SYSTEM AND DEVICE FOR PROXIMATION DETERMINATION IN A NETWORK AND ASSOCIATE METHOD

Abstract

A system (100), a device (102), and a method (300) for proximity determination in a network are disclosed. The method (300) comprises configuring a proximity message that may be associated with a proximity determination operation; communicating the proximity message; determining the proximity of a user device; and obtaining proximity information and user device information based on the proximity determination.

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a system and / or device for proximity determination in a network, which is, for example, associated with an end device usable for communication. The present disclosure further relates to a method that may be associated with the system and / or device. background

[0002] In general, energy efficiency in communication networks would be expedient or desirable. An example of a communication network would be the fifth generation mobile communications standard (5G NR - 5th Generation New Radio) of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

[0003] Typically, conventional proximity detection techniques can be used to facilitate energy efficiency. The present disclosure considers that conventional techniques may not optimally facilitate energy efficiency. For example, conventional techniques cannot address the proximity detection problem for energy efficiency when an A-IoT (Ambient Internet of Things) device is located far from a base station reader.

[0004] The present disclosure considers that it would be advantageous to address (or at least mitigate) one or more problems relating to conventional techniques for facilitating energy efficiency. Brief description of the invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for proximity determination in a network is provided, comprising: configuring a proximity determination message that may be associated with a proximity determination operation; communicating the proximity determination message; determining the proximity of a user device; and obtaining proximity information and user device information based on the proximity determination.

[0006] Advantageously, the method described herein can determine the proximity of an A-IoT device (A-IoT - Ambient Internet of Things) to a node that differs from the original reader or a next-generation Node B (gNB - Next Generation Node B). This can subsequently be useful when using this node as an intermediate node reader and can extend the proximity determination capabilities of the gNB reader by using an intermediate terminal device.

[0007] In one embodiment, the proximity determination message includes at least one proximity determination type, one user device information type, and / or one user device identification.

[0008] In one embodiment, the proximity determination message further comprises at least a timer value, a frame count and / or a resource allocation, which may be assigned to the communication of a Reader-to-Device (R2D) message and a Device-to-Reader (D2R) message, wherein the timer value and the frame count may be assigned to determining the proximity of the user device.

[0009] In one embodiment, communicating the proximity message includes communicating via at least one static Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, one Dynamic Media Access Control (MAC-CE) display, and / or one Dynamic Downlink Control (DCI) display.

[0010] In one embodiment, each of the dynamic MAC-CE display and the dynamic DCI display comprises a 1-bit display including a DCI field.

[0011] In one embodiment, communicating the proximity message includes communicating via at least a 1-bit display and / or a multi-bit display.

[0012] In one embodiment, determining the proximity of a user device includes transmitting an R2D message (R2D - reader to device) to the user device and receiving a D2R message (D2R - device to reader) in response to the R2D message, wherein the D2R message includes user device information.

[0013] In one embodiment, the method further comprises communicating an uplink (UL) grant, which may be associated with the proximity determination of the user device, and communicating the proximity information and the user device information in response to the proximity determination message.

[0014] In one embodiment, the method further includes configuring a plurality of operations for the user device based on the user device information.

[0015] In one embodiment, the user device includes an A-IoT device (A-IoT - Ambient Internet of Things).

[0016] In one embodiment, a computer program (not shown) is provided which may contain instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer (not shown), cause the computer to perform the procedure of the first aspect.

[0017] In one embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is provided on which data is stored that represents computer-executable software, wherein the software contains instructions which, when executed by the computer, perform the procedure of the first aspect.

[0018] According to a second aspect of the disclosure, a proximity determination device is provided in a network, comprising: a first module configured to receive at least one input signal which may be associated with a proximity determination message having a proximity determination operation; a second module configured to at least process and / or facilitate the procedure of the first aspect in order to generate at least one output signal; and a third module configured to communicate at least one output signal, wherein the output signal corresponds to a control signal for determining a proximity of the user device.

[0019] In one embodiment, the device can correspond to an end device that can communicate with a device corresponding to a base station. The base station can, for example, correspond to a next-generation Node B (gNB), which can be configured to communicate one or more signals (e.g., one output signal(s)) to the end device.

[0020] In one embodiment, a system is provided that comprises one or more facilities and one or more devices. The facility(ies) and the device(s) can be coupled, for example, via wired and / or wireless coupling.

[0021] Advantageously, the system can determine proximity in the A-IoT even if an A-IoT device cannot receive proximity-determining R2D messages from a gNB reader. The system can also determine proximity if the A-IoT device can receive R2D messages, but its D2R response messages fail to reach the gNB (or the gNB reader). The system can also provide mechanisms where intermediate devices can be used to enhance the gNB reader's proximity-determining capabilities. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] Embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference to the following drawings. They show: Fig. 1A A schematic diagram illustrating a proximity detection system in a network, which may include at least one device, according to one embodiment of the disclosure; Fig. 1B to Fig. 1H exemplary scenarios that the system of Fig. 1A are assigned according to one embodiment of the disclosure; Fig. 2 a schematic diagram showing the setup of Fig. 1A illustrated in more detail, according to one embodiment of the disclosure; Fig. 3 a procedure that corresponds to the system of Fig. 1A is assigned according to one embodiment of the disclosure; Fig. 4A to Fig. 4E schematic diagrams illustrating exemplary scenarios that support the procedure of Fig. 3 are assigned, illustrate, according to one embodiment of the disclosure; Fig. 5A to Fig. 5E schematic diagrams, which show further exemplary scenarios that illustrate the procedure of Fig. 3 are assigned, illustrating, according to one embodiment of the disclosure. Detailed description

[0023] This patent discloses a device and / or apparatus for carrying out the operations of the methods. Such a device and / or apparatus may be specifically designed for the required purposes or may comprise a computer or other device that can be selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. The algorithms and displays presented herein are not fundamentally related to any particular computer or other device. Various machines with programs according to the teachings herein may be used. Alternatively, the construction of more specialized devices may be suitable for carrying out the necessary process steps. The structure of a computer is described below.

[0024] Furthermore, the present patent specification also implicitly discloses a computer program such that it is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the individual steps of the method described herein can be implemented by computer code. The computer program is not intended to be limited to any particular programming language and its implementation. It can be assumed that a multitude of programming languages ​​and their coding can be used to implement the teachings of the disclosure contained herein. Moreover, the computer program is not intended to be limited to any specific control flow. There are many other variants of the computer program that can use different control flows without deviating from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.

[0025] Furthermore, one or more of the steps of the computer program can be performed in parallel rather than sequentially. Such a computer program can be stored on any computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium can include storage devices such as magnetic or optical disks, memory chips, or other storage devices suitable as interfaces to a computer. The computer-readable medium can also include a hard-wired medium, such as the internet system, or a wireless medium, such as the mobile phone system. When loaded onto and executed on such a computer, the computer program effectively results in a device and / or apparatus that implements the steps of the preferred method.

[0026] The detailed description set forth below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, is intended to serve as a description of various configurations and does not represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein can be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details to provide a deeper understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts can be practiced without these specific details. In particular, although terminology from 3GPP-5G-NR may be used in this disclosure to illustrate embodiments herein by way of example, this should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0027] In general, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their common meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is explicitly stated and / or is evident from the context in which the term is used. All references to an element, device, component, means, step, etc., are to be interpreted broadly to refer to at least one example of the element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless expressly stated otherwise. The steps of any process disclosed herein need not be carried out in the exact sequence disclosed, unless a step is expressly described as following or preceding another step and / or it is implied that a step must be performed after or before another step.Any feature of any embodiment disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment disclosed herein, wherever appropriate. Likewise, any advantage of any embodiment may apply to any other embodiment and vice versa. Other tasks, features, and advantages of the encompassed embodiments will become apparent from the following description.

[0028] In some embodiments, the non-restrictive terms terminal device, wireless device, or user device may be used and refer to any type of wireless device that communicates with a network node and / or another terminal device in a mobile communications system. Examples of a terminal device include a destination device, a D2D (device-to-device) terminal, a machine-type terminal, or a machine-to-machine (M2M) terminal, a PDA, a PAD, a tablet, mobile devices, a smartphone, a laptop embedded equipment (LEE), a laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, category MI terminals, category M2 terminals, ProSe terminals, V2V terminals, V2X terminals, etc.

[0029] In some embodiments, the more general term "network node" may be used and refer to any type of radio network node or network node that communicates with an end device (directly or via another node) and / or with another network node. Examples of network nodes include Node B, MeNB, ENB, a network node belonging to MCG or SCG, a base station (BS), a multi-standard radio node (MRS), such as MSR BS, eNodeB, gNodeB, a network controller, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a relay, a transmitter node control relay, a base transceiver station (BTS), an access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, RRU, RRH, nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS), a core network node (e.g.,an MSC - Mobile Switching Center, an MME - Mobility Management Entity, etc.), operations and maintenance (O&M), an operations support system (OSS), a self-optimized network (SON), a positioning node (e.g., an Evolved-Serving Mobile Location Centre - E-SMLC), minimization of drive tests (MDT), test equipment (physical node or software), etc.

[0030] Furthermore, terms such as next-generation base station / node B and terminal device should be considered non-restrictive and, in particular, do not imply any specific hierarchical relationship between the two; generally, "next-generation node B" could be considered device 1 and "terminal device" device 2, and these two devices communicate with each other over a radio channel. In the following, the sender or receiver could be either a next-generation node B (gNB) or a terminal device.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the present disclosure generally considers the simplification of, for example, the efficiency of a network (which is associated with a 3GPP-based standard / specification, etc.) and / or an end device (e.g., energy / power efficiency).

[0032] The present disclosure considers that proximity determination may be necessary to determine whether an IoT (Internet of Things) device or an A-IoT (Ambient Internet of Things) device (or a user device) is located near or far from a reader (e.g., a base station reader). In one example, the device may be located far from a gNB reader (or a base station reader) but near an intermediate terminal device in the same cell. In this exemplary scenario, proximity determination may be necessary to identify which reader the device is near. The present disclosure further considers that, in one exemplary implementation, the A-IoT device is a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag or the like.

[0033] The present disclosure therefore considers the possibility of defining methods consisting of a display by the gNB (or the base station) to intermediate terminal devices in the cell for performing a proximity determination. The gNB (or the base station) can also specify the resources to be used by the intermediate terminal devices to perform the proximity determination. Using the display, the intermediate terminal devices can perform their own proximity determination or collect information from any D2R (device-to-reader) messages and send it to the gNB (or the base station).

[0034] The present disclosure further considers the possibility of an exemplary scenario in which the gNB (or base station) is the reader attempting to determine A-IoT devices (or user devices) in its vicinity, but some devices (e.g., A-IoT devices) may not be in the vicinity of the gNB, but rather proximal to an intermediate terminal served by the same gNB. The present disclosure considers that current techniques do not provide methods by which the gNB can identify that the device (e.g., an A-IoT device) is proximal to an intermediate terminal, even if the device is not proximal to the gNB.

[0035] The present disclosure also considers that such identification may be useful, since the gNB can determine that the intermediate terminal is performing an inventory or other operations on the proximal A-IoT devices and can collect the relevant data relating to the devices from the intermediate terminals, even if the devices themselves are located far away from the gNB. Therefore, the present disclosure considers the possibility of a systematic method for proximity determination to handle or control such a scenario.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the disclosure, electricity and energy consumption efficiency may be simplified in the manner described above.

[0037] The foregoing is subsequently referred to Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 discussed in more detail.

[0038] Referring to Fig. Figure 1A describes a system 100 for proximity determination in a network according to one embodiment of the disclosure. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the system 100 may, for example, be suitable for simplifying energy / power efficiency in a network.

[0039] As shown, according to one embodiment of the disclosure, the system 100 can comprise one or more facilities 102, at least one device 104 and optionally a communication network 106.

[0040] The device(s) 102 can be coupled with the apparatus 104. Specifically, according to one embodiment of the disclosure, the device(s) 102 can, for example, be coupled with the apparatus 104 via the communication network 106.

[0041] In one embodiment, the device(s) 102 and the apparatus 104 can be coupled to the communication network 106. The coupling can be achieved by wired and / or wireless connection. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the device(s) 102 can generally be configured to communicate with the apparatus 104 via the communication network 106.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the device(s) 102 can, for example, be associated with, correspond to, or comprise one or more terminal devices that can carry one or more computers. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a device 102 can, for example, correspond to a terminal device that carries at least one computer (e.g., according to one embodiment of the disclosure, an electronic device / module that has computing power, such as an electronic mobile device that can be placed in a vehicle or an electronic module that can be installed in a vehicle), which can be configured to perform one or more processing tasks that are associated with adaptive / dynamic / stepwise control.According to one embodiment of the disclosure, in a more specific example, the device(s) 102 may comprise one or more processors (not shown) configured to perform one or more processing tasks associated with adaptive / dynamic / stepwise control. In one embodiment, the device(s) 102 may, for example, be configured to receive one or more input signals and perform at least one processing task based on the input signal(s) such that one or more output signals are generated. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the output signal(s) may, for example, be communicated by the device(s) 104 and received by the device(s) 102.As a possible option, the output signal(s) can be communicated, for example, by the device(s) 102, according to one embodiment of the disclosure. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the device(s) 102 will be described later with reference to... Fig. 2 discussed in more detail.

[0043] The device(s) 104 can, for example, be associated with / correspond to at least one base station (e.g., at least one gNB). Furthermore, the device(s) 104 can, for example, be configured to carry, be associated with, or encompass one or more computers (e.g., an electronic device / module possessing computing power), which can, for example, be configured to perform one or more processing tasks associated with the base station. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the device(s) 104 can be configured to generate one or more input signals that can communicate with the device(s) 102. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, this will be discussed in more detail later in connection with an exemplary scenario.

[0044] The communication network 106 can, for example, correspond to an internet communication network, a mobile phone-based communication network, a wired device-based communication network, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS)-based communication network, or any combination thereof. Communication (e.g., between the device(s) 102 and / or between the device(s) 102 and the device(s) 104) via the communication network 106 can be carried out using wired and / or wireless communication.

[0045] As mentioned previously, the device(s) 102 can, for example, be configured to receive at least one input signal and to perform at least one processing task, which is associated with dynamic / adaptive / stepwise control, on the input signal(s) in such a way that at least one output signal is generated. Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the disclosure, the device(s) 104 can, for example, be configured to generate the input signal(s) (and communicate them to the device(s) 102). This will be described below according to one embodiment of the disclosure in connection with an exemplary scenario with reference to Fig. 1B to Fig. 1H discussed.

[0046] Fig. 1B and Fig. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, 1C presents exemplary scenarios for Ambient IoT (A-IoT) in 3GPP with respect to, for example, Rel-18: RAN Investigation Topic (Result TR 38.848), Rel-19: RAN1-guided Investigation Topic and / or RAN2-guided Investigation Topic. Specifically, Fig. 1B represents a topology 1 communication scenario between a base station and an A-IoT device, while Fig. 1C represents a topology 2 communication scenario between a base station, an intermediate node (or an intermediate terminal) and an A-IoT device.

[0047] In the exemplary scenarios, the present disclosure considers that a harmonized air interface design concept with minimized differences for ambient IoT can be investigated to enable a peak power consumption of approximately 1 µW together with energy storage and without downlink (DL) or uplink (UL) amplification in the device. Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the disclosure, UL transmission backscattered onto a carrier wave can be provided externally. In another embodiment, the investigation of the harmonized air interface design concept with minimized differences for ambient IoT can also provide a peak power consumption of less than or equal to a few hundred µW together with energy storage and with downlink (DL) and / or uplink (UL) amplification in the device. The UL transmission can also be generated internally or backscattered.Furthermore, the coverage target can be set for the internal device and for topologies 1 and 2 (as in . Fig. 1B and Fig. 1C shown) maximum range 10-50 m, excluding Radio Resource Control (RRC) states, mobility, hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ - Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request), automatic repeat request (ARQ - Automatic Repeat Request).

[0048] This disclosure considers the possibility of deployment scenario 1 (micro- or picocell) for topology 1 and deployment scenario 2 (macro- or microcell) for topology 2. This disclosure further considers the possibility of an FR1-licensed spectrum when using a frequency division duplex (FDD) spectrum within the band with respect to NR, as a guard band for LTE / NR, and as a single band(s). Furthermore, traffic types DO-DTT, DT, focus on rUC1 (indoor inventory), and rUC4 (indoor command), including the transmission of ambient IoT, can also occur, at least in the UL spectrum.

[0049] However, the present disclosure considers that assessment assumptions can be obtained during the investigation of the A-IoT. In one exemplary assessment assumption, design objectives can be inferred from RAN design objectives of TR 38.848 [RAN1]. Examples of design aspects include an applicable maximum distance target value(s) that specifies the definition of a latency suitable for use in RAN and for the 2D distribution of devices. In one exemplary implementation, the A-IoT device can be an RFID tag (RFID - radio frequency identification) or the like. In another example of an assessment assumption, further assessment assumptions of deployment scenarios for coverage and coexistence assessments [RAN1, RAN4] can be defined.In another example of an assessment assumption, basic blocks or components of potential environmental IoT device architectures can be identified, taking into account state-of-the-art implementations of low-power, low-complexity devices that meet the RAN design goal for power consumption and complexity. In yet another example of an assessment assumption, a link budget calculation for coverage can be defined, including whether and how a carrier wave from a node inside or outside the connectivity topology can be modeled. As part of examining the feasibility and necessity of proposals, a performance evaluation of the design goals can be conducted for the following purposes, such as reviews of reference implementations in the field, simulations, and efforts to analytically minimize assessment cases in RAN1.

[0050] This disclosure further considers that necessary and feasible solutions for environmental IoT can be investigated, including decisions about which functions, procedures, etc., are needed and which are not, in order to ensure at least the required functionalities in TR 38.848. This disclosure considers that the investigation of positioning in Rel-19 is RAN3-guided and can be limited to functionalities that would have no or minimal specification influence (this does not imply a decision regarding WI generation). The feasibility and required functionalities for proximity determination can also be investigated; for example, coordination with SA3 is required for privacy aspects.

[0051] In an exemplary embodiment, RAN1-guided ambient IoT DL and UL can include, among other things, frame structure, synchronization and timing, direct access, numerologies, bandwidths, multiple access, waveforms and modulations, channel coding, downlink channel / signal aspects, uplink channel / signal aspects, scheduling and timing relationships, and the investigation of necessary carrier waveform characteristics for a carrier wave externally provided to the ambient IoT device, including interference handling at the ambient IoT UL receiver and the NR base station. There may be no difference in physical layer design between Topology 2 and Topology 1.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, RAN1-led can include the investigation and decision-making process regarding which functions are necessary for an environment IoT compact protocol stack and a lightweight signaling procedure to ensure DO-DTT and DT data transmission, and the investigation of these functions. Exemplary functions can include paging, direct access, data transmission including necessary radio resource control aspects, taking into account the limitations of the overall scope and interactions with higher layers. All other functionalities can be investigated only if they are found to be essential.

[0053] Fig. Figure 1D presents exemplary cases of carrier wave (CW) transmission in topology 2, a communication scenario between a base station, an intermediate node (or an intermediate terminal), and an A-IoT device (or a user device). Referring to Fig. Case 1D (2-1) can be located within the carrier wave, transmitted by the terminal device, and transferred into the DL spectrum. Case 2-2 can be located within the carrier wave, transmitted by the terminal device, and transferred into the UL spectrum. Case 2-3 can be located outside the carrier wave, transmitted by a single emitter, and transferred into the DL spectrum, while Case 2-4 can be located outside the carrier wave, transmitted by a single emitter, and transferred into the UL spectrum.

[0054] The present disclosure considers that in an exemplary scenario, a D2R backscatter (D2R device to reader) is transmitted in the same carrier as the carrier wave for the D2R backscatter, and for topology 2 some cases of Fig. 1D can be investigated for carrier wave transmission. In case 2-2, for example, the carrier wave is transmitted from within the topology (i.e., the intermediate terminal) and transferred into the UL spectrum; in case 2-3, the carrier wave is transmitted from outside the topology and transferred into the DL spectrum; and in case 2-4, the carrier wave is transmitted from outside the topology and transferred into the UL spectrum.

[0055] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the disclosure, the exemplary scenarios can, for example, be assigned to one or more defined scenarios (e.g., scenario D2T2-A1, scenario D2T2-A2, scenario D2T2-B and / or scenario D2T2-C), as shown in Fig. 1E to Fig. 1H shown.

[0056] To illustrate even more concretely Fig. 1E is an example of a defined scenario D2T2-A1 with a carrier wave within the topology. In this defined scenario, the carrier wave node can be located within topology 2, where "CW" in CW2D and "R2" in D2R can be different. Additionally, "CW" in CW2D and "R1" in R2D can be the same, and "R1" in R2D and "R2" in D2R can be different, with the base station able to communicate with R1 and R2. Devices 1 and 2a can be present, and the carrier wave spectrum can be case 2-2 (within the topology, UL, as shown in Fig. (shown in 1D) and the D2R spectrum can be the same as the carrier wave.

[0057] Fig. Figure 1F illustrates an example of a defined scenario D2T2-A2 with the carrier wave within the topology. In this defined scenario, the carrier wave node can be located within topology 2, where "CW" and the "R" node can be the same for CW2D, D2R, and R2D. Additionally, the base station can communicate with R. Devices 1 and 2a can be present, and the carrier wave spectrum can be the same as in the defined scenario D2T2-A1, as shown in Fig. 1E is shown, and the D2R spectrum can be the same as the carrier wave.

[0058] Fig. Figure 1G illustrates an example of a defined scenario D2T2-B with a carrier wave outside the topology. In this defined scenario, the carrier wave node can be located outside of topology 2, where "CW" in CW2D and "R" in D2R can be different, and "CW" in CW2D and "R" in R2D can also be different. Additionally, "R" in R2D and "R" in D2R can be the same, and the base station can communicate with R. Devices 1 and 2a can be present, and the carrier wave spectrum can be case 2-3 (outside the topology, DL) and case 2-4 (outside the topology, UL), as shown in Figure 1. Fig. represented in 1D, and the D2R spectrum can be the same as the carrier wave.

[0059] Fig. Figure 1H illustrates an example of a defined scenario D2T2-C without a carrier wave. In this defined scenario, there is no carrier wave node, the base station can communicate with R, and a device 2b may be present.

[0060] The present disclosure considers that the feasibility and required functionalities for proximity determination can be investigated. This could involve determining whether the base station (or gNB) or an intermediate terminal and an ambient IoT device are in close proximity, where coordination with SA3 may be required for privacy aspects, and proximity determination based on device-side measurements may not be considered. Furthermore, the following schemes for proximity determination can also be investigated. An exemplary scheme could be Option 1, where a reader receives a D2R transmission from the device in response to an R2D transmission; the device can be determined as being nearby / adjacent. Details of the reception criteria (e.g., either successful or unsuccessful) can be further investigated at the reader and the device.Another exemplary scheme could be Option 2, where measurements on the reader side determine that the device (e.g., an A-IoT device) is in close proximity to the reader. Details of the measurement methods, specifically whether / how the transfer of power from R2D and / or D2R is considered for proximity determination, can be examined further.

[0061] The present disclosure further considers that it can be concluded that proximity determination is feasible with the two solutions described below. In the first solution for proximity determination, if the reader (e.g., a gNB reader) successfully receives the D2R transmission from the device (e.g., an A-IoT device) in response to an R2D transmission, the device is determined to be in proximity to the reader based on measurements taken at the reader side. In the second solution for proximity determination, if the reader (e.g., a gNB reader) successfully receives the D2R transmission from the device (e.g., an A-IoT device) in response to an R2D transmission, the device is determined to be in proximity to the reader.

[0062] This disclosure considers the following assumptions during the proximity determination of (an) A-IoT device(s). An exemplary assumption is that the gNB (or base station) does not know whether A-IoT devices are in proximity to the gNB. Specifically, the gNB performs proximity determination for A-IoT devices with unknown identities and also performs proximity determination for A-IoT devices with known identities. The gNB, acting as a reader (R), performs a proximity determination process that begins with the broadcast / groupcast / multicast of an R2D message from the gNB, intended for the known / unknown A-IoT devices. The A-IoT devices receiving the proximity determination R2D message respond with one or more D2R messages according to criteria such as those specified in WST_0338 or similar. The gNB decodes these D2R messages and the gNB can, based on the proximity method, i.e.Either the successful or failed reception, or subsequent measurements, determine whether a specific A-IoT device is in its vicinity. However, if an A-IoT device cannot receive the R2D message from the gNB reader, it can be determined that it is not in the vicinity of the gNB, even if an intermediate terminal device may be in the vicinity of the device.

[0063] The present disclosure also considers the possibility of a proximity detection method to identify A-IoT devices that cannot receive R2D messages from the gNB but can receive R2D messages from intermediate terminals. In this example, it can be assumed that the gNB has configured one or more terminals as intermediate terminals for, e.g., an A-IoT operation, following the procedure in WST_0294 or similar.

[0064] According to one embodiment of the disclosure, as will be discussed in more detail later in connection with an exemplary scenario associated with System 100, it may be advantageous to consider some form of dynamic / adaptive / stepwise configuration / determination strategy that supports power / energy consumption efficiency. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the dynamic / adaptive / stepwise configuration / determination strategy may, for example, be related to proximity determination based on dynamic / adaptive / stepwise control by an intermediate terminal device in a network.

[0065] The advantageous aspect(s) of the system 100 described above can also be applied analogously to all aspects of a device 102 described below according to the invention. Likewise, all advantageous aspects of the device 102 described below can also be applied analogously to all aspects of the system 100 described above according to the invention.

[0066] The aforementioned institution(s) 102 will be referred to below with reference to Fig. 2 discussed in more detail.

[0067] Referring to Fig. 2, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, a device 102 is described in more detail in connection with an exemplary implementation 200.

[0068] In exemplary implementation 200, the device 102 can correspond to an electronic module 200a. In one example, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic module 200a can correspond to a mobile device that, for example, can be carried into a car by a user. In another example, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic module 200a can correspond to an electronic device that can be installed / attached in the vehicle. In this respect, the electronic module 200a can be considered as being carried by the vehicle (e.g., as being carried into the vehicle by a user or as being installed / attached in the vehicle).

[0069] According to one embodiment of the disclosure, it is considered that the electronic module 200a may perform one or more processing tasks associated with processing in connection with adaptive / dynamic / stepwise control.

[0070] The electronic module 200a can, for example, comprise a housing 200b. Furthermore, the electronic module 200a can, for example, carry any first module 202, a second module 204, a third module 206, or any combination thereof.

[0071] In one embodiment, the electronic module 200a can carry a first module 202, a second module 204, and / or a third module 206. In a specific example, according to one embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic module 200a can carry a first module 202, a second module 204, and a third module 206.

[0072] In this regard, it should be noted that the housing 200b may in one embodiment be shaped and dimensioned such that it can support any of the first module 202, the second module 204 and the third module 206 or any combination thereof.

[0073] The first module 202 can be coupled to the second module 204 and / or the third module 206. The second module 204 can be coupled to the first module 202 and / or the third module 206. The third module 206 can be coupled to the first module 202 and / or the second module 204. In one embodiment of the disclosure, the first module 202 can be coupled to the second module 204, and the second module 204 can be coupled to the third module 206. The coupling between the first module 202, the second module 204, and / or the third module 206 can be achieved, for example, by wired and / or wireless coupling. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, each of the first module 202, the second module 204, and the third module 206 can correspond to a hardware-based module and / or a software-based module.

[0074] In one example, the first module 202 can correspond to a hardware-based receiver, which may be configured to receive one or more input signals. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the input signal(s) can, for example, be communicated by the device(s) 104 (e.g., a gNB).

[0075] According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the second module 204 can, for example, correspond to a hardware-based processor which can be configured to perform one or more processing tasks (e.g., in such a way as to generate one or more output signals), as described later with reference to Fig. 3 will be discussed in more detail.

[0076] The third module 206 can correspond to a hardware-based transmitter, which may be configured to communicate one or more output signals from the electronic module 200a. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the output signal(s) may comprise or correspond to one or more instructions, one or more commands, or one or more control signals associated with the aforementioned dynamic / adaptive / stepwise control configuration / determination strategy, in order to facilitate efficiency (e.g., power / energy efficiency and / or communication efficiency).

[0077] The present disclosure considers the possibility that the first and second modules 202 / 204 may be an integrated software / hardware-based module (e.g., an electronic part that can carry a software program / algorithm associated with receiving and processing functions / an electronic module programmed to perform the functions of receiving and processing). The present disclosure further considers the possibility that the first and third modules 202 / 206 may be an integrated software / hardware-based module (e.g., an electronic part that can carry a software program / algorithm associated with receiving and transmitting functions, or an electronic module programmed to perform the functions of receiving and transmitting).The present disclosure further considers the possibility that the first and third modules 202 / 206 may be an integrated software / hardware-based module (e.g. a hardware-based transceiver) capable of performing the functions of receiving and transmitting.

[0078] The advantageous aspect(s) of the device 102 described above can also apply analogously to all aspects of a processing / communication method described below according to the invention. Likewise, all advantageous aspects of the processing / communication method described below can also apply analogously to all aspects of the device 102 described above according to the invention. It is assumed that these remarks apply analogously to the previously discussed system 100 according to the invention.

[0079] Referring to Fig. 3, according to one embodiment of the disclosure, describes a method associated with system 100.

[0080] According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the method 300 may, for example, be suitable / able to facilitate energy efficiency.

[0081] According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the processing method 300 may comprise an input step 302, a processing step 304 and / or an output step 306 or any combination thereof.

[0082] In one embodiment, the processing method 300 can include input step 302. In another embodiment, the processing method 300 can include input step 302 and processing step 304. In another embodiment, the processing method 300 can include input step 302, processing step 304, and output step 306. In yet another embodiment, the processing method 300 can include processing step 304 and input step 302 and / or output step 306. In yet another embodiment, the processing method 300 can include input step 302, processing step 304, and output step 306. In yet another embodiment, the processing method 300 can include processing step 304.In yet another embodiment, the processing method 300 can comprise any or any combination of the input step 302, the processing step 304 and the output step 306 (i.e., the input step 302, the processing step 304 and / or the output step 306).

[0083] With respect to input step 302, one or more input signals can be received. For example, according to one embodiment of the disclosure, the input signal(s) can be communicated by the device(s) 104 and received by a device 102.

[0084] Input step 302 can include receiving at least one input signal associated with a proximity detection process. In one embodiment, the input signal(s) can be generated by the device 104 and transmitted by the device 104 to the device 102. Alternatively, the input signal(s) can be generated before processing step 304 and received by the device 102. For example, the input signal(s) can be generated by a transmitting terminal and received by a receiving terminal.

[0085] With regard to processing step 304, according to one embodiment of the disclosure, at least one processing task associated with the received input signal(s) can be carried out in such a way that one or more output signals are generated.

[0086] Processing step 304 may include at least determining the proximity of a user device and / or obtaining proximity information and user device information based on the proximity determination. The proximity determination message may include at least one proximity determination type, one user device information type, and / or one user device identification. The proximity determination message may further include at least one timer value, one frame count, and / or one resource allocation, which may be associated with the communication of a Reader-to-Device (R2D) message and a Device-to-Reader (D2R) message. The timer value and frame count may be associated with determining the proximity of the user device.

[0087] Processing step 304 may also include communicating the proximity message, wherein communicating the proximity message may involve communicating via at least one static Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, one Dynamic Media Access Control (MAC-CE) indicator, and / or one Dynamic Downlink Control Information (DCI) indicator. Each of the Dynamic MAC-CE and Dynamic DCI indicators may include a 1-bit indicator, including a DCI field. Communicating the proximity message may further include communicating via at least one 1-bit indicator and / or a multi-bit indicator.

[0088] Processing step 304 can also include configuring multiple operations for the user device based on the user device information, transmitting a Read-to-Device (R2D) message to the user device, receiving a Device-to-Read (D2R) message in response to the R2D message (where the D2R message includes user device information), communicating an Uplink (UL) permission, which may be associated with the user device's proximity, and communicating the proximity information and user device information in response to the proximity message. Communicating the UL permission can include signaling a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) permission via Downlink Control Information (DCI), and the user device includes an Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) device.In one exemplary implementation, the A-IoT device could be a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or the like.

[0089] With regard to output step 306, the output signal(s) can, for example, be communicated optionally according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The output signal(s) can, for example, be communicated optionally by the device 102. In a more specific example, the output signal(s) can, according to one embodiment of the disclosure, be communicated optionally by the device 102 to a device 104 and / or another device 102.

[0090] The present disclosure further considers a computer program (not shown) which may include instructions that, when the program is executed by a computer (not shown), cause the computer to perform input step 302, processing step 304, and / or output step 306, as discussed with reference to method 300. According to one embodiment of the invention, the computer program may, for example, include instructions that, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform input step 302 and / or processing step 304.

[0091] The present disclosure further considers a computer-readable storage medium (not shown) on which data is stored that constitutes software executable by a computer (not shown), wherein the software comprises instructions which, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to perform input step 302, processing step 304, and / or output step 306, as discussed with reference to method 300. According to one embodiment of the invention, for example, data may be stored on the computer-readable storage medium that constitutes software executable by a computer (not shown), wherein the software comprises instructions which, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to perform input step 302 and / or processing step 304.

[0092] Furthermore, in light of the foregoing, it should be noted that the present disclosure generally considers a device 102 suitable for energy efficiency in a network and may comprise a first module 202, a second module 204 and / or a third module 206.

[0093] The first module 202 can be configured to receive one or more input signals. The input signal(s) can, for example, be assigned to a proximity detection message that includes a proximity detection process.

[0094] The second module 204 can be configured to process the input signal(s) according to the method 300 as discussed above and / or to facilitate their processing in order to generate one or more output signals.

[0095] The third module 206 can be configured to communicate one or more output signals. The output signal(s) can, for example, correspond to one or more control signals for determining the proximity of the user device.

[0096] In one embodiment, the device can correspond to an end device that can communicate with a device corresponding to a base station 104. The base station can, for example, correspond to a next-generation node B (gNB) which can be configured to communicate one or more signals (e.g., an input signal(s)) to the end device.

[0097] In light of the foregoing, it should further be noted that the present disclosure generally considers a system 100 which may comprise one or more devices 102 and one or more apparatuses 104. The device(s) 102 and the apparatus 104 may, for example, be coupled via wired coupling and / or wireless coupling.

[0098] It should be noted that the embodiments described above can be combined in any way as applicable (e.g., one or more embodiments as discussed in the section "Detailed Description" can be combined with one or more embodiments as discussed in the section "Summary of the Invention").

[0099] It should also be apparent to the person skilled in the art that variations and combinations of the embodiments described above, which are not alternatives or substitutes, can be combined to form further embodiments.

[0100] In one example, the possibility that the output signal(s) is / are communicated by the device(s) 102 was discussed. It should be noted that the output signal(s) does not necessarily have to be communicated by the device(s) 102. According to one embodiment of the invention, the possibility that the output signal(s) does not necessarily have to be communicated outside of the device(s) 102 is specifically considered. More specifically, according to one embodiment of the invention, the output signal(s) can, for example, correspond to an internal command / instruction (e.g., communicated only within a device 102) for the adaptive control of the operating configuration of a device 102.

[0101] Fig. 4A and Fig. Figure 4B, according to one embodiment of the disclosure, represents schematic diagrams illustrating exemplary scenarios associated with Method 300. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the diagrams illustrate Fig. 4A Specific examples of problems assigned to scenarios D2T2-A1, D2T2-A2, D2T2-B and D2T2-C (as in Fig. 1E to Fig. 1H illustrates), whereas Fig. 4B Exemplary solutions for the in Fig. 4A illustrates the problem. The above exemplary solutions are subsequently explained with reference to Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B is discussed in more detail.

[0102] Referring to Fig. 4B and in one embodiment of the disclosure, the gNB (or the base station) can configure an intermediate terminal to perform proximity determination together with the gNB. The gNB can specify such a configuration in situations it deems appropriate, for example, when the gNB is unaware of the devices (e.g., A-IoT devices) in its vicinity and wants to search for devices that are not near the gNB but are near an intermediate terminal covered by the gNB. Another exemplary situation might be when the gNB is aware of a device (e.g., an A-IoT device) in its vicinity but does not receive a D2R response message from the device to its proximity determination R2D message.

[0103] In one embodiment, the configuration for an intermediate terminal may include the following components, for example, a display to perform a proximity determination operation. Such a display may implicitly include the type of proximity determination operation to be performed if there are multiple types of proximity determination operations. The display may also include the type of information to be sent from the intermediate terminal to the gNB after the proximity determination operation. Furthermore, the display may include the identity of the A-IoT device(s) (individual or group) whose proximity is to be determined, in order to address a situation where the gNB performs a proximity determination for devices with known identities.

[0104] Another example of a configuration component might include an associated UL approval for the proximity process, where the necessary information associated with the proximity process must be transmitted from the intermediate device to the next-generation Node B. A further example of a configuration component might include a timer value or frame count that specifies the time at which the intermediate device must complete the proximity process. In yet another example, the configuration might optionally include an explicit resource allocation for the intermediate device to transmit R2D message(s) to A-IoT devices and receive D2R message(s) from them, with such a resource allocation being signaled by appropriate DCI.

[0105] In one embodiment, the configuration can be communicated from the gNB to or provided to the intermediate terminal by, among others, the following methods as described below. Exemplary communication methods may include static communication in an RRC (pre-)configuration message, dynamic communication via a MAC-CE indicator, and / or dynamic communication via an indicator within the DCI used for PUSCH authorization to the intermediate terminal. The dynamic indicators as described above may not include the entire configuration, but instead consist only of the 1-bit enable / disable setting and potentially a few additional bits to supplement the basic initial configuration provided via RRC.

[0106] In one embodiment, after receiving the configuration as described above, the intermediate terminal can perform a proximity determination operation by transmitting an R2D message. The intermediate terminal can include some information provided by the gNB (e.g., the identity of the device(s)) in its own proximity determination R2D message. Subsequently, the results of the proximity determination operation can be transmitted via its own on-duty gNB according to the provided configuration. The on-duty gNB can then use this information to perform further operations on the devices (e.g., A-IoT devices) located proximal to the intermediate terminal but not proximal to the gNB, via the intermediate terminal.

[0107] In one embodiment, the indication for performing a proximity determination operation can be provided, for example, by using a 1-bit indicator without specifying the type of proximity determination. Such an indication can be less complex and appropriate if no other information is required to perform the proximity determination operation. However, the indicator may not be able to specify the type of proximity determination if there are multiple types of proximity determination (which, for example, require a different number of D2R responses). In another embodiment, the indication for performing a proximity determination operation can be provided, for example, by using a multi-bit indication that implicitly includes the type of proximity determination and / or the identity of (a) device(s).For example, if there are three types of proximity determination, where the value can be 010, this may mean that the second scheme type should be used, while 000 may mean that the intermediate terminal device does not need to perform a proximity determination. According to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, this can be linked to a multi-bit ID of a device or a group of devices.

[0108] In one embodiment, the UL approval for proximity-related data transfer from the intermediate terminal to the next-generation Node B can be provided as a PUSCH approval signaled via DCI. In an exemplary scenario of a dynamic indication for performing a proximity operation, an additional 1-bit DCI field can be used to indicate that approval is granted for the transfer of proximity-related data. Since the DCI overhead can be minimized, other information, such as the type of proximity, can be specified using higher-layer signaling, and the DCI can be used solely for the dynamic activation / deactivation of the proximity operation by an intermediate terminal.

[0109] Fig. 4C to Fig. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, Figure 4E represents schematic diagrams illustrating exemplary scenarios associated with Method 300.

[0110] In the exemplary context as in Fig. As shown in Figure 4C, the gNB reader (or the base station or the network) can be configured to allocate UL resources and (pre-configure) an intermediate device to perform proximity detection. The gNB reader can also be configured to specify the intermediate device to perform proximity detection and to receive information about A-IoT devices from the intermediate device(s). After receiving the information about the A-IoT device(s), the gNB reader can be configured to use the intermediate device(s) accordingly for further communication with the A-IoT devices.

[0111] In the exemplary context as in Fig. In 4D representation, the intermediate terminal can be configured to receive a display or configuration from the gNB (or the gNB reader) to perform a proximity determination. The intermediate terminal can also perform a proximity determination at an A-IoT device(s) and send the proximity information received from the A-IoT device(s) to the gNB (or the gNB reader).

[0112] In the exemplary context as in Fig. As shown in Figure 4E, the device (or the A-IoT device) can be configured to determine whether a proximity R2D message is received by the gNB reader. If it is determined that the proximity R2D message is received, a D2R message (or messages) can be sent to the reader (or the gNB reader) as specified in the proximity R2D message.

[0113] Fig. 5A and Fig. Figure 5B, according to one embodiment of the disclosure, presents schematic diagrams illustrating further exemplary scenarios associated with Method 300. Specifically, it illustrates Fig. 5A according to one embodiment of the disclosure, an exemplary problem that is assigned to scenarios D2T2-A1, D2T2-A2, D2T2-B and D2T2-C (as in Fig. 1E to Fig. 1H illustrates), while Fig. 5B Exemplary solutions to the problem as in Fig. 5A illustrates the above exemplary solutions. The solutions presented above are further explained below with reference to Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B is discussed in more detail.

[0114] In one embodiment of the disclosure illustrated Fig. 5A is an exemplary situation in which an A-IoT device can receive the proximity-determining R2D message from the gNB reader, but its D2R reply message cannot reach the gNB. Another exemplary situation is when the gNB does not know the identity of the device(s) (not shown). Consequently, the intermediate devices can only assist in receiving and processing the D2R reply messages from the A-IoT devices, but cannot allow the intermediate devices to perform the proximity determination themselves. This can be useful in situations where the gNB requests the devices (e.g., A-IoT devices) to send multiple D2R messages for proximity determination, and the gNB does not receive all the expected D2R messages. Furthermore, this can also be used in other situations that the gNB deems appropriate, for example, when it does not require its proximity determination to be as far as in the example in Fig. The procedure illustrated in section 4B must be extended.

[0115] In one embodiment of the disclosure illustrated Fig. 5B is an exemplary situation in which the gNB initiates an R2D transmission to determine proximity based on the identities (IDs) of the specific device(s) (e.g., an A-IoT device) included in the R2D message. Consequently, only those devices that match the group or individual ID in the R2D message respond with D2R messages. Similar to the situation described in Fig. In the exemplary solution illustrated in Figure 4B, the gNB can provide a configuration to one or more intermediate terminal(s) before sending a proximity detection R2D message to the specific A-IoT device(s). The configuration can consist of fields such as an indicator to perform a proximity detection operation, an associated UL approval linked to the proximity detection operation, a timer value, a frame count, and / or an explicit resource allocation as previously mentioned. The configuration can also be communicated statically or dynamically. Upon receiving the D2R messages from the specified devices, the intermediate terminal can forward the information to the gNB as specified by the gNB.

[0116] Fig. 5C to Fig. Figure 5E, according to one embodiment of the disclosure, presents schematic diagrams illustrating exemplary scenarios associated with Method 300. Specifically, they illustrate Fig. 5C to Fig. 5E exemplary scenarios that address the problem and the solution as in Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B are shown and assigned.

[0117] In the exemplary context as in Fig. As shown in Figure 5C, the gNB reader (or the base station or the network) can be configured to allocate UL resources and (pre-)configure intermediate terminals to send proximity measurements or D2R messages from devices (e.g., A-IoT devices). The gNB reader can also be configured to send a proximity R2D message to a device and, depending on the (pre-)configuration, receive a new D2R response or additional D2R response from the device(s), or proximity measurements from the device(s) from the intermediate terminal(s). After the gNB reader has received information about the A-IoT device(s), it is configured to use the intermediate terminal(s) accordingly for further communication with the A-IoT devices.

[0118] In the exemplary context as in Fig. As shown in 5D, the intermediate terminal can be configured to receive a display or configuration from the gNB (or gNB reader) with a device identification (ID) to support proximity determination. The intermediate terminal can also determine whether the proximity D2R response message is received from any device with an ID specified by the gNB. If it is determined that a response has been received, the intermediate terminal can be configured to send D2R message(s) or measurements to the gNB, as specified in the (pre-)configuration.

[0119] In the exemplary context as in Fig.As shown in Figure 5E, the device (or A-IoT device) can be configured to determine whether a proximity R2D message is received by the gNB reader. If it is determined that the proximity R2D message is received, a D2R message (or messages) can be sent to the reader (or gNB reader) as specified in the proximity R2D message.

[0120] Various embodiments of the disclosure are described above in order to address at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages. Such embodiments are intended to be included in the following claims and are not limited to the specific shapes or arrangements of parts described, and it is apparent to a person skilled in the art, in view of this disclosure, that numerous changes and / or modifications can be made, which are also intended to be included in the following claims. Abbreviations: A-IoT Ambient Internet of Things ARQ automatic retry request BWP bandwidth portion CLI mutual influence CP cyclic prefix CPU CSI processing unit CQI Channel Quality Indicator CRB shared resource block CRC cyclic redundancy check CRI CSI-RS Resource Indicator CSI channel state information CSI-RS channel state information reference signal CSI-SINR CSI Signal-to-noise ratio and interference ratio CW carrier wave D2R device on reader DCI Downlink Control Information DL Downlink DM-RS demodulation reference signals DRX discontinuous reception EPRE Energy per Resource Element FDD Frequency Duplex HARQ hybrid automatic retry request L1-RSRP Layer 1 Reference Signal Receive Power LI layer indicator LP-WUR low-power alarm clock receiver LP-WUS low-power wake-up signal MAC-CE Media Access Control MCS Modulation and Coding Scheme MR Main Receiver PBCH physical broadcast channel PDCCH physical downlink control channel PDSCH physical downlink shared channel PEI Permanent Equipment Identifier PFN page frame count PMI Precoding Matrix Indicator PRB physical resource block PRACH physical direct access channel PRG Precoding Resource Block Group PRS positioning reference signal PSS primary synchronization signal PT-RS phase tracking reference signal PUCCH physical uplink control channel PUSCH physical uplink shared channel QCL Quasi-Co-Location R2D reader on device RACH Direct Access Channel RB Resource Block RBG Resource Block Group RI rank indicator RRC Radio Resource Control RS reference signal RSRP Reference Signal Reception Power RSRQ Reference Signal Reception Quality SCI Sidelink tax information SLIV start and length indicator value SR planning request SRS probing reference signal SS synchronization signal SSB synchronization signal block SSS secondary synchronization signal SS-SINR SS signal-to-noise ratio and interference ratio TB Transport Block TCI transmission configuration indicator TDM Time Division Multiplex UE terminal UL Uplink

Claims

[1] Method (300) for proximity determination in a network comprising: Configure a proximity message that can be associated with a proximity process; Communicating the proximity message; Determining the proximity of a user device; and Obtaining proximity information and user device information based on proximity detection. [2] Method (300) according to claim 1, wherein the proximity determination message comprises at least one proximity determination type, one user device information type and / or one user device identification. [3] Method (300) according to claim 1, wherein the proximity determination message further comprises at least a timer value, a frame count and / or a resource allocation which may be associated with a communication with a Reader-to-Device (R2D) message and a Device-to-Reader (D2R) message, wherein the timer value and the frame count may be associated with determining the proximity of the user device. [4] Method (300) according to claim 1, wherein communicating the proximity message comprises communicating via at least one static Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, one Dynamic Media Access Control (MAC-CE) display and / or one Dynamic Downlink Control Information (DCI) display. [5] Method (300) according to claim 4, wherein each of the dynamic MAC-CE display and the dynamic DCI display comprises a 1-bit display including a DCI field. [6] Method (300) according to claim 1, wherein communicating the proximity determination message comprises communicating via at least a 1-bit display and / or a multi-bit display. [7] Method (300) according to claim 1, wherein determining the proximity of a user device comprises: Transmitting a reader-to-device (R2D) message to the user device; and Receiving a device-to-reader (D2R) message in response to the R2D message, wherein the D2R message includes user device information. [8] Method (300) according to claim 1, further comprising: Communicating an uplink (UL) authorization, which may be associated with the proximity determination of the user device; and Communicating proximity information and user device information in response to the proximity message. [9] Method (300) according to claim 1, further comprising configuring a plurality of operations for the user device based on the user device information. [10] Method (300) according to claim 1, wherein the user device comprises an ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) device. [11] Computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method (300) according to any of the preceding claims. [12] Computer-readable storage medium on which data is stored that represents computer-executable software, wherein the software comprises instructions which, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to perform the method (300) according to claims 1-10. [13] Device (102) for proximity detection in a network, comprising: a first module (202) configured to receive at least one input signal associated with a proximity detection message that includes a proximity detection process; a second module (204) configured to process and / or facilitate the method (300) according to claims 1 to 10 in order to generate at least one output signal; and a third module (206) designed to communicate at least one output signal, where the output signal corresponds to a control signal for determining the proximity of the user device. [14] Device (102) according to claim 13, wherein the device (102) corresponds to an end terminal which can communicate with a device (104) corresponding to a base station, and where the base station corresponds to a next generation Node B (gNB) designed to communicate at least one output signal to the terminal device. [15] System (100) comprising the following: at least one device (102) according to one of claims 13 and 14; and at least one device (104) according to claim 14, wherein the device (102) and the apparatus (104) can be coupled via at least wired coupling and / or wireless coupling.

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