Systems and apparatus for data transmission in a network and associated methods thereof

Abstract

Systems (100), apparatuses (104), and methods (300) for data transmission in a network are disclosed. The method (300) includes configuring at least one frame that can be associated with a carrier transmission, each frame of the at least one frame indicating a grant for data transmission, transmitting the at least one frame to at least one user apparatus, and transmitting data by the at least one user apparatus via the at least one frame if the at least one frame indicates an allowance for data transmission.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to one or both of a system and apparatus for data transmission in a network associated with, for example, a base station that can be used for communication. This disclosure further relates to a method that may be associated with the system and / or the apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, energy efficiency is helpful or desirable in communication networks. An example of a communication network would be a telecommunications network based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) 5G (Fifth Generation) New Radio (NR) standard.

[0003] In conventional technologies used for data transmission, when a next-generation node B (gNB) or intermediate node sends a signal to an Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) device that only has backscatter-based transmission capabilities, it will receive reflected signals from all nearby such nodes (e.g., A-IoT nodes) at similar times. This can lead to interference and performance degradation. Furthermore, there may be situations where a gNB or intermediate node needs to send information to an A-IoT node without requiring any response. In these cases, it may be unclear how to coordinate backscatter transmissions from A-IoT devices.

[0004] Therefore, this disclosure envisions that conventional technologies may not optimally promote energy efficiency. For example, when environmental Internet of Things (A-IoT) devices transmit data, conventional technologies may not be able to address the energy efficiency issues of data transmission.

[0005] This disclosure envisions that it would be helpful to solve (or at least mitigate) one or more problems associated with conventional technologies used to improve energy efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, a method for data transmission in a network is provided, the method comprising: configuring at least one frame that can be associated with carrier transmission, each of the at least one frame indicating permission for data transmission; transmitting the at least one frame to at least one user device; and if the at least one frame indicates permission for data transmission, transmitting data by the at least one user device via the at least one frame.

[0007] Advantageously, the methods described herein can facilitate time-division multiplexing of uplink (UL) backscatter transmissions across different user equipment (UE) or groups of UEs, thereby reducing interference at the receiving next-generation node B (gNB) or intermediate nodes. This method can further allow the gNB or intermediate nodes to dynamically schedule messages or signals to Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) nodes that are used solely for information to the node without corresponding acknowledgments or solely for energy harvesting by the node.

[0008] In an embodiment, at least one frame includes a 1-bit indication in the first symbol.

[0009] In an embodiment, at least one frame further includes a user device identifier and / or a group identifier for multiple user devices.

[0010] In an embodiment, indicating permission for data transmission includes indicating permission for backscattered data transmission.

[0011] In one embodiment, the method further includes: pre-determining a plurality of user devices for data transmission.

[0012] In an embodiment, the predetermined selection of multiple user devices for data transmission includes: determining the user device type, data priority, and / or remaining energy in the user device.

[0013] In one embodiment, the user device includes an environmental Internet of Things (A-IoT) device.

[0014] In one embodiment, a computer program (not shown) is provided, which may include instructions that, when executed by a computer (not shown), cause the computer to perform the method of the first aspect.

[0015] In one embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores data representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions that, when executed by the computer, are used to perform the method of the first aspect.

[0016] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus for data transmission in a network is provided, the apparatus comprising: a first module configured to receive at least one input signal associated with permission for data transmission; a second module configured to process and facilitate at least one of the methods of the first aspect to generate at least one output signal; and a third module configured to transmit at least one output signal, wherein the output signal corresponds to a control signal for data transmission in the network.

[0017] In this embodiment, the apparatus may correspond to a base station that can communicate with equipment corresponding to a user equipment (UE). The base station may, for example, correspond to a next-generation node B (gNB) that can be configured to transmit one or more signals (e.g., output signals) to the UE.

[0018] In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes one or more devices and one or more means. The devices and means may be coupled, for example, via wired coupling and / or wireless coupling.

[0019] Advantageously, this system can facilitate time-division multiplexing of uplink (UL) backscatter transmissions across different UEs or groups of UEs, thereby reducing interference at the receiving gNB or intermediate nodes. The system can also allow the gNB or intermediate nodes to dynamically schedule messages or signals to A-IoT nodes that are used solely for information to the node without corresponding acknowledgments or solely for energy harvesting by the node. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Embodiments of this disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of an exemplary system for data transmission in a network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, the system including at least one device.

[0022] Figures 1B to 1F The embodiments of the present disclosure are shown with Figure 1A Example scenarios associated with the system.

[0023] Figure 2 Further detailed illustrations of embodiments according to this disclosure are shown. Figure 1A A schematic diagram of the device.

[0024] Figure 3 The embodiments of the present disclosure are shown with Figure 1A The system-related methods.

[0025] Figures 4A to 4B Examples of embodiments according to this disclosure are shown. Figure 3 A diagram illustrating example scenarios associated with the method. Detailed Implementation

[0026] This specification discloses apparatus and / or devices for performing the operations of the methods. Such apparatus and / or devices may be specifically constructed for the desired purpose, or may include a computer or other device selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in a computer. The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various machines can be used with the program in accordance with the teachings herein. Alternatively, it may be appropriate to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The structure of the computer will become apparent from the description below.

[0027] Furthermore, this specification implicitly discloses a computer program, as it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the individual steps of the methods described herein can be implemented by computer code. The computer program is not intended to be limited to any particular programming language or its implementation. It should be understood that various programming languages ​​and their encodings can be used to implement the teachings of the disclosure contained herein. Moreover, the computer program is not intended to be limited to any particular control flow. Many other variations of the computer program exist, which may use different control flows without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure.

[0028] Furthermore, one or more of the steps in a computer program can be executed in parallel, rather than sequentially. Such a computer program can be stored on any computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media can include storage devices such as disks or optical discs, memory chips, or other storage devices suitable for interfacing with a computer. Computer-readable media can also include hard wired media, such as those exemplified in an Internet system, or wireless media, such as those exemplified in a mobile phone system. When loaded onto and executed on such a computer, the computer program effectively produces an apparatus and / or means for implementing the steps of the preferred method.

[0029] The detailed description set forth below with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein can be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts can be practiced without these specific details. Specifically, although terms from 3GPP 5G NR may be used in this disclosure to illustrate embodiments herein, this should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0030] Generally, all terms used herein should be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant art, unless a different meaning is expressly given and / or implied in the context of their use. Unless otherwise expressly stated, all references to elements, apparatus, components, means, steps, etc., should be openly interpreted as referring to at least one instance of that element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. The steps of any method disclosed herein need not be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as occurring after or before another step and / or where it implies that a step must occur after or before another step. Where appropriate, any feature of any embodiment in the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment. Similarly, any advantage of any embodiment in the embodiments may be applied to any other embodiment, and vice versa. Other objects, features, and advantages of the appended embodiments will become apparent from the following description.

[0031] In some embodiments, the non-limiting terms User Equipment (UE), or Wireless Device, or User Equipment may be used, and the term may refer to any type of wireless device communicating with a network node and / or with another UE in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UEs are target devices, device-to-device (D2D) UEs, machine-type UEs or UEs capable of machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, PDAs, PADs, tablet computers, mobile terminals, smartphones, laptop embedded devices (LEE), laptop mounted devices (LME), USB dongles, UE class M1, UE class M2, ProSe UE, V2V UE, V2X UE, etc.

[0032] In some embodiments, the more general term "network node" may be used, and this term may correspond to any type of radio network node or any network node that communicates with user equipment (directly or via another node) and / or with another network node. Examples of network nodes are NodeB, MeNB, ENB, network nodes belonging to MCG or SCG, base stations (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio nodes (such as MSR BS), eNodeB, gNodeB, network controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), repeater, donor node controlling repeater, base transceiver station (BTS), access point (AP), transport point, transport node, RRU, RRH, nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), core network nodes (e.g., mobile switching center (MSC), mobility management entity (MME), etc.), operations and maintenance (O&M), operations support system (OSS), self-optimizing network (SON), location nodes (e.g., evolved servicing mobile location center (E-SMLC)), minimized drive test (MDT), test equipment (physical node or software), etc.

[0033] Furthermore, terms such as base station / gNodeB and UE should be considered non-restrictive and, in particular, do not imply any hierarchical relationship between the two; generally, "gNodeB" can be considered device 1 and "UE" can be considered device 2, and the two devices communicate with each other through a radio channel. Also, in the following text, a transmitter or receiver can be a gNodeB (gNB) or a UE.

[0034] According to embodiments of this disclosure, this disclosure generally envisions promoting, for example (e.g., associated with 3GPP-based standards / specifications, etc.) network, base station, and / or user equipment (UE) efficiency (e.g., energy / power efficiency).

[0035] This disclosure envisions that for UEs with uplink (UL) transmissions that are backscattered on a carrier provided by a base station, gNB, or intermediate node, the gNB or intermediate node may not always need a UL response via backscattering. Furthermore, when a large number of environmental IoT UEs are involved, the simultaneous backscattering of these UEs may cause interference at the gNB or intermediate node.

[0036] Therefore, this disclosure envisions the possibility of a base station, gNB, or intermediate node providing an indication to a subset of A-IoT UEs regarding whether backscatter transmission is enabled or disabled in the current frame or time slot. The invention envisions a method by which a gNB or intermediate node can indicate whether backscatter communication is permitted in the current time slot or frame.

[0037] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the manner described above may improve power and energy consumption efficiency.

[0038] The foregoing will be discussed in further detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0039] refer to Figure 1A According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a system 100 for data transmission in a network is shown. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, system 100 may, for example, be adapted to improve energy / power efficiency in a network.

[0040] As shown, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, system 100 may include one or more devices 102, at least one apparatus 104, and optionally a communication network 106.

[0041] The device 102 can be coupled to the device 104. Specifically, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the device 102 can be coupled to the device 104, for example, via a communication network 106.

[0042] In one embodiment, device 102 may be coupled to communication network 106, and device 104 may be coupled to communication network 106. Coupling may be performed via wired coupling and wireless coupling, or both. According to embodiments of this disclosure, device 102 may generally be configured to communicate with device 104 via communication network 106.

[0043] According to embodiments of this disclosure, equipment 102 may, for example, be associated with / correspond to / include one or more user equipments (UEs), which may carry one or more computers. For example, according to embodiments of this disclosure, equipment 102 may correspond to a UE carrying at least one computer (e.g., according to embodiments of this disclosure, an electronic device / module with computing capabilities, such as an electronic mobile device that can be carried in a vehicle or an electronic module that can be installed in a vehicle), which may be configured to perform one or more processing tasks associated with adaptive / dynamic / progressive control. In a more specific example, according to embodiments of this disclosure, in one embodiment, equipment 102 may include one or more processors (not shown) that may be configured to perform one or more processing tasks associated with dynamic / adaptive / progressive control. According to embodiments of this disclosure, equipment 102 may be configured to generate one or more input signals that can be transmitted to device 104. According to embodiments of this disclosure, this will be discussed in further detail later in the context of example scenarios.

[0044] Device 104 may be associated with / correspond to at least one base station (e.g., at least one gNB). Furthermore, device 104 may be configured, for example, to carry / associate with / include one or more computers (e.g., electronic devices / modules with computing capabilities), which may be configured, for example, to perform one or more processing tasks associated with the base station. In one embodiment, device 104 may be configured, for example, to receive one or more input signals and, based on the input signals, to perform at least one processing task in a certain manner to generate one or more output signals. According to embodiments of this disclosure, input signals may be transmitted, for example, from equipment 102 and received by device 104. As a possible option, according to embodiments of this disclosure, output signals may be transmitted, for example, from device 104. Embodiments of this disclosure will be referenced later. Figure 2 The apparatus 104 will be discussed in further detail.

[0045] Communication network 106 may correspond to, for example, an Internet communication network, a cellular communication network, a wired communication network, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) communication network, a wireless communication network, or any combination thereof. Communication via communication network 106 (e.g., between equipment 102 and / or between equipment 102 and device 104) may be conducted via one or both of wired and wireless communication.

[0046] As previously mentioned, device 104 may, for example, be configured to receive at least one input signal and perform at least one processing task associated with dynamic / adaptive / progressive control on the input signal in a certain manner to generate at least one output signal. Furthermore, according to embodiments of this disclosure, equipment 102 may, for example, be configured to generate (and transmit) input signals to device 104. Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to... Figures 1B to 1F This will be discussed in the context of example scenarios.

[0047] Figure 1B and Figure 1C Example scenarios of Ambient IoT (A-IoT) in 3GPP, according to embodiments of this disclosure, are illustrated and relate to, for example, the Rel-18: RAN research project (result TR38.848), the Rel-19: RAN1-led research project, and / or the RAN2-led research project. Specifically, Figure 1B Topology 1, illustrating the communication between the base station and the A-IoT device, is shown. Figure 1C Topology 2 illustrates the communication between the base station, intermediate node (or intermediate UE), and A-IoT device.

[0048] In an example scenario, this disclosure envisions investigating a coordinated air interface design with minimized differences for environmental IoT to achieve peak power consumption of approximately 1 μW and energy storage, with neither downlink (DL) amplification nor uplink (UL) amplification in the device. Additionally, according to embodiments of this disclosure, UL transmission backscattered on the carrier can be provided externally. In another embodiment, the investigation of a coordinated air interface design with minimized differences for environmental IoT can also provide peak power consumption of less than or equal to several hundred μW and energy storage, with DL and / or UL amplification in the device. UL transmission can also be generated internally or backscattered. Furthermore, in the absence of Radio Resource Control (RRC) status, mobility, Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ), and Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ), for indoor devices and for topologies 1 and 2 (such as... Figure 1B and Figure 1C As shown in the figure, the maximum coverage target can be 10-50 m.

[0049] This disclosure envisions the possibilities of deployment scenario 1 (microcell or picocell) with topology 1 and deployment scenario 2 (macrocell or microcell) with topology 2. This disclosure further envisions the possibilities of FR1 licensed spectrum in Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), spectrum deployment within the frequency band of NR, spectrum deployment within the guard band of LTE / NR, and spectrum deployment within the independent frequency band. Additionally, there may be service types DO-DTT and DT, with a focus on rUC1 (indoor inventory) and rUC4 (indoor command), including transmissions from environmental IoT occurring at least in the UL spectrum.

[0050] In the example embodiment, the RAN1-dominated environmental IoT DL and UL may include, but are not limited to, frame structure, synchronization and timing, random access, parameter sets, bandwidth, multiple access, waveform and modulation, channel coding, downlink channel or signal aspects, uplink channel or signal aspects, scheduling and timing relationships, and the study of necessary characteristics of the carrier waveform provided externally to the environmental IoT device, including interference handling at the environmental IoT UL receiver and the NR base station. The physical layer design between Topology 2 and Topology 1 may be identical.

[0051] In an example embodiment, RAN2 leadership may include researching and determining which functionalities are needed for the environment's compact IoT protocol stack and lightweight signaling processes to enable DO-DTT and DT data transmission, and researching those functionalities. Example functionalities may include paging, random access, data transmission, including necessary radio resource control aspects, compliance with limitations in the overall scope, and interaction with upper layers. For all other functionalities, research will only proceed if they are found to be essential.

[0052] Figure 1D A schematic diagram illustrating an example of backscatter communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Reference Figure 1D The backscatter radio principle may include the use of (at least) two loads. , Information modulated on the reflection of the illumination signal at the tag. In this example, only switching between loads at the tag is required, omitting power consumption signal conditioning and generation modules (e.g., amplifiers). This disclosure envisions the simplest case of backscatter communication as involving only two passive loads, such that the tag or reflector modulates the information by modifying the reflection coefficients of the tag antenna and the connected loads. The induced signal of such communication is reflected back at the tag antenna with modified amplitude and phase. Specifically, a modified reflection coefficient may exist. For two loads , , i∈{0,1}. Additionally... This can be the characteristic impedance of the tag antenna at the relevant carrier frequency (typically complex), and when the tag antenna is connected to the load. And has a corresponding reflection coefficient At that time, the baseband equivalent signal can be obtained from Provided. Furthermore... It can be a (complex) load-independent tag antenna structure mode, which depends on the geometry and construction materials, and more than two loads can be demonstrated using energy-efficient circuitry.

[0053] Figure 1E An example of a frame structure in a novel radio (NR) network according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown. References Figure 1E In the NR specification, the time interval can be defined as the basic time unit. The multiple of this allows the sampling time of the FFT-based transceiver (TRX) to be implemented for a 480 kHz subcarrier spacing and an FFT size of 4096. Furthermore, in the time-domain structure, NR transmissions can be organized into frames of 10 ms length, each frame divided into 10 equal-sized subframes of 1 ms length, and these subframes can be further divided into time slots, each with 14 orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. According to embodiments of this disclosure, each frame can be identified by a system frame number (SFN) with a period of 1024.

[0054] Figure 1F A schematic diagram illustrating an example of an Internet of Things (A-IoT) system in an exemplary environment according to embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Reference Figure 1F The gNB (or base station) can send carriers to multiple potential A-IoT devices, allowing the A-IoT devices to use the carriers to harvest energy and reflect the modulated carriers back to the gNB.

[0055] According to embodiments of this disclosure, as will be discussed in further detail in the context of an example scenario associated with system 100 according to embodiments of this disclosure, this disclosure envisions that considering some form of dynamic / adaptive / incremental configuration / determination strategy that may contribute to power / energy consumption efficiency may be helpful. According to embodiments of this disclosure, the dynamic / adaptive / incremental control configuration / determination strategy may, for example, be related to dynamic / adaptive / incremental control based on data transmission in a network.

[0056] The aforementioned advantageous aspects of system 100 of this disclosure can also be similarly applied to all aspects of the following apparatus 104 of this disclosure. Similarly, all the following advantageous aspects of apparatus 104 of this disclosure can also be similarly applied to all aspects of the aforementioned system 100 of this disclosure.

[0057] The following will refer to Figure 2The aforementioned device 104 will be discussed in more detail.

[0058] refer to Figure 2 According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a schematic diagram of the exemplary device 104 is shown in more detail in the context of an exemplary implementation 200.

[0059] In example implementation 200, device 104 may correspond to electronic module 200a. According to an embodiment of the invention, in one example, electronic module 200a may correspond to a base station or cell (or gNB). In another example, according to an embodiment of the invention, electronic module 200a may correspond to an electronic device that can be installed / replaced in a base station (or gNB).

[0060] According to embodiments of this disclosure, it is envisioned that electronic module 200a may be able to perform one or more processing tasks associated with adaptive / dynamic / progressive control-related processing.

[0061] Electronic module 200a may include, for example, a housing 200b. Furthermore, electronic module 200a may, for example, carry any one or any combination of the first module 202, the second module 204, and the third module 206.

[0062] In one embodiment, electronic module 200a may carry first module 202, second module 204, and / or third module 206. In a specific example, according to an embodiment of this disclosure, electronic module 200a may carry first module 202, second module 204, and third module 206.

[0063] In this regard, it is understood that, in one embodiment, the shape and size of the housing 200b may be designed to carry any one or any combination of the first module 202, the second module 204 and the third module 206.

[0064] The first module 202 may be coupled to one or both of the second module 204 and the third module 206. The second module 204 may be coupled to one or both of the first module 202 and the third module 206. The third module 206 may be coupled to one or both of the first module 202 and the second module 204. In one example, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first module 202 may be coupled to the second module 204, and the second module 204 may be coupled to the third module 206. The coupling between the first module 202, the second module 204, and / or the third module 206 may be performed, for example, by one or both of wired coupling and wireless coupling. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the first module 202, the second module 204, and the third module 206 may correspond to one or both of a hardware-based module and a software-based module.

[0065] In one example, the first module 202 may correspond to a hardware-based receiver that can be configured to receive one or more input signals. According to embodiments of this disclosure, input signals may be transmitted, for example, from equipment 102 (or a user device or user equipment UE).

[0066] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the second module 204 may correspond, for example, to a hardware-based processor that can be configured to perform one or more processing tasks (e.g., to generate one or more output signals in a certain manner), as will be referred to later. Figure 3 To be discussed in further detail.

[0067] The third module 206 may correspond to a hardware-based transmitter that can be configured to transmit one or more output signals from the electronic module 200a. According to embodiments of this disclosure, the output signals may, for example, include / correspond to one or more instruction / command / control signals associated with the aforementioned dynamic / adaptive / progressive control configuration / determination strategy to promote efficiency (e.g., power / energy efficiency and / or communication efficiency). For example, the output signals may be control signals for data transmission from a user equipment (or UE) to a base station (or gNB).

[0068] This disclosure envisions the possibility that the first module 202 and the second module 204 can be integrated software-hardware modules (e.g., electronic components carrying software programs / algorithms associated with receiving and processing functions / electronic modules programmed to perform receiving and processing functions). This disclosure further envisions the possibility that the first module 202 and the third module 206 can be integrated software-hardware modules (e.g., electronic components carrying software programs / algorithms associated with receiving and transmitting functions / electronic modules programmed to perform receiving and transmitting functions). This disclosure also further envisions the possibility that the first module 202 and the third module 206 can be integrated hardware modules capable of performing receiving and transmitting functions (e.g., hardware-based transceivers).

[0069] The aforementioned advantageous aspects of the apparatus 104 of this disclosure can also be similarly applied to all aspects of the processing / communication methods described below in this disclosure. Similarly, all the aforementioned advantageous aspects of the processing / communication methods of this disclosure can also be similarly applied to all aspects of the apparatus 104 described above in this disclosure. It should be understood that these statements also apply similarly to the system 100 discussed earlier in this disclosure.

[0070] refer to Figure 3 According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method associated with system 100 is shown.

[0071] According to embodiments of this disclosure, method 300 may be, for example, adapted to / able to promote energy efficiency.

[0072] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the processing method 300 may include any one or any combination of the input step 302, the processing step 304, and the output step 306.

[0073] In one embodiment, processing method 300 may include an input step 302. In another embodiment, processing method 300 may include an input step 302 and a processing step 304. In yet another embodiment, processing method 300 may include an input step 302, a processing step 304, and an output step 306. In still another embodiment, processing method 300 may include a processing step 304 and one or both of input step 302 and output step 306. In yet another embodiment, processing method 300 may include an input step 302, a processing step 304, and an output step 306. In yet another additional embodiment, processing method 300 may include a processing step 304. In yet another additional embodiment, processing method 300 may include any or any combination of input step 302, processing step 304, and output step 306 (i.e., input step 302, processing step 304, and / or output step 306).

[0074] Regarding input step 302, one or more input signals may be received. For example, according to an embodiment of this disclosure, an input signal may be transmitted from device 102 and received by device 104. In another embodiment, the input signal may be transmitted from a separate device and received by device 104. In yet another embodiment, the input signal may be generated and transmitted within device 104.

[0075] Input step 302 may include receiving at least one input signal associated with permission for data transmission. In an embodiment, the input signal may be generated by and transmitted from device 102 to device 104. Alternatively, the input signal may be generated and received by device 104 to proceed to processing step 304. For example, the input signal may be generated by another device and received by device 104.

[0076] According to embodiments of this disclosure, with respect to processing step 304, at least one processing task may be performed in some way in association with the received input signal to generate one or more output signals.

[0077] Processing step 304 may include at least one of the following: configuring at least one frame that can be associated with carrier transmission, each frame in the at least one frame indicating permission for data transmission; transmitting the at least one frame to at least one user equipment; and if the at least one frame indicates permission for data transmission, transmitting data by the at least one user equipment via the at least one frame. The at least one frame includes a 1-bit indication in a first symbol and may further include a user equipment identifier and / or a group identifier for multiple user equipments. Indicating permission for data transmission may include indicating permission for backscattered data transmission.

[0078] Processing step 304 may further include pre-determining a plurality of user devices for data transmission, wherein pre-determining the plurality of user devices for data transmission includes pre-determining based on at least one of the following: the type of user device, the priority of the data, and / or the remaining energy in the user device. The user devices include Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) devices.

[0079] Regarding output step 306, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, as an option, an output signal may be transmitted, for example. For instance, the output signal may optionally be transmitted from device 104. In a more specific example, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the output signal may optionally be transmitted from device 104 to one or both of at least one other device (or base station or gNB) and equipment 102.

[0080] This disclosure further envisions a computer program (not shown) that may include instructions that, when executed by a computer (not shown), cause the computer to perform input step 302, processing step 304, and / or output step 306 as discussed in reference method 300. For example, according to an embodiment of the invention, the computer program may include instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform input step 302 and / or processing step 304.

[0081] This disclosure further envisions a computer-readable storage medium (not shown) storing data representing software executable by a computer (not shown), the software including instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform input step 302, processing step 304, and / or output step 306 as discussed in reference method 300. For example, according to an embodiment of the invention, the computer-readable storage medium may store data representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform input step 302 and / or processing step 304.

[0082] In light of the foregoing, it is understood that this disclosure generally envisions an energy-efficient device 104 suitable for use in a network, which may include a first module 202, a second module 204, and / or a third module 206.

[0083] The first module 202 can be configured to receive one or more input signals. For example, the input signals can be associated with permission to transmit data.

[0084] The second module 204 can be configured to process the input signal and / or facilitate the processing of the input signal according to the method 300 discussed earlier, to generate one or more output signals.

[0085] The third module 206 can be configured to transmit one or more output signals. The output signals may, for example, correspond to one or more control signals for data transmission performed by a user equipment (or UE) in the network.

[0086] In one embodiment, equipment 102 may correspond to a user equipment (UE) that can communicate with a device 104 corresponding to a base station. The base station may, for example, correspond to a next-generation node B (gNB) that can be configured to transmit one or more signals (e.g., output signals) to the UE.

[0087] Furthermore, in view of the foregoing, it is understood that this disclosure generally contemplates a system 100, which may include one or more devices 102 and one or more apparatuses 104. Devices 102 and apparatuses 104 may be coupled, for example, via wired coupling and / or wireless coupling.

[0088] It should be understood that the embodiments described above can be combined in any way where appropriate (e.g., one or more embodiments as discussed in the “Detailed Description” section can be combined with one or more embodiments as described in the “Summary of the Invention” section).

[0089] Those skilled in the art will further understand that variations and combinations of the embodiments described above, rather than alternatives or substitutes, can be combined to form even further embodiments.

[0090] In one example, the possibility of transmitting an output signal from device 104 is discussed. It is understood that the output signal does not necessarily need to be transmitted from device 104. Specifically, according to embodiments of the invention, the possibility that the output signal does not necessarily need to be transmitted outside of device 104 is envisioned. More specifically, according to embodiments of the invention, the output signal may correspond, for example, to internal commands / instructions (e.g., transmitted only within device 104) for adaptively controlling the operational configuration of device 104.

[0091] Figure 4A and Figure 4B A schematic diagram illustrating an example scenario associated with method 300 according to embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Specifically, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 4A An example of backscattered data transmission performed by a group of user equipments (or UEs) is illustrated, while Figure 4B Another example of backscattered data transmission performed by two sets of user equipment (or UEs) is illustrated below. Reference will be made below. Figure 4A and Figure 4B Let's discuss the foregoing in further detail.

[0092] refer to Figure 4A Furthermore, in embodiments of this disclosure, when data is transmitted in uplink (UL) communication, all UEs (or user devices) perform backscattering in frame or time slot 0, and no UE (or user device) performs backscattering in frame or time slot 1. Reference Figure 4B Furthermore, in the embodiments of this disclosure, only UEs in group 0 perform backscattering in frame or time slot 0, while only UEs in group 1 perform backscattering in frame or time slot 1.

[0093] In an embodiment, the gNB, intermediate node, or base station may transmit a 1-bit indication in the first symbol of each frame or time slot of carrier transmission. This indication may indicate whether a UE (or user equipment) receiving such an indication is permitted to backscatter information in that frame or time slot during UL. In an example embodiment, the 1-bit indication may be combined with a UE (or user equipment) identifier (ID) or the identifiers of a group of UEs (or user equipments) and transmitted as part of a frame or time slot to allow or disallow backscattering of a specific UE (or user equipment) or a set of UEs (or user equipments). In this case, the indication may occupy the first N symbols of the frame or time slot, where N depends on the length of the UE ID or group ID.

[0094] In an embodiment, the first symbol or set of N symbols transmitted on the carrier can always be set to a "non-backscattering" mode. The subset of UEs (or user equipments) performing backscattering in a specific frame or time slot can be determined by the scheduler in the gNB or intermediate node (or base station), and / or can be determined based on criteria such as the type of A-IoT device, data priority, and remaining energy in the UE (or user equipment).

[0095] Advantageously, embodiments of this disclosure can facilitate time-division multiplexing of UL backscatter transmissions across different UEs or groups of UEs, thereby reducing interference at the receiving gNB or intermediate nodes. Additionally, embodiments of this disclosure can allow gNBs, intermediate nodes, or base stations to dynamically schedule messages or signals to A-IoT nodes that are used solely for information to the node without corresponding acknowledgments or solely for energy harvesting by the node.

[0096] Various embodiments of this disclosure for addressing at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages have been described in the foregoing manner. Such embodiments are intended to be covered by the appended claims and are not limited to the specific form or arrangement of the components so described, and, in view of this disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and / or modifications can be made, which are also intended to be covered by the appended claims.

[0097] abbreviation:

[0098] A-IoT Environmental Internet of Things

[0099] ARQ Automatic Repeat Request

[0100] BWP bandwidth portion

[0101] CLI Cross-Link Interference

[0102] CP loop prefix

[0103] CPUCSI processing unit

[0104] CQI Channel Quality Indicator

[0105] CRB Public Resource Block

[0106] CRC Cyclic Redundancy Check

[0107] CRICSI-RS resource indicator

[0108] CSI Channel Status Information

[0109] CSI-RS Channel State Information Reference Signal

[0110] CSI-SINRCSI signal-to-noise and interference ratio

[0111] CW carrier

[0112] D2R device to reader

[0113] DCI downlink control information

[0114] DL downlink

[0115] DM-RS demodulation reference signal

[0116] DRX discontinuous reception

[0117] EPRE Energy per Resource Element

[0118] FDD Frequency Division Duplex

[0119] HARQ Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request

[0120] L1-RSRP Layer 1 Reference Signal Received Power

[0121] LI layer indicator

[0122] LP-WUR Low Power Wake-up Receiver

[0123] LP-WUS low-power wake-up signal

[0124] MAC-CEMAC control element

[0125] MCS modulation and coding scheme

[0126] MR main receiver

[0127] PBCH Physical Broadcast Channel

[0128] PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel

[0129] PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel

[0130] PEI Permanent Device Identifier

[0131] PFN paging frame number

[0132] PMI Precoding Matrix Indicator

[0133] PRB Physical Resource Block

[0134] PRACH Physical Random Access Channel

[0135] PRG precoded resource block group

[0136] PRS positioning reference signal

[0137] PSS master synchronization signal

[0138] PT-RS phase tracking reference signal

[0139] PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel)

[0140] PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel

[0141] QCL Quasi-Co-location

[0142] R2D reader to device

[0143] RACH Random Access Channel

[0144] RB resource blocks

[0145] RBG resource block group

[0146] RI rank indicator

[0147] RRC Radio Resource Control

[0148] RS reference signal

[0149] RSRP reference signal received power

[0150] RSRQ reference signal reception quality

[0151] SCI sidelink control information

[0152] SLIV start and length indicator values

[0153] SR scheduling request

[0154] SRS detection reference signal

[0155] SS synchronization signal

[0156] SSB Synchronization Signal Block

[0157] SSS auxiliary synchronization signal

[0158] SS-SINRSS signal-to-noise and interference ratio

[0159] TB transport block

[0160] TCI Transport Configuration Indicator

[0161] TDM Time Division Multiplexing

[0162] UE User Equipment

[0163] UL uplink

Claims

1. A method (300) for data transmission in a network, the method comprising: Configure at least one frame that can be associated with carrier transmission, each of the at least one frame indicating permission for data transmission; Transmit the at least one frame to at least one user device; as well as If the at least one frame indicates permission for data transmission, then the at least one user device transmits data via the at least one frame.

2. The method (300) according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one frame includes a 1-bit indication in the first symbol.

3. The method (300) according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one frame further includes a user device identifier and / or a group identifier for multiple user devices.

4. The method (300) according to claim 1, wherein, Indicating permission for data transmission includes indicating permission for backscattered data transmission.

5. The method (300) according to claim 1, further comprising: Multiple user devices are pre-determined for data transmission.

6. The method (300) according to claim 5, wherein, The predetermined number of user devices for data transmission includes: being predetermined based on at least one of the following: the type of user device, the priority of the data, and / or the remaining energy in the user device.

7. The method (300) according to claim 1, wherein, The user equipment includes an environmental Internet of Things (A-IoT) device.

8. A computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method (300) as described in any of the preceding claims.

9. A computer-readable storage medium storing data representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions that, when executed by the computer, are used to perform the method (300) as claimed in claims 1 to 7.

10. An apparatus (104) for data transmission in a network, the apparatus comprising: A first module (202) is configured to receive at least one input signal associated with permission for data transmission; The second module (204) is configured to process and facilitate at least one of the methods (300) as claimed in claims 1 to 7 to generate at least one output signal; as well as The third module (206) is configured to transmit at least one output signal. The output signal corresponds to the control signal used for data transmission in the network.

11. The apparatus (104) according to claim 10, in, The device (104) corresponds to a base station, which is capable of communicating with equipment (102) corresponding to a user equipment (UE), and The base station corresponds to a next-generation node B (gNB) configured to transmit the at least one output signal to the UE.

12. A system (100), the system comprising: At least one device (104) according to any one of claims 10 and 11; as well as At least one piece of equipment (102) according to claim 11, The equipment (102) and the device (104) can be coupled via at least one of wired coupling and wireless coupling.

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