Data transmission in a mobile communication system supporting an environmental internet of things

Abstract

A data transmission method of a base station considering an environmental internet of things architecture and an apparatus thereof are related herein. To this end, the data transmission method of the base station includes receiving data from each of a plurality of environmental internet of things devices by backscattering of a data signal directly or through an intermediate medium, storing each of the received data until a predetermined criterion is satisfied, and transmitting the stored data to a server at a single transmission opportunity when the predetermined criterion is satisfied.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The following description relates to a mobile communication system supporting the Internet of Things (IoT) of the environment, and more specifically, to a data transmission method and device for a base station considering an IoT architecture of the environment. Background Technology

[0002] The 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), which leads the standards for mobile communication systems, has introduced a variety of technologies to support IoT devices in LTE and 5G.

[0003] Figure 1 This diagram briefly summarizes the requirements for IoT devices considered in 3GPP.

[0004] Figure 1 The figure is from material presented at the 19th GSMA 5G IoT Strategy Group meeting (January 2022), which shows a comparison of the performance of a passive IoT UE, discussed in Rel-18 and being discussed in Rel-19 as Ambient IoT (hereinafter referred to as A-IoT), with the transmission rates of general NR LTE UE, RedCap UE, LTE-M UE, and NB-IoT UE.

[0005] All other IoT UEs are battery powered, while A-IoT devices are discussed under the assumption of a large number of passive devices that are self-powered through energy harvesting, supporting low transmission rates of approximately 10 kbps, consuming extremely low power of 1 to 100 uW, and costing 10 to 100 times less than NB-IoT UEs. In other words, Figure 1 The pyramid structure can be interpreted as meaning that the A-IoT devices at the bottom can attach to more objects than other IoT devices.

[0006] Although various use cases for A-IoT are being discussed, such as Figure 2 The inventory use cases shown are being studied in the most in-depth way.

[0007] Figure 2 This is a diagram used to describe use cases in automated warehousing, serving as an example of the inventory use case concept in A-IoT use cases.

[0008] Figure 2 The concept of an automated warehouse illustrated illustrates the use of the A-IoT concept in the inbound inventory (2) step, the inventory storage (3) step, the outbound inventory (4) step, and the check and load (5) step.

[0009] In other words, an A-IoT list can be obtained when items are received or shipped, and if necessary, base station 220 or another reader can obtain data for each product group and each manufacturer by querying a large number of A-IoT devices 210a-210n in the warehouse, and the data can be transmitted to A-IoT server 230 (S210).

[0010] However, as Figure 1 The conceptualized A-IoT devices 210a-210n are assumed to be deployed in a situation with a large number of devices, compared to other IoT devices, and if the base station 220 continuously transmits terminal data to the server 230 (S210) as in a general network situation, the heavy signaling overhead may become a problem. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Technical issues

[0012] To address the aforementioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is to propose a data transmission method and apparatus for reducing signaling overhead at base stations, taking into account environmental Internet of Things (IoT) architectures.

[0013] Specifically, one aspect of the invention is to propose a scheme that stores data signals backscattered from each of a plurality of IoT devices until a predetermined criterion is met, and then transmits the stored data to a server in a single transmission opportunity, thereby efficiently reducing signaling overhead while taking into account the IoT architecture of the environment.

[0014] Furthermore, according to embodiments, various methods will be proposed for operating the above-described storage and transmission scheme based on timers (or counters), based on data size, or by a combination thereof.

[0015] Meanwhile, in order to solve the above problems, another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for managing command parameters in a wireless communication system that supports A-IoT devices.

[0016] On the other hand, in order to solve the above problems, another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for allocating resources to intermediate nodes in a wireless communication system that supports Internet of Things (IoT) devices in the environment.

[0017] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand from the following description other technical problems not mentioned.

[0018] Technical solution

[0019] In one aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, a data transmission method for a base station is proposed. This method involves a base station transmitting data from environmental IoT devices to a server in a mobile communication system supporting environmental IoT. The method includes: receiving data directly or via an intermediate medium from backscattered data signals from each of a plurality of environmental IoT devices; storing each received data until a predetermined criterion is met; and transmitting the stored data to the server in a single transmission opportunity when the predetermined criterion is met.

[0020] In another aspect of the invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, a base station for a mobile communication system supporting an environmental Internet of Things (IoT) is proposed, the base station comprising: at least one processor; and at least one computer memory operatively connected to the at least one processor and storing instructions, which, when executed, cause the at least one processor to perform operations, wherein the operations include: receiving data directly or via an intermediate medium from backscattered data signals from each of a plurality of environmental IoT devices; storing each received data until a predetermined criterion is met; and, when the predetermined criterion is met, transmitting the stored data to the server in a single transmission opportunity.

[0021] Intermediate media may include user-portable devices.

[0022] In one embodiment, the predetermined standard may correspond to the expiration of a specific timer, and the specific timer may be counted based on the response cycles of multiple environmental IoT devices.

[0023] In this context, the response cycle can correspond to the cycle in which a base station sends queries to multiple environmental IoT devices and receives responses, including data, directly or through the intermediate medium from the multiple environmental IoT devices.

[0024] In another embodiment, the predetermined standard may correspond to the size of the stored data being equal to or greater than a threshold.

[0025] Data storage can be achieved by grouping and storing data with the same tag ID, and the predetermined criteria can be determined by whether the size of each group of data is equal to or greater than a threshold.

[0026] In addition, the predetermined standard can correspond to the expiration of a specific timer or the size of the stored data being equal to or greater than a threshold.

[0027] Sending data to a server may include sending the data in a message, and in this case, the message may include a base station ID, a cell ID, and the data.

[0028] Preferably, the data is stored according to each tag ID.

[0029] In addition, the message can also be transmitted to the location server via the server.

[0030] In another aspect of the invention for solving the aforementioned problems, a method executed by a core network in a wireless communication system supporting an environment-specific Internet of Things (IoT) is disclosed. Specifically, the method includes: sending a first inventory request message including default command parameters to a reader based on a request received from an application function to perform a first inventory operation for a specific environment-specific IoT service; receiving a first inventory report message including updated command parameters from the reader as a response to the first inventory request message; and storing the updated command parameters as command parameters corresponding to the reader.

[0031] Furthermore, in one aspect of the invention, a core network for a wireless communication system supporting an environmental Internet of Things (IoT) is disclosed. The core network includes: at least one processor; and at least one computer memory operatively connected to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to perform an operation, wherein the operation includes: sending a first inventory request message including default command parameters to a reader based on a request received from an application function to perform a first inventory operation for a specific environmental IoT service; receiving a first inventory report message including updated command parameters from the reader as a response to the first inventory request message; and storing the updated command parameters as command parameters corresponding to the reader.

[0032] Preferably, the core network sends a second inventory request message, including stored command parameters, to the reader based on a request received from the application function to perform a second inventory operation for a specific environment IoT service.

[0033] Preferably, sending a second inventory request message to the reader includes: including command parameters corresponding to the reader in the second inventory request message based on stored command parameters corresponding to the reader. Alternatively, sending a second inventory request message to the reader may include: changing the default command parameters included in the second inventory request message to command parameters corresponding to the reader based on stored command parameters corresponding to the reader.

[0034] Preferably, the core network can initialize the command parameters corresponding to the reader based on instructions received from the application function to initialize command parameters for IoT services in a specific environment. Alternatively, it can initialize the command parameters corresponding to the reader based on the expiration of the validity period.

[0035] Preferably, the first inventory request message and the first inventory report message may include an identifier of the environmental IoT device or a tag identifier associated with the environmental IoT device.

[0036] Preferably, the command parameters are changed by the reader during the inventory operation.

[0037] In another aspect of the invention for addressing the aforementioned problems, a method executed by a reader in a wireless communication system supporting an environmental Internet of Things (IoT) is disclosed. The method includes: receiving from a core network a first inventory request message including default command parameters for performing a first inventory operation for a specific environmental IoT service; performing the first inventory operation using an environmental IoT device; and, based on the completion of the first inventory operation, sending a first inventory report message to the core network as a response to the first inventory request message, wherein the first inventory report message includes updated command parameters based on the fact that the default command parameters were updated while the first inventory operation was being performed.

[0038] Furthermore, in another aspect of the invention, a reader for a wireless communication system supporting an environmental Internet of Things (IoT) is disclosed. The reader includes: at least one processor; and at least one computer memory operatively connected to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to perform an operation, wherein the operation includes: receiving from a core network a first inventory request message including default command parameters for performing a first inventory operation of a specific environmental IoT service; performing the first inventory operation using an environmental IoT device; and, based on the completion of the first inventory operation, sending a first inventory report message to the core network as a response to the first inventory request message, wherein the first inventory report message includes updated command parameters based on the fact that the default command parameters were updated while the first inventory operation was being performed.

[0039] Preferably, the reader can receive a second inventory request message from the core network, including updated command parameters.

[0040] Preferably, the first inventory request message and the first inventory report message may include an identifier of the environmental IoT device or a tag identifier associated with the environmental IoT device.

[0041] In another aspect of the invention for solving the aforementioned problems, a method executed by an intermediate node in a wireless communication system supporting an environmental Internet of Things (IoT) is disclosed. Specifically, the method includes: sending intermediate node capability information to a reader in response to a user equipment capability query; establishing a wireless bearer with the reader; receiving from the reader information regarding a first resource for transmitting signals to an environmental IoT device and information regarding a second resource for receiving signals from the environmental IoT device; and transmitting and receiving signals from the environmental IoT device using the first and second resources.

[0042] Furthermore, in one aspect of the invention, an intermediate node for a wireless communication system supporting an environmental Internet of Things (IoT) is disclosed. The intermediate node includes: at least one processor; and at least one computer memory operatively connected to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to perform operations, said operations including: sending intermediate node capability information to a reader in response to a user equipment capability query; establishing a wireless bearer with the reader; receiving from the reader information regarding a first resource for sending signals to an environmental IoT device and information regarding a second resource for receiving signals from the environmental IoT device; and sending and receiving signals from the environmental IoT device using the first and second resources.

[0043] Preferably, sending signals to and receiving signals from an environmental IoT device includes: sending a paging message and an inventory request message to the environmental IoT device using a first resource; and receiving a paging response message and an inventory response message from the environmental IoT device using a second resource.

[0044] In another aspect of the invention for solving the aforementioned problems, a method executed by a reader in a wireless communication system supporting the Internet of Things (IoT) for the environment is disclosed. The method includes: receiving intermediate node capability information from an intermediate node in response to a user equipment capability query; establishing a wireless bearer with the intermediate node; and sending to the intermediate node information regarding a first resource for the intermediate node to transmit signals to an IoT device for the environment and information regarding a second resource for the intermediate node to receive signals from the IoT device for the environment.

[0045] Furthermore, in another aspect of the invention, a reader for a wireless communication system supporting an environmental Internet of Things (IoT) is disclosed. The reader includes: at least one processor; and at least one computer memory operatively connected to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to perform operations, said operations including: receiving intermediate node capability information from an intermediate node in response to a user equipment capability query; establishing a wireless bearer with the intermediate node; and sending to the intermediate node information regarding a first resource for the intermediate node to send signals to an environmental IoT device and information regarding a second resource for the intermediate node to receive signals from the environmental IoT device.

[0046] Preferably, information about the first resource and information about the second resource can be received via downlink control information (DCI) or media access control (MAC) element (CE). Specifically, the first resource and the second resource are defined on the uplink frequency band.

[0047] Preferably, the first resource is time-division multiplexed with the resource used by another intermediate node connected to the reader to send signals to the environmental IoT device, and the second resource is time-division multiplexed with the resource used by the other intermediate node to receive signals from the environmental IoT device.

[0048] Preferably, the intermediate node may include a UE (User Equipment).

[0049] Beneficial effects

[0050] According to the embodiments of the present invention described above, the signaling overhead of base stations can be efficiently reduced while taking into account the environmental IoT architecture.

[0051] Furthermore, according to the embodiments, various methods for operating the above storage and transmission scheme based on timers (or counters), based on data size, or by a combination thereof are proposed, thereby providing efficient solutions for various use cases of the Internet of Things environment.

[0052] Furthermore, according to the embodiments of the present invention described above, command parameters for executing A-IoT services can be managed efficiently.

[0053] Furthermore, according to the embodiments of the present invention described above, more efficient resource allocation can be performed on the UE used as an intermediate node of the A-IoT reader, thereby expecting an improvement in A-IoT efficiency.

[0054] The effects achievable by this invention are not limited to those described above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0055] Figure 1 This diagram briefly summarizes the requirements for IoT devices considered in 3GPP.

[0056] Figure 2 This is a diagram used to describe use cases in automated warehousing, serving as an example of the inventory use case concept in A-IoT use cases.

[0057] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating a data transmission method of a base station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] Figure 4 An example of an A-IoT architecture according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0059] Figure 5 This is a diagram used to describe the configuration of an A-IoT device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Figure 6This is a diagram illustrating a scheme in which a base station transmits stored data based on a timer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Figure 7 This is a diagram used to describe the concept of a group of stored data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating a scheme for a base station to transmit data to a network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating a method for managing command parameters in an A-IoT system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of managing command parameters in an A-IoT system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] Figure 11 An example of allocating resources to intermediate nodes in an A-IoT system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0066] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating the resource allocation process for intermediate nodes in an A-IoT system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] Figure 13 A wireless device applicable to this technology is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0068] In the following, embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to enable those skilled in the art to readily implement the invention. However, the invention can be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, for the sake of clear description of the invention in the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description have been omitted, and the same reference numerals are given to the same parts throughout the specification.

[0069] Throughout the specification, when a section is referred to as "including" a component, it means that unless otherwise explicitly stated, it may include other components rather than exclude them.

[0070] As described above, one aspect of the present invention is to propose a data transmission method for reducing signaling overhead at base stations, taking into account A-IoT architecture.

[0071] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating a data transmission method of a base station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] As referenced above Figure 1 and Figure 2In mobile communication systems that support A-IoT, a base station needs to connect to and process more A-IoT devices and their data compared to an NB-IoT system, although this may vary depending on the use case. Figure 3 In a hypothetical scenario, base station 220 receives data directly or via intermediate medium 215 from the backscattered data signals of each of the plurality of A-IoT devices 210a-210n (S310a-310n). That is, although data from the plurality of A-IoT devices 210a-210n is sent to base station 220 at different times, according to this embodiment, base station 220 proposes to store each received data (S320) until a predetermined criterion is met, rather than transmitting the data to the server or A-IoTF (Ambient Internet of Things Function) 230 each time.

[0073] exist Figure 3 In the embodiments, "server or A-IoTF 230" is shown under the assumption that the entity performing the A-IoT inventory / commands can be a conventional "server," specifically an AF (Application Function) of a server, but can also be a newly defined A-IoTF for A-IoT operation. This will refer to Figure 9 To provide a more detailed description.

[0074] For the data of A-IoT devices 210a-210n stored in this manner, it is determined whether the predetermined standard (S330) for transmitting the data to the server / A-IoTF 230 is met, and as such a standard, as described below, a scheme using (i) a timer (or counter), a scheme using the data size, or a scheme using a combination thereof can be used.

[0075] When such predetermined criteria are met, the base station according to this embodiment transmits the stored A-IoT devices 210a-210n to the server / A-IoTF 230 in a single transmission opportunity (S340), thereby efficiently reducing the signaling overhead between the base station 220 and the server / A-IoTF 230.

[0076] Figure 4 An example of an A-IoT architecture according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0077] first, Figure 4 Reference numeral 410 illustrates a structure in which an A-IoT device 210a is directly connected to a base station 220 and sends data in response to a query from the base station 220.

[0078] at the same time, Figure 4Reference numeral 420 illustrates a structure in which the A-IoT device 210b does not connect directly to the base station 220 but instead sends data to the base station 220 via an intermediate medium 215.

[0079] Intermediate medium 215 may be a general portable user equipment (UE) such as a smartphone performing 5G communication or subsequent 6G communication. Figure 4 Accordingly, a concept is shown in which a general-purpose UE 215 is connected to a base station 220 via a Uu interface.

[0080] Such a UE, used as an intermediate medium 215, can connect to multiple A-IoT devices and transmit data from the A-IoT devices to the base station 220, and in the process, it can also do so in a manner similar to the above reference. Figure 3 The described "store and forward" scheme transmits data to base station 220.

[0081] However, as referenced above Figure 3 As mentioned above, although A-IoT devices 210a-210n can, Figure 4 As shown in 420, the data is transmitted through intermediate medium 215, but ultimately through BS 220 to a network such as server 230. Therefore, the "store and forward" scheme between base station 220 and server 230 is considered more necessary to reduce signaling overhead.

[0082] Combination Figure 4 As described above, base station 220 can generally be viewed as acting as a reader that collects data from A-IoT devices 210a and 210b. However, depending on the situation / use case, UE 215 may also act as a reader that collects data from A-IoT devices 210a and 210b.

[0083] Figure 5 This is a diagram used to describe the configuration of an A-IoT device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] A-IoT devices can come in various types, and the types of A-IoT devices currently being discussed in the 3GPP standard are as follows.

[0085] Device Type 1: 1 uW power consumption, supports energy storage and backscattering functions

[0086] Device type 2a: Several hundred uW power consumption, supports energy storage, backscattering, and DL and / or UL amplifiers.

[0087] Device type 2b: Several hundred uW power consumption, supports energy storage, active signal generation, and DL and / or UL amplifiers.

[0088] Figure 5The example illustrates a Type 1 device from the A-IoT device types described above.

[0089] To support energy storage capabilities, Figure 5 The A-IoT device shown may include a matching network 510, an RF energy harvester 520, a PMU (Power Management Unit) 531, and an energy storage module 532. Indicatively, the RF energy harvester 520 extracts energy from received RF signals and stores it in the energy storage module 532, thereby enabling the operation of low-power A-IoT devices.

[0090] In addition, to process the signals received on the DL, the A-IoT device may include an RF BPF (bandpass filter) 541, an RF energy envelope detector 542, a BB LPF (baseband low-pass filter) 543, a comparator / 1-bit ADC 552, and a clock generator 551.

[0091] Whether the DL signal bandwidth of A-IoT devices should be used in a fixed or variable manner is currently under discussion, therefore the RF BPF 541 in... Figure 5 The structure is represented by dashed lines.

[0092] The processing of the received DL signal and the generation of the UL signal can be performed by the BB logic 553, which includes a decoder, controller, and encoder, such as... Figure 5 As shown. The necessary information is stored in memory 560, and the stored information can be reused in BB logic 553.

[0093] The transmission of UL signals by A-IoT devices can be performed using a backscatter modulator 570. Illustratively, A-IoT devices with low power consumption and simple transmission structures transmit UL signals via backscattered signals, and can be transmitted via, for example... Figure 5 The impedance is adjusted to Z1 or Z2 to perform line coding.

[0094] Timer-based operations

[0095] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating a scheme in which a base station transmits stored data based on a timer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] When a reader (e.g., base station 220) sends an initial query message 610 to A-IoT device 210, it can transmit a value representing the number of time resources (e.g., time slots) that each A-IoT device 210 can access. Hereinafter, the number of such time resources is referred to as Q.

[0097] A-IoT devices can set a random function of 2^Q - 1 based on the corresponding Q value, and can send data as a query response 620 in the time resource (time slot) corresponding to the value.

[0098] The Q value can be changed by the base station 220 itself taking into account the number of A-IoT devices 210 and / or the impact of interference.

[0099] In one embodiment of the present invention, a proposal is made with Figure 3 In the relevant embodiments, the predetermined standard used is determined by a timer (or counter), and it is proposed that such a timer (or counter) counts based on the response cycle (T: 630) or rounds of multiple environmental IoT devices 210.

[0100] A cycle (T) or round can be set as follows: Figure 6 The time interval (T: 630) between sending query 610 from BS 220 and receiving query response 620 as its response.

[0101] Base station 220 can be configured with a timer (counter), and the timer (counter) is updated each time a cycle (or round) progresses. The timer (counter) can be defined as follows.

[0102] A-IoT storage counter N = 2^Q - (number of cycles)

[0103] According to this embodiment, the base station 220 can transmit A-IoT data to the core of the network when the timer (counter) becomes 0.

[0104] Furthermore, base station 220 can set data transmission time points based on integer multiples of the timer (counter). (For example, it can be set to N, 2N, 3N, etc.)

[0105] Operations based on data size

[0106] Meanwhile, in another embodiment of the present invention, it is proposed that the above reference be made. Figure 3 In the described scheme, the "predetermined standard" operates based on the size of the data received and stored from the A-IoT device; that is, it operates based on whether the size of the stored data is equal to or greater than a threshold. Such data size-based operation can transmit the stored data to the server independently of the aforementioned timer (counter) (OR condition) when the data size is equal to or greater than the threshold, or it can determine the conditions for transmitting the data to the server in association with timer (counter) conditions (AND condition).

[0107] In this case, considering data transmission efficiency, the data size can also be determined on a per-group basis.

[0108] Figure 7 This is a diagram used to describe the concept of a group of stored data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0109] like Figure 7 As exemplified, grouping can be performed based on operator ID, owner ID, or group ID. However, in one embodiment of the invention, the transmission criteria for storing and sending messages similar to paging in a base station can also be redefined by including combinations of these IDs or additional distinguishing factors indicating which mapping level the data will be transmitted to.

[0110] Meanwhile, in one embodiment of the present invention, it is proposed that... Figure 3 In this embodiment, data is stored in groups with the same tag ID, and the determination of whether the data size is equal to or greater than a threshold can be based on the size of the data grouped by tag ID. In this way, A-IoT data packets based on a specific operator / owner / group can also be efficiently sent to the server.

[0111] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating a scheme for a base station to transmit data to a network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] exist Figure 8 In the illustrated embodiment, when base station 220 transmits A-IoT data after storing A-IoT data, it can do so as follows: Figure 8 The data is transmitted according to the NG-AP protocol. Specifically, the message 820 sent by base station 220 to the core via server 230 may include base station ID, cell ID, and A-IoT data, and the A-IoT data may be data grouped based on tag ID as described in the above embodiment.

[0113] In a real-world environment, since multiple RUs (radio units) can be configured within a single base station 220, it can also be viewed as adding factors that can distinguish the corresponding RUs and send them to the core.

[0114] The A-IoT function can send the corresponding information to the positioning server 810, and the positioning server 810 can perform positioning of the A-IoT device based on this.

[0115] Command parameter management

[0116] Meanwhile, the role of the readers used in RFID is distributed between the base stations and the core network of the A-IoT system. Therefore, the roles of the base stations and the core network must be defined, and the format and content of the messages and data exchanged between them must be clearly defined.

[0117] Specifically, RFID readers use select and query commands to perform the inventory operation. In A-IoT, the base station performs the inventory operation after receiving a paging message / inventory request message from the core network. On the other hand, the A-IoT base station transmits data (e.g., tag IDs, etc.) received from one or more A-IoT devices, more specifically from the tags of the A-IoT devices, to the core network via paging response messages / inventory response messages.

[0118] Furthermore, when a collision detection occurs due to signals transmitted from one or more A-IoT devices, more specifically from the tags of the A-IoT devices, the RFID reader can increase the number of time slot counters by changing the Q value using a query adjustment command, and conversely, it can also decrease Q. On the other hand, the A-IoT base station can change parameters such as Q by checking the CRC, but does not report this to the core network until the entire round is completed.

[0119] Therefore, this invention hypothesizes a scenario where, in an A-IoT system, a base station or intermediate node acting as a reader performs a count operation based on a paging message / counting request message received from the core network, while simultaneously adjusting parameters such as the Q (time slot counter) value to complete the entire round. In this case, it is proposed that when the base station or intermediate node acting as a reader in the A-IoT system transmits information about the A-IoT device or its tag information to the core network via a paging response message / counting response message / counting report message, the updated parameters are transmitted together so that they can be reflected in the paging message / counting request message subsequently transmitted to the reader.

[0120] (1) First, the method of transmitting command parameters via paging messages or inventory request messages will be described.

[0121] AF (Application Function) sends paging messages / inventory request messages for each A-IoT service, and at this time, command parameters such as Q (slot counter) are sent as previously stored default values ​​to suit the characteristics of each third-party service.

[0122] The base station performs a count operation upon request, and at this time changes command parameters such as Q based on whether CRC errors and conflicts occur.

[0123] After the entire inventory round is completed, the base station returns tag ID information, etc., to the core network in the paging response message / inventory response message / inventory report message. At this time, if there are any modified command parameters, they are transmitted to the core network together with the modified command parameters.

[0124] (2) Next, the method for managing command parameters for each base station or intermediate node in the core network will be described.

[0125] After the core network updates and stores the command parameters received from each base station or intermediate node, when the core network receives a request from the AF to perform an inventory operation for the same A-IoT service, the core network checks whether updated command parameters exist. If updated command parameters exist, the core network modifies the corresponding command parameters in the inventory request message sent to the base station and sends that message. At this time, the command parameters of the base station or intermediate node stored in the core network can be initialized at the request of the AF.

[0126] Command parameters updated during the inventory process at the base station can be stored and used in the base station or AF if necessary. Furthermore, command parameters stored in each base station or intermediate node in the core network can be initialized upon the expiration of their validity period.

[0127] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating a method for managing command parameters in an A-IoT system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Figure 9 The scenario assumes that the base station is registered and operates as an A-IoT reader.

[0128] refer to Figure 9 In S501, the core network receives paging messages / inventory request messages for each A-IoT service from the AF (Application Function). Specifically, in the corresponding message, command parameters such as Q (slot counter) are sent as previously stored default values ​​to adapt to the service characteristics.

[0129] In S502, the core network transmits paging messages / counting request messages to the base station, and command parameters (such as Q (time slot counter)) set to default values ​​for performing the count operation can be included in the corresponding message.

[0130] although Figure 9 As mentioned above, the AF and core network are shown separately, but as referenced above... Figure 3 The A-IoTF can be defined as an entity that performs these functions simultaneously, and in this case, S501 can be omitted.

[0131] Specifically, A-IoTF can perform not only the role of traditional AF, but also the role of AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function), and assumes that there is an O&M directly connected to the base station and a receiving reader (in... Figure 9 The example shows the function of updating information (for base stations).

[0132] Subsequently, in step 503, the base station transmits a paging message / counting request message to the A-IoT device or its tag to perform the counting operation. At this time, as in S504, the base station changes command parameters such as Q based on whether CRC errors or collisions have occurred.

[0133] After the entire inventory round is completed, in S505 and S506, the base station returns the tag ID information received from the A-IoT device or the tag of the A-IoT device to the core network in the paging response message / inventory response message / inventory report message. At this time, if there are modified command parameters, they are transmitted to the core network together with the modified command parameters.

[0134] In S507, the core network / A-IoTF updates and stores command parameters received from each base station or intermediate node.

[0135] Subsequently, if a traditional core network concept is used, the core network can receive paging messages / inventory request messages from the AF as in S508, as a request to perform an inventory operation for the same A-IoT service. Specifically, in the paging message / inventory request message, command parameters such as Q (slot counter) are sent as previously stored default values ​​to suit the service characteristics. However, such operations between the core network and the AF can also be performed internally within the A-IoTF.

[0136] Characteristically, in S509, the core network / A-IoTF checks whether updated command parameters exist. If updated command parameters exist, then in S510, the core network / A-IoTF changes the corresponding command parameters in the inventory request message sent to the base station and sends the message.

[0137] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of managing command parameters in an A-IoT system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Figure 10 An example of parameters from the core network management commands is shown.

[0138] refer to Figure 10 In step A05, the core network sends a first inventory request message to the reader, including default command parameters. Here, the default command parameters can be provided from an application function, and the first inventory request message can correspond to a request from that application function to perform a first inventory operation for a specific environment IoT service.

[0139] At the same time, the reader performs a count operation with the A-IoT device, and at this time, command parameters such as Q can be changed and updated according to whether CRC errors and conflicts occur.

[0140] Subsequently, in step A10, the core network receives a first inventory report message from the reader, including the updated command parameters, as a response to the first inventory request message, and in step A15, the core network can store the updated command parameters as command parameters corresponding to the reader.

[0141] Subsequently, if a request to perform a second inventory operation for a specific environment IoT service is received from the application function, the core network sends a second inventory request message, including the stored command parameters, to the reader in step A20. Specifically, the core network may include the command parameters corresponding to the reader in the second inventory request message, or it may change the default command parameters included in the second inventory request message to the command parameters corresponding to the reader.

[0142] For reference, the core network can initialize the command parameters corresponding to the reader based on the instructions of the application function. Alternatively, the command parameters corresponding to the reader can be initialized based on the expiration of the validity period.

[0143] Resource allocation for intermediate nodes

[0144] Meanwhile, mobile readers used in RFID perform the roles of both base station and core in an A-IoT system. However, for mobile readers to be used in A-IoT, intermediate nodes must be registered and act as UEs (User Equipment), and radio resources for communicating with the tags of A-IoT devices must be allocated to the intermediate nodes acting as readers. Since the radio resources allocated at this time are not used between the UE and the base station, but rather between the intermediate nodes and the tags of the A-IoT devices, the base station cannot perform channel measurements; it can only allocate radio resources.

[0145] When allocating resources to intermediate nodes, the following two considerations apply.

[0146] Firstly, in A-IoT systems using the FDD band, Type 1 devices (i.e., battery-free passive terminals) typically use the uplink band (UL band) as the R2D (reader to device) and D2R (device to reader) channels. In traditional 5G systems, there is no situation where the UE receives uplink band signals, but the UE acting as an intermediate node must also be able to receive uplink band signals.

[0147] Next, intermediate nodes can also act as continuous wave (CW) transmitters. When an intermediate node also needs to transmit a CW signal, it must be able to receive backscattered signals in the same frequency band at the same time it transmits a CW signal in the uplink band.

[0148] Based on this discussion, a method for allocating resources to intermediate nodes in a wireless communication system supporting A-IoT devices, as proposed by this invention, will be described.

[0149] Figure 11 An example of allocating resources to intermediate nodes in an A-IoT system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0150] refer to Figure 11 A radio connection is established between the base station (BS) and the UE, which acts as an intermediate node. Although for ease of description... Figure 11 Only one intermediate node is shown, but multiple intermediate nodes and base stations (BS) can perform radio connections.

[0151] Specifically, in step 1101, the intermediate node and the base station perform an RRC connection establishment process. In this case, the base station can perform a UE capability query process, and the UE, as the intermediate node, responds to the UE capability query by sending intermediate node capability information as UE capability information to the base station.

[0152] Preferably, the base station can provide a separate DRB (Data Radio Bearer) configuration for A-IoT when establishing a radio connection with the intermediate node. Alternatively, a separate bearer can be established when the UE requests a PDN connection with a separate DNN (Data Network Name) for A-IoT. In this case, as in step 1102, the intermediate node can perform an RRC connection reconfiguration procedure with the base station, and the RRC connection reconfiguration message sent by the intermediate node to the base station may include the downlink channel (DL channel) / uplink channel (UL channel) configuration for A-IoT and the intermediate node's transmit power value, etc. In this case, if the intermediate node also has the capability to transmit continuous wave (CW) signals, the sent RRC connection reconfiguration message may also provide PUSCH resources and transmit power values ​​for continuous wave (CW) transmission.

[0153] As described above, multiple intermediate nodes and a base station (BS) can perform radio connections. Therefore, as the final step in the radio connection process between the base station (BS) and the UEs, which are intermediate nodes, the base station stores a list of UEs in the RRCCONNECTED state, i.e., a list of intermediate nodes, in step 1103.

[0154] Next, in step 1104, each intermediate node receives a DOWNLINK NAS TRANSPORT message, including a core paging or inventory request, through the base station. Specifically, since A-IoT-related data is transmitted via DRB or PDN with a separate QCI (QoS Class Identifier), the base station can distinguish whether the data is for A-IoT. When multiple intermediate nodes are present, the paging or inventory request can be transmitted sequentially from the core network to the base station, or it can be transmitted simultaneously.

[0155] Next, the base station allocates radio resources for communication between tags and readers of A-IoT devices.

[0156] Specifically, in step 1105, the base station can allocate radio resources for R2D and / or D2R to intermediate nodes via DCI (Downlink Control Information) or MAC CE (MAC Control Element). Since the R2D and / or D2R channels use the uplink frequency band, DCI format 0_0 can be used as the DCI for PUSCH allocation. The base station can allocate radio resources sequentially in a time-division manner, ensuring that no interference occurs when multiple intermediate nodes connected at the same time simultaneously send paging or inventory requests to the tags of the A-IoT device. When several intermediate nodes are connected to the base station, different PUSCH resources can be allocated to each intermediate node to prevent interference and achieve multiple access.

[0157] Using the resources allocated in this way, intermediate nodes can send paging or inventory requests to the tags of A-IoT devices via the R2D channel, as in step 1106.

[0158] Similarly, intermediate nodes can receive paging responses or inventory responses from the tags of A-IoT devices via the D2R channel, as in step 1107.

[0159] The following section describes a method for intermediate nodes to report D2R channel measurement results to the base station.

[0160] The base station can allocate radio resources for D2R and R2D communication to intermediate nodes, but since these are not radio resources used for communicating with the base station, the base station does not perform channel measurements. However, intermediate nodes can adjust their transmit power (Tx output) based on measurements of the levels of backscattered signals received from tags of one or more A-IoT devices.

[0161] At this point, the default and maximum power values ​​of the Tx output, the output increase interval, etc., can be received and adjusted in advance from the base station via RRC connection reconfiguration messages. Furthermore, to increase the Tx output, intermediate nodes can transmit D2R channel measurement results to the base station, where new configuration values ​​will be provided, or they can report the PH (power headroom) value via PHR (Power Headroom Report) MAC CE to trigger adjustments to the Tx output.

[0162] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating resource allocation for intermediate nodes in an A-IoT system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Figure 12 This example illustrates the process of sending and receiving signals with a reader and an A-IoT device, which act as a base station, from the perspective of the UE (User Equipment) as an intermediate node.

[0163] refer to Figure 12 First, the intermediate node establishes a radio connection with the base station, which acts as the reader.

[0164] During this process, the base station, acting as the reader, can perform the UE capability query process, and the UE, acting as the intermediate node, sends the intermediate node capability information as the UE capability information to the reader in step B05 in response to the UE capability query.

[0165] Subsequently, in step B10, the intermediate node establishes a wireless bearer with the reader. Specifically, the reader can provide a separate DRB (Data Radio Bearer) configuration for A-IoT when establishing a radio connection with the intermediate node. Alternatively, the reader can establish a separate bearer when the intermediate node requests a PDN connection with a separate DNN (Data Network Name) for A-IoT.

[0166] Next, in step B15, the intermediate node receives information from the base station, acting as a reader, regarding first resources for transmitting signals to environmental IoT devices and second resources for receiving signals from environmental IoT devices. Specifically, the reader can allocate radio resources for R2D and / or D2R to the intermediate node via DCI (Downlink Control Information) or MAC CE (MAC Control Element). Since the R2D and / or D2R channels use the uplink frequency band, DCI format 0_0 can be used as the DCI for PUSCH allocation. Simultaneously, the first and second resources can be defined on the uplink frequency band.

[0167] If there is another intermediate node connected to the reader, the first resource can be time-division multiplexed with the resource used by the other intermediate node to send signals to the environmental IoT device, and the second resource can be time-division multiplexed with the resource used by the other intermediate node to receive signals from the environmental IoT device.

[0168] Finally, in step B20, the intermediate node uses the first resource and the second resource to send signals to and receive signals from the environmental IoT device. Specifically, the intermediate node uses the first resource to send paging messages and inventory request messages to the environmental IoT device. Furthermore, the intermediate node uses the second resource to receive paging response messages and inventory response messages from the environmental IoT device.

[0169] Figure 13 A wireless device applicable to this technology is shown.

[0170] refer to Figure 13 The first wireless device 100 and the second wireless device 200 can transmit and receive radio signals through various radio access technologies (e.g., LTE, NR). Here, the first wireless device 100 and the second wireless device 200 can respectively correspond to... Figure 3 A-IoT devices 210a-210n and BS 230.

[0171] The first wireless device 100 includes one or more processors 102 and one or more memories 104, and may additionally include one or more transceivers 106 and / or one or more antennas 108. The processors 102 control the memories 104 and / or the transceivers 106, and may be configured to implement the descriptions, functions, processes, proposals, methods, and / or operational flowcharts disclosed herein. For example, the processor 102 may process information in the memories 104 to generate a first information / signal, and then transmit a radio signal including the first information / signal via the transceivers 106. Furthermore, the processor 102 may receive a radio signal including a second information / signal via the transceivers 106, and then store information obtained from the signal processing of the second information / signal in the memories 104. The memories 104 may be connected to the processor 102 and may store various types of information related to the operation of the processor 102. For example, memory 104 may store software code including instructions for performing some or all of a process controlled by processor 102, or for performing the descriptions, functions, processes, proposals, methods, and / or operation flowcharts disclosed in this document. Here, processor 102 and memory 104 may be part of a communication modem / circuit / chip designed to implement wireless communication technologies (e.g., LTE E-UTRA, 5G NR). Transceiver 106 may be connected to processor 102 and may transmit and / or receive radio signals via one or more antennas 108. Transceiver 106 may include a transmitter and / or a receiver. Transceiver 106 may be used interchangeably with an RF (radio frequency) unit. In this document, wireless device may refer to a communication modem / circuit / chip.

[0172] The second wireless device 200 includes one or more processors 202 and one or more memories 204, and may additionally include one or more transceivers 206 and / or one or more antennas 208. The processors 202 control the memories 204 and / or the transceivers 206, and may be configured to implement the descriptions, functions, processes, proposals, methods, and / or operation flowcharts disclosed in this document. For example, the processors 202 may process information in the memories 204 to generate a third message / signal, and then transmit a radio signal including the third message / signal via the transceivers 206. Furthermore, the processors 202 may receive a radio signal including a fourth message / signal via the transceivers 206, and then store information obtained from the signal processing of the fourth message / signal in the memories 204. The memories 204 may be connected to the processors 202 and may store various types of information related to the operation of the processors 202. For example, memory 204 may store software code including instructions for performing some or all of a process controlled by processor 202, or for performing the descriptions, functions, processes, proposals, methods, and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in this document. Here, processor 202 and memory 204 may be part of a communication modem / circuit / chip designed to implement wireless communication technologies (e.g., LTE E-UTRA, 5G NR). Transceiver 206 may be connected to processor 202 and may transmit and / or receive radio signals via one or more antennas 208. Transceiver 206 may include a transmitter and / or a receiver. Transceiver 206 may be used interchangeably with an RF unit. In this document, wireless device may refer to a communication modem / circuit / chip.

[0173] The hardware components of wireless devices 100 and 200 will be described in more detail below. While not limited thereto, one or more protocol layers may be implemented by one or more processors 102, 202. For example, one or more processors 102, 202 may implement one or more layers (e.g., functional layers such as PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, RRC, and SDAP). One or more processors 102, 202 may generate one or more PDUs (Protocol Data Units) and / or one or more SDUs (Service Data Units) according to the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or operation flowcharts disclosed in this document. One or more processors 102, 202 may generate messages, control information, data, or information according to the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or operation flowcharts disclosed in this document. One or more processors 102, 202 may generate signals (e.g., baseband signals) including PDUs, SDUs, messages, control information, data, or information, according to the functions, processes, proposals, and / or methods disclosed in this document, and may provide said signals to one or more transceivers 106, 206. One or more processors 102, 202 may receive signals (e.g., baseband signals) from one or more transceivers 106, 206, and may obtain PDUs, SDUs, messages, control information, data, or information according to the descriptions, functions, processes, proposals, methods, and / or operation flowcharts disclosed in this document.

[0174] One or more processors 102, 202 may be referred to as controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, or microcomputers. One or more processors 102, 202 may be implemented by hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. As an example, one or more ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits), one or more DSPs (Digital Signal Processors), one or more DSPDs (Digital Signal Processing Devices), one or more PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices), or one or more FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) may be included in one or more processors 102, 202. The descriptions, functions, processes, proposals, methods, and / or operation flowcharts disclosed in this document may be implemented using firmware or software, and said firmware or software may be implemented to include modules, processes, functions, etc. Firmware or software configured to execute the descriptions, functions, processes, proposals, methods, and / or operation flowcharts disclosed in this document may be included in one or more processors 102, 202, or may be stored in one or more memories 104, 204 and driven by one or more processors 102, 202. The descriptions, functions, processes, proposals, methods, and / or operation flowcharts disclosed in this document can be implemented using firmware or software in the form of code, instructions, and / or instruction sets.

[0175] One or more memories 104, 204 may be connected to one or more processors 102, 202 and may store data, signals, messages, information, programs, codes, instructions, and / or commands in various forms. One or more memories 104, 204 may be configured with ROM, RAM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk drive, registers, cache memory, computer-readable storage media, and / or combinations thereof. One or more memories 104, 204 may be located internally and / or externally to one or more processors 102, 202. Furthermore, one or more memories 104, 204 may be connected to one or more processors 102, 202 via various technologies such as wired or wireless connections.

[0176] One or more transceivers 106, 206 can transmit user data, control information, radio signals / channels, etc., mentioned in the methods and / or operation flowcharts of this document to one or more other devices. One or more transceivers 106, 206 can receive user data, control information, radio signals / channels, etc., mentioned in the descriptions, functions, processes, proposals, methods, and / or operation flowcharts disclosed in this document from one or more other devices. For example, one or more transceivers 106, 206 can be connected to one or more processors 102, 202 and can transmit and receive radio signals. For example, one or more processors 102, 202 can control one or more transceivers 106, 206 to transmit user data, control information, or radio signals to one or more other devices. Furthermore, one or more processors 102, 202 can control one or more transceivers 106, 206 to receive user data, control information, or radio signals from one or more other devices. Furthermore, one or more transceivers 106, 206 may be connected to one or more antennas 108, 208, and one or more transceivers 106, 206 may be configured to transmit and receive user data, control information, radio signals / channels, etc., mentioned in the descriptions, functions, processes, proposals, methods, and / or operation flowcharts disclosed in this document via one or more antennas 108, 208. In this document, one or more antennas may be multiple physical antennas or multiple logical antennas (e.g., antenna ports). One or more transceivers 106, 206 may convert received radio signals / channels, etc., from RF band signals to baseband signals for processing by one or more processors 102, 202. One or more transceivers 106, 206 may convert user data, control information, radio signals / channels, etc., processed by one or more processors 102, 202 from baseband signals to RF band signals. For this purpose, one or more transceivers 106, 206 may include (analog) oscillators and / or filters.

[0177] The detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed above has been provided to enable those skilled in the art to make and practice the invention. Although the invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and changes can be made to the invention without departing from its scope. For example, those skilled in the art can use each component described in the above embodiments in combination with each other.

[0178] Therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is intended to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0179] Industrial applicability

[0180] The data transmission method and device of the base station considering the environment IoT architecture according to the above embodiments of the present invention are applicable to the 3GPP-based mobile communication environment. However, as mentioned above, they can also be widely used in communication schemes outside of 3GPP to reduce signaling overhead in the environment IoT environment.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting data from an environmental IoT device to a server via a reader in a mobile communication system supporting environmental IoT, the method comprising: Data is received from the backscattered data signal of each of the plurality of environmental IoT devices; Store each piece of data received until a predetermined standard is met; as well as When the predetermined criteria are met, the stored data is transmitted to the server in a single transmission opportunity.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The reader includes an intermediate medium separate from the base station, and the intermediate medium includes a user-portable device.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The predetermined standard corresponds to the expiration of a specific timer, and the specific timer is counted based on the response cycle of the plurality of environmental IoT devices.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The response cycle corresponds to the cycle in which the reader sends a query to the plurality of environmental IoT devices and receives a response, including the data, directly or through an intermediate medium from the plurality of environmental IoT devices.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The predetermined standard corresponds to the size of the stored data being equal to or greater than the threshold.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein, The storage of the data includes grouping and storing data with the same tag ID, and the predetermined criterion is determined by whether the size of each group of data is equal to or greater than the threshold.

7. The method according to claim 3 or 5, wherein, The predetermined standard corresponds to the expiration of the specific timer or the size of the stored data being equal to or greater than the threshold.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein, Sending data to the server involves sending the data in a message, and the message includes the reader ID, the cell ID, and the data.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The data is stored according to tag ID.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The message is transmitted to the location server via the server.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Receive a first inventory request message from the core network, the first inventory request message including default command parameters for performing a first inventory operation for a specific environment IoT service; The first inventory operation is performed using one or more of the environmental IoT devices; as well as Based on the completion of the first inventory operation, a first inventory report message is sent to the core network as a response to the first inventory request message. The first inventory report message includes the updated command parameters, based on the fact that the default command parameters are updated during the execution of the first inventory operation.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving from the core network a second inventory request message including the updated command parameters.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The first inventory request message and the first inventory report message include an identifier of one or more of the environmental IoT devices or a tag identifier associated with one or more of the environmental IoT devices.

14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Receive intermediate node capability information from intermediate nodes as a response to user equipment capability queries; Establish a wireless bearer with the intermediate node; as well as The intermediate node sends information about a first resource and information about a second resource, wherein the first resource is used by the intermediate node to send signals to one or more of the environmental IoT devices, and the second resource is used by the intermediate node to receive signals from one or more of the environmental IoT devices.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, Information about the first resource and information about the second resource are received via downlink control information (DCI) or media access control (MAC) control element (CE).

16. The method of claim 14, wherein, The first resource and the second resource are defined on the uplink frequency band.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein, The first resource is time-division multiplexed with a resource for transmitting signals from another intermediate node connected to the reader to one or more of the environmental IoT devices, and the second resource is time-division multiplexed with a resource for receiving signals from one or more of the environmental IoT devices by the other intermediate node.

18. A reader for a mobile communication system supporting the Internet of Things (IoT) in the environment, the reader comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one computer memory operatively connected to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to perform operations. The operation includes: Data is received directly or via an intermediate medium from the backscattered data signals of each of multiple environmental IoT devices. Store each received data until a predetermined criterion is met; and When the predetermined criteria are met, the stored data is transmitted to the server in a single transmission opportunity.

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