Cancellation of activation signal interference in a network

Abstract

Embodiments of this disclosure relate to the elimination of active signal interference in a network, such as an Ambient Internet of Things (AIoT) network. In one aspect, a first device receives first configuration information from a second device, the first configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern. The RS pattern at least indicates an RS time position in a first signal from a third device, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device. In response to receiving either the first signal or a combined signal, the first device extracts a second signal from the combined signal based on the first configuration information. The combined signal includes a combination of the first signal and the second signal. By implementing this disclosure, interference of active signals on backscattered signals can be effectively reduced, and useful data modulated on the backscattered signal can be acquired.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various example embodiments generally relate to the field of communications, and more specifically to first devices, second devices, third devices, fourth devices, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media related to the elimination of activation signal interference in networks (e.g., Ambient Internet of Things (AIoT) networks). Background Technology

[0002] In communications technology, there is continuous evolution in order to provide efficient and reliable solutions for utilizing wireless communication networks. Each new generation presents its own technical challenges in handling the different situations and processes required to connect to and serve devices connected to wireless networks. To meet the increasing demand for wireless data services since the deployment of fourth-generation (4G) communication systems, efforts have been made to develop improved fifth-generation (5G), pre-5G, 5G Advanced, 6G, and above communication systems. These new communication systems can support a wide range of service applications for terminal devices.

[0003] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is conducting a Rel-19 study project on enabling IoT in the environment, which focuses on use cases and service requirements. However, some outstanding issues remain to be addressed regarding network deployment, particularly AIoT network deployment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In general, exemplary embodiments of this disclosure provide a first device, a second device, a third device, a fourth device, a method, an apparatus, and a computer-readable storage medium for communication, for example, for eliminating activation signal interference in a network, particularly for eliminating activation signal interference in an environmental Internet of Things (AIoT) network based on a reference signal (RS) pattern.

[0005] In a first aspect, a first device is provided. The first device may include at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device to at least: receive first configuration information from a second device, the first configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates an RS time position in a first signal from a third device, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device; and, in response to receiving either the first signal or a combined signal, extract a second signal from the combined signal based on the first configuration information, wherein the combined signal includes a combination of the first signal and the second signal.

[0006] In a second aspect, a second device is provided. The second device may include at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second device to at least: send first configuration information to a first device, the first configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates an RS time position in a first signal from a third device, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device.

[0007] In a third aspect, a third device is provided. The third device may include at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the third device to at least: receive second configuration information from a second device, the second configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates an RS time position in a first signal from the third device, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device; and transmit a first signal to the first device, the first signal including at least one RS following the RS pattern.

[0008] In a fourth aspect, a fourth device is provided. The fourth device may include at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the fourth device to at least: receive a query instruction from a second device, the query instruction including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates an RS time position in a first signal from a third device; and, based on the reception of the first signal from the third device, transmit a second signal to the first device, wherein the first signal includes at least one RS following the RS pattern, and the first signal is not backscattered by the fourth device during the RS time position indicated by the RS pattern.

[0009] In a fifth aspect, a method is provided. The method may include: receiving first configuration information from a second device, the first configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates an RS time position in a first signal from a third device, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device; and, in response to receiving either the first signal or a combined signal, extracting a second signal from the combined signal based on the first configuration information, wherein the combined signal includes a combination of the first signal and the second signal.

[0010] In a sixth aspect, a method is provided. The method may include: sending first configuration information to a first device, the first configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates an RS time position in a first signal from a third device, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device.

[0011] In a seventh aspect, a method is provided. The method may include: receiving second configuration information from a second device, the second configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern indicates at least an RS time position in a first signal from a third device, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device; and transmitting a first signal to a first device, the first signal including at least one RS following the RS pattern.

[0012] In an eighth aspect, a method is provided. The method may include: receiving a query indication from a second device, the query indication including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates an RS time position in a first signal from a third device; and transmitting a second signal to the first device based on the reception of the first signal from the third device, wherein the first signal includes at least one RS following the RS pattern, and the first signal is not backscattered by a fourth device during the RS time position indicated by the RS pattern.

[0013] In a ninth aspect, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include: means for receiving first configuration information from a second device, the first configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates an RS time position in a first signal from a third device, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device; and means for extracting a second signal from a combined signal based on the first configuration information in response to receiving either the first signal or a combined signal, wherein the combined signal includes a combination of the first signal and the second signal.

[0014] In a tenth aspect, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include: transmitting first configuration information to a first device, the first configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates an RS time position in a first signal from a third device, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device.

[0015] In an eleventh aspect, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include: components for receiving second configuration information from a second device, the second configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates an RS time position in a first signal from a third device, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device; and components for transmitting a first signal to a first device, the first signal including at least one RS following the RS pattern.

[0016] In a twelfth aspect, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include: components for receiving a query indication from a second device, the query indication including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates an RS time position in a first signal from a third device; and components for transmitting a second signal to the first device based on the reception of the first signal from the third device, wherein the first signal includes at least one RS following the RS pattern, and the first signal is not backscattered by a fourth device during the RS time position indicated by the RS pattern.

[0017] In a thirteenth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, the non-transitory computer-readable medium including program instructions for causing a device to perform at least the methods according to the fifth to eighth aspects.

[0018] In a fourteenth aspect, a computer program is provided, the computer program including instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to at least: receive first configuration information from a second device, the first configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates an RS time position in a first signal from a third device, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device; and, in response to receiving either the first signal or a combined signal, extract a second signal from the combined signal based on the first configuration information, wherein the combined signal includes a combination of the first signal and the second signal.

[0019] In a fifteenth aspect, a computer program is provided, the computer program including instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to at least: send first configuration information to a first device, the first configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates an RS time position in a first signal from a third device, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device.

[0020] In a sixteenth aspect, a computer program is provided, the computer program including instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to at least: receive second configuration information from a second device, the second configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates an RS time position in a first signal from a third device, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device; and transmit a first signal to a first device, the first signal including at least one RS following the RS pattern.

[0021] In a seventeenth aspect, a computer program is provided, the computer program including instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to at least: receive a query instruction from a second device, the query instruction including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates an RS time position in a first signal from a third device; and, based on the reception of the first signal from the third device, transmit a second signal to the first device, wherein the first signal includes at least one RS following the RS pattern, and the first signal is not backscattered by a fourth device during the RS time position indicated by the RS pattern.

[0022] In an eighteenth aspect, a first device is provided. The first device may include a receiving circuitry configured to receive first configuration information from a second device, the first configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates an RS time position in a first signal from a third device, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device; and an extraction circuitry configured to, in response to receiving either the first signal or a combined signal, extract a second signal from the combined signal based on the first configuration information, wherein the combined signal includes a combination of the first signal and the second signal.

[0023] In a nineteenth aspect, a second device is provided. The second device may include a transmitting circuitry configured to transmit first configuration information to a first device, the first configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates an RS time position in a first signal from a third device, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device.

[0024] In a twentieth aspect, a third device is provided. The third device may include a receiving circuitry configured to receive second configuration information from a second device, the second configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates an RS time position in a first signal from the third device during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device; and a transmitting circuitry configured to transmit a first signal to the first device, the first signal including at least one RS following the RS pattern.

[0025] In a twenty-first aspect, a fourth device is provided. The fourth device may include a receiving circuitry configured to receive a query indication from a second device, the query indication including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates an RS time position in a first signal from a third device; and a transmitting circuitry configured to transmit a second signal to the first device based on the reception of the first signal from the third device, wherein the first signal includes at least one RS following the RS pattern, and the first signal is not backscattered by the fourth device during the RS time position indicated by the RS pattern.

[0026] It should be understood that the summary portion is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Other features of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Some exemplary embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1A The illustrations show examples of application scenarios in which some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented;

[0029] Figure 1B The illustrations show examples of application scenarios in which some other exemplary embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented;

[0030] Figure 2 The illustrations illustrate examples of application scenarios in which other exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented;

[0031] Figure 3 The illustration shows an example signaling process for eliminating activation signal interference in an AIoT network based on a reference signal (RS) pattern according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 4 The illustration shows an example signaling process for eliminating activation signal interference in an AIoT network based on a reference signal (RS) pattern according to some other example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 5A The illustration shows an example diagram of signal transmission through a channel between an activator device / AIoT device and a reader device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 5B The illustration shows an example diagram of signal transmission through a channel between the antennas of an activator device / AIoT device and a reader device, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 6The illustration shows an example diagram of continuous temporal resources of different activator devices for activating an AIoT device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 7 The illustration shows a flowchart of an example method implemented at a first device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 8 The illustration shows a flowchart of an example method implemented at a second device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 9 The illustration shows a flowchart of an example method implemented at a third device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 10 The illustration shows a flowchart of an example method implemented at a fourth device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0040] Figure 11 The illustration shows an example simplified block diagram of a device suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0041] Figure 12 An example block diagram of an example computer-readable medium according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0042] Throughout the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements. Detailed Implementation

[0043] The principles of this disclosure will now be described with reference to some exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described for illustrative purposes only and to assist those skilled in the art in understanding and implementing this disclosure, and do not imply any limitation on the scope of this disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various ways other than those described below.

[0044] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

[0045] In this disclosure, references to "an embodiment," "an embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc., indicate that the described embodiments may include specific features, structures, or characteristics, but not every embodiment necessarily includes that specific feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Additionally, when a specific feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that, whether explicitly described or not, incorporating other embodiments to affect such a feature, structure, or characteristic is within their knowledge.

[0046] It is understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and “fourth,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0047] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that when the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” “having,” “including,” and / or “containing” are used herein, the presence of the stated features, elements, and / or components is specified, but the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof is not excluded. As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording (where the list of two or more elements is connected by “and” or “or”) means at least any one of these elements, or at least any two or more of these elements, or at least all of these elements.

[0048] As used in this application, the term "circuit system" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) Hardware circuit implementation only (such as implementation only in analog and / or digital circuit systems); and (b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (if applicable): (i) A combination of (multiple) analog and / or digital hardware circuits having software / firmware, and (ii) Any part of a hardware processor(s) having software (including (multiple) digital signal processors, software, and (multiple) memories, which work together to enable a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions); and (c) (multiple) hardware circuits and / or (multiple) processors, such as (multiple) microprocessors or a portion thereof, which require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but may be absent when operation is not required.

[0049] This definition of circuit system applies to all uses of the term in this application (including in any claim). As another example, as used in this application, the term circuit system also covers only hardware circuitry or a processor (or multiple processors) or portions of hardware circuitry or a processor and its accompanying software and / or firmware implementation. For example, and if applicable to a particular claim element, the term circuit system also covers baseband integrated circuits or processor integrated circuits for mobile devices, or similar integrated circuits in servers, cellular network devices or other computing or network devices.

[0050] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that conforms to any suitable communication standard, such as New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-A Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), etc. Furthermore, communication between terminal devices and network devices in the communication network can be performed according to any suitable intergenerational communication protocol, including but not limited to third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth-generation (5G) communication protocols and / or higher. Embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to various communication systems. Due to the rapid development of communication, there will naturally be future types of communication technologies and systems that can be utilized to implement this disclosure. The scope of this disclosure should not be considered limited to the systems described above.

[0051] As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a node in a communication network through which terminal devices access the network and receive services. A network device can refer to a base station (BS) or access point (AP), such as a Node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), an NR NB (also known as a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a Radio Header (RH), a Remote Radio Header End (RRH), a relay, or a low-power node (such as a femtosecond, picosecond, etc.), depending on the terminology and technology used.

[0052] The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication. As an example and not a limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), subscriber station (SS), portable subscriber station, mobile station (MS), or access terminal (AT). Terminal devices may include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, Voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, tablets, wearable terminal devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, desktop computers, image capture terminal devices (such as digital cameras), gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback devices, in-vehicle wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop embedded devices (LEEs), laptop-mounted devices (LMEs), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer premises equipment (CPEs), Internet of Things (IoT) devices, watches or other wearable devices, head-mounted displays (HMDs), vehicles, drones, medical devices and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial devices and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in industrial and / or automated processing chain environments), consumer electronic devices, commercially operating devices, relay nodes, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) nodes, and / or industrial wireless networks, etc. In the following description, the terms "terminal device," "communication device," "terminal," "user equipment," and "UE" are used interchangeably.

[0053] As used herein, the terms “resource,” “transmission resource,” “resource block,” “physical resource block” (PRB), “uplink (UL) resource,” or “downlink (DL) resource” can refer to any resource used to perform communication, such as communication between a terminal device and a network device, resources in the time domain, resources in the frequency domain, resources in the spatial domain, or resources in the code domain; resources in a combination of more than one domain, or any other resource that enables communication, etc. In the following, resources in the time domain (such as subframes) will be used as examples of transmission resources to describe some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. Note that the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.

[0054] For AIoT network deployments, both single-site and dual-site scenarios are possible. A single-site scenario includes at least two components: an activator device and an AIoT device (e.g., a tag). In a single-site scenario, the activator device can send an activation signal to activate the AIoT device, and the activator device can also act as a reader device, receiving modulated backscattered signals from the AIoT device. A dual-site scenario includes at least three components: an activator device, an AIoT device (e.g., a tag), and a reader device (different from the activator device). In a dual-site scenario, the activator device can send an activation signal to activate the AIoT device, and the reader device can receive modulated backscattered signals from the AIoT device.

[0055] In AIoT networks, when backscattered signals from AIoT devices are detected, the reader device (i.e., the receiver) may be interfered with by activation signals from the direct link between the activator device and the reader device. The strength of the activation signal can be much greater than the strength of the backscattered signal received at the reader device, and typically interferes with the detection of the backscattered signal at the reader device. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate how to reduce the interference caused by activation signals at the reader device.

[0056] Therefore, exemplary embodiments of this disclosure provide a solution for eliminating activation signal interference in a network, particularly for eliminating activation signal interference in an Ambient Internet of Things (AIoT) network based on a reference signal (RS) pattern. According to embodiments of this disclosure, a first device (e.g., a reader device) receives first configuration information from a second device (e.g., a network device), the first configuration information including at least an RS pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates the RS time position in a first signal (e.g., an activation signal) from a third device (e.g., an activator device), during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device (e.g., an AIoT device). Then, in response to receiving either the first signal or a combined signal, the first device extracts a second signal (e.g., a backscattered signal) from the combined signal based on the first configuration information, wherein the combined signal includes a combination of the first signal and the second signal.

[0057] It should be understood that the above process steps may work collaboratively, partially collaboratively, or independently in the operation flow described below. By implementing the embodiments of this disclosure, at the RS time position indicated by the RS pattern in the activation signal, the activation signal will not be backscattered by the AIoT device, and the reader device can eliminate the interference of the activation signal on the signal received at the reader device based on the RS pattern, thereby efficiently reducing the interference caused by the activation signal on the backscattered signal and enabling the acquisition of useful data modulated on the backscattered signal.

[0058] For illustrative purposes, the following will refer to Figures 1A to 12 This disclosure describes the principles and exemplary embodiments of eliminating active signal interference in a network. However, it should be noted that these embodiments are given to enable those skilled in the art to understand the inventive concept of this disclosure and implement the solutions presented herein, and not to limit the scope of this application in any way.

[0059] Figure 1AThe illustration shows examples of application scenario 100A in which some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented. Application scenario 100A can be an AIoT network, which can be part of a communication network, including network device 110-1, AIoT device 120-1, and auxiliary node 130-1.

[0060] like Figure 1A As shown, network device 110-1 can also be referred to as a base station (BS) or access point (AP), such as gNB110-1. AIoT device 120-1 can also be referred to as AIoT tag 120-1 or backscatter device 120-1. Auxiliary node 130-1 can be a network device, relay, IAB node, terminal device, or repeater. In the AIoT network, network device 110-1 can act as an activator device, and auxiliary node 130-1 can act as a reader device. Network device 110-1 can send an activation signal 140-1 to AIoT device 120-1 to activate AIoT device 120-1 to send AIoT signal 150-1. In response to the reception of activation signal 140-1, AIoT device 120-1 sends AIoT signal 150-1 to auxiliary node 130-1. AIoT signal 150-1 can also be referred to as backscatter signal 150-1. The activation signal 140-1 can be a broadcast signal and can also be sent to the auxiliary node 130, thereby interfering with the AIoT signal 150-1.

[0061] Figure 1B The illustration shows examples of application scenario 100B in which some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented. Application scenario 100B can also be an AIoT network, which can be part of a communication network, including terminal device 110-2, AIoT device 120-2, and terminal device 130-2. Figure 1B and Figure 1A The only difference is the device type of device 110-2 and 130-2.

[0062] like Figure 1BAs shown, terminal device 110-2 can also be referred to as user equipment 110-2 or UE 110-2. AIoT device 120 can also be referred to as AIoT tag 120-2 or backscattering device 120-2. Terminal device 130-2 can also be referred to as user equipment 130-2 or UE 130-2. In the AIoT network, terminal device 110-2 can act as an activator device, and terminal device 130-2 can act as a reader device. Terminal device 110-2 can send an activation signal 140-2 to AIoT device 120-2 to activate AIoT device 120-2 to send AIoT signal 150-2. In response to the reception of activation signal 140-2, AIoT device 120-2 sends AIoT signal 150-2 to terminal device 130-2. AIoT signal 150-2 can also be referred to as backscattering signal 150-2. The activation signal 140-2 can be a broadcast signal and can also be sent to the terminal device 130-2, thereby interfering with the AIoT signal 150-2.

[0063] Figure 2 Examples of application scenarios 200 in which other exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented are illustrated. Figure 2 It can cover Figure 1A and Figure 1B Application scenarios 200 can also be an AIoT network, which can be part of a communication network, including activator device 210 (e.g., network device 110-1 or terminal device 110-2), at least one AIoT device 220, and reader device 230 (e.g., auxiliary node 130-1 or terminal device 130-2).

[0064] Due to the spatial propagation characteristics of wireless signals, activator device 210 can send an activation signal. The wave propagating to AIoT device 220 is represented as activation signal 240-1, which activates AIoT device 220 to send or backscatter AIoT signal 250. Simultaneously, the wave propagating to reader device 230 is represented as activation signal 240-2, which can be received by reader device 230, thereby interfering with AIoT signal 250. The transmission link between activator device 210 and reader device 230 can also be referred to as a direct link, and the transmission link between AIoT device 220 and reader device 230 can be referred to as a backscatter link. In response to the reception of activation signal 240-1, AIoT device 220 sends AIoT signal 250 to reader device 230. AIoT signal 250 can also be referred to as backscatter signal 250.

[0065] As can be seen, reader device 230 can simultaneously receive activation signal 240-2 and AIoT signal 250. Activation signal 240-2 is typically much stronger than AIoT signal 250 and will interfere with AIoT signal 250, thus making AIoT signal 250 poorly detectable at reader device 220 (e.g., detected with a low signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR)). Therefore, this disclosure proposes a solution for eliminating or reducing activation signal interference on the reader device side based on RS patterns, which will help effectively reduce interference of the activation signal on the backscattered signal and enable the acquisition of useful data modulated on the backscattered signal.

[0066] Figure 3 An example signaling process 300 for eliminating activation signal interference in an AIoT network based on a reference signal (RS) pattern, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, is illustrated. For ease of understanding, the reference signal pattern will be used... Figure 2 Describe the process 300.

[0067] like Figure 3 As shown, process 300 may involve a first device 302 (e.g., a reader device 302), a second device 304 (e.g., a network device 304), a third device 306 (e.g., an activator device 306), and a fourth device 308 (e.g., an AIoT device 308). In some embodiments, the first device 302 may be a reader device associated with the fourth device 308, the third device 306 may be at least one activator device associated with the fourth device 308, and the fourth device 308 may be an AIoT device. The reader device may be a terminal device or a network device. The first device 302 may be... Figure 2 The reader device 230 and the second device 304 may be serving the reader device 230. Figure 2 The network device activator device 210 in the middle, the third device 306 can be Figure 2 The activator device 210 in the middle, and the fourth device 308 can be Figure 2 AIoT device 220 in the middle.

[0068] At 315, the first device 302 receives first configuration information from the second device 304, which includes at least a reference signal (RS) pattern. Simultaneously, in the opposite direction, the second device 304 sends first configuration information to the first device 302, which also includes at least a reference signal (RS) pattern. The RS pattern at least indicates the RS time position in a first signal (e.g., an activation signal) from the third device 306, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by the fourth device 308. In some example embodiments, the RS pattern may also indicate the RS frequency position in the first signal. At 340, in response to receiving either the first signal (e.g., an activation signal) or a combined signal, the first device 302 extracts a second signal (e.g., an AIoT signal, also known as a backscattered signal) from the combined signal based on the first configuration information. The combined signal includes a combination of the first and second signals. The second signal may be a backscattered signal of the first signal. Knowing the RS pattern, it is possible to determine which parts of the first signal will not be backscattered, and the RS pattern can be used for channel estimation and interference cancellation. The first device 302 can estimate the channel response from the third device 306 to the first device 302 (i.e., the channel response of the direct link), and then cancel the interference of the first signal on the second signal (i.e., the interference of the direct link on the backscattered link), thereby enabling the acquisition of useful data modulated on the second signal.

[0069] In some example embodiments, the first device 302 can receive the first configuration information by receiving downlink control information (DCI), the DCI including the first configuration information. Alternatively or additionally, the first device 302 can receive the first configuration information by receiving downlink control information (DCI), the DCI including scheduling information for data channel (e.g., Physical Downlink Shared Channel PDSCH) transmission, the scheduling information including the first configuration information. The DCI can be scrambled by the radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) of the first device 302. The second device 304 can scramble the DCI and transmit the DCI to the first device 302. In this way, the first device 302 can obtain the first configuration information from the second device 304, thereby obtaining the RS pattern.

[0070] In some example embodiments, when the first device 302 has not previously been assigned an RNTI, the first device 302 can receive its own RNTI from the second device 304. Conversely, when the first device 302 has not previously been assigned an RNTI, the second device 304 can send the first device 302's RNTI to the first device 302. For example, the first device 302 may not have its own Quality of Service (QoS) stream or Data Radio Bearer (DRB), indicating that the first device 302 has not previously been assigned an RNTI. The second device 304 then assigns an RNTI to the first device 302 for scrambling or scheduling the DCI carrying the first configuration information. Alternatively or additionally, when the first device 302 has previously been assigned an RNTI, the first device 302 can use the previously assigned RNTI to descramble the DCI carrying the first configuration information or schedule the first configuration information.

[0071] In some example embodiments, the first device 302 may estimate at least one channel response of at least two antennas from the third device 306 to the first device 302 based on an RS pattern. The first device 302 may then extract a second signal from the combined signal based on the estimated at least one channel response. In this way, this disclosure provides an antenna size interference mitigation method in which the first device 302 can extract a second signal from the combined signal based on first configuration information.

[0072] In some example embodiments, at least two antennas may include a first antenna and a second antenna, and the first device 302 may extract a second signal from the combined signal based on at least one channel response using the following equation (1): (1) in , Corresponding to the first antenna, and Corresponding to the second line, express Hermitian transpose, , Indicates at least one channel response. y This indicates the combined signal received at the first device 302. n Represents the noise vector. This refers to the second signal following the channel from the fourth device 308 to at least one antenna of the first device 302. This refers to at least one channel coefficient representing at least one channel of at least one antenna from the fourth device 308 to the first device 302. This represents a second signal. In this way, the present disclosure provides a detailed method for extracting a second signal from a combined signal in order to eliminate interference from the first signal to the second signal.

[0073] In some example embodiments, the first device 302 can detect modulated data on a second signal extracted from the combined signal. In this way, the first device 302 can acquire useful data modulated on the second signal. In some embodiments, at 345, the first device 302 can transmit the data detected from the combined signal to the second device 304. Simultaneously, in the opposite direction, the second device 304 can receive the data detected from the second signal from the first device 302. The second device 304 can then decode the received data.

[0074] In some example embodiments, the first device 302 may receive either a first signal or a combined signal based on first configuration information. In other words, the first device 302 may receive the first signal only when there is no second signal (e.g., when the first signal is not backscattered by the fourth device 308), and the first device 302 may also receive a combined signal that includes both the first signal and the second signal (i.e., the backscattered signal of the first signal).

[0075] In some example embodiments, the first configuration information may further include at least one timing for the transmission of the second signal. Alternatively or additionally, the first configuration information may further include at least one duration for the transmission of the second signal. Alternatively or additionally, the first configuration information may further include at least one frequency position for the transmission of the second signal. Alternatively or additionally, the first configuration information may further include at least one spectral bandwidth for the transmission of the second signal. Therefore, the time window in the time domain, and the frequency position and spectral bandwidth occupied by the second signal in the frequency domain, can be known.

[0076] In some example embodiments, the RS pattern is used to transmit at least one Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS). Alternatively or additionally, the RS pattern is used to transmit at least one Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS). Alternatively or additionally, the RS pattern is used to transmit at least one Position Reference Signal (PRS). Alternatively or additionally, the RS pattern is used to transmit at least one RS dedicated to the fourth device 308. In this way, this disclosure provides multiple types of RS, and the aggregation of multiple types of RS can be used to eliminate interference of the first signal on the second signal.

[0077] In some example embodiments, at least one RS following the RS pattern may occupy the entire channel bandwidth of the first signal. Alternatively or additionally, at least one RS following the RS pattern may occupy a portion of the entire channel bandwidth. Therefore, the first device 302 is able to detect modulated data on the second signal by processing the entire channel bandwidth or a portion of the entire channel bandwidth.

[0078] In some example embodiments, the first configuration information may include continuous time-domain resources of at least one activator device. This applies to situations where the fourth device 308 can be activated by multiple activator devices whose transmitted signals are continuous in time. In some example embodiments, the transmitted signals of the multiple activator devices may hop in frequency and have similar beam directions.

[0079] Before 340, at 320, the second device 304 can send second configuration information, including an RS pattern, to the third device 306. Simultaneously, in the opposite direction, the third device 306 can receive second configuration information from the second device 304, which at least includes an RS pattern. Then, at 330a, the third device 306 can send a first signal to the first device 302, the first signal including at least one RS following the RS pattern. Knowing the RS pattern, the third device 306 can insert at least one RS indicated by the RS pattern to construct a first signal for activating the cancellation of signal interference.

[0080] In some example embodiments, the third device 306 can receive the second configuration message by receiving downlink control information (DCI), which includes the second configuration information. Alternatively or additionally, the third device 306 can receive the second configuration information by receiving downlink control information (DCI), which includes scheduling information for data channel (e.g., Physical Downlink Shared Channel, PDSCH) transmission, which includes the second configuration information. The DCI can be scrambled by the radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) of the third device 306. The second device 304 can scramble the DCI and send it to the third device 306. In this way, the third device 306 can obtain the second configuration information from the second device 304, thereby obtaining the RS pattern.

[0081] In some example embodiments, the second configuration information may further include at least one timing for the transmission of the first signal. Alternatively or additionally, the second configuration information may further include at least one duration for the transmission of the first signal. Alternatively or additionally, the second configuration information may further include at least one frequency position for the transmission of the first signal. Alternatively or additionally, the second configuration information may further include at least one spectral bandwidth for the transmission of the first signal. Therefore, the time window in the time domain, and the frequency position and spectral bandwidth occupied by the first signal in the frequency domain, can be known.

[0082] At point 325, the second device 304 can send a query instruction to the fourth device 308, the query instruction including at least an RS pattern. Simultaneously, in the opposite direction, the fourth device 308 can receive a query instruction from the second device 304, the query instruction including at least an RS pattern. Alternatively or additionally, a query instruction including at least an RS pattern can be sent from the third device 306 before the first signal. Knowing the RS pattern, the fourth device 308 can skip the RS time positions indicated by the RS pattern and not modulate or reflect the RS signal at these RS time positions, thereby facilitating the elimination of activation signal interference.

[0083] In some example embodiments, simultaneously at 330a, the fourth device 308 may also receive the first signal at 330b. Then, at 335, the fourth device 308 may send a second signal to the first device 302 based on the reception of the first signal from the third device 306. The first signal includes at least one RS following an RS pattern, and during the RS time position indicated by the RS pattern, the first signal is not backscattered by the fourth device 308.

[0084] In some example embodiments, the fourth device 308 may perform modulation on the first signal to modulate data to obtain the second signal. In some example embodiments, modulation may include on-off keying (OOK) modulation. Alternatively or additionally, modulation may include amplitude shift keying (ASK) modulation. In some example embodiments, the first signal received at the fourth device 308 may undergo some processing and then be modulated with data.

[0085] By implementing reference Figure 3 The described embodiments support the elimination of active signal interference in an AIoT network based on RS patterns. Through the above embodiments, the RS pattern can indicate which parts of the first signal will not be backscattered, and the RS pattern can be used for channel estimation and interference cancellation. Furthermore, the first device 302 (e.g., a reader device) can eliminate interference from the first signal to the second signal (i.e., interference from the direct link to the backscattered link), thereby enabling the acquisition of useful data modulated on the second signal.

[0086] Figure 4 An example signaling process 400 for eliminating activation signal interference in an AIoT network based on a reference signal (RS) pattern, according to some other example embodiments of this disclosure, is illustrated. For ease of understanding, the reference signal pattern will be used as an example signaling process 400. Figure 2 and Figure 3 Describe the process 400.

[0087] like Figure 4 As shown, process 400 may involve UE1 402 (i.e., reader device 402), gNB 404, UE2 406 (i.e., activator device 406), and AIoT device 408. UE1 402 may be Figure 2 Reader device 230 or Figure 3 The first device 302 in the gNB can be serving Figure 2 The network device in the activator device 210 or the second device 304, UE2 406 can be Figure 2 Activator device 210 or Figure 3 The third device 306 and AIoT device 408 in the context can be... Figure 2 AIoT devices 220 or Figure 3 The fourth device, 308.

[0088] At 405, gNB 404 determines that a data report from AIoT device 408 is required. In other words, gNB 404 determines that a data report from AIoT device 408 is needed. The need for a data report from AIoT device 408 can be due to a network-initiated device termination (DT) service transmission or a network-initiated device termination trigger (Do-DTT) service transmission. Then, at 405, gNB 404 can also determine that a transmission from UE2 406 will be used to activate AIoT device 408. In other words, gNB 404 can schedule transmissions from multiple activator devices, including UE2 406, and select the transmission from UE2 406 to activate AIoT device 408. The signal from the transmission of UE2 406 will be used as an activation signal to activate AIoT device 408 by sending a backscatter signal.

[0089] At 410, gNB 404 identifies UE1 402 as a reader device for backscatter transmission. In some embodiments, gNB 404 may identify multiple reader UEs, including UE1 402, as reader devices for backscatter transmission. gNB 404 may be aware of the association between the multiple reader UEs and the AIoT device 408. The association indicates that the multiple reader UEs are aware of the AIoT device 408 in their vicinity.

[0090] At 415, gNB 404 sends first configuration information to UE1 402 for the extraction of the backscattered signal. The first configuration information may include at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, which indicates at least the RS time position in the active signal from UE2 406 during which the active signal will not be backscattered by AIoT device 408. In other words, the RS pattern informs which portions of the active signal will not be backscattered, and the RS pattern can be used for channel estimation and interference cancellation. In some example embodiments, the RS pattern may also indicate the RS frequency position in the first signal. The first configuration information may also include at least one of the following for the transmission of the backscattered signal: at least one timing; at least one duration; at least one frequency position; or at least one spectral bandwidth.

[0091] In some example embodiments, when UE1 402 does not have its own Quality of Service (QoS) stream or Data Radio Bearer (DRB) (meaning that UE1 402 has not previously been assigned an RNTI), gNB 404 may send UE1 402's RNTI to UE1 402. This is necessary when UE1 402 has not previously been assigned an RNTI because UE1 402 cannot decode the first configuration information without knowing the RNTI used to scramble the first configuration information.

[0092] At 420, gNB 404 can send second configuration information for UL transmission and activation to UE2 406. The second configuration information may include at least an RS pattern. The first configuration information may also include at least one of the following for the transmission of the activation signal: at least one Physical Resource Block (PRB); at least one Transport Block Size (TBS); at least one Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) index value; at least one Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ); or at least one Transmission Power Control (TPC) field value. At least one PRB may include at least one of the following: at least one timing; at least one duration; at least one frequency position; or at least one spectral bandwidth. The second configuration information can be scrambled using UE2 406's RNTI.

[0093] At 425, gNB 404 may send a query instruction to AIoT device 408, which includes at least an RS pattern. AIoT device 408 should skip the RS time positions indicated by the RS pattern and not modulate or reflect RS signals at these RS time positions. Alternatively or additionally, the query instruction including at least an RS pattern may be sent from UE2 406 before the activation signal. The query instruction may also include at least one of the following: at least one tag identifier (ID); at least one command; or at least one duration. At least one tag ID may indicate which tag the query instruction is for. At least one command may request AIoT device 408 to return what kind of information. At least one duration may indicate the duration of the query instruction.

[0094] At 430a, UE2 406 may send an uplink signal to UE1 402, the uplink signal including at least one specific RS following an RS pattern for uplink data transmission. Simultaneously at 430a, the uplink signal may also be received by AIoT device 408 at 430b as an activation signal for activating AIoT device 408. At least one specific RS is inserted as shown in the RS pattern in the uplink signal.

[0095] At 435, by modulating data on the uplink activation signal using OOK modulation or ASK modulation, AIoT device 408 backscatters the uplink activation signal. AIoT device 408 skips the RS time positions indicated by the RS pattern and does not modulate or reflect the RS signal at these RS time positions.

[0096] At 440, in response to receiving both the UL activation signal and the backscattered signal, UE1 402 extracts the backscattered signal from the combined signal, which includes a combination of the UL activation signal and the backscattered signal. UE1 402 can use the following reference... Figure 5A and Figure 5B The antenna size interference mitigation method described herein eliminates or reduces interference of the activation signal on the backscattered signal. UE1 402 can also detect modulated data on the backscattered signal. At 445, UE1 402 can transmit the data detected from the backscattered signal to gNB404.

[0097] Next, we will refer to Figure 5A and Figure 5B The following describes an example antenna-size interference mitigation method for eliminating or reducing interference caused by the activation signal to the backscattered signal.

[0098] Figure 5AFigure 500A illustrates an example of signal transmission via a channel between an activator device 510 / AIoT device 520 and a reader device 530 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 5A and Figure 1B Same. Terminal device 510 can act as an activator device, and can also be referred to as... Figure 1B The terminal device 110-2, AIoT device 520 (also referred to as AIoT device 120), and terminal device 530 can act as a reader device and can also be referred to as... Figure 1B Terminal device 130-2.

[0099] exist Figure 5A middle, This represents at least one channel coefficient for at least one channel from activator device 510 to reader device 530. Indicates an activation signal. This indicates the activation signal following the passage from the activator device 510 to the reader device 530. This represents at least one channel coefficient for at least one channel from AIoT device 520 to reader device 530. Indicates the backscattered signal. This refers to the backscattered signal after passing through the channel from the AIoT device 520 to the reader device 530.

[0100] Figure 5B The illustration shows an example diagram 500B illustrating signal transmission through a channel between the antennas of activator device 510 / AIoT device 520 and reader device 530 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Reader device 530 may have at least two antennas, including a first antenna 530-1 and a second antenna 530-2, such as... Figure 5B As shown.

[0101] exist Figure 5B middle, This represents the channel coefficient of the channel from the activator device 510 to the first antenna 530-1 of the reader device 530. This represents the channel coefficient of the channel from the activator device 510 to the second antenna 530-2 of the reader device 530. This represents the channel coefficient of the channel from the AIoT device 520 to the first antenna 530-1 of the reader device 530. This represents the channel coefficient of the second antenna 530-2 from the AIoT device 520 to the reader device 530.

[0102] Reader device 530 can receive combined signals ,for It can be written as equation (2). This indicates the number of antennas with at least two antennas. (2) in n This represents the noise vector. Without loss of generality, this can be omitted. The parameter t in the text.

[0103] Equation (2) can also be written as: (3) in , , , This indicates transpose. Considering that at least one RS in the activation signal following the RS pattern is not modulated or reflected by the AIoT device 520, the reader device 530 can estimate the channel response of the direct link from the activator device 510 to the reader device 530 based on the RS pattern, denoted as... .

[0104] The generalized inverse can be generated using equation (4). (4) in This indicates the transpose of Hermite.

[0105] assumed Then we can obtain equation (5): (5)

[0106] If the channel estimation is accurate, then Will be Equation (5) can also be written as equation (6): (6)

[0107] Then let the signal r Using the subtractor, as shown in equation (7): (7)

[0108] Therefore, using equations (2) to (7), the channel response of the direct link from activator device 510 to reader device 530 is estimated solely based on the RS pattern. This can eliminate the interference of the activation signal on the backscattered signal and acquire the backscattered signal after passing through the channel from the AIoT device 520 to the reader device 530. .

[0109] In some example embodiments, at least one RS following the RS pattern can occupy the entire channel bandwidth of the activation signal. Therefore, when estimating the channel response of the direct link from activator device 510 to reader device 530... In this case, reader device 530 can handle the entire channel bandwidth. At least one RS following the RS pattern should span the entire channel bandwidth. At least one CSI-RS can be used as at least one RS following the RS pattern to activate signal interference cancellation. If at least one CSI-RS is not dense enough, at least one new RS dedicated to AIoT device 520 can be used.

[0110] Alternatively, at least one RS following the RS pattern may occupy a portion of the entire channel bandwidth of the activation signal. Therefore, when estimating the channel response of the direct link from activator device 510 to reader device 530... In this case, reader device 530 can process a portion of the entire channel bandwidth. It needs to aggregate at least one RS indicating that the portion of the entire channel bandwidth will be processed. The at least one RS may include at least one CSI-RS as well as other RSs (e.g., DMRS, PRS, etc.) already carried in the activation signal within that portion of the entire channel bandwidth. In other words, the aggregation of at least one RS in the activation signal is used to activate AIoT device 520.

[0111] In some embodiments, the AIoT device 520 can be activated by uplink signals from a plurality of time-sequential activators (UEs). Figure 6 Figure 600 illustrates a series of temporal resources of different activator devices for activating an AIoT device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 6 This involves three activator devices and one AIoT device. The three activator devices are UE A, UE B, and UE C. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the AIoT device 520 can be activated by multiple uplink signals from UE A, UE B, and UE C. These uplink signals are continuous in time, hopping in frequency, and have similar beam directions. In this case, the first configuration information may include information on the continuous time resources of the multiple uplink signals from UE A, UE B, and UE C used to activate an AIoT device 520.

[0112] By implementing reference Figures 4 to 6The described embodiments support the elimination or reduction of active signal interference in AIoT networks based on RS patterns. Through the above embodiments, RS patterns can indicate which parts of the active signal will not be backscattered, and RS patterns can be used for channel estimation and interference cancellation. Furthermore, UE1 402 (i.e., the reader device) can eliminate or reduce the interference of the active signal on the backscattered signal, thereby enabling the acquisition of useful data modulated on the backscattered signal.

[0113] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating an example method 700 implemented at a first device (e.g., first device 302 or reader device 402) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For ease of understanding, reference will be made to... Figure 3 Method 700 is described from the perspective of the first device 302.

[0114] At block 710, the first device 302 can receive first configuration information from the second device 304, the first configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates the RS time position in the first signal from the third device 306, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by the fourth device 308. At block 720, in response to receiving either the first signal or a combined signal, the first device 302 can extract a second signal from the combined signal based on the first configuration information, wherein the combined signal includes a combination of the first signal and the second signal.

[0115] In some example embodiments, the first device 302 is configured to receive first configuration information by: receiving downlink control information (DCI) including one of the following, wherein the DCI is scrambled by the radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) of the first device 302: the first configuration information; or scheduling information for data channel transmission, the scheduling information including the first configuration information.

[0116] In some example embodiments, the first device 302 is also configured to receive the RNTI of the first device 302 from the second device 304 when the first device 302 has not previously been assigned an RNTI.

[0117] In some example embodiments, the first device 302 is configured to extract a second signal from the combined signal based on first configuration information by: estimating at least one channel response of at least two antennas from the third device 306 to the first device 302 based on an RS pattern; and extracting the second signal from the combined signal based on the estimated at least one channel response.

[0118] In some example embodiments, the first device 302 is also configured to detect modulated data on a second signal extracted from the combined signal.

[0119] In some example embodiments, the first device 302 is also configured to send the detected data to the second device 304.

[0120] In some example embodiments, the first device 302 is also configured to receive one of a first signal or a combination of signals based on first configuration information.

[0121] In some example embodiments, the first configuration information also includes at least one of the following for the transmission of the second signal: at least one timing; at least one duration; at least one frequency position; or at least one spectral bandwidth.

[0122] In some example embodiments, the RS pattern is used to transmit at least one of the following: at least one Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS); at least one Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS); at least one Position Reference Signal (PRS); or at least one RS dedicated to the fourth device 308.

[0123] In some example embodiments, at least one RS following the RS pattern occupies the entire channel bandwidth or a portion of the entire channel bandwidth of the first signal.

[0124] In some example embodiments, at least one of the following is satisfied: the first device 302 is a reader device associated with an Ambient Internet of Things (AIoT) device; the second device 304 is a network device; the third device 306 is at least one activator device associated with an AIoT device; or the fourth device 308 is an AIoT device.

[0125] In some example embodiments, the first configuration information includes continuous temporal resources of at least one activator device.

[0126] In some example embodiments, the reader device is one of the following: a terminal device; or a network device.

[0127] In some example embodiments, the second signal is the backscattered signal of the first signal.

[0128] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating an example method 800 implemented at a second device (e.g., second device 304 or gNB404) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For ease of understanding, reference will be made to... Figure 3 Method 800 is described from the perspective of the second device 304.

[0129] At block 810, the second device 304 can send first configuration information to the first device 302, the first configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern indicates at least the RS time position in the first signal from the third device 306, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by the fourth device 308.

[0130] In some example embodiments, the second device 304 is caused to send first configuration information by: scrambling downlink control information (DCI) with a radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) of the first device 302, the DCI including one of the following: first configuration information; or scheduling information for data channel transmission, the scheduling information including the first configuration information; and sending the DCI to the first device 302.

[0131] In some example embodiments, the second device 304 is also configured to send the RNTI of the first device 302 to the first device 302 when the first device 302 has not previously been assigned an RNTI.

[0132] In some example embodiments, the second device 304 is further configured to receive data detected from the second signal from the first device 302, wherein the second signal is extracted from the combined signal based on the first configuration information, wherein the combined signal includes a combination of the first signal and the second signal.

[0133] In some example embodiments, the second device 304 is also configured to send second configuration information to the third device 306, the second configuration information including at least an RS pattern.

[0134] In some example embodiments, the second configuration information also includes at least one of the following for the transmission of the first signal: at least one timing; at least one duration; at least one frequency position; or at least one spectral bandwidth.

[0135] In some example embodiments, the second device 304 is also configured to send a query instruction to the fourth device 308, the query instruction including an RS pattern.

[0136] Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating an example method 900 implemented at a third device (e.g., third device 306) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For ease of understanding, reference will be made to... Figure 3 Method 900 is described from the perspective of the third device 306.

[0137] At block 910, the third device 306 can receive second configuration information from the second device 304, the second configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern indicates at least the RS time position in a first signal from the third device 306, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by the fourth device 308. At block 920, the third device 306 can transmit a first signal to the first device 302, the first signal including at least one RS following the RS pattern.

[0138] In some example embodiments, the third device 306 is configured to receive second configuration information by: receiving downlink control information (DCI) including one of the following, wherein the DCI is scrambled by the radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) of the third device 306: the second configuration information; or scheduling information for data channel transmission, the scheduling information including the second configuration information.

[0139] Figure 10 A flowchart illustrating an example method 1000 implemented at a fourth device (e.g., fourth device 308 or AIoT device 408) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For ease of understanding, reference will be made to... Figure 3 Method 1000 is described from the perspective of the fourth device 308.

[0140] At block 1010, the fourth device 308 receives a query instruction from the second device 304, the query instruction including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates the RS time position in the first signal from the third device 306. At block 1020, the fourth device 308 transmits a second signal to the first device 302 based on the reception of the first signal from the third device 306, wherein the first signal includes at least one RS following the RS pattern, and the first signal is not backscattered by the fourth device 308 during the RS time position indicated by the RS pattern.

[0141] In some example embodiments, the fourth device 308 is also configured to perform modulation on the first signal to modulate data in order to obtain the second signal.

[0142] In some example embodiments, the modulation includes at least one of the following: on-off keying (OOK) modulation; or amplitude shift keying (ASK) modulation.

[0143] In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing method 700 (e.g., first device 302) may include components for performing the corresponding steps of method 700. These components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module.

[0144] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes: means for receiving first configuration information from a second device 304, the first configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates an RS time position in a first signal from a third device 306 during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device 308; and means for extracting a second signal from a combined signal based on the first configuration information in response to receiving either the first signal or a combined signal, wherein the combined signal includes a combination of the first signal and the second signal.

[0145] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes components for performing additional steps in some embodiments of method 700. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured, together with the at least one processor, to cause performance of the apparatus.

[0146] In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing method 800 (e.g., second device 304) may include components for performing corresponding steps of method 800. These components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module.

[0147] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes: a component for sending first configuration information to a first device 302, the first configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates an RS time position in a first signal from a third device 306 during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device 308.

[0148] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes components for performing additional steps in some embodiments of method 800. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured, together with the at least one processor, to cause performance of the apparatus.

[0149] In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing method 900 (e.g., third device 306) may include components for performing the corresponding steps of method 900. These components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module.

[0150] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes: components for receiving second configuration information from a second device 304, the second configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern indicates at least an RS time position in a first signal from a third device 306 during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device 308; and components for transmitting a first signal to a first device 302, the first signal including at least one RS following the RS pattern.

[0151] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes components for performing additional steps in some embodiments of method 900. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured, together with the at least one processor, to cause performance of the apparatus.

[0152] In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing method 1000 (e.g., fourth device 308) may include components for performing corresponding steps of method 1000. These components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module.

[0153] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes: components for receiving a query indication from a second device 304, the query indication including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates an RS time position in a first signal from a third device 306; and components for transmitting a second signal to a first device 302 based on the reception of the first signal from the third device 306, wherein the first signal includes at least one RS following the RS pattern, and the first signal is not backscattered by a fourth device 308 during the RS time position indicated by the RS pattern.

[0154] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes components for performing additional steps in some embodiments of method 1000. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured, together with the at least one processor, to cause performance of the apparatus.

[0155] Figure 11 A simplified example block diagram of a device 1100 suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. Device 1100 may be provided to implement a communication device or network element, such as... Figure 3The first device 302, the second device 304, the third device 306, or the fourth device 308 are shown. As shown, device 1100 includes one or more processors 1110, one or more memories 1120 that can be coupled to processor 1110, and one or more communication modules 1140 that can be coupled to processor 1110.

[0156] Communication module 1140 is used for bidirectional communication. Communication module 1140 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication. The communication interface can represent any interface required for communication with other network elements; for example, the communication interface can be wireless or wired to other network elements, or a software-based interface for communication.

[0157] Processor 1110 can be of any type suitable for a local technology network, and by way of non-limiting example, can include one or more of the following: general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), and processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Device 1100 can have multiple processors, such as application-specific integrated circuit chips that are time-dependent on a clock synchronized with the main processor.

[0158] Memory 1120 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 1124, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disk, compact disc (CD), digital video disc (DVD), and other magnetic and / or optical storage devices. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) 1122 and other volatile memories that do not persist during power outages.

[0159] Computer program 1130 includes computer-executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 1110. Program 1130 may be stored in ROM 1124. Processor 1110 may perform any suitable actions and processes by loading program 1130 into RAM 1122.

[0160] The embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented via program 1130, enabling device 1100 to execute reference... Figure 3 Any process discussed in this disclosure. Embodiments of this disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0161] In some example embodiments, program 1130 may be tangibly contained in a computer-readable medium, which may be included in device 1100 (such as memory 1120) or other storage device accessible to device 1100. Device 1100 may load program 1130 from the computer-readable medium into RAM 1122 for execution. The computer-readable medium may include any type of tangible non-volatile memory, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc. Figure 12 An example of a computer-readable medium in the form of a CD or DVD is shown. The computer-readable medium 1200 has a program 1130 stored thereon.

[0162] Generally, the various embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects can be implemented in hardware, while others can be implemented in firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of the embodiments of this disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other graphical representation, it should be understood that, as non-limiting examples, the blocks, apparatuses, systems, techniques, or methods described herein can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0163] This disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as instructions included in a program module, which are executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor to perform the above-mentioned... Figure 7 , Figure 8 , Figure 9 or Figure 10 The method described is 700, 800, 900, or 1000. Typically, a program module includes routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc., that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functionality of a program module can be combined or split among program modules as needed. The machine-executable instructions for a program module can be executed on a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, the program module can reside on both local and remote storage media.

[0164] Program code used to perform the methods of this disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. This program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that, when executed by the processor or controller, the program code causes the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may be executed entirely on a machine, partially on a machine, as a stand-alone software package, partially on a machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0165] In the context of this disclosure, computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus, or processor to perform the various processes and operations described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer-readable media, etc.

[0166] Computer-readable media can be computer-readable signal media or computer-readable storage media. Computer-readable media can include, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatuses, or devices, or any suitable combination thereof. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media will include electrical connections having one or more wires, portable computer floppy disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fiber, portable optical disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof. The term “non-transient” as used herein is a limitation on the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not signaling), not a limitation on the persistence of data storage (e.g., RAM and ROM).

[0167] Furthermore, although operations are described in a specific order, this should not be construed as requiring the operations to be performed in the specific order shown or sequentially, or to perform all of the shown operations, to achieve the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, while several specific implementation details are included in the foregoing discussion, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented individually or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple embodiments.

[0168] Although this disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological actions, it should be understood that the disclosure as defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described above. Rather, the specific features or actions described above are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A first device, comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory, the at least one memory storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device to at least: The device receives first configuration information, which includes at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern indicates at least the RS time position in a first signal from a third device, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device. as well as In response to receiving either the first signal or the combined signal, a second signal is extracted from the combined signal based on the first configuration information, wherein the combined signal includes a combination of the first signal and the second signal.

2. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first device is configured to receive the first configuration information by: Receive downlink control information (DCI), the DCI including one of the following, wherein the DCI is scrambled by the radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) of the first device: The first configuration information; or Scheduling information for data channel transmission, the scheduling information including the first configuration information.

3. The first device according to claim 2, wherein the first device is further configured to: When the first device has not been previously assigned an RNTI, the RNTI of the first device is received from the second device.

4. The first device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first device is configured to extract the second signal from the combined signal based on the first configuration information by: Based on the RS pattern, estimate at least one channel response from the third device to at least two antennas of the first device; and Based on the estimated at least one channel response, the second signal is extracted from the combined signal.

5. The first device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first device is further configured to: Modulated data is detected on the second signal extracted from the combined signal.

6. The first device according to claim 5, wherein the first device is further configured to: The detected data is sent to the second device.

7. The first device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first device is further configured to: Based on the first configuration information, receive one of the first signal or the combined signal.

8. The first device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first configuration information further includes at least one of the following for the transmission of the second signal: At least one opportunity; At least one duration; At least one frequency position; or At least one spectral bandwidth.

9. The first device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the RS pattern is used to transmit at least one of the following: At least one Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS); At least one demodulation reference signal (DMRS); At least one positioning reference signal (PRS); or At least one RS dedicated to the fourth device.

10. The first device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one RS following the RS pattern occupies the entire channel bandwidth or a portion of the entire channel bandwidth of the first signal.

11. The first device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least one of the following is satisfied: The first device is a reader device associated with an environmental Internet of Things (AIoT) device; The second device is a network device; The third device is at least one activator device associated with the AIoT device; or The fourth device is the AIoT device.

12. The first device according to claim 11, wherein the first configuration information includes continuous temporal resources of the at least one activator device.

13. The first device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the reader device is one of the following: Terminal equipment; or Network equipment.

14. The first device according to claim 1 or 13, wherein the second signal is a backscattered signal of the first signal.

15. A second device, 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 second device to at least: Send first configuration information to a first device, the first configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern indicates at least the RS time position in a first signal from a third device, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device.

16. The second device of claim 15, wherein the second device is configured to send the first configuration information via: The downlink control information (DCI) is scrambled using the radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) of the first device, the DCI including one of the following: the first configuration information; or scheduling information for data channel transmission, the scheduling information including the first configuration information; and The DCI is sent to the first device.

17. The second device according to claim 16, wherein the second device is further configured to: If the first device has not been previously assigned an RNTI, send the RNTI of the first device to the first device.

18. The second device according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the second device is further configured to: The device receives data detected from a second signal, wherein the second signal is extracted from a combined signal based on the first configuration information, and wherein the combined signal includes a combination of the first signal and the second signal.

19. The second device according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the second device is further configured to: Send second configuration information to the third device, the second configuration information including at least the RS pattern.

20. The second device of claim 19, wherein the second configuration information further includes at least one of the following for the transmission of the first signal: At least one opportunity; At least one duration; At least one frequency position; or At least one spectral bandwidth.

21. The second device according to any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein the second device is further configured to: A query instruction is sent to the fourth device, the query instruction including the RS pattern.

22. A third device, 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 third device to at least: Second configuration information is received from the second device, the second configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern indicates at least the RS time position in the first signal from the third device, during the RS time position, the first signal will not be backscattered by the fourth device; as well as The first signal is sent to the first device, the first signal including at least one RS following the RS pattern.

23. The third device of claim 22, wherein the third device is configured to receive the second configuration information via: Receive downlink control information (DCI), the DCI including one of the following, wherein the DCI is scrambled by the radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) of the third device: The second configuration information; or Scheduling information for data channel transmission, the scheduling information including the second configuration information.

24. A fourth device, 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 fourth device to at least: Receive a query instruction from a second device, the query instruction including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates the RS time position in a first signal from a third device; and Based on the reception of the first signal from the third device, a second signal is sent to the first device, wherein the first signal includes at least one RS following the RS pattern, and the first signal is not backscattered by the fourth device during the RS time position indicated by the RS pattern.

25. The fourth device according to claim 24, wherein the fourth device is further configured to: Modulation is performed on the first signal to modulate the data, thereby obtaining the second signal.

26. The fourth device of claim 25, wherein the modulation comprises at least one of the following: On-off keying (OOK) modulation; or Amplitude shift keying (ASK) modulation.

27. A method comprising: The device receives first configuration information, which includes at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern indicates at least the RS time position in a first signal from a third device, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device. as well as In response to receiving either the first signal or the combined signal, a second signal is extracted from the combined signal based on the first configuration information, wherein the combined signal includes a combination of the first signal and the second signal.

28. A method comprising: Send first configuration information to a first device, the first configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern indicates at least the RS time position in a first signal from a third device, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device.

29. A method comprising: Second configuration information is received from a second device, the second configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern indicates at least the RS time position in a first signal from a third device, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device; as well as The first signal is sent to a first device, the first signal including at least one RS following the RS pattern.

30. A method comprising: Receive a query instruction from a second device, the query instruction including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates the RS time position in a first signal from a third device; and Based on the reception of the first signal from the third device, a second signal is sent to the first device, wherein the first signal includes at least one RS following the RS pattern, and the first signal is not backscattered by the fourth device during the RS time position indicated by the RS pattern.

31. An apparatus comprising: A component for receiving first configuration information from a second device, the first configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern indicates at least an RS time position in a first signal from a third device, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device; as well as A component for extracting a second signal from the combined signal based on the first configuration information in response to receiving either the first signal or the combined signal, wherein the combined signal includes a combination of the first signal and the second signal.

32. An apparatus comprising: A component for sending first configuration information to a first device, the first configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern indicates at least an RS time position in a first signal from a third device, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device.

33. An apparatus comprising: A component for receiving second configuration information from a second device, the second configuration information including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern indicates at least an RS time position in a first signal from a third device, during which the first signal will not be backscattered by a fourth device; as well as A component for transmitting the first signal to a first device, the first signal comprising at least one RS following the RS pattern.

34. An apparatus comprising: A component for receiving a query instruction from a second device, the query instruction including at least a reference signal (RS) pattern, wherein the RS pattern at least indicates the RS time position in a first signal from a third device; as well as A component for transmitting a second signal to a first device based on the reception of the first signal from the third device, wherein the first signal includes at least one RS following the RS pattern, and the first signal is not backscattered by the fourth device during the RS time position indicated by the RS pattern.

35. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing the method according to any one of claims 27 to 30.

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