Method for managing the operation of a receiving device of a communications network.

Abstract

Method for managing the operation of a receiving device of a communications network. The present application relates to a method comprising: obtaining over a time interval a resulting wave of signals received by a first receiving device, a first of the signals being emitted by a transmitting device, at least a second of the signals being obtained by reflection of said first signal on a reflective surface of said network and a third of said signals being formed by backscattering of said first signal and / or said second signal by a backscattering device operating in a plurality of backscattering states, obtaining over the time interval a first piece of information representative of an average power of the resulting wave; adapting the operation of the first receiving device as a function of the representative information. Fig 5.

Description

Title of the invention: Method for managing the operation of a receiving device of a communications network.

[0001] 1. Field of the invention

[0002] The present application lies in the field of wireless telecommunications networks comprising at least one reflective surface and a backscattering device.

[0003] It relates to a method for managing the operation of at least one receiving device of a communications network between a transmitting device and the at least one receiving device.

[0004] It also concerns the corresponding devices, computer program product and recording medium.

[0005] 2. State of the art

[0006] Fixed or mobile connected terminals such as sensors used in the field of IoT (Internet of Things in English or internet of objects in French) or smartphones in the field of mobile telephony, have become essential objects in our daily lives. They are sometimes used in physical environments where network coverage is sometimes not sufficient to allow optimal reception of communication signals by the terminals. To increase the communication capabilities of the terminals, various technological improvements have been implemented, notably with the use of amplifiers. These devices, although making it possible to boost the signal of the terminals and thus improve reception in the covered area, require a constant power supply even if no terminal is present in the area and are potentially subject to regulatory limits in terms of transmission power.

[0007] The integration of more advanced components (such as better quality antennas) on terminals has also enabled better communication performance but has drawbacks such as an increase in the cost linked to their integration, due to increased complexity in terms of design and engineering (for example the size linked to a potentially greater density of transmitting and receiving hardware components). The increase in the frequency bands used by terminals contributes to increasing the possibilities of communications but also has the effect of increasing the risks of interference and network congestion. The object of the present application is to propose improvements to at least some of the drawbacks of the state of the art.

[0008] 3. Statement of the invention

[0009] The present application aims to improve the situation using a method for managing the operation of a first receiving device of a communications network. This method comprises the following steps: - obtaining over at least one time interval at least one resulting wave of signals received by said first receiving device, at least a first of the signals being emitted by a transmitting device of said network, at least a second of said signals being obtained by reflection of said first signal emitted by said transmitting device on at least one reflective surface of said network and at least a third of said signals being formed by a conditional backscattering of said first signal and / or of said second signal by a backscattering device of said network, the backscattering device operating in a plurality of backscattering states, said conditional backscattering depending on said backscattering states; - obtaining over said at least one time interval at least one first piece of information representative of an average power of said resulting wave; - an adaptation of at least one operating mode of said first receiving device as a function of said at least one representative information.

[0010] The use of a backscattering device makes it possible to obtain power antinodes and to use these antinodes to diffuse (or relay), from these antinodes, the wave emitted directly from the transmitting device and / or reflected from the reflecting surface to areas where receiving devices would not receive these waves or would receive them very little. Thus, the invention can help to improve the diffusion of an incident wave in the communication network.

[0011] In at least one embodiment, the time interval corresponds to a duration of operation of said backscattering device with the same status, said status being representative either of a constant backscattering state of said backscattering device, or of a variable backscattering state.

[0012] In at least one embodiment, the obtaining is implemented over a plurality of time intervals corresponding to different statuses of said backscattering device.

[0013] Thus the binary sequence of the backscattered signal resulting from an 'OFF' status and / or an 'ON' status backscattered signal can be used as a synchronization marker to indicate to the receiving device the time interval to be considered.

[0014] In at least one embodiment, the method comprises decoding said third signal from said resulting wave and obtaining, from said third signal, a backscattering pattern representative of said variable state of said backscattering device during said time interval.

[0015] In at least one embodiment, the method comprises an association of said first power representative information obtained with a first identifier of said status corresponding to said time interval.

[0016] In some embodiments, said identifier of said status comprises said obtained backscatter pattern or data from said backscatter pattern.

[0017] In some embodiments, the data is obtained by applying a hash function to said backscattering pattern. This embodiment is particularly suitable for the pattern having a length exceeding the bandwidth capabilities of the transmission between the backscattering device and the receiving device.

[0018] In at least one embodiment, the method comprises receiving at least one piece of data comprising at least one second piece of information representative of an average power, over said time interval, of signals received by at least one second receiving device, and said adaptation further takes into account said second piece of information representative of received power.

[0019] This embodiment offers the advantage for the receiving device of being able to compare its average power with average power information coming from one or more other receiving devices over the same time interval so as to be able to adapt its operation accordingly.

[0020] In certain embodiments, said at least one data item further comprises at least one second identifier of a status associated with said second information representative of an average power, over said time interval, and in that said adaptation further takes into account said second associated status identifier.

[0021] In at least one embodiment, the adaptation comprises an assignment to said first receiving device of an operation as a communication relay when the average cumulative power over said time interval is greater than the average reception power, over said time interval, to which said at least one second representative information corresponds.

[0022] This embodiment may for example be adapted to a situation where several terminals can communicate directly with each other in "sidelink" mode, eliminating the delay induced by the passage of data through a central element of the network and thus reducing (sometimes considerably) the latency of communications. In addition, this embodiment may help to ensure continuity of data transmission in the event of a failure of a central element of the network, thus increasing the resilience of the network. This embodiment may also have the advantage of helping to save the energy of the terminals by allowing them to use the reception capacity of the relay terminal without having to communicate with a "radio access network" (RAN) which would require in this case more power.

[0023] In at least one embodiment, the method comprises a transmission of at least one data item comprising at least said first information representative of average power, over said time interval.

[0024] In certain embodiments, said transmitted data further comprises said first status identifier associated with said first information representative of an average power.

[0025] In some embodiments, the method is implemented during a calibration phase of said receiving device and during an operational communication phase of said receiving device and where the time interval of said calibration phase is different from the time interval of said operational communication phase. A calibration phase may allow the receiving device to obtain the pattern for which the average reception power is the greatest. The receiving device may thus determine, for the operational phase, the time interval corresponding to said pattern and use this interval for these communications.

[0026] The characteristics presented in isolation in the present application in connection with certain embodiments of the method of the present application can be combined with each other according to other embodiments of the present method.

[0027] According to another aspect, the present application also relates to an electronic device comprising at least one processor configured to implement the method of the present application in any of its embodiments.

[0028] Thus, in certain embodiments, the present application relates to an electronic device comprising at least one processor configured, when said electronic device is a first receiving device of a communication network, for: - obtaining over at least one time interval at least one resulting wave of signals received by said first receiving device, at least a first of the signals being emitted by a transmitting device of said network, at least a second of said signals being obtained by reflection of said first signal emitted by said transmitting device on at least one reflective surface of said network and at least a third of said signals being formed by conditional backscattering of said first signal and / or of said second signal by a backscattering device of said network, the backscattering device operating in a plurality of backscattering states,said conditional backscattering depending on said backscattering states; , - - obtaining on said at least one time interval at least one first piece of information representative of an average power of said resulting wave; - -an adaptation of at least one operating mode of said first receiving device based on said at least one representative information.

[0029] The present application also relates to a device for managing the operation of a first receiving device of a communications network, comprising at least one processing unit configured to implement the steps of a method as described above.

[0030] The present application also relates to a computer program comprising instructions for implementing the various embodiments of the above method, when the computer program is executed by a processor and a recording medium readable by an electronic device and on which the computer program is recorded.

[0031] For example, the present application thus relates to a computer program comprising instructions for implementing, when the computer program is executed by a processor of an electronic device, a method for managing the operation of a first receiving device of a communications network, said method comprising: - obtaining over at least one time interval at least one resulting wave of signals received by said first receiving device, at least a first of the signals being emitted by a transmitting device of said network, at least a second of said signals being obtained by reflection of said first signal emitted by said transmitting device on at least one reflective surface of said network and at least a third of said signals being formed by a conditional backscattering of said first signal and / or of said second signal by a backscattering device of said network, the backscattering device operating in a plurality of backscattering states, said conditional backscattering depending on said backscattering states; - obtaining over said at least one time interval at least one first piece of information representative of an average power of said resulting wave; - an adaptation of at least one operating mode of said first receiving device as a function of said at least one representative information.

[0032] For example, the present application also relates to a recording medium readable by a processor of an electronic device and on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for implementing, when the computer program is executed by the processor, a method for managing the operation of a first receiving device of a communications network, said method comprising: - obtaining over at least one time interval at least one resulting wave of signals received by said first receiving device, at least a first of the signals being emitted by a transmitting device of said network, at least a second of said signals being obtained by reflection of said first signal emitted by said transmitting device on at least one reflective surface of said network and at least a third of said signals being formed by a conditional backscattering of said first signal and / or of said second signal by a backscattering device of said network, the backscattering device operating in a plurality of backscattering states, said conditional backscattering depending on said backscattering states; - obtaining over said at least one time interval at least one first piece of information representative of an average power of said resulting wave; - an adaptation of at least one operating mode of said first receiving device as a function of said at least one representative information.

[0033] The above-mentioned program may use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0034] The recording (or information) media mentioned in the present application may be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, a medium may comprise a storage means, such as a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a microelectronic circuit ROM, or even a magnetic recording means.

[0035] Such a storage means may for example be a hard disk, a flash memory, etc.

[0036] On the other hand, an information medium may be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, which may be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by radio or by other means. A program according to the invention may in particular be downloaded from a network such as the Internet.

[0037] Alternatively, an information carrier may be an integrated circuit in which a program is incorporated; in the present application, the circuit is adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of any of the embodiments of the method which is the subject of the present patent application.

[0038] 4. Brief description of the drawings

[0039] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of particular embodiments, given as simple illustrative and non-limiting examples, and appended drawings, among which:

[0040] [Fig.l] presents a simplified view of a system, cited as an example, in which at least certain embodiments of the method of the present application can be implemented,

[0041] [Fig.2] presents a simplified view of a device suitable for implementing at least certain embodiments of the control method of the present application,

[0042] [Fig.3] presents an overall view of the method for managing the operation of at least one receiving device in certain of its embodiments,

[0043] [Fig.4] shows an example of a plurality of calibration cycles and operational cycles obtained in a backscattered signal,

[0044] [Fig.5] shows an example of 3 receiving devices positioned in 3 power antinode distributions according to the 'ON', 'OFF' and 'MIX' statuses of a backscattering device.

[0045] 5. Description of the embodiments

[0046] The present application aims to improve the reception operation of at least one receiving device belonging to the same wireless physical network such as a local area network or LAN (Local Area Network) and / or a wide area network, or WAN (Wide Area Network) (for example, the wireless communication network may be a corporate or domestic LAN network or a WAN network of the internet type, or cellular, GSM - Global System for Mobile Communications, UMTS - Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, Wifi - Wireless, etc.) by taking advantage of the physical environment in which the receiving device is located and in particular the presence of at least one reflective surface and at least one backscattering device intervening in the electromagnetic radiation of the network for this receiving device.

[0047] More precisely, unlike the solutions of the prior art consisting of increasing the transmission power of a transmitting device and / or the reception capacity of a receiving device, the present application takes into account the distribution of power antinodes of an electromagnetic wave resulting from both: - an electromagnetic wave emitted by a transmitting device, - an electromagnetic wave obtained by reflection of the emitted wave by at least one reflecting surface, - an electromagnetic wave possibly obtained by Fonde backscattering emitted by at least one backscattering device (or backscattering device).

[0048] In the field of electromagnetic waves, the antinodes of an electromagnetic wave resulting from several waves correspond to specific points in space where the amplitude of the resulting wave is maximum. This phenomenon is due to the superposition of at least two waves moving in opposite directions such as a wave emitted by the emitting device and a reflected and / or backscattered wave obtained respectively by reflection and / or backscattering of the emitted wave. When these waves superimpose constructively (i.e. when their crests and troughs align), the amplitude of the resulting wave is maximized at certain points thus forming an antinode.

[0049] The present application proposes in at least one embodiment to use the power antinodes distributions to adapt the operating mode of receiving devices and thus act on the performance of the system.

[0050] [Fig.l] represents a wireless telecommunications system 100 in which certain embodiments of the operation management method of the present application can be implemented.

[0051] By “wireless telecommunications system” is meant here a telecommunications system adapted to the implementation of wireless communications, and optionally wired communications.

[0052] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the system 100 comprises at least one transmitting device 110 and at least one receiving device 140 which may be, for example, a base station or even a cellular telephone terminal in certain embodiments.

[0053] The transmitting device 110 is an electronic telecommunications equipment, which via a transmitting radio antenna, can radiate electromagnetic waves 112 into space. The receiving device 140 (and / or 141) which is also an electronic telecommunications equipment, has the capacity to receive electromagnetic waves (or signals) radiating into space via a receiving radio antenna.

[0054] The system may also comprise at least one reflective surface 120 placed in such a way that it can receive radiation emitted 112 by the emitting device 110. A reflected wave 122 then results from the reflection of the incident wave 112 by the reflective surface. The at least one reflective surface may comprise, for example, at least one residential facade and / or at least one intelligent reconfigurable surface. A reconfigurable reflective surface (Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) in English) is a surface (structured in a two-dimensional matrix of elementary cells) allowing a dynamic modification of the characteristics (in particular in terms of direction) of a reflected electromagnetic wave, in response to an incident wave.A RIS can be integrated into a multitude of structures such as building facades, interior partitions, aerial platforms or road billboards to create environments.

[0055] The emitted wave 112 and the reflected wave 122 can form a resultant wave having a distribution 150 of power antinodes, in particular near the receiving device 140 (and / or 141).

[0056] Furthermore, the system comprises at least one backscattering device 130 (for example a backscattering tag such as a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tag) placed in such a way that it can receive the radiation emitted 112 by the transmitting device. It may be, for example, a backscattering tag capable of modulating an incident OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing) signal consisting of several sub-carriers, transmitted by terrestrial or satellite “radio access network” (RAN) antennas and capable of transporting data transmitted by a data server to at least one terminal.

[0057] The backscattering device may be, depending on its current state, either transparent 131 or backscattering 132 with respect to an incident wave (for example, the emitted wave 112 and / or the reflected wave 122). A temporal modulation of the backscattering (i.e. the succession over time of the transparent and backscattering states) may make it possible to form a digital signal, the value of a bit of which varies depending on the presence or absence at a given instant of the wave backscattered by the backscattering device.

[0058] In at least one embodiment, the receiving device 140 (and / or 141) is capable of receiving data transmitted from the transmitting device 110 and / or data generated and backscattered by the backscattering device 130.

[0059] In some embodiments, at least some of the receiving devices may communicate directly 160 with each other. These may be, for example, fixed and / or mobile terminals using a communication mode known as “sidelink” or “device-to-device (D2D)”, in certain communication standards (such as the LTE-D (Long Term Evolution-Direct) 5G NR (5G New Radio) standards for cellular networks or the Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, Zigbee and Z-Wave standards for other networks).

[0060] Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the system 100 may comprise at least one device 170 for at least partial control (or supervision) of the system 100. The control (or supervision) device 170 may in particular transmit information (commands for example) or receive information (for example a control order to check the state of the backscatter tag) to / from at least some of the devices of the system (transmitting device, receiving device, backscattering device, RIS possibly present).

[0061] [Fig.2] illustrates a simplified structure 200 of an electronic device 200, adapted to implement the principles of the present application. According to the embodiments lization, it may be a server, and / or a terminal. The device 200 may for example correspond to the receiving device 140 of the system 100 in [Fig.l].

[0062] The device 200 comprises in particular at least one memory M 210. The device 200 may in particular comprise a buffer memory, a volatile memory, for example of the RAM type (for “Random Access Memory” according to English terminology), and / or a non-volatile memory (for example of the ROM type (for “Read Only Memory” according to English terminology). The memory may for example be used (in the case of a receiving device for example) to store configuration parameters linked to the structure of the third signal and / or power measurements in reception of the signal backscattered by a backscattering device of the system 100. The device 200 may also comprise a processing unit UT 220, equipped for example with at least one processor P 222, and controlled by a computer program PG 212 stored in memory M 210.At initialization, the code instructions of the computer program PG are for example loaded into a RAM memory before being executed by the processor P. Said at least one processor P 222 of the processing unit UT 220 can in particular implement, individually or collectively, any one of the embodiments of the method of the present application (described in particular in relation to [Fig. 3]), according to the instructions of the computer program PG.

[0063] The device may also comprise, or be coupled to, at least one input / output module LO 230, such as a communication module, allowing for example the device 200 to communicate with other devices of the system 100, via wired or wireless communication interfaces, and / or such as a module for interfacing with a user of the device (also called more simply in this application “user interface” or “man-machine interface”).

[0064] By user interface (or “human-machine interface”) of the device, we mean for example an interface integrated into the device 200, or a part of a third-party device coupled to this device by wired or wireless communication means.

[0065] A user interface may in particular be a user interface, called an “output” interface, adapted to a rendering (or to the control of a rendering) of an output element of a computer application used by the device 200, for example an application running at least partially on the device 200 or an “online” application running at least partially remotely, for example an application accessible via the device 200. Examples of output user interfaces of the device include one or more screens, in particular at least one graphic screen (touch screen for example), one or more speakers, a connected headset, one or more luminous indicators such as light-emitting diodes (or LED for “Light Electronic Display” according to the English terminology).

[0066] By rendering, we mean here a restitution (or “output” according to English terminology) on at least one user interface, in any form, for example comprising textual, audio and / or video components, or a combination of such components.

[0067] Furthermore, a user interface may be a so-called "input" user interface, adapted to an acquisition of a command from a user of the device 200. It may in particular be an action to be carried out and / or a command to be transmitted to a computer application used by the device 200, for example an application running at least partially on the device 200. An "input" user interface may also be adapted to an acquisition of at least one configuration parameter linked to the structure of the third signal.

[0068] Examples of input user interface of the device 200 include a sensor, an audio and / or video acquisition means (microphone, camera (webcam) for example), a keyboard, a mouse.

[0069] Said at least one microprocessor of the device 200 may in particular be adapted to implement a method for managing the operation of a first receiving device of a communications network, said method comprising:

[0070] - obtaining over at least one time interval at least one resulting wave of signals received by said first receiving device, at least a first of the signals being emitted by a transmitting device of said array, at least a second of said signals being obtained by reflection of said first signal emitted by said transmitting device on at least one reflective surface of said array and at least a third of said signals being formed by conditional backscattering of said first signal and / or of said second signal by a backscattering device of said array, the backscattering device operating in a plurality of backscattering states, said conditional backscattering depending on said backscattering states;

[0071] - obtaining on said at least one time interval at least one first in representative formation of an average power of said resulting wave;

[0072] - an adaptation of at least one operating mode of said first device receiver based on said at least one representative information.

[0073] We will now describe in a general manner and in connection with [Fig. 3], the method 300 for managing the operation of at least one receiving device of the present application, in certain of its embodiments. The method 300 can be implemented for example by the device 200 described above.

[0074] As illustrated in [Fig.3], the method 300 comprises obtaining 310 by a receiving device of an electromagnetic wave resulting from a plurality of signals.

[0075] The signals received by the receiving device correspond to the superposition: - at least a first signal (or wave) emitted 112 by a transmitting device 110, - at least one second reflected signal 122 obtained by reflection on a reflective surface 120 of the emitted signal 112, - and at least a third backscattered signal 132 obtained by backscattering on a backscattering device 130 of the same emitted signal 112.

[0076] The at least first transmitted signal 112 and the at least second reflected signal 122 can overlap and form a distribution 150 of power antinodes.

[0077] The backscattered signal 132 can thus act on the distribution of the power antinodes of the resulting wave of the 3 signals 112, 122 and 132 (and therefore on the reception power of the resulting wave for the receiving device). More precisely, the distribution of the antinodes is a function of the state (backscattering or transparent) of the backscattering device 130. It can for example be a modification of the quantity of antinodes and / or the location of the antinodes and / or the power of the antinodes.

[0078] A binary sequence is modulated into the backscattered signal by the backscattering device 130. For example, at least one bit of the binary sequence will be equal to '0' when the backscattering device is in a transparent mode and / or at least one bit of the binary sequence will be equal to '1' when the backscattering device is in a backscattering mode (or vice versa).

[0079] We will distinguish in the rest of the document 3 backscattering statuses of the backscattering device as follows: - 'OFF' status, the backscattering device remains in a transparent state. The OFF status has a duration T0FF. For example, a binary sequence of the 'OFF' status of length 8 bits is written: 11111111 - status 'ON', the backscattering device remains in a backscattering mode. The ON status has a duration T0N. For example, a binary sequence of the 'OFF' status of length 8 bits is written: 00000000 - 'MIX' status, the backscattering device evolves between a transparent state and a state backscattering a binary sequence. In the rest of this document, we call such a binary sequence specific to the 'MIX' status a pattern. The MIX status has a duration of TM1X. For example, a pattern of the 'MIX' status of length 8 bits can be written: 010111001

[0080] The backscattering status can thus represent a constant backscattering state of the backscattering device (statuses 'ON' and / or 'OFF') or a variable backscattering state (status 'MIX').

[0081] Depending on the embodiments, the pattern of the 'MIX' status may vary depending on the embodiments. For example, it may be chosen pseudo-randomly by the backscattering device (e.g. from the surrounding thermal noise of the backscattering device). diffusing).

[0082] In the remainder of the document we call cycle an ordered plurality of binary sequences relating to the backscattering statuses (for example, it may be the order: status 'ON' then status 'OFF' then status 'MIX' with a length of 8 bits for each status and corresponding to the sequence 1111111100000000010111001). The duration (or time interval) of a cycle depends on the length of its binary sequence and the bit rate received on the device 200. In other words, a time interval may correspond to a total duration of at least one binary sequence associated with a backscattering status ('ON', 'OFF', 'MIX').

[0083] A cycle may be repeated in a backscattering loop generated by the backscattering device.

[0084] [Fig.4] illustrates an example of a plurality of cycles of the signal obtained by backscattering during backscattering statuses ('ON' then 'OFF' then 'MIX').

[0085] The cycle 410 corresponds to a cycle that can for example be used for an implementation of the method of the present application during a calibration phase of the device 200, prior to a communication phase for example or during a transition to the operational phase of the device. Such a cycle is called a calibration cycle in the remainder of the document. The duration of the calibration phase of the device 200 can for example meet certain criteria: it can for example be a matter of reducing the inactivity time of the device during its calibration to improve its operational efficiency. It can also be a matter for the device 200 to be able to adapt its operating mode more quickly in the case of a frequent and / or recurring calibration.

[0086] According to the embodiments, the lengths of the respective binary sequences of the statuses ('ON', 'OFF', 'MIX') of a calibration cycle of the device 200 may vary. In the example of [Fig.4], the binary sequences corresponding to the 'ON' statuses (11111) 412 and to the 'OFF' statuses (00000) 414 have the same length as the pattern corresponding to the 'MIX' statuses (01010) 460 (i.e. 5 bits in the illustrated example).

[0087] In at least one embodiment, the time interval corresponding to the duration of a calibration cycle can be used by the receiving device to communicate and / or receive data during the calibration phase. The use of a large number of calibration cycles containing the same pattern can make it possible to obtain a statistically greater number of power antinode measurements, increasing the reliability of measurements of the average power received by the device 200.

[0088] The cycle 420 corresponds to a cycle which can for example be used for an implementation of the method of the present application during an operational phase of the device 200, after a calibration phase for example. Such a cycle is called an operational cycle in the remainder of the document. The duration of the operational phase of the device 200 may for example be larger than the calibration phase to allow the device 200 to maximize the efficiency of its capacity in receiving useful data, i.e. directly linked to the provision and improvement of services to users of the device 200. According to the embodiments, the lengths of the binary sequences relating to the statuses ('ON', 'OFF', 'MIX') of an operational cycle may vary.

[0089] In certain embodiments, the length of a binary sequence corresponding to a status ('ON', 'OFF', 'MIX') used in an operational cycle can be for example deduced from the length of a binary sequence corresponding to the same status ('ON', 'OFF', 'MIX') of a calibration cycle via the same multiplicative coefficient represented by an integer greater than 1. In the example of [Fig.4], the lengths of the binary sequences corresponding to the statuses 'ON' 422, 'OFF' 424 and 'MIX' 426 of the operational cycle 420 are identical (i.e. 20 bits) and are equal to 4 times the length of the binary sequence corresponding to the statuses ('ON', 'OFF', 'MIX') (i.e. 5 bits) of the calibration cycle 410. In other words, in the example of [Fig.4], the total length of the cycle of calibration 410 multiplied by a coefficient equal to 4 is equivalent to the total length of the operational cycle 420.

[0090] In at least one embodiment, the time interval corresponding to the duration of the operational cycle can be used by the receiving device to communicate and / or receive data in the operational phase. The use of a large number of operational cycles containing the same pattern can allow the device 200 to use a greater reception duration in the operational phase.

[0091] In some embodiments, a plurality of different patterns may be generated in the backscattered signal. [Fig.4] shows an example containing 3 distinct patterns of identical length of 5 bits (01010,10111, 00110) in a binary sequence 400 of a backscattered signal. The binary sequence 400 comprises a repetition for each of the patterns of a calibration cycle (of the 3 ordered statuses ('ON', 'OFF', 'MIX') of backscattering) and of an operational cycle, thus representing an alternating succession of calibration cycles and operational cycles.

[0092] In some embodiments, the backscattered signal may contain a calibration and / or operational cycle.

[0093] In other embodiments, the backscattered signal may contain a succession of a plurality of calibration cycles and / or a succession of a plurality of operational cycles and / or a succession of at least one calibration cycle and at least one operational cycle (and vice versa).

[0094] As illustrated in [Fig.3], the method 300 may also comprise a step of obtaining, during a time interval, a first representative information 320 of an average power from the resulting wave. In at least one mode of realization, the aforementioned time interval may correspond to a backscattering operating time with the same status. It may be for example a calibration phase in which the calibration cycle contains for example 3 binary sequences each corresponding to 3 ordered statuses ('ON', 'OFF', 'MIX') backscattering.

[0095] In at least one embodiment, for a status of a calibration cycle an average power in reception can be calculated by the device 200 from the sum of the powers in reception corresponding to each bit (i.e. each state of the backscattering device) and the length of said status. For example, the device 200, on reception, can calculate an average power corresponding to the pattern of the 'MIX' status of the calibration cycle.

[0096] In the case where a calibration cycle contains a plurality of statuses, obtaining the average reception power can be implemented over a plurality of time intervals corresponding to the different statuses of a backscattering device. The use of a larger number of patterns can for example make it possible to obtain a statistically larger number of power antinode distributions, thus increasing the chances that at least one device 200 is positioned in at least one power antinode over at least one time interval of at least one pattern of the backscattering 'MIX' status.

[0097] Obtaining the measurements of the average powers received can thus be, for example, repeated over a plurality of time intervals corresponding to the different backscattering statuses. For example, obtaining the reception powers of the 'ON' and / or 'OFF' and / or 'MIX' statuses can be repeated the number of times that the calibration cycles are repeated. In the case where 3 different patterns are each used in 2 calibration cycles comprising 3 statuses 'ON', 'OFF' and 'MIX', obtaining the reception power is carried out 18 times, i.e. for each of the 3 statuses 'ON', 'OFF' and 'MIX' of the 6 calibration cycles.

[0098] The triggering of the power measurements carried out by the device 200 can for example be carried out using a binary sequence known to said device (for example a sequence corresponding to the 'ON' status of the calibration cycle) which can be used to synchronize the triggering with the start of the calibration cycle. The synchronization binary sequence can also be obtained by the device 200 for example by itself identifying this sequence via an algorithm adapted to detect a repetition of bits of a certain known length and configured in said device.

[0099] All the average reception powers obtained for at least one calibration cycle can for example be stored by the device 200 to enable obtaining a series of average reception power data which can be used for statistical and / or supervisory use on device 170.

[0100] The method 300 may also comprise a step 330 of decoding by the device 200 of the binary sequence of the backscattered signal obtained from the resulting wave by said device. The decoding may for example be carried out based on the amplitude modulation of the resulting wave over the time interval corresponding to a status ('ON', 'OFF', 'MIX') of a calibration cycle. In the case of decoding over a time interval corresponding to a 'MIX' status, the result of the decoding may for example be the backscatter pattern corresponding to the binary sequence of the backscattered signal. It may also be for example a decoding by applying a hash function to the backscatter pattern whose result is said pattern, thus allowing a saving of bandwidth in the case where a pattern has a longer length than the result of the hash function of said pattern.

[0101] The method 300 may also comprise an association step 340 where, at an average reception power obtained for a status ('ON', 'OFF', 'MIX') of a calibration cycle, the device 200 matches a first identifier to the 'MIX' status and optionally to the statuses ('ON' and / or 'OFF'). Said identifier may for example be the pattern of the calibration cycle resulting from the decoding step or data from the backscattering pattern (for example by application of the device 200 of a hash function to the backscattering pattern). In other words, for each status making up a calibration cycle, the device 200 associates with it an average reception power value.

[0102] The device 200 can record this association in the form of a series of values. For example, for the calibration cycle 410 of [Fig.4] containing the statuses 'ON', 'OFF' and 'MIX' and whose status 'MIX' contains a pattern M, a series of 2 values ​​and a pair of values ​​can for example be recorded by the device 200: Pmoy-OFF, Pmoy ON, and (PmOy_Mix, M) with PmOy OFF the average reception power obtained over the duration of the status 'OFF', Pmoy.ON the average reception power obtained over the duration of the status 'ON' and PmOy_Mix the average reception power obtained over the duration of the status 'MIX'.

[0103] The method 300 may comprise an adaptation 360 of the operating mode of the device 200 taking into account the values ​​and / or the pairs of values ​​obtained in the association step 340. The device 200 may for example execute an algorithm allowing it to determine the backscattering status belonging to the value and / or the pair of values ​​whose average power is the greatest compared to the average powers of the other pairs. The device 200 (for example a receiving device) may thus use the time interval corresponding to said status in the operational cycle only for the useful data reception phases. For example, for the calibration cycle 410 of [Fig. 4] containing the statuses 'ON', 'OFF' and 'MIX' and whose status 'MIX' contains a pattern M, if Pmoy ON > PmOy off > Pm Mix^then the device 200 will adapt its reception operation (for example by activating processing of useful data in reception) by using only the status 'ON' over the duration of its time interval in operational cycle. This operation can have the advantage of saving energy by only activating reception processing over periods conducive to quality reception.

[0104] In certain embodiments, the method 300 may also comprise a transmission 370 by the device 200 of at least one average power value in reception associated with its status and optionally of at least one backscattering pattern associated with said status, to at least one other device 200. For example, for a calibration cycle containing the statuses 'ON', 'OFF' and 'MIX' and whose status 'MIX' contains a pattern M, a series of data (for example 2 values ​​and a pair of values) may for example be recorded by the device 200: Pmoy oFF, Pmoy on, and (Pmoy mix, M).The device 200 (for example a terminal) can for example trigger the transmission of said data at the end of its calibration cycle (for example by detecting a sequence of bits established and configured in the terminal) and / or from an average threshold reception power (for example a power allowing admissible reception which is predefined in configuration on the terminal or obtained from a received signal) to other terminals in its vicinity. In the case for example of a terminal in a 5G network, the latter can use a “sidelink” mode allowing direct transmission with at least one other 5G terminal without having to transit more slowly through at least one access and / or core network element.

[0105] Thus in certain embodiments where the device 200 is in communication with at least one other device (for example a device similar to the device 200), the adaptation 360 can also take into account a reception 350 of data comprising average power values ​​as second information and optionally at least a second identifier of a status associated with said second information. A plurality of devices 200 (for example receiving devices) can for example decide which of the time intervals corresponding to the statuses 'ON', 'MIX' or 'OFF' will be used to establish an acceptable level of reception for each of said devices. This may involve choosing for example the status to be used in the operational phase. However in the case of [Fig.4] in the presence of a cycle of repeated patterns the selected interval can correspond to a calibration status.

[0106] In at least one embodiment, in the case of a plurality of devices located in proximity to each other allowing them to communicate directly, the method may comprise a reception 350 by the device 200, in originating from at least one other device, of a second piece of information representative of average power. For example, a terminal not implementing the method communicates in “sidelink” mode to a terminal implementing the method, its average power of signals received over a time interval corresponding to an operating time of the backscattering device less than or equal to said time interval with the same status.

[0107] The 360 ​​adaptation of the device 200 may comprise an assignment to the device 200 of an operation (for example as a communication relay) taking into account the received data. In this case, a temporary role of communication relay may be assigned to the device 200, over a time interval (determined for example in the calibration phase) according to certain criteria, for example when it benefits from a greater reception power over said time interval compared to that received from at least one other device located nearby. Concerning the way in which the communication relay is carried out, it may be for example when the device 200 is a 5G terminal to place itself in a mode (such as the “donor sidelink” mode) allowing it to provide a network connection directly in “sidelink” mode to at least one other 5G terminal which would not be directly connected to the communication network.It may also involve, when the device 200 is a 5G terminal, positioning itself as a communication relay by using “Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB)” to extend 5G coverage between a RAN and its connections to the core network.

[0108] In the example of [Fig.4], for each status ('ON', 'OFF', 'MIX') of 3 calibration cycles each containing a backscattering pattern 416 MA(01010), MB (10111) and Mc(00110), a series of 5 data (for example values ​​and / or pairs of values) can be obtained and stored by a first device 200 (for example a first 5G terminal): Plmoy ON, PlmOy oFF, (Plmoy-Mix, MA), (PlmOy-Mix, MB) and (Plmoy-Mix, Mc). These data can be sent directly (for example in "sidelink" mode) to a second device 200, for example a second 5G terminal. The latter proceeds in the same way by sending its series of 5 data to the first 5G terminal: P2moy_OFF, P2moy-ON » (P2moy-Mix, MA), (P2moy_Mlx, MB) and (P2moy_Mlx, Mc).Said first and second terminals thus know all 10 data that they have exchanged and can determine, for example, using the same algorithm, which value or pair of values ​​contains the highest average reception power over a time interval of the corresponding backscattering status compared to the other pairs of values. If, for example, said first and second terminals have determined that the pair (P2moy M1XjMA) contains the highest average reception power P2moy Mlx with pattern A of the 10 data, then the second terminal will be considered by itself and by the first terminal as a . potential communication relay over the time interval corresponding to the 'MIX' backscatter status containing the MA pattern. Thus, depending on the temporal evolution of the distribution of the power antinodes and the geographical position of the device 200 located in this said distribution, the average power in reception on said device may be caused to increase or decrease, leading it to obtain, keep or lose the communication relay function.

[0109] [Fig.5] shows an example of power belly distribution for the same calibration cycle containing 3 different backscattering statuses. A first power belly distribution 510 for the 'ON' status, a second power belly distribution 520 for the 'OFF' status and a third average power belly distribution 530 for the 'MIX' status. The 3 receiving devices 140, 141, and 142 are placed geographically in the same place and relatively to each other in an identical manner in the 3 aforementioned power belly distribution situations. The receiving device 142 benefits from the highest average reception power in the corresponding time interval of the 'OFF' status of the calibration cycle and is selected by applying the method 300 as a communication relay over the time interval of the 'OFF' status corresponding to the operational cycle.The receiving device 143 benefits from the highest average reception power in the corresponding time interval of the 'MIX' status (i.e. the duration of the backscattering pattern) of the calibration cycle and is selected by applying the method 300 as a communication relay over the time interval of the 'MIX' status corresponding to the operational cycle.

[0110] The average reception power of a device 200 being dependent on its geographical position with respect to the distribution of the power antinodes, the method 300 can make it possible, for example, to dynamically and quickly adjust (due to direct communication (D2D and / or sidelink) between a plurality of devices 200) the role of communication relay to a device 200 (for example a receiver device) over a time interval of a backscattering status containing a pattern where the average reception power is the greatest. Thus, the method can, for example, avoid having to use management of the operation of a remote receiver device (for example the role of communication relay) on network equipment which would increase the latency of selection of the operating mode of said receiver device.

[0111] The method of the present application can thus help, in at least some embodiments, to increase the reception capacities of a fixed receiving device (such as a connected IoT object) which, given its location imposed for its use, could not benefit from effective network coverage in reception for said use.

[0112] The method of the present application may also assist, in at least some embodiments, in establishing energy-efficient communication management within a receiving device and / or between a plurality of receiving devices.

Claims

Claims

1. A method for managing the operation of a first receiving device of a communications network, said method comprising: - obtaining over at least one time interval at least one resulting wave of signals received by said first receiving device, at least a first of the signals being emitted by a transmitting device of said network, at least a second of said signals being obtained by reflection of said first signal emitted by said transmitting device on at least one reflective surface of said network and at least a third of said signals being formed by conditional backscattering of said first signal and / or of said second signal by a backscattering device of said network, the backscattering device operating in a plurality of backscattering states, said conditional backscattering depending on said backscattering states;- obtaining on said at least one time interval at least one first piece of information representative of an average power of said resulting wave; - adapting at least one operating mode of said first receiving device as a function of said at least one piece of representative information.;

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said time interval corresponds to a duration of operation of said backscattering device with the same status, said status being representative either of a constant backscattering state of said backscattering device or of a variable backscattering state.

3. Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 2 where said obtaining is implemented over a plurality of time intervals corresponding to different statuses of said backscattering device.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the method comprises decoding said third signal from said resulting wave and obtaining from said third signal a backscattering pattern representative of said varying state of said backscattering device during said time interval.

5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the method comprises an association of said first power representative information obtained with a first identifier of said status corresponding to said time interval.

6. Method according to claims 4 and 5 wherein said identifier of said status comprises said obtained backscatter pattern or data from said backscatter pattern.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein said data is obtained by applying a hash function to said backscatter pattern.

8. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said method comprises a reception of at least one data item comprising at least one second information representative of an average power, over said time interval, of signals received by at least one second receiving device, and in that said adaptation further takes into account said second information representative of received power.

9. Method according to claim 8 where said at least one data item further comprises at least a second identifier of a status associated with said second information representative of an average power, over said time interval, and in that said adaptation further takes into account said second associated status identifier.

10. Method according to claim 8 or 9 wherein the adaptation comprises an assignment to said first receiving device of an operation as a communication relay when the average power accumulated over said time interval is greater than the average power in reception, over said time interval, to which said at least one second representative information corresponds.

11. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said method comprises a transmission of at least one data item comprising at least said first information representative of average power, over said time interval.

12. Method according to claim 11 wherein said transmitted data further comprises said first status identifier associated with said first information representative of an average power.

13. Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 12 wherein said method is implemented during a calibration phase of said receiving device and during an operational communication phase of said receiving device and wherein the time interval of said ca- libration is different from the time interval of said operational communication phase. - obtaining over said at least one time interval at least one first piece of information representative of an average power of said resulting wave; - an adaptation of at least one operating mode of said first receiving device as a function of said at least one representative information.

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