Terminal device communication

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and computer program are described including receiving a request from an energy harvesting device, the energy harvesting device including components for transmitting data in an active mode and a backscatter mode, wherein transmitting data in the backscatter mode includes modulating the data onto a backscatter signal, and wherein transmitting data in the active mode includes actively generating and transmitting a signal having data modulated thereon; selecting a mode of the backscatter mode and the active mode based at least in part on the request; and providing instructions to the energy harvesting device for operating in the selected mode for one or more transmissions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Example embodiments may relate to systems, methods, and / or computer programs related to communication with terminal devices. Background Technology

[0002] Efficient communication between network devices and terminal devices is still needed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The scope of protection sought by the various embodiments of the present invention is set forth in the independent claims. Embodiments and features described in this specification that do not fall within the scope of the independent claims, if any, are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding the various embodiments of the invention.

[0004] According to a first aspect, a network device is provided, comprising: components for receiving a request from an energy harvesting device, the energy harvesting device including components for transmitting data in an active mode and a backscatter mode, wherein transmitting data in the backscatter mode includes modulating the data onto a backscatter signal, and wherein transmitting data in the active mode includes actively generating and transmitting a signal modulated thereon; components for selecting a mode in the backscatter mode and the active mode based at least in part on the request; and components for providing instructions to the energy harvesting device for operating one or more transmissions in the selected mode.

[0005] In some example embodiments, the request is a request that operates in backscatter mode.

[0006] In some example embodiments, the request also includes at least one of the amount of data to be transmitted by the energy harvesting device or the target latency.

[0007] In some example embodiments, the selection component selects either the backscatter mode or the active mode based on at least one of the following: the amount of data buffered at the energy harvesting device, the target latency, the distance between the device and the energy harvesting device, or whether to provide an activation signal to the energy harvesting device.

[0008] Some example embodiments also include components for receiving an instruction from the energy harvesting device to switch from backscatter mode to active mode.

[0009] Some example embodiments also include: components for determining the amount of time elapsed since a previous transmission from the energy harvesting device was received; and components for providing a query to the energy harvesting device if neither a transmission nor the request has been received before the determined amount of elapsed time exceeds a timer threshold.

[0010] According to a second aspect, an energy harvesting device is provided, comprising: components for transmitting data in an active mode and a backscatter mode, wherein transmitting data in the backscatter mode includes modulating data onto a backscatter signal, and wherein transmitting data in the active mode includes actively generating and transmitting a signal modulated thereon; components for transmitting a request to a network device using the components for transmitting data, the request being for changing the mode in which the components for transmitting data operate; components for receiving an instruction from the network device, the instruction being for operating one or more transmissions in one of the backscatter mode and the active mode; and components for setting the mode in which the data transmission components operate to the instructed mode.

[0011] Some example embodiments further include: components for determining that the amount of energy stored in the energy harvesting device is below a first threshold; components for determining that the energy harvesting device has data for transmission to a network device; and wherein the components for transmitting a request to the network device transmit the request in response to the device determining that the amount of energy stored in the energy harvesting device is below the first threshold and determining that the energy harvesting device has data for transmission to the network device, and wherein the request is a request to change the mode to a backscatter mode.

[0012] Some example embodiments also include components for determining the amount of data to be transmitted and / or a target delay for the data to be transmitted, and wherein the request for changing the mode includes an indication of the amount of data to be transmitted and / or the target delay.

[0013] Some example embodiments also include components for transmitting to network devices an instruction that the energy harvesting device should switch from backscatter mode to active mode.

[0014] Some example embodiments also include components for determining that the amount of energy stored by the energy harvesting device is higher than a second threshold, wherein components for transmitting an indication to the network device that the energy harvesting device should switch from backscatter mode to active mode are configured to transmit the indication in response to making the determination.

[0015] According to a third aspect, a method is provided, comprising: receiving a request from an energy harvesting device, the energy harvesting device including components for transmitting data in an active mode and a backscatter mode, wherein transmitting data in the backscatter mode includes modulating data onto a backscatter signal, and wherein transmitting data in the active mode includes actively generating and transmitting a signal modulated thereon; selecting a mode in the backscatter mode and the active mode based at least in part on the request; and providing instructions to the energy harvesting device for operating one or more transmissions in the selected mode.

[0016] In some example embodiments, the request is a request to operate in backscatter mode.

[0017] In some example embodiments, the request also includes at least one of the amount of data to be transmitted by the energy harvesting device or the target latency.

[0018] In some example embodiments, the selection is based on at least one of the following to choose between backscatter mode and active mode: the amount of data buffered at the energy harvesting device, the target latency, the distance between the device and the energy harvesting device, or whether to provide an activation signal to the energy harvesting device.

[0019] The method may include receiving an instruction from the energy harvesting device to switch from backscatter mode to active mode.

[0020] The method may include: determining the amount of time that has elapsed since a previous transmission from the energy harvesting device was received; and providing a query to the energy harvesting device if neither a transmission nor the request has been received before the determined amount of elapsed time exceeds a timer threshold.

[0021] According to a fourth aspect, a method is provided, comprising: transmitting a request from an energy harvesting device for reception by a network device, the energy harvesting device including components for transmitting data in an active mode and a backscatter mode, wherein transmitting data in the backscatter mode includes modulating data onto a backscatter signal, and wherein transmitting data in the active mode includes actively generating and transmitting a signal modulated thereon, wherein the request is a request to change the mode of operation of the components for transmitting data; receiving an instruction from the network device for operating one or more transmissions in the backscatter mode and the active mode; and setting the mode of operation of the data transmission components to the instructed mode.

[0022] The method may further include: determining that the amount of energy stored in the energy harvesting device is below a first threshold; determining that the energy harvesting device has data for transmission to a network device; and in response to determining that the amount of energy stored in the energy harvesting device is below the first threshold and determining that the energy harvesting device has data for transmission to the network device, transmitting a request to the network device, wherein the request is a request to change the mode to a backscatter mode.

[0023] The method may further include determining the amount of data to be transmitted and / or a target delay for the data to be transmitted, and wherein the request for changing the mode includes an indication of the amount of data to be transmitted and / or the target delay.

[0024] The method may also include transmitting to the network device an instruction for the energy harvesting device to switch from backscatter mode to active mode.

[0025] The method may further include determining that the amount of energy stored by the energy harvesting device is higher than a second threshold, wherein in response to making the determination, an instruction is transmitted to the network device that the energy harvesting device should switch from backscatter mode to active mode.

[0026] According to a fifth aspect, a network device is provided, comprising (at least): a receiver (or other components) for receiving a request from an energy harvesting device, the energy harvesting device including a transmitter (or other components) for transmitting data in an active mode and a backscatter mode, wherein transmitting data in the backscatter mode includes modulating the data onto a backscatter signal, and wherein transmitting data in the active mode includes actively generating and transmitting a signal modulated thereon; a controller (or other components) for selecting a mode in the backscatter mode and the active mode, at least in part based on the request; and a transmitter (or other components) for providing instructions to the energy harvesting device for operating one or more transmissions in the selected mode.

[0027] According to a sixth aspect, an energy harvesting device is provided, comprising (at least): a transmitter (or some other component) for transmitting data in an active mode and a backscatter mode, wherein transmitting data in the backscatter mode includes modulating the data onto a backscatter signal, and wherein transmitting data in the active mode includes actively generating and transmitting a signal modulated thereon; wherein the transmitter (or some other component) for transmission is configured to transmit a request to the network device using the component for transmitting data, the request being for changing the mode of operation of the component for transmitting data; a receiver (or some other component) for receiving instructions from the network device for operating one or more transmissions in one of the backscatter mode and the active mode; and a controller (or other component) for setting the mode of operation of the data transmission component to the instructed mode.

[0028] According to a seventh aspect, an apparatus (e.g., a network node) is provided, comprising: means for acquiring information associated with one or more transmissions from a terminal device, the terminal device comprising: means for transmitting data in the first mode and the second mode, wherein transmitting data in the first mode includes modulating the data onto a backscattered signal, and wherein transmitting data in the second mode includes actively generating and transmitting a signal modulated thereon; means for selecting a mode in the first mode and the second mode based at least in part on the information; and means for providing instructions to the terminal device for operating in the selected mode for the one or more transmissions.

[0029] According to an eighth aspect, an apparatus (e.g., a terminal device) is provided, comprising: components for transmitting data in a first mode and a second mode, wherein transmitting data in the first mode includes modulating the data onto a backscattered signal, and transmitting data in the second mode includes actively generating and transmitting a signal modulated thereon; components for transmitting information to a network device using the components for transmitting data; components for receiving an instruction from the network device for operating one or more transmissions in one of the first and second modes; and components for setting the mode in which the data transmission components operate to the instructed mode.

[0030] According to a ninth aspect, a method is provided, comprising: obtaining information associated with one or more transmissions from a terminal device, the terminal device including components for transmitting data in the first mode and the second mode, wherein transmitting data in the first mode includes modulating the data onto a backscattered signal, and transmitting data in the second mode includes actively generating and transmitting a signal modulated thereon; selecting a mode in the first mode and the second mode based at least in part on the information; and providing instructions to the terminal device for operating in the selected mode for the one or more transmissions.

[0031] According to a tenth aspect, a method is provided, comprising: transmitting information to a network device using a component for transmitting data, wherein the component for transmitting data is configured to transmit data in the first mode and the second mode, wherein transmitting data in the first mode includes modulating the data onto a backscattered signal, and transmitting data in the second mode includes actively generating and transmitting a signal modulated thereon; receiving an instruction from the network device for operating one or more transmissions in one of the first and second modes; and setting the mode in which the data transmission component operates to the instructed mode.

[0032] According to an eleventh aspect, a network device (e.g., a network node) is provided, comprising: means for providing a query to an energy harvesting device, the energy harvesting device including: means for transmitting data in an active mode and a backscatter mode, wherein transmitting data in the backscatter mode includes modulating the data onto a backscatter signal, and wherein transmitting data in the active mode includes actively generating and transmitting a signal modulated thereon; means for obtaining a response from the energy harvesting device to the query; means for selecting one of the active mode or the backscatter mode based at least in part on the response; and means for providing an instruction to the energy harvesting device for operating one or more transmissions in the selected mode.

[0033] According to a twelfth aspect, an energy harvesting device is provided, comprising: components for transmitting data in an active mode and a backscatter mode, wherein transmitting data in the backscatter mode includes modulating the data onto a backscatter signal, and wherein transmitting data in the active mode includes actively generating and transmitting a signal modulated thereon; components for receiving a query from a network device; components for transmitting a response to the query to the network device using the components for transmitting data; components for receiving an instruction from the network device for operating one or more transmissions in a mode of either the backscatter mode or the active mode; and components for setting the mode in which the data transmission components operate to the instructed mode.

[0034] According to a thirteenth aspect, a method is provided comprising: providing a query to an energy harvesting device, the energy harvesting device including: components for transmitting data in an active mode and a backscatter mode, wherein transmitting data in the backscatter mode includes modulating the data onto a backscatter signal, and wherein transmitting data in the active mode includes actively generating and transmitting a signal modulated thereon; obtaining a response to the query from the energy harvesting device; selecting one of the active mode and the backscatter mode based at least in part on the response; and providing an instruction to the energy harvesting device for operating in the selected mode for one or more transmissions.

[0035] According to a fourteenth aspect, a method is provided, comprising: receiving a query from a network device at an energy harvesting device, the energy harvesting device including components for transmitting data in an active mode and a backscatter mode, wherein transmitting data in the backscatter mode includes modulating the data onto a backscatter signal, and wherein transmitting data in the active mode includes actively generating and transmitting a signal modulated thereon; transmitting a response to the query to the network device using the components for transmitting data; receiving an instruction from the network device for operating one or more transmissions in one of the backscatter mode and active mode; and setting the mode in which the data transmission components operate to the instruction mode.

[0036] According to the fifteenth aspect, a computer-readable instruction is provided that, when executed by a computing device, causes the computing device to perform (at least) any of the methods described herein (including the methods of the third, fourth, ninth, tenth, thirteenth and fourteenth aspects above).

[0037] According to the sixteenth aspect, a computer-readable medium (such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium) is provided, the computer-readable medium including program instructions stored thereon for (at least) performing any of the methods described herein (including the methods of the third, fourth, ninth, tenth, thirteenth and fourteenth aspects above).

[0038] According to the seventeenth aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform at least any of the methods described herein (including the methods of the third, fourth, ninth, tenth, thirteenth, and fourteenth aspects above). Attached Figure Description

[0039] Exemplary embodiments will now be described by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is a block diagram of an apparatus according to an example embodiment.

[0040] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of a device according to an example embodiment; Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a method according to an example embodiment; Figure 5 and Figure 6 This is a block diagram of a device according to an example embodiment; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a scenario based on an example embodiment; Figures 8 to 10 This is a signaling diagram of the method according to the example embodiment; Figures 11 to 14 This is a flowchart illustrating a method according to an example embodiment; Figure 15 This is a block diagram of the components of a system according to an example embodiment; and Figure 16 An example of a tangible medium for storing computer-readable code is shown, which, when run by a computer, can perform methods according to the above example embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The scope of protection sought by the various embodiments of this disclosure is set forth in the independent claims. Embodiments and features described in the specification that do not fall within the scope of the independent claims (if any) are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding the various embodiments of this disclosure.

[0042] In the specification and drawings, the same reference numerals always refer to the same elements.

[0043] An energy harvesting device is a device capable of harvesting energy (usually wirelessly, such as from sources of electromagnetic radiation). For example, an energy harvesting device can harvest energy from one or more sources, which may include: solar energy or visible light from solar panels, radio waves, or vibrations.

[0044] In some cases, energy harvesting equipment can harvest energy from radio waves generated by non-3GPP sources (such as those used in terrestrial television transmissions). Alternatively or additionally, energy harvesting equipment can harvest energy from radio waves generated by 3GPP sources (such as UEs or gNBs).

[0045] Energy harvesting-based devices can operate, for example, in active or passive modes. The device itself uses energy harvested from radio waves or any other form of energy that can be harvested in its specific deployment scenario, and can be expected to operate at ultra-low power levels ranging from one microwatt to hundreds of microwatts. For example, if energy is harvested from radio waves, the output power of the energy harvester can be from a few microwatts to tens of microwatts. If solar panels are used to harvest energy from sunlight, the output power may be less than 1 milliwatt due to the small size of the solar panels.

[0046] Energy harvesting devices can collect energy and then transmit it using active circuitry, just like conventional transmitters. Some energy harvesting devices (often called passive devices or tags) do not have active transmission circuitry and instead use backscattering to transmit data.

[0047] Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) solutions can rely on backscatter technology. Such RFID solutions can be enhanced, and new solutions can be developed through the application of 3GPP technologies. Specifically, coverage can be improved, energy harvesting from dedicated or ambient energy sources can be introduced, and energy can be consumed more efficiently.

[0048] Devices that implement backscattering technology can be battery-free devices or devices with limited energy storage capacity, and can be powered by collecting radio waves, visible light, other electromagnetic radiation, motion, etc.

[0049] Such devices can be adapted to operate as part of the Internet of Things (IoT). In some examples, IoT devices that rely in part on harvested ambient energy can be referred to as Ambient IoT (AIoT).

[0050] Environmental IoT devices can be used in various industries, including logistics, manufacturing, transportation, and energy.

[0051] Devices capable of wirelessly harvesting energy and communicating wirelessly offer advantages, for example, in applications where laying cables and / or regularly replacing batteries is impractical. For instance, in manufacturing or logistics, if the number of devices used is large, or the items to which these devices are attached must be lightweight and / or portable, providing wired devices or devices with high-capacity batteries may be prohibitively expensive. Furthermore, if the device (e.g., a sensor) may be exposed to extreme environmental conditions such as high voltage, extremely high / low temperatures, humidity, vibration, etc., energy harvesting may be more practical than providing wired connections or regularly replacing batteries.

[0052] A communication method for passive devices is provided. For example, as discussed in detail below, some devices can modulate data onto a backscattered signal upon receiving an appropriate activation signal. The source of the activation signal can be the intended receiver of the data modulated onto the backscattered signal, or it can be another device.

[0053] Devices capable of performing the aforementioned energy harvesting can be referred to, for example, as AIoT (Ambient Internet of Things) devices. Three types of AIoT devices have been proposed in 3GPP: Type A: No energy storage, no independent signal generation / amplification, i.e., backscatter transmission.

[0054] Type B: It has energy storage but no independent signal generation, i.e., backscatter transmission. The stored energy can be used to amplify the reflected signal.

[0055] Type C: It has energy storage and independent signal generation, i.e., active RF components for transmission.

[0056] Devices of types A and B typically cannot communicate with the network without receiving an activation signal, while device type C typically cannot communicate with the network when power is low. The shortcomings of each device type can be compensated for by providing a hybrid device that can operate using backscatter transmission in some cases and can operate by generating signals using active RF components in others.

[0057] If sufficient collected energy is available (especially from non-3GPP sources), using Type C may be advantageous because it does not depend on an activation signal from a 3GPP source. With sufficient available energy, greater range can be achieved via Type C transmission.

[0058] However, if there is not enough available energy, backscatter mode transmission may be preferred for collecting small amounts of data from a device.

[0059] In hybrid transceivers, both device type B (backscatter) and type C (active transmission) modes can be used for transmission. Specific modes can be selected based on different considerations.

[0060] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of apparatus 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Apparatus 10 may be a network device. Apparatus 10 includes a transmitter 12, a controller 14, and a receiver 16. Receiver 16 is capable of obtaining information from one or more devices. In some exemplary embodiments, these may be terminal devices, hybrid energy harvesting devices, or other devices described herein. Obtaining information from devices may include indirect transmission methods (e.g., in obtaining information, information may be transmitted from an initial device to another intermediate device, and then from that intermediate device to apparatus 10).

[0061] The transmitter 12 is capable of providing information to one or more devices. The information may include instructions. The provision of information may include an indirect transmission method (e.g., in the provision of information, the information may be transmitted by the device 10 to another device, and then by that other device to the receiving device).

[0062] The controller 14 communicates with the transmitter 12 and the receiver 16, enabling it to process received information and determine information for transmission. The controller 14 may comprise a single physical component or multiple components connected to each other.

[0063] In some example embodiments, transmitter 12 and receiver 16 may be implemented together as a transceiver. A portion of the components used for transmission and reception may be shared within the transceiver (e.g., an antenna may be shared).

[0064] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of a device 110 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Device 110 may be a terminal device. Device 110 includes a transmitter 112, a controller 114, and a receiver 116.

[0065] Transmitter 112 is capable of transmitting data and can be used to transmit information to network devices. The provision of information may include indirect transmission methods (e.g., in the provision of information, information may be transmitted from device 110 to another device, and then from that other device to a receiving device). Transmitter 112 is capable of operating in two modes. In a first mode, transmitting data includes modulating the data onto a backscattered signal. In a second mode, transmitting data includes actively generating and transmitting a signal modulated with data. The first and second modes may rely on different components, or at least a portion of the components (e.g., an antenna) used in both modes may be shared.

[0066] Receiver 116 is capable of obtaining information from a network device (such as device 10). In some example embodiments, the network device is a gNB node or another 3GPP network device. Obtaining information from the network device may include obtaining information through an indirect transmission method (e.g., in which information may be transmitted from an initial device to another device for transmission to device 110). The controller 114 communicates with the transmitter 112 and the receiver 116, enabling the received information to be processed and the information to be transmitted to be determined by the controller 114. The controller 114 may include a single physical component or multiple components connected to each other.

[0067] Device 110 may generate or otherwise acquire data for transmission to the network. The data may be accumulated in a buffer in the memory within the controller 14 of device 10 or in a buffer in the memory accessible to the controller 14.

[0068] In some example embodiments, transmitter 112 and receiver 116 may be implemented together as a transceiver. A portion of the components used for transmission and reception may be shared in the transceiver (e.g., an antenna may be shared).

[0069] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of a method 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Method 300 can be performed by device 10.

[0070] In step 310, information associated with one or more transmissions from a terminal device is obtained. The terminal device is capable of transmitting data in two modes and, in some example embodiments, may be a device such as device 110. In a first mode, transmitting data includes modulating the data onto a backscattered signal. In a second mode, transmitting data includes actively generating and transmitting a signal modulated with data. In some embodiments, a receiver 16 of device 10 obtains the information.

[0071] In step 312, the device 10 selects one of the first mode and the second mode based on the information obtained in step 310. This selection can be performed by the controller 14.

[0072] In some example embodiments, the received information includes a response to a query sent by device 10 to device 110, and a mode is selected based at least in part on the response.

[0073] Device 10 may provide a second instruction to device 110 before providing a query; the second instruction is an instruction for operation in the first mode.

[0074] The query may include an activation signal for backscattering by device 110, and device 110 may modulate a response to the query on the backscattered signal.

[0075] The response may include data indicating whether the amount of energy stored by device 110 is higher than a first threshold, and if the data indicates that the amount of stored energy is higher than the first threshold, a second mode may be selected.

[0076] The response may include data indicating whether the amount of energy stored by the terminal device is higher than a first threshold, and if the data indicates that the amount of stored energy is lower than the first threshold, the selection may choose a first mode or a second mode.

[0077] The device 10 may include components (such as a timer) for determining the amount of time elapsed since the previous transmission from the device 110 was received, and may provide the query in response to the determined amount of elapsed time exceeding a timer threshold.

[0078] The response may include information indicating whether the terminal device has data to transmit, and if the response indicates that the terminal device does not have data to transmit, the device 10 may reset the determined amount of time elapsed since the previous transmission was received.

[0079] In some example embodiments, the received information includes a request from device 110, and the selected mode is at least in part based on the request.

[0080] This request can be a request that operates in the first mode.

[0081] The request may also include at least one of the amount of data to be transmitted by the terminal device or the target latency.

[0082] The first mode or the second mode can be selected based on at least one of the following: the amount of data buffered at the terminal device, the target latency, the distance between the device and the terminal device, or whether to provide an activation signal to the terminal device.

[0083] Device 10 can receive an instruction from device 110 that device 110 will switch from the first mode to the second mode.

[0084] In some exemplary embodiments, the received information includes an indication of whether the amount of energy stored by device 110 is higher or lower than a first threshold. If the received information includes a response to a query, the response may include the indication. If the received information includes a request to change a mode, the request may include the indication.

[0085] As part of step 312, controller 14 may determine that the amount of energy stored by device 110 is higher than a first threshold and may select a second mode in response.

[0086] As part of step 312, controller 14 may determine that the amount of energy stored by device 110 is below a first threshold and may select one of a first mode and a second mode in response. In this case, the selected mode may also be based on one or more of the following: the distance between device 10 and device 110, the latency requirement associated with the data to be transmitted, the size of the data to be transmitted, and the relative location and capabilities of one or more other devices within the network.

[0087] At step 314, the device 10 provides the terminal device with instructions to operate one or more transmissions in the selected mode.

[0088] In some example embodiments, the instruction is an instruction to perform an unspecified number of transmissions in a selected mode (e.g., until otherwise indicated, until the amount of stored energy exceeds a threshold, until device 110 does not receive an activation signal within a specific time period, or until other conditions are met). In other example embodiments, the instruction is an instruction to perform one operation (one transmission) or another number of operations in a selected mode.

[0089] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a method 400 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Method 400 can be performed by a device such as device 110.

[0090] In step 410, device 110 uses transmitter 112 to transmit information to network device (which may be device 10 in some examples).

[0091] In some example embodiments, the transmitted information includes a request from device 110 for changing the mode. In other example embodiments, the transmitted information includes a response to a query sent from device 10 to device 110.

[0092] At step 412, device 110 receives instructions from apparatus 10 to operate in the mode of the first mode and the second mode.

[0093] In step 414, the device 110 sets the mode in which the transmission component operates to the selected mode.

[0094] In some example embodiments, device 110 receives a query from apparatus 10, and the transmitted information includes a response to the query, and a mode is selected based at least in part on the response.

[0095] Device 110 may receive a second instruction before receiving a query, the second instruction being an instruction to switch the mode of operation of transmitter 112 to a first mode, and transmitter 112 may operate in the first mode in response to receiving the second instruction.

[0096] Transmitting a response to the query may include modulating the response onto a backscatter transmission.

[0097] Device 110 may include components for determining whether the amount of energy stored in device 110 is higher than a threshold, and the response may include information indicating whether the amount of stored energy is higher than the threshold.

[0098] The response may include information indicating whether device 110 has data for transmission.

[0099] Device 110 may include components for determining whether the amount of energy stored in device 110 is below a first threshold and whether device 110 has components for transmitting data to device 10, and in response to making the determination, transmitter 112 transmits a request to change the mode of operation of transmitter 112 to a first mode.

[0100] Device 110 can determine the amount of data to be transmitted and / or the target delay of the data to be transmitted, and a request to change the mode can include an indication of the amount of data to be transmitted and / or the target delay.

[0101] Device 110 can transmit to apparatus 10 an instruction that device 110 will switch from the first mode to the second mode.

[0102] Device 110 may include components for determining that the amount of energy stored in device 110 is higher than a second threshold, and transmitter 112 may transmit an indication to network device that device 110 will switch from a first mode to a second mode in response to device 110 making the determination.

[0103] Figure 5 This is a block diagram of an example embodiment of device 510 (e.g., a terminal device). Device 510 is an example of a device that implements two transmission modes of device 110.

[0104] Device 510 includes a transmitter 512, a controller 514, and a receiver 516. The transmitter 512 includes an antenna (shared with the receiver 516 in this embodiment), which is coupled to an active transmitter and a load modulator.

[0105] When transmitter 512 operates in active transmission mode, active transmitter 522 can generate a signal transmitted by antenna 520. The generated signal can carry modulated data for transmission.

[0106] When transmitter 512 operates in backscatter transmission mode, load modulator 518 can modulate the load (e.g., using a switch to change the load coupled to the antenna). This can cause the antenna to transmit a backscattered signal when a suitable activation signal is incident on the antenna.

[0107] Figure 6 This is a block diagram of device 610 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Device 610 may be referred to as a hybrid energy harvesting device (H-EHD).

[0108] Device 610 includes an antenna 612, which in this example embodiment is coupled to an active RF transceiver 614. In active mode, the transceiver receives and actively transmits data (however, of course, the transceiver can be replaced by separate transmitter and receiver modules). Antenna 612 is further coupled to a load modulator 616. By modulating the load, a backscattered signal can be generated to carry data when operating in backscatter communication mode. In this example embodiment, antenna 612 is further coupled to an energy harvester 618. In some example embodiments, energy harvester 618 can harvest energy from radio waves picked up by antenna 612.

[0109] In this embodiment, antenna 612 is coupled to energy harvester 618, RF transceiver 614, and load modulator 616. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, antenna 612 may not be coupled to energy harvester 618. For example, energy harvester 618 may be a solar panel, and therefore may not be able to harvest energy from radio waves incident on the antenna.

[0110] Energy harvester 618 is coupled to energy storage device 620. Energy harvester 618 can collect enough energy over a long period to power device 610, but may not be able to meet transient power demands. Therefore, it can be coupled to energy storage device 620 to reserve energy for use during peak demand periods. Energy harvester 618 can harvest energy in several ways. For example, energy harvester 618 can convert radio frequency signals induced in an antenna into direct current suitable for storage in a battery (in some examples, the battery can implement energy storage device 620). In other examples, energy harvester 618 can be a solar panel or a vibration energy harvester.

[0111] Energy storage device 620 can take many forms. For example, energy storage device 620 can be a battery or a capacitor. The form of energy storage can be selected based on the requirements of device 610, such as lifespan or reliability, capacity or voltage. For example, in some use cases, energy harvester 618 is capable of harvesting power from an ambient source at a constant rate. In this case, energy storage device 620 can be selected based on its capacity to store the energy harvested between predicted peak energy consumption periods (e.g., energy storage device 620 can store enough energy to power a number of active transmissions, and the harvested energy is expected to replenish that energy between transmissions).

[0112] Device 610 includes a controller 622. Controller 622 includes logic circuitry and memory. Controller 622 is also responsible for managing power within device 610. Therefore, controller 622 can receive energy from energy harvester 618 and / or energy storage device 620, and can supply power to active RF transceiver 614 for active transmission. Controller 622 can receive data about received signals from transceiver 614. Controller 622 can receive data about available power from energy harvester 618 and energy storage device 620. Controller 622 can receive information from sensors or other data sources of device 610. Controller 622 can make determinations based on these data sources and can determine the data to be transmitted. Controller 622 can store indications of the transmission mode to be used in its memory and can control which of RF transceiver 614 and load modulator 616 is used to transmit data based on said indications.

[0113] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a scenario where multiple devices (H-EHD 702 in this example scenario) are placed in a 3GPP network, including gNB 704 and UE 706, with gNB 704 having a corresponding cell 716. In this case, both gNB 704 and UE 706 can be used to provide radio power transfer (WPT) to supply power to H-EHD 702 for active transmission (Type C) mode and to provide an activation signal for backscatter (Type A or B) mode. Both gNB 704 and UE 706 can also be used to receive active transmission or backscatter signals. In some example embodiments, H-EHD 702 can harvest power from one or more non-3GPP sources 710 (such as sunlight, ambient artificial lighting, radio waves associated with terrestrial television broadcasting, etc.).

[0114] Figure 7The network includes a fixed receiver 712. The fixed receiver 712 has the characteristics of a 5G UE 706 and can communicate with a gNB 704. H-EHD 702 can be distributed within a cluster 714, and the fixed receiver 712 can be placed together with the cluster 714. It may be advantageous to place UE-capable devices close to the H-EHD 702, allowing the gNB 704 to assign tasks to these devices to provide WPT or activation signals to the H-EHD 702.

[0115] Assume that the H-EHD 702 operates in active transmission mode by default. This has the following advantages: when the H-EHD 702 has sufficient energy, preferably collected from a non-3GPP environment source 710, the 3GPP network does not need to provide an activation signal. Furthermore, the H-EHD 702 operating in active transmission mode can initiate data transmission when it has enough data to send. Backscatter mode transmission may be limited by the link budget between the activator and the H-EHD 702, and may have a limited range.

[0116] However, when the H-EHD 702 has limited or no power for transmission, it is important that the network utilizes backscatter capability to maintain connectivity between the device and the network, despite the limitations of backscatter.

[0117] Figure 8 This is a signaling diagram according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating actions taken at network node (gNB) 840 and device (H-END) 850, and messages transmitted between them. In this exemplary embodiment, a method for controlling the transmission mode of H-EHD is provided.

[0118] At step 802, the H-EHD determines that it has sufficient energy to transmit data to the gNB and to transmit said data using active transmission. The H-EHD may periodically generate data for transmission (e.g., the H-EHD may include a sensor that periodically generates data), or the H-EHD may periodically send short messages to confirm that it has energy, and in either case, the gNB can expect to receive periodic communications from the H-EHD under normal conditions. Energy status updates sent from the H-EHD to the gNB without data avoid unnecessary actions by the gNB to determine whether the H-EHD has sufficient power. The H-EHD may obtain energy for its transmission from non-3GPP sources (such as visible light or broadcast radio waves). Additionally or alternatively, the H-EHD may obtain energy from 3GPP sources, which may be the result of 3GPP sources such as the UE and gNB actively directing radio power transmission signals to the H-EHD for its collection. The H-EHD may operate in active transmission mode by default.

[0119] At step 804, in response, the H-EHD sends a scheduling request to the gNB. Using active transmission, the H-EHD can request resources (e.g., time / frequency resources) from the gNB, and the gNB can configure said resources. Optionally, these resources can also be used for subsequent transmissions.

[0120] At step 806, the gNB sends scheduling information to the H-EHD, and then the H-EHD transmits the data to the gNB.

[0121] At step 808, in response to the transmission from H-EHD to gNB scheduled in step 806, a timer is started or reset. This timer can correspond to or exceed the expected time interval for H-EHD to send data to gNB.

[0122] Steps 802 through 806 are not required in all example embodiments. For example, when the gNB first “discovers” the H-EHD, whether through active transmission or backscattering of the H-EHD, or at some other appropriate time, the timer can be reset or initialized. Additionally, in other example embodiments, the timer in step 808 may not be necessary. Other mechanisms can also cause the gNB to send queries to the H-EHD as described below, for example, performing a predetermined check on all networked H-EHDs.

[0123] At step 810, the timer exceeds a timer threshold, indicating that the H-EHD may have run out of power and is no longer able to communicate using active transmissions, or that the H-EHD's attempt to communicate with the gNB may have failed. In other words, at this step, the gNB determines that more time has passed since the last timer reset, exceeding the timer threshold. This timer can be configured to be longer than the expected time between transmissions from the H-EHD, or a multiple of that time. When the H-EHD has sufficient power, this can reduce the number of queries the gNB sends to the H-EHD, but its transmissions are received intermittently due to other reasons, such as lack of data.

[0124] At step 812, the gNB sends a command to the H-EHD to enter backscatter transmission mode. Since the H-EHD may no longer have sufficient energy for active transmission, it may be unable to provide information to the gNB while operating in active transmission mode, and even if an activation signal is received, it may be unable to communicate via backscatter in active transmission mode. Also in this step, the gNB may provide energy to the H-EHD, or have energy provided to the H-EHD (e.g., by directing radio waves from the gNB to the H-EHD, or by having the UE direct radio waves to the H-EHD). This may be necessary if the H-EHD does not have sufficient energy to operate in backscatter transmission mode or to process the command to enter backscatter mode. The command to enter backscatter transmission mode may cause the H-EHD to enter backscatter mode for one transmission (in response to a query), and the H-EHD may need to receive further commands to re-enter backscatter mode; alternatively, the command may cause the H-EHD to enter backscatter mode until the opposite command is received, in which case the H-EHD needs to be instructed to enter active transmission mode to re-enter active transmission mode. In other examples, this instruction can cause H-EHD to enter backscatter mode for a defined number of transmissions (e.g., two transmissions, three transmissions, etc.).

[0125] At step 814, the gNB sends a query to the H-EHD in backscatter mode. This query requests two pieces of information. First, it requests the H-EHD to confirm whether it has data to transmit. Second, it requests the H-EHD to confirm whether it has sufficient power to transmit in active transmission mode. This information is used to confirm whether the gNB's timer expired due to insufficient power in the H-EHD or due to other reasons (including packet loss), as it is envisioned that in some implementations, AIoT devices may not have an available HARQ system or only a very limited HARQ system. To avoid this query, if the H-EHD has no data to transmit, it can send short "virtual" data at intervals shorter than the timer threshold. Also in step 814, the gNB can send an activation signal to the H-EHD to cause the H-EHD to backscatter its data. The H-EHD modulates its response to the query onto this backscatter signal. In some embodiments, the activation signal and the query are sent to the H-EHD separately; in other embodiments, the activation signal and the query are sent together.

[0126] At step 816, the H-EHD determines whether it has data to transmit. If the H-EHD does have data to transmit, it may include an ACK signal for the data in its response to the query; if the H-EHD does not have data to transmit, it may include a NACK signal for the data in its response to the query.

[0127] At step 818, the H-EHD determines whether it has sufficient energy for active transmission in active transmission mode. Specifically, the H-EHD may determine whether it has sufficient energy to transmit some or all of the data it will transmit in active transmission mode. In some example embodiments, the amount of energy required (or estimated required) to transmit part of the data in active transmission mode may be associated with a threshold that the H-EHD may compare with the amount of energy stored in the H-EHD. In other example embodiments, the threshold may be defined based on the amount of energy required (or estimated required) to transmit all the data in active transmission mode. If the H-EHD has sufficient energy, it includes an ACK signal for the energy in its response. If the H-EHD has insufficient energy, it includes a NACK signal for the energy in its response.

[0128] At step 820, the H-EHD modulates a response, including the aforementioned determination result, onto the backscattered signal, and this response is received by the gNB. The response to the query may also include information about the size of the data to be transmitted and the latency requirements for transmission.

[0129] At step 822, the gNB determines whether the response includes a data NACK signal. If the response includes a data NACK signal, the method can return to step 808 to reset and / or restart the timer, since the lack of data to be sent by the H-EHD can be considered a reason for not receiving a transmission before the timer exceeds the threshold. If the response includes a data ACK signal, the method proceeds to step 824.

[0130] At step 824, the gNB determines whether the response includes an ACK signal for energy. If the gNB determines that the response includes an ACK signal for both data and energy, the method can proceed to step 830 because the H-EHD has sufficient energy to transmit its data.

[0131] If, at step 824, the gNB determines that the response includes a NACK signal for energy, then the gNB must determine the appropriate mode for the H-EHD to operate. The gNB may consider the location of the H-EHD device (e.g., whether the H-EHD is at the edge of the gNB's coverage area), and the gNB may consider the presence and location of other 3GPP devices (e.g., whether there are UEs or other devices that can provide activation signals to the H-EHD or for energy collection).

[0132] Therefore, the gNB determines whether the H-EHD should use backscatter communication to transmit data, and / or whether it should provide power to the H-EHD to enable active transmission. If the gNB decides that power should be provided to the H-EHD, it must further determine the power source; for example, the gNB may decide which device should act as the RF signal source for activating the signal or transmitting wireless power.

[0133] While backscatter communication may be suitable for responding to queries, it may not be suitable for transmitting large amounts of data because it typically includes relatively little data compared to active transmissions of similar length, and if the H-EHD is far from the gNB (or another active signal source), the active signal may need to have high power to ensure sufficient strength for the backscatter signal. If the required active signal is too strong, this could result in unacceptable levels of interference.

[0134] If a strong wireless power source is present near the H-EHD, or if latency requirements are low (i.e., data is not urgent), then wireless power transfer (WPT) to the H-EHD may be suitable, and therefore a longer energy harvesting period is appropriate. However, for small amounts of data with strict latency requirements, backscattering may be preferred.

[0135] Therefore, at this stage, the gNB determines the transmission mode that the H-EHD should use, and, where applicable, the energy source that should supply power to the H-EHD. The determination of the energy source can be either the source of the backscatter activation signal or the source of the wireless power transmission signal.

[0136] The gNB may need to decide which of several 3GPP devices should be used as a power source, such as a power beacon, a UE, or the gNB itself. Whether a source is available may depend on the gNB's link budget and the link budget of potential sources (such as the UE).

[0137] The decisions regarding which mode and power source to use may not be entirely independent. For example, if no suitable alternative power source is available to provide the WPT or activation signal, and the H-EHD is located at the cell edge, the activation signal required to generate adequate backscatter may be too powerful, resulting in unacceptable interference. In this case, the gNB may decide to transmit a relatively low-power WPT signal for a longer period, allowing the H-EHD to transmit in active mode when sufficient energy is stored. If the H-EHD is close to the gNB, backscatter mode may be preferred because it does not require a longer transmission range and may consume less energy.

[0138] The decision can be made based on simple rules (e.g., H-EHDs within a certain distance of the gNB or the nearest UE should use backscatter mode, otherwise WPT should be used), or the gNB can use more complex rules (e.g., as part of its determination, the gNB can compare the time required to provide sufficient energy using WPT from different possible sources with latency requirements, and / or compare the power required to activate the backscatter signal from different possible sources with allowable limits), and make a decision based on these factors.

[0139] Once the gNB determines the transmission mode to use, in step 826, the gNB sends a mode indicator signal to the H-EHD. In some example embodiments, the gNB knows the H-EHD's current mode and only sends the mode indicator signal when the mode is about to change. In other embodiments, the gNB sends the mode indicator signal regardless. Although the gNB decides which mode and which power source should be used, it may not be necessary to inform the H-EHD of the power source, as the H-EHD may not need information about the active signal source or WPT source.

[0140] At step 828, in response, the H-EHD sets its mode to the mode indicated by the mode indicator signal. Depending on the mode selected by the gNB and the instruction in step 812—whether the H-EHD enters backscatter mode for a single transmission or indefinitely—this may mean that the mode does not change.

[0141] At step 830, if the mode selected in step 824 is the active transmission mode, or if it is determined that the H-EHD has sufficient power for active transmission, the gNB sends scheduling information for active transmission to the H-EHD. If it is determined that the H-EHD has insufficient power, the gNB may also provide an RF signal (such as a WPT signal) to the H-EHD at this step, or cause an RF signal to be provided to the H-EHD (e.g., by providing instructions to the UE).

[0142] If the mode selected in step 824 is backscatter mode, the gNB can instead send an activation signal to the H-EHD, or have the activation signal sent (e.g., by the UE) for backscattering by the H-EHD.

[0143] The mode indicator signal in step 826 can instruct the H-EHD to enter backscatter mode for a single transmission or a fixed number of transmissions. This may be appropriate if the collected energy is expected to increase rapidly before the next transmission. Otherwise, switching back to active transmission mode after only one backscatter transmission may result in repeating the above process.

[0144] In some embodiments, this is avoided by having the mode indicator signal at step 826 indicate that the H-EHD enters backscattering mode until a certain condition is met.

[0145] In some embodiments, the gNB can periodically send activation signals to the H-EHD, so that data from the H-EHD can be periodically modulated onto the backscattered signal.

[0146] While the example method described above is based on H-EHD in a network with a gNB, aspects of the method can be extended to other communication systems that include terminal devices (such as H-EHD) and network devices (such as gNB). For example, aspects of the method can be applied to systems where the terminal device receives unreliable energy from any source. For instance, if an emergency or other circumstance causes a power outage for the terminal device, a mode-switching command from the network device may help maintain a minimum level of communication between the terminal device and the network device. In this case, the terminal device can typically operate using grid power (e.g., from a national or regional power grid or a combustion generator), and if grid power is unavailable, it can rely on backscatter communication that does not require power.

[0147] Figure 9 This is a signaling diagram according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the actions taken at the network node (gNB) 940 and the device (H-END) 950, and the messages transmitted between them. In this exemplary embodiment, a method is provided by which H-EHD can return from backscatter mode to active transmission mode.

[0148] In some example embodiments, the method follows Figure 8 The method.

[0149] In some example implementations, H-EHD can switch back to active transmission mode by default after a backscatter transmission, and the network may need to repeat the above process if it still has not received a transmission after the timer expires again.

[0150] If the gNB sends a further query to the H-EHD after time T, which is short, and the collected energy is not expected to increase sufficiently within that time, this approach may be inefficient. In some example embodiments, instead of defaulting to active transmission mode, the H-EHD provides an explicit mode change indication by sending an indication signal along with backscattered data when it has sufficient energy to operate in active transmission mode; upon receiving this message, the gNB can stop sending activation signals. This signaling assumes the gNB acts as the activator; however, similar signaling can be used if another 3GPP device is used as the activator. In this case, the H-EHD message can be received by the reader device and forwarded through the 3GPP network to the activator device, which can then stop sending activation signals.

[0151] At step 902, H-EHD is in backscatter mode. To retrieve data from H-EHD, gNB can send an activation signal to H-EHD (or cause the activation signal to be sent).

[0152] At step 904, the H-EHD determines that it should enter active transmission mode. This may be based on one or more of the following or a combination thereof: the H-EHD determines that its energy storage is above a threshold; the H-EHD determines that its energy harvesting rate is above a threshold; or the H-EHD determines that it has more than a certain amount of data for transmission.

[0153] At step 906, the gNB sends the activation signal as usual.

[0154] At step 908, the H-EHD transmits the data for transmission to the gNB via a backscatter signal, and also includes a request to switch back to active transmission mode in the backscatter signal. In some example embodiments, the H-EHD may send only the request without transmitting data.

[0155] Upon receiving the request at step 908, the gNB can determine that it is no longer necessary to send an activation signal to the H-EHD because the H-EHD intends to transmit in active mode. Therefore, the gNB can stop sending the activation signal. If the gNB has already assigned the task of sending an activation signal to the H-EHD to another network device, the gNB can instruct that device to stop sending the activation signal.

[0156] At step 910, the gNB sends an instruction or confirmation to the H-EHD to switch to active transmission mode. In some embodiments, the H-EHD may determine that it has not received an activation signal within a specific time period and determine that it should transmit in active transmission mode. In some embodiments, the gNB does not send an instruction or confirmation at step 910, but instead relies on the H-EHD to determine that it should change mode based on the absence of an activation signal and / or the storage of sufficient energy. In some embodiments, the H-EHD may switch to active mode upon receiving an instruction or confirmation to switch to active mode, upon the absence of an activation signal, or when the amount of stored energy exceeds a threshold.

[0157] At step 912, in response, H-EHD sets its mode to active transmission mode. Thereafter, H-EHD operates in active transmission mode and can perform... Figure 8 The method comprises steps 802 to 808, and these steps may be repeated until step 810 or another process is performed.

[0158] Figure 10 This is a signaling diagram according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, a method is provided for the H-EHD 1050 to request a change in its transmission mode. In the previously discussed embodiments, the gNB 840 (or other network device) determines that the H-EHD 850 should be queried (e.g., because the H-EHD may have run out of power). In this embodiment, the H-EHD 1050 sends a request to the gNB 1040 to change the mode.

[0159] Steps 1002-1008 correspond to Figure 8 Steps 802 to 808 of the method. In some example embodiments, these steps may represent normal operation in active transmission mode when the collected energy is sufficient.

[0160] Not all example embodiments require these steps to be performed before step 1010.

[0161] At step 1010, the H-EHD determines that it has data to be transmitted. The H-EHD can determine the size and latency target of the data to be transmitted.

[0162] At step 1012, H-EHD determines whether there is sufficient energy available for active data transmission.

[0163] If, in step 1012, the H-EHD determines that there is insufficient energy available for active transmission, then in step 1014, the H-EHD sends a mode change request to the gNB. In some example embodiments, this mode change request may simply indicate that the H-EHD intends to use a backscatter transmission mode. In other embodiments, the mode change request may include information such as the amount of data to be transmitted and the latency target for that transmission, allowing the gNB to make a more adequate and reasonable decision regarding the transmission mode to be used by the H-EHD.

[0164] The mode change request is transmitted in active transmission mode because the gNB has not yet been prompted to send an activation signal to the H-EHD to enable backscatter communication. Therefore, the H-EHD may have enough energy to send a short mode change request, but not enough energy to transmit the data. In other embodiments, the H-EHD may send a mode change request if the stored energy is below a threshold (e.g., if the H-EHD's energy drops below a safety margin, it may send a mode change request even if it has enough energy to transmit data).

[0165] If the gNB does not receive a mode change request, the H-EHD may not enter backscatter mode and may not have sufficient power to send further requests. In some embodiments, this situation can be mitigated by performing... Figure 3 Steps 810 to 826 of the method are used to resolve this, but setting this process as a backup is not necessary for the H-EHD-initiated mode switching method to function properly.

[0166] Upon receiving a mode change request, the gNB determines at step 1016 which mode the H-EHD should use. The factors considered by the gNB can correspond to... Figure 3 The factors considered in step 824 of the method.

[0167] At step 1018, the gNB sends a signal to the H-EHD instructing it to use the mode determined in step 1016. This signal may instruct the H-EHD to use the mode only for a single communication, a predetermined number of communications, or until further notice.

[0168] At step 1020, H-EHD sets its mode accordingly to the indicated mode.

[0169] In some example embodiments, when there is sufficient energy in the H-EHD, it can be performed. Figure 9 The method.

[0170] Figure 11 This is a flowchart of a method 1100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Method 1100 can be performed by device 10.

[0171] At step 1110, device 10 provides a query to an energy harvesting device. The energy harvesting device may be device 110. The energy harvesting device includes components for transmitting data in active mode and backscatter mode, wherein transmitting data in backscatter mode includes modulating the data onto a backscatter signal, and wherein transmitting data in active mode includes actively generating and transmitting a signal modulated with data thereon. The components for transmission may be transmitter 112, and the query may be provided using transmitter 12.

[0172] At step 1112, device 10 receives a response to the query from the energy harvesting device. The response can be obtained using receiver 16, and the energy harvesting device can provide the response using transmitter 112.

[0173] At step 1114, device 10 selects one of an active mode and a backscattering mode based at least in part on the response. In some example embodiments, the response may include information indicating whether the amount of energy stored by the energy harvesting device is higher or lower than a first threshold, and the selected mode may be based at least in part on whether the amount of stored energy is higher or lower than the first threshold. In some example embodiments, device 10 may select an active mode based on the amount of stored energy being higher than the first threshold. Additionally or alternatively, device 10 may select either an active mode or a backscattering mode based on the amount of stored energy being lower than the first threshold.

[0174] At step 1116, device 10 provides instructions to the energy harvesting device for operating one or more transmissions in a selected mode. For example, the instructions can be transmitted to the energy harvesting device using transmitter 12.

[0175] In some example embodiments, device 10 provides device 110 with a second instruction prior to providing a query, the second instruction being an instruction to operate in backscatter mode.

[0176] The query may include an activation signal for backscattering by device 110, and device 110 may be configured to modulate a response to the query on the backscattered signal.

[0177] Device 10 may provide an activation signal or a wireless power transmission signal to device 110, or device 10 may instruct another network entity to provide an activation signal or a wireless power transmission signal to device 110.

[0178] The response may include data indicating whether the amount of energy stored by device 110 is higher than a first threshold. If the response indicates that the amount of energy is higher than the first threshold, an active mode can be selected.

[0179] The response may include data indicating whether the amount of energy stored by device 110 is higher than a first threshold, and if the response indicates that the amount of stored energy is lower than the first threshold, an active mode or a backscatter mode may be selected.

[0180] Device 10 can determine the amount of time that has elapsed since receiving a previous transmission from device 110, and can provide the query in response to the determined amount of elapsed time exceeding a timer threshold.

[0181] The response may include information indicating whether device 110 has data to transmit, and if the response indicates that device 110 does not have data to transmit, device 10 may reset the determined amount of time elapsed since the previous transmission was received.

[0182] The active or backscatter mode can be selected based on at least one of the following: the amount of data buffered at device 110, the target latency, the distance between device 10 and device 110, or whether an activation signal is provided to device 110.

[0183] Device 10 can receive an instruction from device 110 that device 110 will switch from backscatter mode to active mode.

[0184] Figure 12 This is a flowchart of a method 1200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Method 1200 can be performed by a device such as device 110. Device 110 can be an energy harvesting device.

[0185] In step 1210, device 110 receives a query from a network device. The network device may be device 10.

[0186] In step 1212, device 110 uses transmitter 112 to transmit a response to the query to device 10.

[0187] In step 1214, device 110 receives an instruction from apparatus 10 for operating one or more transmissions in one of the backscatter mode and active mode.

[0188] In step 1216, device 110 sets the mode of operation of transmitter 112 to the instructed mode.

[0189] Device 110 may receive a second instruction prior to receiving a query, the second instruction being an instruction to switch the operating mode of transmitter 112 to backscatter mode, and wherein transmitter 112 is configured to operate in backscatter mode in response to receiving the second instruction.

[0190] Transmitting a response to a query may include modulating the response onto a backscatter transmission.

[0191] Device 110 can determine whether the amount of energy stored by device 110 is higher than a threshold, and the response may include information indicating whether the amount of stored energy is higher than the threshold.

[0192] Device 110 can determine whether it has data for transmission to device 10, and the response may include information indicating whether device 110 has data for transmission.

[0193] Device 110 can transmit to network devices an indication that device 110 will switch from backscatter mode to active mode.

[0194] Device 110 can determine whether the amount of energy stored in device 110 is higher than a second threshold. In response to making the determination, device 110 can transmit an indication to the network device that device 110 will switch from backscatter mode to active mode.

[0195] Figure 13 This is a flowchart of a method 1300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Method 1300 can be performed by device 10.

[0196] In step 1310, device 10 receives a request from an energy harvesting device. The energy harvesting device may be device 110.

[0197] In step 1312, the device 10 selects one of the active mode and the backscattering mode based at least in part on the request.

[0198] In step 1314, device 10 provides instructions to device 110 for operating one or more transmissions in a selected mode.

[0199] This request can be a request to operate in backscatter mode.

[0200] The request may include at least one of the amount of data that device 110 wants to transmit or the target latency.

[0201] Device 10 may select backscatter mode or active mode based on at least one of the following: the amount of data buffered at device 110, target latency, distance between device 10 and device 110, or determination of whether to provide an activation signal to device 110.

[0202] Device 10 can receive an instruction from device 110 that device 110 will switch from backscatter mode to active mode.

[0203] Device 10 can determine the amount of time that has elapsed since receiving a previous transmission from device 110, and can provide a query to the device if neither a transmission nor the request has been received before the determined amount of elapsed time exceeds a timer threshold.

[0204] Figure 14 This is a flowchart of a method 1400 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Method 1400 can be performed by a device such as device 110. Device 110 can be an energy harvesting device.

[0205] In step 1410, device 110 transmits a request for the network device to receive. The network device may be device 10.

[0206] In some embodiments, device 110 may generate the request in response to device 110 determining that the amount of energy stored by device 110 is below a threshold and / or determining that device 110 has data for transmission to device 10.

[0207] In step 1412, device 110 receives an instruction from apparatus 10 for operating one or more transmissions in one of a backscatter mode and an active mode.

[0208] In step 1414, device 110 sets the mode in which transmitter 12 operates to the commanded mode.

[0209] Device 110 can determine that the amount of energy stored by device 110 is below a first threshold, and determine that device 110 has data for transmission to device 10, and in response to making the determination, transmit a request to device 10, and the request may be a request to change the mode of transmitter operation to backscatter mode.

[0210] Device 110 can determine the amount of data to be transmitted and / or the target delay of the data to be transmitted, and a request to change the mode can include an indication of the amount of data to be transmitted and / or the target delay.

[0211] Device 110 can transmit to apparatus 10 an indication that device 110 will switch from backscatter mode to active mode.

[0212] Device 110 can determine that the amount of energy stored by the device is higher than a second threshold, and an indication for device 110 to switch from backscatter mode to active mode can be transmitted in response to making the determination.

[0213] For the sake of completeness, Figure 15This is a schematic diagram of components from one or more example embodiments of the previously described exemplary embodiments, which are collectively referred to below as processing system 1500. For example, processing system 1500 may be included in the apparatus described in the following claims.

[0214] The processing system 1500 may include a processor 1502, a memory 1504 tightly coupled to the processor and including RAM 1514 and ROM 1512, and optional user inputs 1510 and a display 1518. The processing system 1500 may include one or more network / device interfaces 1508 for connecting to a network / device, such as a wired or wireless modem. The network / device interface 1508 can also be used for connection to other devices, such as non-network-side devices. Therefore, devices can be directly connected without network involvement.

[0215] The processor 1502 is connected to each of the other components in order to control their operation.

[0216] Memory 1504 may include non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD). The ROM 1512 of memory 1504 stores, among other things, an operating system 1515 and may store software applications 1516. The RAM 1514 of memory 1504 is used by processor 1502 for temporary data storage. The operating system 1515 may contain code that, when executed by the processor, implements aspects of methods 300, 400, 1100, 1200, 1300, and 1400 described above. Figure 8 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 The signaling steps involve various aspects. It should be noted that in the case of small devices, the memory may take a form more suitable for small-size applications, i.e., it is not always the case that a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD) is used.

[0217] The processor 1502 can take any suitable form. For example, it can be a microcontroller, multiple microcontrollers, a processor, or multiple processors.

[0218] The processing system 1500 can be a standalone computer, server, console, or its network. The processing system 1500 and the necessary structural components can all be located inside a device such as an IoT device, i.e., embedded in a very small device.

[0219] In some example embodiments, the processing system 1500 may also be associated with external software applications. These applications may be stored on a remote server device / app and may run partially or entirely on the remote server device / app. These applications may be referred to as cloud-hosted applications. The processing system 1500 may communicate with the remote server device / app to utilize the software applications stored on that remote server device / app.

[0220] Figure 16 A tangible medium in the form of a removable memory unit 1610 storing computer-readable code is shown, which, when run by a computer, can execute the methods according to the example embodiments described above. The removable memory unit 1610 may be a memory stick, such as a USB memory stick, having internal memory 1630 for storing computer-readable code. Internal memory 1630 can be accessed by a computer system via connector 1620. Of course, other forms of tangible storage media can be used, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Tangible media can be any device / apparatus capable of storing data / information that can be exchanged between devices / apparatus / networks.

[0221] Embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in software, hardware, application logic, or a combination of software, hardware, and application logic. The software, application logic, and / or hardware can reside on memory or any computer medium. In example embodiments, the application logic, software, or instruction set is maintained on any of a variety of conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, "memory" or "computer-readable medium" can be any non-transitory medium or component that can contain, store, transmit, propagate, or transfer instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer.

[0222] In the relevant context, references to “computer-readable medium,” “computer program product,” “tangible computer program,” or “processor,” “processing circuit,” etc., should be understood to encompass not only computers with different architectures (such as single-processor / multi-processor architectures and sequencer / parallel architectures) but also special-purpose circuits (such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), signal processing devices / apparatus, and other devices / apparatus). References to computer programs, instructions, code, etc., should be understood to refer to firmware software for a programmable processor, for example, programmable content of hardware devices / apparatus as instructions for a processor, or configured settings or configuration settings for fixed-function devices / apparatus, gate arrays, programmable logic devices / apparatus, etc.

[0223] If necessary, the different functions discussed herein can be executed in different orders and / or simultaneously with each other. Furthermore, if necessary, one or more of the above functions can be optional or can be combined. Similarly, it should be understood that... Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 8 , Figure 9 , Figure 10 , Figure 11 , Figure 12 , Figure 13 and Figure 14 The flowcharts and signaling diagrams are merely examples, and the various operations depicted therein can be omitted, reordered, and / or combined.

[0224] It should be understood that the above-described exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the invention. Other variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art after reading this specification.

[0225] Furthermore, the disclosure of this application should be understood to include any novel feature or any novel combination of features or any generalization thereof explicitly or implicitly disclosed herein, and new claims may be formulated during the examination of this application or any application derived therefrom to cover any such feature and / or combination of such features.

[0226] Although various aspects of the invention are set forth in the independent claims, other aspects of the invention include other combinations of features from the described exemplary embodiments and / or dependent claims with features of the independent claims, and not only those combinations expressly set forth in the claims.

[0227] It should also be noted that while various examples have been described above, these descriptions should not be considered limiting. Rather, several changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A network device, comprising: Components for receiving requests from an energy harvesting device, the energy harvesting device including components for transmitting data in active mode and backscatter mode, wherein transmitting data in backscatter mode includes modulating the data onto a backscatter signal, and wherein transmitting data in active mode includes actively generating and transmitting a signal modulated thereon. Components for selecting a mode in the backscattering mode and the active mode, at least in part, based on the request; as well as A component for providing instructions to the energy harvesting device, the instructions being used to operate one or more transmissions in the selected mode.

2. The network device of claim 1, wherein the request is a request to operate in the backscatter mode.

3. The network device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the request further includes at least one of the amount of data to be transmitted by the energy harvesting device or the target latency.

4. The network device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the component for selection selects the backscatter mode or the active mode based on at least one of the following: the amount of data buffered at the energy harvesting device, the target latency, the distance between the device and the energy harvesting device, or a determination of whether to provide an activation signal to the energy harvesting device.

5. The network device according to any one of the preceding claims further includes a component for receiving an instruction from the energy harvesting device, the instruction being that the energy harvesting device wants to switch from the backscatter mode to the active mode.

6. The network device according to any one of the preceding claims further includes: Components for determining the amount of time elapsed since the previous transmission from the energy harvesting device was received; And a component for providing a query to the energy harvesting device if neither a transmission nor the request has been received before the determined elapsed amount of time exceeds a timer threshold.

7. An energy harvesting device, comprising: Components for transmitting data in active mode and backscatter mode, wherein transmitting data in backscatter mode includes modulating the data onto a backscatter signal, and wherein transmitting data in active mode includes actively generating and transmitting a signal modulated thereon. A component for transmitting a request to the network device using the component for transmitting data, the request being for changing the mode in which the component for transmitting data operates; A component for receiving instructions from the network device, the instructions being used to operate in one of the backscatter mode and the active mode for one or more transmissions; as well as A component for setting the mode of operation of the data transmission component to the instructed mode.

8. The energy harvesting device according to claim 7, further comprising: A component for determining that the amount of energy stored in the energy harvesting device is below a first threshold; Used to determine that the energy harvesting device has components for transmitting data to network devices; and The component for transmitting the request to the network device transmits the request in response to the device determining that the amount of energy stored in the energy harvesting device is lower than the first threshold and determining that the energy harvesting device has data for transmission to the network device, and wherein the request is a request to change the mode to the backscatter mode.

9. The energy harvesting apparatus of claim 7 or 8, further comprising components for determining the amount of data to be transmitted and / or a target delay for the data to be transmitted, wherein the request for changing the mode includes an indication of the amount of data to be transmitted and / or the target delay.

10. The energy harvesting device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising a component for transmitting to the network device an indication that the energy harvesting device is to switch from the backscatter mode to the active mode.

11. The energy harvesting device of claim 10, further comprising a component for determining that the amount of energy stored in the energy harvesting device is higher than a second threshold, wherein the component for transmitting an indication to the network device that the energy harvesting device is to switch from the backscatter mode to the active mode is configured to transmit the indication in response to making the determination.

12. A method comprising: A request is received from an energy harvesting device, the energy harvesting device including components for transmitting data in an active mode and a backscatter mode, wherein transmitting data in the backscatter mode includes modulating the data onto a backscatter signal, and wherein transmitting data in the active mode includes actively generating and transmitting a signal modulated thereon. The mode in the backscattering mode and the active mode is selected, at least in part, based on the request; as well as Instructions are provided to the energy harvesting device for operating one or more transmissions in the selected mode.

13. A method comprising: A request is transmitted by an energy harvesting device for reception by a network device, the energy harvesting device including components for transmitting data in active mode and backscatter mode, wherein transmitting data in backscatter mode includes modulating the data onto a backscatter signal, and wherein transmitting data in active mode includes actively generating and transmitting a signal modulated thereon, wherein the request is a request to change the mode of operation of the components for transmitting data. Receive instructions from the network device, the instructions being used to operate in one or more modes of the backscatter mode and the active mode; as well as The mode in which the data transmission component is operated is set to the instructed mode.

14. 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: A request is received from an energy harvesting device configured to transmit data in an active mode and a backscatter mode, wherein transmitting data in the backscatter mode includes modulating the data onto a backscatter signal, and wherein transmitting data in the active mode includes actively generating and transmitting a signal modulated thereon. The mode in the backscattering mode and the active mode is selected, at least in part, based on the request; as well as Instructions are provided to the energy harvesting device for operating one or more transmissions in the selected mode.

15. 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: A request is transmitted to a network device, the device being configured to transmit data in an active mode and a backscatter mode, wherein transmitting data in the backscatter mode includes modulating the data onto a backscatter signal, and wherein transmitting data in the active mode includes actively generating and transmitting a signal modulated thereon, wherein the request is a request to change the mode in which the device operates. Receive instructions from the network device, the instructions being used to operate in one or more modes of the backscatter mode and the active mode; as well as Set the mode for transmitting the data to the mode as instructed.

16. A computer-readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least the method according to claim 12 or 13.

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