receive responses from A-IoT devices in the A-IoT session; paging resources on which the user equipment is expected to listen for potential trigger requests to become an activator and / or reader; resources for the user equipment to request the start of an A-IoT session; or an indication that the user equipment is used as an A-IoT device as its activator and / or reader.

[0136] In some example embodiments, the indication of an A-IoT device includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the A-IoT device or the type of the A-IoT device.

[0137] In some example embodiments, the paging message includes at least one of the following: an indication that the user equipment acts as an activator and / or reader; an indication that the user equipment acts as an activator and / or reader for a specific A-IoT device; an indication that the user equipment acts as an activator and / or reader for a specific type of A-IoT device; resources in the time and / or frequency domain on which the user equipment is permitted to transmit activation signals for an A-IoT session; resources in the time and / or frequency domain on which the user equipment is expected to receive responses from A-IoT devices in an A-IoT session; or an indication that the user equipment acts as a reader and reports the received information via Small Data Transmission Techniques (SDT).

[0138] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further includes: a component for transmitting configuration to a user equipment via a paging message, wherein the paging message includes at least one of the following: an indication that the user equipment acts as an activator and / or reader; an identifier of an A-IoT session to which the user equipment wishes to participate; time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources on which the user equipment is permitted to transmit activation signals for the A-IoT session; time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources on which the user equipment is expected to receive responses from A-IoT devices in the A-IoT session; a configuration for reporting information received from the user equipment acting as a reader; or an indication of at least one other user equipment to participate in the A-IoT session and the corresponding role of the at least one other user equipment.

[0139] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further includes a component for receiving a response from an A-IoT device via SDT from a user equipment acting as a reader in an A-IoT session.

[0140] In some example embodiments, the apparatus also includes components for performing other operations in some example embodiments of method 700 or network node 120. In some example embodiments, the components include: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform.

[0141] Figure 8 This is a simplified block diagram of a device 800 suitable for implementing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 800 can be provided to implement a communication device, such as... Figure 1 The user equipment 110 or network node 120 shown. As shown, device 800 includes one or more processors 810, one or more memories 820 coupled to processor 810, and one or more communication modules 840 coupled to processor 810.

[0142] Communication module 840 is used for bidirectional communication. Communication module 840 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interface can represent any interface required for communication with other network elements. In some example embodiments, communication module 840 may include at least one antenna.

[0143] As a non-limiting example, processor 810 can be any type suitable for a local technology network and can include one or more of the following: general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), and processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Device 800 can have multiple processors, such as application-specific integrated circuit chips that are time-dependent on a clock of a synchronous main processor.

[0144] Memory 820 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 824, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disk, optical disc (CD), digital video disc (DVD), optical disc, laser disc, and other magnetic and / or optical storage. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) 822 and other volatile memories that will not persist for the duration of a power outage.

[0145] Computer program 830 includes computer-executable instructions that are executed by an associated processor 810. The instructions of program 830 may include instructions for performing operations / actions of some example embodiments of this disclosure. Program 830 may be stored in memory (e.g., ROM 824). Processor 810 can perform any suitable actions and processes by loading program 830 into RAM 822.

[0146] Example embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented by program 830, enabling device 800 to perform as described in the reference. Figures 2 to 7 Any process discussed in this disclosure. Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0147] In some example embodiments, program 830 may be tangibly contained in a computer-readable medium, which may be included in device 800 (such as memory 820) or other storage devices accessible by device 800. Device 800 may load program 830 from the computer-readable medium into RAM 822 for execution. In some example embodiments, the computer-readable medium may include any type of non-transitory storage medium, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc. As used herein, the term "non-transitory" is a limitation on the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not tactile), rather than a limitation on the persistence of data storage (e.g., RAM and ROM).

[0148] Generally, the various embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects can be implemented in hardware, while others can be implemented in firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of the embodiments of this disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other graphical representation, it should be understood that, as non-limiting examples, the blocks, apparatuses, systems, techniques, or methods described herein can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0149] Some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure also provide at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium, such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions that execute in a device on a target physical or virtual processor, such as those included in a program module, to perform any of the methods described above. Typically, a program module includes routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc., that perform a particular task or implement a particular abstract data type. In various embodiments, the functionality of a program module can be combined or split among program modules as needed. The machine-executable instructions for a program module can execute within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, the program module can reside in both local and remote storage media.

[0150] Program code used to perform the methods of this disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that when executed by the processor or controller, the program code causes the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may be executed entirely on a machine, partially on a machine, as a stand-alone software package, partially on a machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0151] In the context of this disclosure, computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus, or processor to perform the various processes and operations described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer-readable media, etc.

[0152] Computer-readable media can be computer-readable signal media or computer-readable storage media. Computer-readable media can include, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatuses, or devices, or any suitable combination thereof. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media will include electrical connections having one or more wires, portable computer disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fibers, portable optical disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0153] Furthermore, although operations are described in a specific order, this should not be construed as requiring that such operations be performed in the specific order shown or sequentially, or that all shown operations be performed to achieve the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although several specific implementation details are included in the discussion above, these details should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Unless explicitly stated, certain features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, unless explicitly stated, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented individually or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple embodiments.

[0154] Although this disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological actions, it should be understood that the disclosure as defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described above. Rather, the specific features and actions described above are disclosed as exemplary forms for implementing the claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: Receive paging messages from network nodes to trigger the inactive device to participate in an Aspect-Oriented Internet of Things (A-IoT) session; Obtain the configuration associated with participating in the A-IoT session for the device in the inactive state; as well as Join the A-IoT session based on the configuration and the paging message, while remaining in the inactive state.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to: During the transition to the inactive state, the configuration is obtained via a Radio Resource Control (RRC) release message, wherein the configuration indicates that the device is allowed to participate in the A-IoT session after the transition to the inactive state.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of the following: The device can be used as a reader or activator to participate in the A-IoT session for a specified period of time. The device is permitted to transmit resources in the time and / or frequency domains on it for the activation signal used in the A-IoT session. The device is intended to receive time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources on which it receives responses from A-IoT devices in the A-IoT session. The device is intended to listen for paging resources on which potential trigger requests for activators and / or readers may be received. Resources used by the device to request the start of the A-IoT session, or The device will be used as an indicator for A-IoT devices that act as their activators and / or readers.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the indication of the A-IoT device includes at least one of the following: The identifier of the A-IoT device, or The type of A-IoT device.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the configuration is indicated by one or more information elements in the pause configuration of the RRC release message.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the paging message comprises at least one of the following: The device acts as an indicator for the activator and / or reader. The device acts as an indicator for an activator and / or reader for a specific A-IoT device. The device acts as an indicator for an activator and / or reader for a specific type of A-IoT device. The device is permitted to transmit resources in the time and / or frequency domains on it for the activation signal used in the A-IoT session. The device is intended to receive, on which it receives, resources in the time and / or frequency domains in response from the A-IoT device in the A-IoT session, or The device acts as a reader and reports indications of the received information via Small Data Transmission Technique (SDT).

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to: The configuration is obtained from the paging message, wherein the paging message includes at least one of the following: The device acts as an indicator for the activator and / or reader. The identifier of the A-IoT session that the device will participate in. The device is permitted to transmit resources in the time and / or frequency domains on it for the activation signal used in the A-IoT session. The device is intended to receive, on it, resources in the time and / or frequency domains in response to A-IoT devices in the A-IoT session. Configuration for reporting information received from the device acting as a reader, or Instructions for at least one additional user device to participate in the A-IoT session and the corresponding role of the at least one additional user device.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the apparatus is configured to: Based on the determination that the device acts as both an activator and a reader, an activation signal is transmitted to the A-IoT device based on the configuration associated with participating in the A-IoT session; and Based on the determination that the device receives a response from the A-IoT device, the response is transmitted to the network node via SDT.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the apparatus is configured to: Based on the determination that the device acts as an activator, it transmits an activation signal to the A-IoT device based on the configuration associated with participating in the A-IoT session.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the apparatus is configured to: Based on the determination that the device acts as a reader and receives information from the A-IoT device activated by the network node or another user equipment, the received information is transmitted to the network node via SDT.

11. An apparatus comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: Determine the configuration associated with participating in an ambient IoT (A-IoT) session for inactive user devices; and A paging message is transmitted to the user equipment to trigger the user equipment, which is in the inactive state, to participate in the A-IoT session.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is configured to: During the transition to the inactive state, the configuration is transmitted to the user equipment via a Radio Resource Control (RRC) release message, wherein the configuration indicates that the user equipment is permitted to participate in the A-IoT session after the transition to the inactive state.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of the following: The user equipment can be used as a reader or activator during the time period of the A-IoT session. The user equipment is permitted to transmit resources in the time and / or frequency domains on which activation signals for the A-IoT session are transmitted. The user equipment is expected to receive time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources on it from the A-IoT devices in the A-IoT session. The user equipment is intended to listen on paging resources that may become activators and / or readers for potential triggering requests. Resources used by the user equipment to request the start of the A-IoT session, or The user equipment will be used as an indication of the A-IoT device for its activator and / or reader.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the indication of the A-IoT device comprises at least one of the following: The identifier of the A-IoT device, or The type of A-IoT device.

15. The apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the paging message comprises at least one of the following: The device acts as an indicator for the activator and / or reader. The device acts as an indicator for an activator and / or reader for a specific A-IoT device. The device acts as an indicator for an activator and / or reader for a specific type of A-IoT device. The device is permitted to transmit resources in the time and / or frequency domains on it for the activation signal used in the A-IoT session. The device is intended to receive, on which it receives, resources in the time and / or frequency domains in response from the A-IoT device in the A-IoT session, or The device acts as a reader and reports indications of the received information via Small Data Transmission Technique (SDT).

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is configured to: The configuration is transmitted to the user equipment via the paging message, wherein the paging message includes at least one of the following: The user equipment acts as an indicator for the activator and / or reader. The identifier of the A-IoT session to which the user equipment shall participate. The user equipment is permitted to transmit resources in the time and / or frequency domains on which activation signals for the A-IoT session are transmitted. The user equipment is expected to receive, on it, resources in the time domain and / or frequency domain from the A-IoT devices in the A-IoT session. Configuration for reporting information received from the user equipment acting as a reader, or Instructions for at least one additional user device to participate in the A-IoT session and the corresponding role of the at least one additional user device.

17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the apparatus is configured to: The user equipment, acting as a reader in the A-IoT session, receives a response from the A-IoT device via SDT.

18. A method comprising: At the user equipment, a paging message is received from a network node to trigger the inactive device to participate in an Aspect-Oriented Internet of Things (A-IoT) session. Obtain the configuration associated with participating in the A-IoT session for the device in the inactive state; as well as Join the A-IoT session based on the configuration and the paging message, while remaining in the inactive state.

19. A method comprising: Determine the configuration at the network node associated with participating in an ambient IoT (A-IoT) session for user devices that are inactive. as well as A paging message is transmitted to the user equipment to trigger the user equipment, which is in the inactive state, to participate in the A-IoT session.

20. An apparatus comprising: Components for receiving paging messages from network nodes to trigger the inactive device to participate in an Aspect-Oriented Internet of Things (A-IoT) session; Components for obtaining configurations associated with participating in the A-IoT session for the device in the inactive state; as well as A component for joining the A-IoT session based on the configuration and the paging message while remaining in the inactive state.

21. An apparatus comprising: Components used to determine the configuration associated with participating in an ambient IoT (A-IoT) session for user devices in an inactive state; as well as A component for transmitting a paging message to the user equipment to trigger the user equipment, which is in the inactive state, to participate in the A-IoT session.

22. A computer-readable medium including instructions stored thereon for causing a device to perform at least the method of claim 18 or 19.

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