CW repetition for AIOT systems

Abstract

An apparatus, which may be an Ambient Internet of Things (aIOT) device, is configured to receive a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal 1410; and transmit, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal 410 based, at least partially, on the received configuration 1420. The apparatus performs monitoring during a time gap defined with the timing pattern 1430 and receives during the time gap a reconfiguration of the repetition size or the time gap 1440 and updates the repetition size or the time gap based, at least partially, on the received reconfiguration 1450.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The example and non-limiting embodiments relate generally to ambient Internet of Things (AIOT) devices and, more particularly, to carrier waves that are provided externally from the AIOT device and are used by the AIOT device to backscatter an AIOT payload. BACKGROUND

[0002] It is known, for AIOT devices, to transmit the CW from inside or outside the topology surrounding the AIOT device. SUMMARY

[0003] The following summary is merely intended to be illustrative. The summary is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0004] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and transmit, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration.

[0005] In accordance with one aspect, a method comprising: receiving, with a network node, a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and transmitting, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration.

[0006] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus comprising means for: receiving a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and transmitting, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration.

[0007] In accordance with one aspect, a computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: causing receiving of a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and causing transmitting, to at least one user equipment, of one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration.

[0008] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive one or more carrier wave signals; and provide, to a reader, feedback associated with the one or more received carrier wave signals, wherein the feedback comprises at least one of: information associated with a duration of the carrier wave signal, information associated with a repetition size of transmission of the carrier wave signal, or information associated with a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal.

[0009] In accordance with one aspect, a method comprising: receiving, with a user equipment, one or more carrier wave signals; and providing, to a reader, feedback associated with the one or more received carrier wave signals, wherein the feedback comprises at least one of: information associated with a duration of the carrier wave signal, information associated with a repetition size of transmission of the carrier wave signal, or information associated with a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal.

[0010] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus comprising means for: receiving one or more carrier wave signals; and providing, to a reader, feedback associated with the one or more received carrier wave signals, wherein the feedback comprises at least one of: information associated with a duration of the carrier wave signal, information associated with a repetition size of transmission of the carrier wave signal, or information associated with a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal.

[0011] In accordance with one aspect, a computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: causing receiving of one or more carrier wave signals; and providing, to a reader, feedback associated with the one or more received carrier wave signals, wherein the feedback comprises at least one of: information associated with a duration of the carrier wave signal, information associated with a repetition size of transmission of the carrier wave signal, or information associated with a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal.

[0012] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: monitor for one or more repetitions of a carrier wave signal reflected from at least one user equipment; attempt to decode, from at least one of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal reflected from the at least one user equipment, a data payload from the at least one user equipment; and perform at least one of the following: in response to successful decoding of the data pay load, reporting a number of the at least one repetition of the carrier wave signal from which the data payload was successfully decoded; or in response to unsuccessful decoding of the data payload, reporting that the decoding of the data payload was unsuccessful.

[0013] In accordance with one aspect, a method comprising: monitoring, with a reader, for one or more repetitions of a carrier wave signal reflected from at least one user equipment; attempting to decode, from at least one of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal reflected from the at least one user equipment, a data payload from the at least one user equipment; and performing at least one of the following: in response to successful decoding of the data pay load, reporting a number of the at least one repetition of the carrier wave signal from which the data payload was successfully decoded; or in response to unsuccessful decoding of the data payload, reporting that the decoding of the data payload was unsuccessful.

[0014] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus comprising means for: monitoring for one or more repetitions of a carrier wave signal reflected from at least one user equipment; attempting to decode, from at least one of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal reflected from the at least one user equipment, a data payload from the at least one user equipment; and performing at least one of the following: in response to successful decoding of the data pay load, reporting a number of the at least one repetition of the carrier wave signal from which the data payload was successfully decoded; or in response to unsuccessful decoding of the data payload, reporting that the decoding of the data payload was unsuccessful.

[0015] In accordance with one aspect, a computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: monitoring for one or more repetitions of a carrier wave signal reflected from at least one user equipment; attempting to decode, from at least one of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal reflected from the at least one user equipment, a data payload from the at least one user equipment; and performing at least one of the following: in response to successful decoding of the data payload, reporting a number of the at least one repetition of the carrier wave signal from which the data payload was successfully decoded; or in response to unsuccessful decoding of the data payload, reporting that the decoding of the data pay load was unsuccessful.

[0016] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determine a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission based, at least partially, on feedback associated with at least one user equipment, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of: a duration associated with a carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and transmit, to a network element, the configuration, wherein the network element is configured to transmit the carrier wave signal.

[0017] In accordance with one aspect, a method comprising: determining a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission based, at least partially, on feedback associated with at least one user equipment, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of: a duration associated with a carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and transmitting, to a network element, the configuration, wherein the network element is configured to transmit the carrier wave signal.

[0018] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus comprising means for: determining a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission based, at least partially, on feedback associated with at least one user equipment, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of: a duration associated with a carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and transmitting, to a network element, the configuration, wherein the network element is configured to transmit the carrier wave signal.

[0019] In accordance with one aspect, a computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: determining a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission based, at least partially, on feedback associated with at least one user equipment, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of: a duration associated with a carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and causing transmitting, to a network element, of the configuration, wherein the network element is configured to transmit the carrier wave signal.

[0020] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive, from at least one user equipment, control information associated with transmission of a carrier wave signal with a network element, wherein the control information comprises, at least, a request with respect to transmission of the carrier wave signal; and send, to the network element, the request.

[0021] In accordance with one aspect, a method comprising: receiving, with a reader from at least one user equipment, control information associated with transmission of a carrier wave signal with a network element, wherein the control information comprises, at least, a request with respect to transmission of the carrier wave signal; and sending, to the network element, the request.

[0022] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus comprising means for: receiving, from at least one user equipment, control information associated with transmission of a carrier wave signal with a network element, wherein the control information comprises, at least, a request with respect to transmission of the carrier wave signal; and sending, to the network element, the request.

[0023] In accordance with one aspect, a computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: causing receiving, from at least one user equipment, of control information associated with transmission of a carrier wave signal with a network element, wherein the control information comprises, at least, a request with respect to transmission of the carrier wave signal; and causing sending, to the network element, of the request.

[0024] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive, from a reader, a request with respect to transmission of a carrier wave signal; and perform at least one of the following: in response to the request comprising a request to stop repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal, stopping transmission of the carrier wave signal; or in response to the request comprising a request to continue repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal, transmitting, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the request.

[0025] In accordance with one aspect, a method comprising: receiving, with a network element from a reader, a request with respect to transmission of a carrier wave signal; and performing at least one of the following: in response to the request comprising a request to stop repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal, stopping transmission of the carrier wave signal; or in response to the request comprising a request to continue repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal, transmitting, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the request.

[0026] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus comprising means for: receiving, from a reader, a request with respect to transmission of a carrier wave signal; and performing at least one of the following: in response to the request comprising a request to stop repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal, stopping transmission of the carrier wave signal; or in response to the request comprising a request to continue repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal, transmitting, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the request.

[0027] In accordance with one aspect, a computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: causing receiving, from a reader, of a request with respect to transmission of a carrier wave signal; and performing at least one of the following: in response to the request comprising a request to stop repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal, stopping transmission of the carrier wave signal; or in response to the request comprising a request to continue repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal, causing transmitting, to at least one user equipment, of one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the request.

[0028] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive, from a network element, one or more repetitions of a carrier wave signal; and transmit, to a reader, control information associated with transmission of a carrier wave signal with the network element, wherein the control information comprises, at least, a request with respect to transmission of the carrier wave signal, wherein the request is based, at least partially, on the one or more received repetitions of the carrier wave signal.

[0029] In accordance with one aspect, a method comprising: receiving, with a user equipment from a network element, one or more repetitions of a carrier wave signal; and transmitting, to a reader, control information associated with transmission of a carrier wave signal with the network element, wherein the control information comprises, at least, a request with respect to transmission of the carrier wave signal, wherein the request is based, at least partially, on the one or more received repetitions of the carrier wave signal.

[0030] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus comprising means for: receiving, from a network element, one or more repetitions of a carrier wave signal; and transmitting, to a reader, control information associated with transmission of a carrier wave signal with the network element, wherein the control information comprises, at least, a request with respect to transmission of the carrier wave signal, wherein the request is based, at least partially, on the one or more received repetitions of the carrier wave signal.

[0031] In accordance with one aspect, a computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: causing receiving, from a network element, of one or more repetitions of a carrier wave signal; and causing transmitting, to a reader, of control information associated with transmission of a carrier wave signal with the network element, wherein the control information comprises, at least, a request with respect to transmission of the carrier wave signal, wherein the request is based, at least partially, on the one or more received repetitions of the carrier wave signal.

[0032] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; transmit, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration; perform monitoring during a time gap defined with the timing pattern; receive, during the time gap, a reconfiguration of at least one of the repetition size or the time gap; and update the at least one of the repetition size or the time gap based, at least partially, on the received reconfiguration.

[0033] In accordance with one aspect, a method comprising: receiving a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; transmitting, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration; performing monitoring during a time gap defined with the timing pattern; receiving, during the time gap, a reconfiguration of at least one of the repetition size or the time gap; and updating the at least one of the repetition size or the time gap based, at least partially, on the received reconfiguration.

[0034] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus comprising means for: receiving a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; transmitting, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration; performing monitoring during a time gap defined with the timing pattern; receiving, during the time gap, a reconfiguration of at least one of the repetition size or the time gap; and updating the at least one of the repetition size or the time gap based, at least partially, on the received reconfiguration.

[0035] In accordance with one aspect, a computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: causing receiving of a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; causing transmitting, to at least one user equipment, of one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration; performing monitoring during a time gap defined with the timing pattern; causing receiving, during the time gap, of a reconfiguration of at least one of the repetition size or the time gap; and updating the at least one of the repetition size or the time gap based, at least partially, on the received reconfiguration.

[0036] According to some aspects, there is provided the subject matter of the independent 5 claims. Some further aspects are defined in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The foregoing aspects and other features are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0038] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting example system in which 10 the example embodiments may be practiced;

[0039] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

[0040] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

[0041] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

[0042] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein; 15

[0043] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

[0044] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating steps as described herein;

[0045] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating steps as described herein;

[0046] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating steps as described herein;

[0047] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating steps as described herein; 20

[0048] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating steps as described herein;

[0049] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating steps as described herein;

[0050] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating steps as described herein; and

[0051] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating steps as described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 5

[0052] The following abbreviations that may be found in the specification and / or the drawing figures are defined as follows: AIOT (or A-IoT) ambient Internet of Things BS base station CA carrier aggregation 10 cc component carrier CW carrier wave D2R device to reader DC dual connectivity DL downlink 15 IE information element IOT (or loT) Internet of Things LI layer 1 LMF location management function OOK on-off keying 20 PDCP packet data convergence protocol PDRCH physical device to reader channel PHY physical layer PUSCH physical uplink shared channel R2D reader to device 25 RAN radio access network RedCap reduced capability RFID SFO TRP radio frequency radio frequency identification sampling frequency offset transmission and reception point

[0053] Turning to FIG. 1, this figure shows a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting example in which the examples may be practiced. A user equipment (UE) 110, radio access network (RAN) node 170, and network element(s) 190 are illustrated. In the example of FIG. 1, the user equipment (UE) 110 is in wireless communication with a wireless network 100. A UE is a wireless device that can access the wireless network 100. The UE 110 includes one or more processors 120, one or more memories 125, and one or more transceivers 130 interconnected through one or more buses 127. Each of the one or more transceivers 130 includes a receiver, Rx, 132 and a transmitter, Tx, 133. The one or more buses 127 may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other optical communication equipment, and the like. A “circuit” may include dedicated hardware or hardware in association with software executable thereon. The one or more transceivers 130 are connected to one or more antennas 128. The one or more memories 125 include computer program code 123. The UE 110 includes a module 140, comprising one of or both parts 140-1 and / or 140-2, which may be implemented in a number of ways. The module 140 may be implemented in hardware as module 140-1, such as being implemented as part of the one or more processors 120. The module 140-1 may be implemented also as an integrated circuit or through other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the module 140 may be implemented as module 140-2, which is implemented as computer program code 123 and is executed by the one or more processors 120. For instance, the one or more memories 125 and the computer program code 123 may be configured to, with the one or more processors 120, cause the user equipment 110 to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. The UE 110 communicates with RAN node 170 via a wireless link 111.

[0054] The UE may also be able to communicate with other UE via link 145. For example, the UE may communicate with other UE via sidelink signaling, Bluetooth™ signaling, and / or direct signaling.

[0055] The RAN node 170 in this example is a base station that provides access by wireless devices such as the UE 110 to the wireless network 100. The RAN node 170 may be, for example, a base station for 5G, also called New Radio (NR). In 5G, the RAN node 170 may be a NG-RAN node, which is defined as either a gNB or a ng-eNB. A gNB is a node providing NR user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE, and connected via the NG interface to a 5GC (such as, for example, the network element(s) 190). The ng-eNB is a node providing E-UTRA user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE, and connected via the NG interface to the 5GC. The NG-RAN node may include multiple gNBs, which may also include a central unit (CU) (gNB-CU) 196 and distributed unit(s) (DUs) (gNB-DUs), of which DU 195 is shown. Note that the DU may include or be coupled to and control a radio unit (RU). The gNB-CU is a logical node hosting RRC, SDAP and PDCP protocols of the gNB or RRC and PDCP protocols of the en-gNB that controls the operation of one or more gNB-DUs. The gNB-CU terminates the Fl interface connected with the gNB-DU. The Fl interface is illustrated as reference 198, although reference 198 also illustrates a link between remote elements of the RAN node 170 and centralized elements of the RAN node 170, such as between the gNB-CU 196 and the gNB-DU 195. The gNB-DU is a logical node hosting RLC, MAC and PHY layers of the gNB or en-gNB, and its operation is partly controlled by gNB-CU. One gNB-CU supports one or multiple cells. One cell is supported by only one gNB-DU. The gNB-DU terminates the Fl interface 198 connected with the gNB-CU. Note that the DU 195 is considered to include the transceiver 160, e.g., as part of a RU, but some examples of this may have the transceiver 160 as part of a separate RU, e.g., under control of and connected to the DU 195. The RAN node 170 may also be an eNB (evolved NodeB) base station, for LTE (long term evolution), or any other suitable base station, access point, access node, or node.

[0056] The RAN node 170 includes one or more processors 152, one or more memories 155, one or more network interfaces (N / W I / F(s)) 161, and one or more transceivers 160 interconnected through one or more buses 157. Each of the one or more transceivers 160 includes a receiver, Rx, 162 and a transmitter, Tx, 163. The one or more transceivers 160 are connected to one or more antennas 158. The one or more memories 155 include computer program code 153. The CU 196 may include the processor(s) 152, memories 155, and network interfaces 161. Note that the DU 195 may also contain its own memory / memories and processor(s), and / or other hardware, but these are not shown.

[0057] The RAN node 170 includes a module 150, comprising one of or both parts 150-1 and / or 150-2, which may be implemented in a number of ways. The module 150 may be implemented in hardware as module 150-1, such as being implemented as part of the one or more processors 152. The module 150-1 may be implemented also as an integrated circuit or through other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the module 150 may be implemented as module 150-2, which is implemented as computer program code 153 and is executed by the one or more processors 152. For instance, the one or more memories 155 and the computer program code 153 are configured to, with the one or more processors 152, cause the RAN node 170 to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. Note that the functionality of the module 150 may be distributed, such as being distributed between the DU 195 and the CU 196, or be implemented solely in the DU 195.

[0058] The one or more network interfaces 161 communicate over a network such as via the links 176 and 131. Two or more gNBs 170 may communicate using, e.g., link 176. The link 176 may be wired or wireless or both and may implement, for example, an Xn interface for 5G, an X2 interface for LTE, or other suitable interface for other standards.

[0059] The one or more buses 157 may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other optical communication equipment, wireless channels, and the like. For example, the one or more transceivers 160 may be implemented as a remote radio head (RRH) 195 for LTE or a distributed unit (DU) 195 for gNB implementation for 5G, with the other elements of the RAN node 170 possibly being physically in a different location from the RRH / DU, and the one or more buses 157 could be implemented in part as, for example, fiber optic cable or other suitable network connection to connect the other elements (e.g., a central unit (CU), gNB-CU) of the RAN node 170 to the RRH / DU 195. Reference 198 also indicates those suitable network link(s).

[0060] It is noted that description herein indicates that “cells” perform functions, but it should be clear that equipment which forms the cell will perform the functions. The cell makes up part of a base station. That is, there can be multiple cells per base station. For example, there could be three cells for a single carrier frequency and associated bandwidth, each cell covering one-third of a 360 degree area so that the single base station’s coverage area covers an approximate oval or circle. Furthermore, each cell can correspond to a single carrier and a base station may use multiple carriers. So if there are three 120 degree cells per carrier and two carriers, then the base station has a total of 6 cells.

[0061] The wireless network 100 may include a network element or elements 190 that may include core network functionality, and which provides connectivity via a link or links 181 with a further network, such as a telephone network and / or a data communications network (e.g., the Internet). Such core network functionality for 5G may include access and mobility management function(s) (AMF(s)) and / or user plane functions (UPF(s)) and / or session management function(s) (SMF(s)). Such core network functionality for LTE may include MME (Mobility Management Entity) / SGW (Serving Gateway) functionality. These are merely illustrative functions that may be supported by the network element(s) 190, and note that both 5G and LTE functions might be supported. The RAN node 170 is coupled via a link 131 to a network element 190. The link 131 may be implemented as, e.g., an NG interface for 5G, or an SI interface for LTE, or other suitable interface for other standards. The network element 190 includes one or more processors 175, one or more memories 171, and one or more network interfaces (N / W I / F(s)) 180, interconnected through one or more buses 185. The one or more memories 171 include computer program code 173. The one or more memories 171 and the computer program code 173 are configured to, with the one or more processors 175, cause the network element 190 to perform one or more operations.

[0062] The wireless network 100 may implement network virtualization, which is the process of combining hardware and software network resources and network functionality into a single, software-based administrative entity, a virtual network. Network virtualization involves platform virtualization, often combined with resource virtualization. Network virtualization is categorized as either external, combining many networks, or parts of networks, into a virtual unit, or internal, providing network-like functionality to software containers on a single system. For example, a network may be deployed in a tele cloud, with virtualized network functions (VNF) running on, for example, data center servers. For example, network core functions and / or radio access network(s) (e.g. CloudRAN, O-RAN, edge cloud) may be virtualized. Note that the virtualized entities that result from the network virtualization are still implemented, at some level, using hardware such as processors 152 or 175 and memories 155 and 171, and also such virtualized entities create technical effects.

[0063] It may also be noted that operations of example embodiments of the present disclosure may be carried out by a plurality of cooperating devices (e.g. cRAN).

[0064] The computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be means for performing storage functions. The processors 120, 152, and 175 may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on a multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The processors 120, 152, and 175 may be means for performing functions, such as controlling the UE 110, RAN node 170, and other functions as described herein.

[0065] In general, the various example embodiments of the user equipment 110 can include, but are not limited to, cellular telephones such as smart phones, tablets, personal digital assistants (PDAs) having wireless communication capabilities, portable computers having wireless communication capabilities, image capture devices such as digital cameras having wireless communication capabilities, gaming devices having wireless communication capabilities, music storage and playback appliances having wireless communication capabilities, Internet appliances permitting wireless Internet access and browsing, tablets with wireless communication capabilities, as well as portable units or terminals that incorporate combinations of such functions.

[0066] Having thus introduced one suitable but non-limiting technical context for the practice of the example embodiments of the present disclosure, example embodiments will now be described with greater specificity.

[0067] Features as described herein may generally relate to ambient Internet of Things (A-loT) devices or user equipments. Ambient loT devices may be described as low power devices, low cost devices, and / or as devices with limited functionality / processing capability. The capabilities of an AIOT device may be reduced even compared to a reduced capability (RedCap) device. An AIOT UE may have reduced or no capability to generate a signal for transmission to another UE or to a network element.

[0068] In the present disclosure, an AIOT device may also be referred to as an A-IoT device, an AIOT UE, a tag, a UE, etc.

[0069] An example of an A-IoT device is a passive radio, which may harness energy from wireless signals sent on specific carriers and / or bandwidths and charge a simple circuitry that, once activated, may emit / reflect a signal, which may encode at least the ID of the passive radio. The typical system architecture around a passive radio consists of an activator, a passive radio, and a reader. The activator is a device that sends an activation signal targeted at waking up the passive radio. The passive radio harnesses energy over a range of frequencies and listens for activation signals. Once such a signal is detected, the passive radio emits / reflects a signal which is specific to that radio ID. The reader is a device that listens and detects the passive radio signals. The reader may or may not be collocated with the activator.

[0070] In the present disclosure, a reader may also be referred to as a reader UE, a reader device, a transmission and / or reception point (TRP), a base station, a gNB, etc.

[0071] Other examples of A-IoT devices include semi-passive devices and battery-less devices. For example, A-IoT device may include battery-less passive radio frequency identification (RFID) devices that are capable of performing backscattering transmission. Also it may include active RFID devices with a limited battery or energy harvesting functionality. The active RFID device may use its own battery to generate transmission signals. In addition, the active device may be able to monitor NR wake-up signals. In case it receives a specific wake-up signal, the active device may be activated to transmit required signals.

[0072] It should be noted that backscatter communication, or reflection, is a signal transmission method for loT devices that are battery-less or energy-limited, where a received signal may be modified and / or reflected. When an A-IoT device backscatters a reference signal, it reflects or forwards the reference signal, with or without changes, using energy derived from (other) received signals. For example, the A-IoT device may modulate a radio ID, or other information, onto the received signal. This is in contrast to (direct) transmission of a reference signal, where the reference signal is transmitted using a battery or energy stored at the A-IoT device.

[0073] There are monostatic A-IoT devices and bistatic A-IoT devices. In the case of a bistatic A-IoT device, a transmitter sending a signal to the A-IoT device is different than a receiver receiving the signal. In the case of a monostatic A-IoT device, the transmitter and receiver of transmitting and receiving a A-IoT signal are the same.

[0074] It is noted that the session notes for 9.4. Study on solutions for Ambient loT in NR, RI-2401767 included the following: “... 9.4.1.2 Ambient loT device architectures Agreement For the purpose of the study, RANI uses the following terminologies: Device 1: ~1 pW peak power consumption, has energy storage, initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to 10X ppm, neither DL nor UL amplification in the device. The device’s UL transmission is backscattered on a carrier wave provided externally. Device 2a: <a few hundred pW peak power consumption, has energy storage, initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to 10X ppm, both DL and / or UL amplification in the device. The device’s UL transmission is backscattered on a carrier wave provided externally. Device 2b: <a few hundred pW peak power consumption, has energy storage, initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to 10X ppm, both DL and / or UL amplification in the device. The device’s UL transmission is generated internally by the device... ”

[0075] It is noted that the session notes for 9.4. Study on solutions for Ambient loT in NR, RI-2401767 also included the following: “... 9.4.2.4 Waveform characteristics of carrier-wave provided externally to the Ambient loT device Agreement For RI 9 A-IoT study item, at least single-tone unmodulated sinusoid waveform is a candidate waveform for carrier wave for D2R backscattering. Agreement For RI 9 A-IoT study item, multi-tone waveforms for carrier wave for D2R backscattering can be studied. Agreement For the case that D2R backscattering is transmitted in the same carrier as CW for D2R backscattering, and for topology 1, the following cases for CW transmission are studied. Case 1-1: CW is transmitted from inside the topology, transmitted in DL spectrum Case 1-2: CW is transmitted from inside the topology, transmitted in UL spectrum Case 1-4: CW is transmitted from outside the topology, transmitted in UL spectrum Agreement For the case that D2R backscattering is transmitted in the same carrier as CW for D2R backscattering, and for topology 2, the following cases for CW transmission are studied. Case 2-2: CW is transmitted from inside the topology (i.e., intermediate UE), transmitted in UL spectrum Case 2-3: CW is transmitted from outside the topology, transmitted in DL spectrum Case 2-4: CW is transmitted from outside the topology, transmitted in UL spectrum... ”

[0076] The following connectivity topologies for ambient loT networks and devices were defined for the purposes of the study. In all these topologies, the ambient loT device may be provided with a carrier wave (CW) from other node(s), either inside or outside the topology. The links in each topology may be bidirectional or unidirectional. Base station (BS), UE, assisting node, or intermediate node may be multiple BSs or UEs, respectively. The mixture of indoor and outdoor placement of such nodes may be regarded as a network implementation choice.

[0077] In topology 1, illustrated in FIG. 2, the ambient loT device directly and bidirectionally communicates with a base station. The communication between the base station (210) and the ambient loT device (220) includes ambient loT data and / or signaling. This topology includes the possibility that the BS transmitting to the Ambient loT device may be different from the BS receiving from the Ambient loT device.

[0078] In topology 2, illustrated in FIG. 3, the ambient loT device (330) communicates bidirectionally with an intermediate node (320) between the device (330) and the base station (310). In this topology, the intermediate node may be a relay, IAB node, UE, repeater, etc. which is capable of ambient loT operation. The intermediate node transfers the information between the BS and the ambient loT device.

[0079] Features described herein may generally relate to a carrier wave. A carrier wave is a wave used by the AIOT device to modulate and backscatter the AIOT reply. The CW signal may be a standalone signal. The CW signal may be different from the activation signal; alternatively, the activation signal may embed a CW. The CW signal has the main purpose of carrying the AIOT transmission for those AIOT devices which cannot actively and independently generate a signal of their own (e.g. device types 1 and 2a). In other words, the CW is being transformed (e.g. modulated) by the AIOT device to contain the AIOT pay load (e.g. ID, data and other control information, etc.) and reflected (i.e., backscattered) either immediately or with a delay preconfigured by the activator via reader to device (R2D) signal configuration. The CW may be used by multiple AIOT devices.

[0080] The entity generating the CW should be as close as possible, or sufficiently close (e.g. within a minimum distance) to the AIOT device, and should transmit the CW at high enough power, on the correct carrier frequency and for a sufficiently long time, so that: the AIOT device can modulate all its payload onto said CW (i.e. CW is long enough for the pay load to be completely provided); and the AIOT reply can be successfully decoded by a reader within the coverage area of said AIOT device.

[0081] The CW may precede the activation signal and / or may be emitted by the same entity as the activation signal. However, the CW node may typically be located closer to the tag / AIOT device than the activator is.

[0082] The CW signal may be used by the tag to charge the AIOT device enough to be able to process the activation signal.

[0083] Since the proximity of the CW node is paramount to the success of the AIOT session, RANI discussed introducing a separate entity for this sole purpose, where this entity may pe part of either topology 1 or 2, or may be outside the topology. Since the CW transmission can be potentially harmful to other ongoing transmissions - either AIoT or Uu traffic - it may be configured by the NW.

[0084] Examples of the CW node may include an activator, a UE, a base station, a gNB, part of an LMF, an intermediate node, a separate entity, a network node, a network element, a network function, etc. A CW node may also be referred to as a CW element, a CW radio, a CW function, etc.

[0085] Example embodiments of the present disclosure may relate to selection of a length of the CW. A technical effect of example embodiments of the present disclosure may be to enable the AIOT device to modulate all its data payload using received CW.

[0086] In an example embodiment, the CW signal may be defined using a fixed duration and a variable repetition size B (e.g. number of repetitions). A single instance of the CW signal may have a predefined length, and this instance may be repeated in time up to B times. The repetition size B may be based on the outcome of a reading session (e.g. feedback from a reader), or based on feedback from a tag / AIOT device (or any NR entity) with respect to one or more AIOT devices, each of which may have a variable payload to convey via one or more repetitions of CW. The repetition size B may be configured and / or adjusted by the NW.

[0087] In an example embodiment, the CW repetition size may be dynamically adapted. A technical effect of example embodiments of the present disclosure may be to ensure that one or more AIOT devices may successfully transmit all their payload information.

[0088] In an example embodiment, the adaptation of the repetition size B may be performed by the CW node during the time gaps between two CW transmissions.

[0089] In an example embodiment, the adaptation of the repetition size B may be performed by the CW node may be triggered by either: the NW, or the AIOT device itself. In an example embodiment, the NW may trigger repetition size adaptation based on feedback received from one or more readers, or potentially directly from an AIOT device, about the outcome of the most recent AIOT reading session. In an example embodiment, the AIOT device may trigger repetition size adaptation, when capability allows for it, via a set of binary flags, which may indicate the need for a subsequent CW transmission or the need for a certain number of subsequent CW transmissions.

[0090] The repetition size B may be considered a maximum number of CW repetitions that are allowed to be made by the CW node.

[0091] It may be assumed that the AIOT device sends a message bit vector u. The message may (optionally) be encoded and modulated, for example on-off keying (OOK) modulated into the symbol s = [st, ..., sK], The symbol vector s is converted to analog domain to yield a signal s(t) = sk— kTs), t = [0, T), where T is the symbol duration, T = KTs, Ts is the sampling time, and (|) is a shaping filter whose implementation depends on the AIOT device type. T may depend, for example, on a type of an AIOT device.

[0092] The signal s(t) needs to be carried by a CW, which is here, for simplicity, considered a single tone i.e., exp 2njfct ,t = [0, T). The transmitted wave is then: y(t) = s(t) exp(2nj fct),t e [0, T)

[0093] Thus, the duration of the CW may be at least equal to T, for example to ensure all payload is transmitted. However, T is apriori unknown to the CW node. Furthermore, the CW node may need to serve multiple AIOT devices, each with a different duration T i.e., Tl,..., Tn. In addition, each AIOT device may have multiple symbols to send i.e. s^t),..., sM(t). Thus, selecting a duration for the CW is challenging. To cope with these challenges, the CW node may employ one of the following example embodiments.

[0094] In an example embodiment, the CW node may transmit a repetition of B CW signals, each repetition b = 1 :B being of fixed duration T avg, where Tavg is the average duration of the expected AIOT transmission. Referring now to FIG. 4, illustrated is an example of signaling according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0095] At 405, the NW may configure the CW signal. The CW signal may be, for example, a single tone or a multi tone signal. The configuration for the CW signal may include a duration T avg, a repetition number B, and / or a time domain pattern.

[0096] T avg may depend at least on the AIOT device type (e g. type 1, 2a). Thus, three different values for T avg may be standardized or predefined. In a configuration of CW generation and / or transmission, the duration of the CW may be a fixed value. Alternatively, the duration of the CW may be reconfigured by the NW.

[0097] In an example embodiment, the repetition size B may be fixed to a conservative value. A technical effect of using a conservative value may be to ensure that a payload of max Nbits can be transmitted. Nbits may be selected as IK, 2K bits, etc.

[0098] In an example embodiment, the repetition size B may be variable. For example, the repetition size B may be configured by the NW according to the number and / or type of AIOT devices to be served. The value B may be dynamically changed, for example when these repetitions are not consecutive in time (i.e. when there is a time gap between repetition b and b+1). In this case, during said time gap, the NW may increase or decrease the value of B depending on the outcome of the most recent AIOT reading session.

[0099] The time domain pattern may comprise consecutive repetition of the CW signal. Alternatively, the time domain pattern may comprise repeating transmission of the CW signal with a time offset Tgap. Alternatively, the time domain pattern may comprise consecutive repetition of the CW signal a certain number of times, followed by repeated transmission of the CW signal with a time offset T gap between each following transmission. In the present disclosure, the term “timing pattern” may refer to a pattern of consecutive CW signal transmission without a time offset between transmissions, or a pattern of CW signal transmissions with time offsets that occur either periodically or between a certain number of CW signal transmission(s).

[00100] At 410, the CW node may perform consecutive repetitions of the CW signal, to the AIOT device, B times. At 415, the CW node may transmit, to the AIOT device, the CW signal a first time. At 420, the CW node may transmit, to the AIOT device, the CW signal a second time. At 425, the CW node may transmit, to the AIOT device, the CW signal a Bth time.

[00101] In an example embodiment, the CW signal generation (e.g. at 410) may be standardized in TS 38.211 as a reference signal transmission (in either UL or DL), and the configuration describing the signal generation (e.g. at 405) may be carried by a new RRC IE or MAC CE.

[00102] At 430, the CW node may perform consecutive repetitions of the CW signal according to the configuration of the CW signal. The CW transmission performed at 430 may be a continuation of the CW transmission at 410, or may be an alternative example of CW transmission in contrast to the CW transmission illustrated at 410. At 435, the CW node may transmit, to the AIOT device, the CW signal a first time. At 440, the CW node may insert a time gap Tgap, and may monitor or listen for a (potential) reconfiguration with respect to CW signal transmission.

[00103] In an example embodiment, the placement / insertion of the time gap T gap may be variable. For example, the time domain pattern may indicate that the time gap is to be inserted at certain time intervals, or after a certain number of CW signal transmissions (e.g. after all B CW signals have been transmitted, after each CW signal transmission, after two consecutive CW signal transmissions, etc.). In the example of FIG. 4, the time gap is inserted after each CW signal following CW signal transmission at 435, but this example is not limiting.

[00104] At 445, the NW may determine to update B to B new based, for example, on reader feedback or AIOT device feedback. At 450, the NW may transmit, to the CW node, a reconfiguration of B to B_new. The CW node may update or overwrite B to B_new, and proceed with transmitting CW to the AIOT device as long as fewer than B new CW have been transmitted to the AIOT device.

[00105] Additionally, the NW may determine to update T gap, and reconfigure the CW node with a new value for T gap.

[00106] In the example of FIG. 4, the CW node may transmit, to the AIOT device, the CW signal a second time. At 460, the CW node may insert a time gap T gap, and may monitor or listen for a (potential) reconfiguration with respect to CW signal transmission. After T^gap has elapsed, at 465 the CW node may transmit, to the AIOT device, additional CW. At 470, CW node may insert a time gap T gap, and may monitor or listen for a (potential) reconfiguration with respect to CW signal transmission. At 475, the CW node may transmit, to the AIOT device, the B_new-th CW signal, and stop transmitting CW to the AIOT device.

[00107] In an example embodiment, the CW node may continue with a single counter for CW signal transmission / repetition. For example, if the CW node has been configured to transmit CW six times, and after transmitting CW three times B is reconfigured to have a value of five, the CW node may proceed to transmit CW two more times.

[00108] After the CW repetition has been configured (e.g. at 405) and the CW node executes the transmission (e.g. at 410), the reader may attempt to detect the AIOT device reply. In an example embodiment, the reader may count the number of CW repetitions B0<=B after which it has successfully decoded the reply, and may report B0 to the NW via a new RRC IE, for example in a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) pre-configured transmission, together with the reading outcome. Conversely, if the reader has failed to read the AIOT device, the reader may indicate failure.

[00109] In an example embodiment, the NW may use the report to configure B new as either B0, or, in case of failure, to increase the repetition size by a default Bdelta value: B new = B + Bdelta.

[00110] Note that if the NW entity controlling the session is the LMF, then the reader report, containing B0, may be done / transmitted via a new IE in “LPP ProvideLocationlnformation”, while the LMF reconfiguration of B new may be carried by a new IE in LPP AssistanceData.

[00111] In an example embodiment, the CW duration may be configured based on a request and / or feedback from the AIOT device itself, when said capability exists at the AIOT device side.

[00112] For example, in the control field of the physical device to reader channel (PDRCH) at transmission time N, the AIOT device may pre-request a CW duration / repetition for the transmission time N+1. The request may be carried by a field in the control part of the PDRCH as a first (binary) variable, where a value of “1” may indicate that a subsequent CW signal is needed during N+l. Additionally or alternatively, the AIOT device may indicate that it has not yet finished transmitting its data payload. A value of “0” may indicate that no further CW signals need be transmitted. Optionally, a second variable may be included which may indicate the number of CW repetitions required to finalize the AIOT transmission. For example, the second variable may indicate how many more packets the AIOT device expects to send.

[00113] Since the PDRCH is received by the reader, the reader may forward the repetition request to the CW node, either directly or via the NW (e.g. serving gNB). The reader may act as a relay.

[00114] Referring now to FIG. 5, illustrated is an example of signaling to configure CW signal transmission according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. At 510, the AIOT device may transmit, to the reader, PDRCH comprising control information for CW signal transmission. The control information may comprise a request with respect to CW repetition, for example a request to repeat CW signal transmission or a request to stop transmitting the CW signal or to not repeat transmission of the CW signal. The control information may further comprise a request that the CW signal transmission be repeated B times.

[00115] At 520, the reader may forward, or determine to send, to the CW node the request to continue CW signal repetition or stop the repetition. Additionally or alternatively, the reader may transmit, to the CW node, a requested number of repetitions B of the CW signal.

[00116] The reader may forward the request to the CW node either directly, for example if the CW node is the gNB, or indirectly, via the NW unit controlling the session (e.g. LMF). In the former case, the request may be sent via new RRC IE, while in the latter case, the request may be sent as either a new IE in an LPP Request Assistance Data when the reader is a UE, or as a new IE in NRPPa Request Assistance Data when the reader is a TRP. Alternatively, the information may be transmitted between the reader and the CW node via sidelink communication.

[00117] In an example embodiment, the AIOT device request to the reader may be contained in the data or control parts of the PDRCH channel, which is currently under standardization.

[00118] In an example embodiment, the CW node may operate according to a received (re)configuration for CW signal transmission. Referring now to FIG. 6, illustrated is an example of CW node behavior. While not illustrated in FIG. 6, the CW node may receive a configuration for CW signal generation and / or transmission, for example as described above with respect to FIG. 4. The CW node may receive the configuration from a relay, or directly from the network.

[00119] At 610, the CW node may transmit a repetition b of the CW. At 620, the CW node may switch to reception for a duration of Tgap, during which it may listen or monitor for a potential reconfiguration from the NW. At 630, if a reconfiguration message is received, the CW node may decode the message and retrieve the new value of B, called Bnew. At 640, the CW node may then subsequently overwrite or update the value of B based on B new and proceed, at 650, with transmission b+1, as long as b+1 <B new, at 660. The CW node may then switch to reception for a duration of T gap at 620. If b+1 >B new, then at 670 the CW node may stop transmitting CW to the AIOT device.

[00120] While not illustrated in FIG. 6, at 630 the reconfiguration message may further include a reconfiguration of T gap. in response to which the CW node may change or update the time gaps used to monitor for further reconfiguration messages.

[00121] In an example embodiment, if B new >B, and the NW element which produced the reconfiguration request is not the serving gNB, then the CW node may request for an additional transmission gap of (B new-B)x T avg from its own serving gNB, to finalize the CW repetitions. The transmission gap is used for transmission of the CW signal. Accordingly, the transmission gap may change with / according to the change in the repetition size B.

[00122] In an example embodiment, if B new <B, and the NW element which produced the reconfiguration request is not the serving gNB, then the CW node may inform the serving gNB that the transmission gap may be shortened to B new x Tavg.

[00123] While example embodiments of the present disclosure are described in the context of ambient IOT devices, this is not limiting; example embodiments of the present disclosure may also be applicable in the context of IOT devices, or devices for which capabilities are less limited than in the case of ambient IOT devices.

[00124] FIG. 7 illustrates the potential steps of an example method 700. The example method 700 may include: receiving a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal, 710; and transmitting, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration, 720. The example method 700 may be performed, for example, with a CW node, a CW element, a CW radio, a CW function, an activator, a UE, a base station, a gNB, part of an LMF, an intermediate node, a separate entity, a network node, a network element, a network function, etc.

[00125] FIG. 8 illustrates the potential steps of an example method 800. The example method 800 may include: receiving one or more carrier wave signals, 810; and providing, to a reader, feedback associated with the one or more received carrier wave signals, wherein the feedback comprises at least one of: information associated with a duration of the carrier wave signal, information associated with a repetition size of transmission of the carrier wave signal, or information associated with a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal, 810. The example method 800 may be performed, for example, with a UE, an AIOT device, an IOT device, etc.

[00126] FIG. 9 illustrates the potential steps of an example method 900. The example method 900 may include: monitoring for one or more repetitions of a carrier wave signal reflected from at least one user equipment, 910; attempting to decode, from at least one of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal reflected from the at least one user equipment, a data payload from the at least one user equipment, 920; and performing at least one of the following: in response to successful decoding of the data payload, reporting a number of the at least one repetition of the carrier wave signal from which the data payload was successfully decoded, 930; or in response to unsuccessful decoding of the data payload, reporting that the decoding of the data payload was unsuccessful, 940. The example method 900 may be performed, for example, with a reader, a reader device, a reader UE, a TRP, a base station, a gNB, etc.

[00127] FIG. 10 illustrates the potential steps of an example method 1000. The example method 1000 may include: determining a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission based, at least partially, on feedback associated with at least one user equipment, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of: a duration associated with a carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal, 1010; and transmitting, to a network element, the configuration, wherein the network element is configured to transmit the carrier wave signal, 1020. The example method 1000 may be performed, for example, with a NW, a network node, a base station, an eNB, a gNB, etc.

[00128] FIG. 11 illustrates the potential steps of an example method 1100. The example method 1100 may include: receiving, from at least one user equipment, control information associated with transmission of a carrier wave signal with a network element, wherein the control information comprises, at least, a request with respect to transmission of the carrier wave signal, 1110; and sending, to the network element, the request, 1120. The example method 1100 may be performed, for example, with a reader, a reader device, a reader UE, a TRP, a base station, a gNB, etc.

[00129] FIG. 12 illustrates the potential steps of an example method 1200. The example method 1200 may include: receiving, from a reader, a request with respect to transmission of a carrier wave signal transmission, 1210; and performing at least one of the following: in response to the request comprising a request to stop repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal, stopping transmission of the carrier wave signal, 1220; or in response to the request comprising a request to continue repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal, transmitting, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the request, 1230. The example method 1200 may be performed, for example, with a CW node, a CW element, a CW radio, a CW function, an activator, a UE, a base station, a gNB, part of an LMF, an intermediate node, a separate entity, a network node, a network element, a network function, etc.

[00130] FIG. 13 illustrates the potential steps of an example method 1300. The example method 1300 may include: receiving, from a network element, one or more repetitions of a carrier wave signal, 1310; and transmitting, to a reader, control information associated with transmission of a carrier wave signal with the network element, wherein the control information comprises, at least, a request with respect to transmission of the carrier wave signal, wherein the request is based, at least partially, on the one or more received repetitions of the carrier wave signal, 1320. The example method 1300 may be performed, for example, with a UE, an AIOT device, an IOT device, etc.

[00131] FIG. 14 illustrates the potential steps of an example method 1400. The example method 1400 may include: receiving a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal, 1410; transmitting, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration, 1420; performing monitoring during a time gap defined with the timing pattern, 1430; receiving, during the time gap, a reconfiguration of at least one of the repetition size or the time gap, 1440; and updating the at least one of the repetition size or the time gap based, at least partially, on the received reconfiguration, 1450. The example method 1300 may be performed, for example, with a CW node, a CW element, a CW radio, a CW function, an activator, a UE, a base station, a gNB, part of an LMF, an intermediate node, a separate entity, a network node, a network element, a network function, etc.

[00132] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration may comprise at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and transmit, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration. The example apparatus may be further configured to: receive, during a time gap associated with the timing pattern, a reconfiguration of the repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal; and update the repetition size based, at least partially, on the received reconfiguration of the repetition size. The at least one user equipment may comprise at least one of: an ambient Internet of Things device, or an Internet of Things device. The carrier wave signal may be configured to be backscattered from the at least one user equipment. The one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may be transmitted at least one of: consecutively, with a time gap between respective ones of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal, or with a time gap between blocks of repetitions of the carrier wave signal. Transmitting the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may comprise the example apparatus being further configured to: monitor for a reconfiguration of the repetition size during a time gap defined with the timing pattern; in response to receiving the reconfiguration, reconfigure the repetition size based, at least partially, on the reconfiguration; in response to a value of a counter associated with a next repetition of the carrier wave signal being less than or equal to the reconfigured repetition size, transmit the next repetition of the carrier wave signal, wherein the counter may be configured to count a current number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and in response to the value of the counter associated with the next repetition of the carrier wave signal being more than the reconfigured repetition size, stop transmission of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal. Transmitting the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may comprise the example apparatus being further configured to: monitor for a reconfiguration of a time gap defined with the timing pattern during the time gap; and in response to receiving the reconfiguration, reconfigure the time gap based, at least partially, on the reconfiguration. The one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal respectively may comprise the duration associated with the carrier wave signal, wherein a number of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may comprise the repetition size, wherein the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may be transmitted based on the timing pattern. The example apparatus may comprise at least one of: a carrier wave node, a carrier wave element, a carrier wave radio, or a carrier wave function.

[00133] In accordance with one aspect, an example method may be provided comprising: receiving, with a network element, a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration may comprise at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and transmitting, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration. The example method may further comprise: receiving, during a time gap associated with the timing pattern, a reconfiguration of the repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal; and updating the repetition size based, at least partially, on the received reconfiguration of the repetition size. The at least one user equipment may comprise at least one of: an ambient Internet of Things device, or an Internet of Things device. The carrier wave signal may be configured to be backscattered from the at least one user equipment. The one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may be transmitted at least one of: consecutively, with a time gap between respective ones of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal, or with a time gap between blocks of repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The transmitting of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may comprise: monitoring for a reconfiguration of the repetition size during a time gap defined with the timing pattern; in response to receiving the reconfiguration, reconfiguring the repetition size based, at least partially, on the reconfiguration; in response to a value of a counter associated with a next repetition of the carrier wave signal being less than or equal to the reconfigured repetition size, transmitting the next repetition of the carrier wave signal, wherein the counter may be configured to count a current number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and in response to the value of the counter associated with the next repetition of the carrier wave signal being more than the reconfigured repetition size, stopping transmission of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The transmitting of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may comprise: monitoring for a reconfiguration of a time gap defined with the timing pattern during the time gap; and m response to receiving the reconfiguration, reconfiguring the time gap based, at least partially, on the reconfiguration. The one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may respectively comprise the duration associated with the carrier wave signal, wherein a number of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may comprise the repetition size, wherein the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may be transmitted based on the timing pattern. The network element may comprise at least one of: a carrier wave node, a carrier wave element, a carrier wave radio, or a carrier wave function.

[00134] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise: circuitry configured to perform: receiving, with a network element, a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration may comprise at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and circuitry configured to perform: transmitting, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration.

[00135] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise: processing circuitry; memory circuitry including computer program code, the memory circuitry and the computer program code configured to, with the processing circuitry, enable the apparatus to: receive a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration may comprise at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and transmit, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration.

[00136] As used in this application, the term “circuitry” or “means” may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry) and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.” This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[00137] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise means for: receiving a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration may comprise at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and transmitting, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration. The means may be further configured for: receiving, during a time gap associated with the timing pattern, a reconfiguration of the repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal; and updating the repetition size based, at least partially, on the received reconfiguration of the repetition size. The at least one user equipment may comprise at least one of: an ambient Internet of Things device, or an Internet of Things device. The carrier wave signal may be configured to be backscattered from the at least one user equipment. The one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may be transmitted at least one of: consecutively, with a time gap between respective ones of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal, or with a time gap between blocks of repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The means configured for transmitting the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may comprise means configured for: monitoring for a reconfiguration of the repetition size during a time gap defined with the timing pattern; in response to receiving the reconfiguration, reconfiguring the repetition size based, at least partially, on the reconfiguration; in response to a value of a counter associated with a next repetition of the carrier wave signal being less than or equal to the reconfigured repetition size, transmitting the next repetition of the carrier wave signal, wherein the counter may be configured to count a current number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and in response to the value of the counter associated with the next repetition of the carrier wave signal being more than the reconfigured repetition size, stopping transmission of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The means configured for transmitting the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may comprise means configured for: monitoring for a reconfiguration of a time gap defined with the timing pattern during the time gap; and in response to receiving the reconfiguration, reconfiguring the time gap based, at least partially, on the reconfiguration. The one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may respectively comprise the duration associated with the carrier wave signal, wherein a number of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may comprise the repetition size, wherein the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may be transmitted based on the timing pattern. The example apparatus may comprise at least one of: a carrier wave node, a carrier wave element, a carrier wave radio, or a carrier wave function.

[00138] A processor, memory, and / or example algorithms (which may be encoded as instructions, program, or code) may be provided as example means for providing or causing performance of operation.

[00139] In accordance with one example embodiment, a (non-transitory) computer-readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon which, when executed with at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: cause receiving of a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration may comprise at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and cause transmitting, to at least one user equipment, of one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration.

[00140] In accordance with one example embodiment, a (non-transitory) computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: causing receiving of a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration may comprise at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and causing transmitting, to at least one user equipment, of one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration. The example computer-readable medium may further comprise program instructions stored thereon for performing: causing receiving, during a time gap associated with the timing pattern, of a reconfiguration of the repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal; and updating the repetition size based, at least partially, on the received reconfiguration of the repetition size. The at least one user equipment may comprise at least one of: an ambient Internet of Things device, or an Internet of Things device. The carrier wave signal may be configured to be backscattered from the at least one user equipment. The one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may be transmitted at least one of: consecutively, with a time gap between respective ones of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal, or with a time gap between blocks of repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The program instructions stored thereon for performing causing transmitting of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may be further for performing: monitoring for a reconfiguration of the repetition size during a time gap defined with the timing pattern; in response to receiving the reconfiguration, reconfiguring the repetition size based, at least partially, on the reconfiguration; in response to a value of a counter associated with a next repetition of the carrier wave signal being less than or equal to the reconfigured repetition size, causing transmitting of the next repetition of the carrier wave signal, wherein the counter may be configured to count a current number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and in response to the value of the counter associated with the next repetition of the carrier wave signal being more than the reconfigured repetition size, stopping transmission of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The program instructions stored thereon for performing causing transmitting of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may be further for performing: monitoring for a reconfiguration of a time gap defined with the timing pattern during the time gap; and in response to receiving the reconfiguration, reconfiguring the time gap based, at least partially, on the reconfiguration. The one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may respectively comprise the duration associated with the carrier wave signal, wherein a number of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may comprise the repetition size, wherein the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may be transmitted based on the timing pattern. The configuration may be received with a network element, wherein the network element may comprise at least one of: a carrier wave node, a carrier wave element, a carrier wave radio, or a carrier wave function.

[00141] In accordance with another example embodiment, a (non-transitory) program storage device readable by a machine may be provided, tangibly embodying instructions executable by the machine for performing operations, the operations comprising: causing receiving of a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration may comprise at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and causing transmitting, to at least one user equipment, of one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration.

[00142] In accordance with another example embodiment, a (non-transitory) computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: causing receiving of a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration may comprise at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and causing transmitting, to at least one user equipment, of one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration.

[00143] A computer implemented system comprising: at least one processor and at least one (non-transitory) memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system at least to perform: causing receiving of a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration may comprise at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and causing transmitting, to at least one user equipment, of one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration.

[00144] A computer implemented system comprising: means for causing receiving of a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration may comprise at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and means for causing transmitting, to at least one user equipment, of one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration.

[00145] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive one or more carrier wave signals; and provide, to a reader, feedback associated with the one or more received carrier wave signals, wherein the feedback may comprise at least one of: information associated with a duration of the carrier wave signal, information associated with a repetition size of transmission of the carrier wave signal, or information associated with a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The example apparatus may comprise at least one of: a user equipment, an ambient Internet of Things device, or an Internet of Things device. The example apparatus may be further configured to: modulate a data payload on at least one of the one or more carrier wave signals; and backscatter the at least one modulated carrier wave signal. A number of the one or more carrier wave signals may be configured to carry a data payload of the apparatus. The information associated with the repetition size may comprise an indication that the repetition size is one of: acceptable, or unacceptable.

[00146] In accordance with one aspect, an example method may be provided comprising: receiving, with a user equipment, one or more carrier wave signals; and providing, to a reader, feedback associated with the one or more received carrier wave signals, wherein the feedback may comprise at least one of: information associated with a duration of the carrier wave signal, information associated with a repetition size of transmission of the carrier wave signal, or information associated with a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The user equipment may comprise at least one of: an ambient Internet of Things device, or an Internet of Things device. The example method may further comprise: modulating a data payload on at least one of the one or more carrier wave signals; and backscattering the at least one modulated carrier wave signal. A number of the one or more carrier wave signals may be configured to carry a data payload of the user equipment. The information associated with the repetition size may comprise an indication that the repetition size is one of: acceptable, or unacceptable.

[00147] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: monitor for one or more repetitions of a carrier wave signal reflected from at least one user equipment; attempt to decode, from at least one of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal reflected from the at least one user equipment, a data pay load from the at least one user equipment; and perform at least one of the following: in response to successful decoding of the data payload, reporting a number of the at least one repetition of the carrier wave signal from which the data payload was successfully decoded; or in response to unsuccessful decoding of the data payload, reporting that the decoding of the data payload was unsuccessful. At least one of the report of the number of the at least one repetition of the carrier wave signal from which the data payload was successfully decoded, or the report that the decoding of the data payload was unsuccessful, may comprise at least one of: an information element, or a radio resource control information element. The example apparatus may comprise a reader.

[00148] In accordance with one aspect, an example method may be provided comprising: monitoring, with a reader, for one or more repetitions of a carrier wave signal reflected from at least one user equipment; attempting to decode, from at least one of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal reflected from the at least one user equipment, a data payload from the at least one user equipment; and performing at least one of the following: in response to successful decoding of the data payload, reporting a number of the at least one repetition of the carrier wave signal from which the data payload was successfully decoded; or in response to unsuccessful decoding of the data payload, reporting that the decoding of the data payload was unsuccessful. At least one of the report of the number of the at least one repetition of the carrier wave signal from which the data payload was successfully decoded, or the report that the decoding of the data payload was unsuccessful, may comprise at least one of: an information element, or a radio resource control information element.

[00149] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determine a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission based, at least partially, on feedback associated with at least one user equipment, wherein the configuration may comprise at least one of: a duration associated with a carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and transmit, to a network element, the configuration, wherein the network element may be configured to transmit the carrier wave signal. The example apparatus may be further configured to: receive further feedback associated with the at least one user equipment; determine to reconfigure at least one of the repetition size or a time gap defined with the timing pattern based, at least partially, on the further feedback; and transmit, to the network element, a reconfiguration of the at least one of the repetition size or the time gap. The at least one user equipment may comprise at least one of: an ambient Internet of Things device or an Internet of Things device. The network element may comprise at least one of: a carrier wave node, a carrier wave element, a carrier wave radio, or a carrier wave function. The feedback may comprise an indication that decoding of a data payload from the at least one user equipment was unsuccessful, wherein the example apparatus may be further configured to: determine to increase the repetition size by a defined value; and transmit, to the network element, an indication of the increased repetition size. The feedback may comprise an indication of a number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal from which a data payload was successfully decoded, wherein the example apparatus may be further configured to: determine to reconfigure the repetition size based, at least partially, on the indicated number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal from which the data payload was successfully decoded; and transmit, to the network element, an indication of the reconfigured repetition size. The example apparatus may comprise at least one of: a network, a base station, or a network node.

[00150] In accordance with one aspect, an example method may be provided comprising: determining, a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission based, at least partially, on feedback associated with at least one user equipment, wherein the configuration may comprise at least one of: a duration associated with a carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and transmitting, to a network element, the configuration, wherein the network element may be configured to transmit the carrier wave signal. The example method may further comprise: receiving further feedback associated with the at least one user equipment; determining to reconfigure at least one of the repetition size or a time gap defined with the timing pattern based, at least partially, on the further feedback; and transmitting, to the network element, a reconfiguration of the at least one of the repetition size or the time gap. The at least one user equipment may comprise at least one of: an ambient Internet of Things device or an Internet of Things device. The network element may comprise at least one of: a carrier wave node, a carrier wave element, a carrier wave radio, or a carrier wave function. The feedback may comprise an indication that decoding of a data payload from the at least one user equipment was unsuccessful, wherein the example method may further comprise: determining to increase the repetition size by a defined value; and transmitting, to the network element, an indication of the increased repetition size. The feedback may comprise an indication of a number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal from which a data payload was successfully decoded, wherein the example method may further comprise: determining to reconfigure the repetition size based, at least partially, on the indicated number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal from which the data payload was successfully decoded; and transmitting, to the network element, an indication of the reconfigured repetition size.

[00151] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise means for: determining a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission based, at least partially, on feedback associated with at least one user equipment, wherein the configuration may comprise at least one of: a duration associated with a carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and transmitting, to a network element, the configuration, wherein the network element may be configured to transmit the carrier wave signal. The means may be further configured for: receiving further feedback associated with the at least one user equipment; determining to reconfigure at least one of the repetition size or a time gap defined with the timing pattern based, at least partially, on the further feedback; and transmitting, to the network element, a reconfiguration of the at least one of the repetition size or the time gap. The at least one user equipment may comprise at least one of: an ambient Internet of Things device or an Internet of Things device. The network element may comprise at least one of: a carrier wave node, a carrier wave element, a carrier wave radio, or a carrier wave function. The feedback may comprise an indication that decoding of a data payload from the at least one user equipment was unsuccessful, wherein the means may be further configured for: determining to increase the repetition size by a defined value; and transmitting, to the network element, an indication of the increased repetition size. The feedback may comprise an indication of a number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal from which a data payload was successfully decoded, wherein the means may be further configured for: determining to reconfigure the repetition size based, at least partially, on the indicated number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal from which the data payload was successfully decoded; and transmitting, to the network element, an indication of the reconfigured repetition size. The example apparatus may comprise at least one of: a network, a base station, or a network node.

[00152] In accordance with one example embodiment, a (non-transitory) computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: determining a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission based, at least partially, on feedback associated with at least one user equipment, wherein the configuration may comprise at least one of: a duration associated with a carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and causing transmitting, to a network element, of the configuration, wherein the network element is configured to transmit the carrier wave signal. The example computer-readable medium may further comprise program instructions stored thereon for performing: receiving further feedback associated with the at least one user equipment; determining to reconfigure at least one of the repetition size or a time gap defined with the timing pattern based, at least partially, on the further feedback; and transmitting, to the network element, a reconfiguration of the at least one of the repetition size or the time gap. The at least one user equipment may comprise at least one of: an ambient Internet of Things device or an Internet of Things device. The network element may comprise at least one of: a carrier wave node, a carrier wave element, a carrier wave radio, or a carrier wave function. The feedback may comprise an indication that decoding of a data payload from the at least one user equipment was unsuccessful, wherein the example computer-readable medium may further comprise program instructions stored thereon for performing: determining to increase the repetition size by a defined value; and causing transmitting, to the network element, of an indication of the increased repetition size. The feedback may comprise an indication of a number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal from which a data payload was successfully decoded, wherein the example computer-readable medium may further comprise program instructions stored thereon for performing: determining to reconfigure the repetition size based, at least partially, on the indicated number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal from which the data payload was successfully decoded; and causing transmitting, to the network element, of an indication of the reconfigured repetition size.

[00153] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive, from at least one user equipment, control information associated with transmission of a carrier wave signal with a network element, wherein the control information may comprise, at least, a request with respect to transmission of the carrier wave signal; and send, to the network element, the request. The control information may further comprise an indication of a preferred number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal, wherein the example apparatus may be further configured to: send, to the network element, the indication of the preferred number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The at least one user equipment may comprise at least one of: an ambient Internet of Things device, or an Internet of Things device. The request may comprise one of: a request to stop repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal, a request to continue repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal, or an indication that the at least one user equipment has not completed backscattering of a data payload. The request may be transmitted to the network element via at least one of: an information element, or a radio resource control information element. The control information may be received via a physical device to reader channel. A field of the physical device to reader channel may comprise the control information. The request may be transmitted to the network element via at least one of: a network, or a network function. The example apparatus may comprise a reader.

[00154] In accordance with one aspect, an example method may be provided comprising: receiving, with a reader from at least one user equipment, control information associated with transmission of a carrier wave signal with a network element, wherein the control information may comprise, at least, a request with respect to transmission of the earner wave signal; and sending, to the network element, the request. The control information may further comprise an indication of a preferred number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal, wherein the example method may further comprise: sending, to the network element, the indication of the preferred number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The at least one user equipment may comprise at least one of: an ambient Internet of Things device, or an Internet of Things device. The request may comprise one of: a request to stop repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal, a request to continue repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal, or an indication that the at least one user equipment has not completed backscattering of a data payload. The request may be transmitted to the network element via at least one of: an information element, or a radio resource control information element. The control information may be received via a physical device to reader channel. A field of the physical device to reader channel may comprise the control information. The request may be transmitted to the network element via at least one of: a network, or a network function.

[00155] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive, from a reader, a request with respect to transmission of a carrier wave signal; and perform at least one of the following: in response to the request comprising a request to stop repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal, stopping transmission of the carrier wave signal; or in response to the request comprising a request to continue repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal, transmitting, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the request. Transmitting the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may comprise the example apparatus being further configured to: receive, from the reader, an indication of a preferred number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal, wherein a number of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may be equal to the preferred number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The at least one user equipment may comprise at least one of: an ambient Internet of Things device, or an Internet of Things device. The request to continue repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal may comprise an indication that the at least one user equipment has not completed backscattering of a data payload. The request may be received via at least one of: an information element, or a radio resource control information element. The request may be received from the reader via at least one of: a network, or a network function. The example apparatus may comprise at least one of: a carrier wave node, a carrier wave element, a carrier wave radio, or a carrier wave function.

[00156] In accordance with one aspect, an example method may be provided comprising: receiving, with a network element from a reader, a request with respect to transmission of a carrier wave signal; and performing at least one of the following: in response to the request comprising a request to stop repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal, stopping transmission of the carrier wave signal; or in response to the request comprising a request to continue repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal, transmitting, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the request. The transmitting of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may comprise: receiving, from the reader, an indication of a preferred number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal, wherein a number of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may be equal to the preferred number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The at least one user equipment may comprise at least one of: an ambient Internet of Things device, or an Internet of Things device. The request to continue repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal may comprise an indication that the at least one user equipment has not completed backscattering of a data payload. The request may be received via at least one of: an information element, or a radio resource control information element. The request may be received from the reader via at least one of: a network, or a network function. The network element may comprise at least one of: a carrier wave node, a carrier wave element, a carrier wave radio, or a carrier wave function.

[00157] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise means for: receiving, from a reader, a request with respect to transmission of a carrier wave signal; and performing at least one of the following: in response to the request comprising a request to stop repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal, stopping transmission of the carrier wave signal; or in response to the request comprising a request to continue repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal, transmitting, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the request. The means configured for transmitting the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may comprise means configured for: receiving, from the reader, an indication of a preferred number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal, wherein a number of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may be equal to the preferred number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The at least one user equipment may comprise at least one of: an ambient Internet of Things device, or an Internet of Things device. The request to continue repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal may comprise an indication that the at least one user equipment has not completed backscattering of a data payload. The request may be received via at least one of: an information element, or a radio resource control information element. The request may be received from the reader via at least one of: a network, or a network function. The example apparatus may comprise at least one of: a carrier wave node, a carrier wave element, a carrier wave radio, or a carrier wave function.

[00158] In accordance with one example embodiment, a (non-transitory) computer-readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon which, when executed with at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: cause receiving, from a reader, of a request with respect to transmission of a carrier wave signal; and perform at least one of the following: in response to the request comprising a request to stop repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal, stopping transmission of the carrier wave signal; or in response to the request comprising a request to continue repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal, causing transmitting, to at least one user equipment, of one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the request.

[00159] In accordance with one example embodiment, a (non-transitory) computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: causing receiving, from a reader, of a request with respect to transmission of a carrier wave signal; and performing at least one of the following: in response to the request comprising a request to stop repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal, stopping transmission of the carrier wave signal; or in response to the request comprising a request to continue repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal, causing transmitting, to at least one user equipment, of one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the request.

[00160] The program instructions stored thereon for performing causing transmitting of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may comprise program instructions thereon for performing: receiving, from the reader, an indication of a preferred number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal, wherein a number of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may be equal to the preferred number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The at least one user equipment may comprise at least one of: an ambient Internet of Things device, or an Internet of Things device. The request to continue repeated transmission of the carrier wave signal may comprise an indication that the at least one user equipment has not completed backscattering of a data payload. The request may be received via at least one of: an information element, or a radio resource control information element. The request may be received from the reader via at least one of: a network, or a network function.

[00161] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive, from a network element, one or more repetitions of a carrier wave signal; and transmit, to a reader, control information associated with transmission of a carrier wave signal with the network element, wherein the control information may comprise, at least, a request with respect to transmission of the carrier wave signal, wherein the request may be based, at least partially, on the one or more received repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The request with respect to the carrier wave signal transmission may comprise one of: a request to stop repetition of the carrier wave signal, a request to continue repetition of the carrier wave signal, or an indication that the apparatus has not completed backscattering of a data payload. The control information may further comprise an indication of a preferred number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The request may be further based on a data payload to be modulated on the one or more received repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The control information may be transmitted via a physical device to reader channel. The field of the physical device to reader channel may comprise the control information. The example apparatus may comprise at least one of: a user equipment, an ambient Internet of Things device, or an Internet of Things device.

[00162] In accordance with one aspect, an example method may be provided comprising: receiving, with a user equipment from a network element, one or more repetitions of a carrier wave signal; and transmitting, to a reader, control information associated with transmission of a carrier wave signal with the network element, wherein the control information may comprise, at least, a request with respect to transmission of the carrier wave signal, wherein the request may be based, at least partially, on the one or more received repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The request with respect to the carrier wave signal transmission may comprise one of: a request to stop repetition of the carrier wave signal, a request to continue repetition of the carrier wave signal, or an indication that the apparatus has not completed backscattering of a data payload. The control information may further comprise an indication of a preferred number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The request may be further based on a data payload to be modulated on the one or more received repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The control information may be transmitted via a physical device to reader channel. The field of the physical device to reader channel may comprise the control information. The user equipment may comprise at least one of: an ambient Internet of Things device, or an Internet of Things device.

[00163] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise means for: receiving, from a network element, one or more repetitions of a carrier wave signal; and transmitting, to a reader, control information associated with transmission of a carrier wave signal with the network element, wherein the control information may comprise, at least, a request with respect to transmission of the carrier wave signal, wherein the request may be based, at least partially, on the one or more received repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The request with respect to the carrier wave signal transmission may comprise one of: a request to stop repetition of the carrier wave signal, a request to continue repetition of the carrier wave signal, or an indication that the apparatus has not completed backscattering of a data payload. The control information may further comprise an indication of a preferred number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The request may be further based on a data payload to be modulated on the one or more received repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The control information may be transmitted via a physical device to reader channel. The field of the physical device to reader channel may comprise the control information. The example apparatus may comprise at least one of: a user equipment, an ambient Internet of Things device, or an Internet of Things device.

[00164] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration may comprise at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; transmit, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration; perform monitoring during a time gap defined with the timing pattern; receive, during the time gap, a reconfiguration of at least one of the repetition size or the time gap; and update the at least one of the repetition size or the time gap based, at least partially, on the received reconfiguration. The reconfiguration may comprise, at least, a reconfiguration of the repetition size, wherein the example apparatus may be further configured to: in response to a value of a counter associated with a next repetition of the carrier wave signal being less than or equal to the updated repetition size, transmit the next repetition of the carrier wave signal, wherein the counter may be configured to count a current number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and in response to the value of the counter associated with the next repetition of the carrier wave signal being more than the updated repetition size, stop transmission of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The reconfiguration may comprise, at least, a reconfiguration of the repetition size, wherein the example apparatus may be further configured to: in response to a determination that the updated repetition size is greater than the repetition size, transmit a request for a reconfiguration of a transmission gap; and in response to a determination that the updated repetition size is less than the repetition size, transmit an indication that the transmission gap is reduced to a value equal to the updated repetition size multiplied by the duration associated with the carrier wave signal. The at least one user equipment may comprise at least one of: an ambient Internet of Things device, or an Internet of Things device. The carrier wave signal may be configured to be backscattered from the at least one user equipment. The one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may be transmitted at least one of: consecutively, with a time gap between respective ones of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal, or with a time gap between blocks of repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may respectively comprise the duration associated with the carrier wave signal, wherein a number of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may comprise the repetition size, wherein the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may be transmitted according to the timing pattern. The example apparatus may comprise at least one of: a carrier wave node, a carrier wave element, a carrier wave radio, or a carrier wave function.

[00165] In accordance with one aspect, an example method may be provided comprising: receiving a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration may comprise at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; transmitting, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration; performing monitoring during a time gap defined with the timing pattern; receiving, during the time gap, a reconfiguration of at least one of the repetition size or the time gap; and updating the at least one of the repetition size or the time gap based, at least partially, on the received reconfiguration. The reconfiguration may comprise, at least, a reconfiguration of the repetition size, wherein the example method may further comprise: in response to a value of a counter associated with a next repetition of the carrier wave signal being less than or equal to the updated repetition size, transmitting the next repetition of the carrier wave signal, wherein the counter is configured to count a current number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and in response to the value of the counter associated with the next repetition of the carrier wave signal being more than the updated repetition size, stopping transmission of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The reconfiguration may comprise, at least, a reconfiguration of the repetition size, wherein the example method may further comprise: in response to a determination that the updated repetition size is greater than the repetition size, transmitting a request for a reconfiguration of a transmission gap; and in response to a determination that the updated repetition size is less than the repetition size, transmitting an indication that the transmission gap is reduced to a value equal to the updated repetition size multiplied by the duration associated with the carrier wave signal. The at least one user equipment may compriseat least one of: an ambient Internet of Things device, or an Internet of Things device. The carrier wave signal may be configured to be backscattered from the at least one user equipment. The one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may be transmitted at least one of: consecutively, with a time gap between respective ones of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal, or with a time gap between blocks of repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may respectively comprise the duration associated with the carrier wave signal, wherein a number of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may comprise the repetition size, wherein the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may be transmitted according to the timing pattern. The configuration for carrier wave signal transmission may be received with a network element, wherein the network element may comprise at least one of: a carrier wave node, a carrier wave element, a carrier wave radio, or a carrier wave function.

[00166] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise means for: receiving a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration may comprise at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; transmitting, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration; performing monitoring during a time gap defined with the timing pattern; receiving, during the time gap, a reconfiguration of at least one of the repetition size or the time gap; and updating the at least one of the repetition size or the time gap based, at least partially, on the received reconfiguration. The reconfiguration may comprise, at least, a reconfiguration of the repetition size, wherein the means may be further configured for: in response to a value of a counter associated with a next repetition of the carrier wave signal being less than or equal to the updated repetition size, transmitting the next repetition of the carrier wave signal, wherein the counter may be configured to count a current number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and in response to the value of the counter associated with the next repetition of the carrier wave signal being more than the updated repetition size, stopping transmission of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The reconfiguration may comprise, at least, a reconfiguration of the repetition size, wherein the means may be further configured for: in response to a determination that the updated repetition size is greater than the repetition size, transmitting a request for a reconfiguration of a transmission gap; and in response to a determination that the updated repetition size is less than the repetition size, transmitting an indication that the transmission gap is reduced to a value equal to the updated repetition size multiplied by the duration associated with the carrier wave signal. The at least one user equipment may compriseat least one of: an ambient Internet of Things device, or an Internet of Things device. The carrier wave signal may be configured to be backscattered from the at least one user equipment. The one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may be transmitted at least one of: consecutively, with a time gap between respective ones of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal, or with a time gap between blocks of repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may respectively comprise the duration associated with the carrier wave signal, wherein a number of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may comprise the repetition size, wherein the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may be transmitted according to the timing pattern. The example apparatus may comprise at least one of: a carrier wave node, a carrier wave element, a carrier wave radio, or a carrier wave function.

[00167] In accordance with one example embodiment, a (non-transitory) computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: causing receiving of a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration may comprise at least one of: a duration associated with the carrier wave signal, a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, or a timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; causing transmitting, to at least one user equipment, of one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration; performing monitoring during a time gap defined with the timing pattern; causing receiving, during the time gap, of a reconfiguration of at least one of the repetition size or the time gap; and updating the at least one of the repetition size or the time gap based, at least partially, on the received reconfiguration. The reconfiguration may comprise, at least, a reconfiguration of the repetition size, wherein the example computer-readable medium may further comprise program instructions stored thereon for performing: in response to a value of a counter associated with a next repetition of the carrier wave signal being less than or equal to the updated repetition size, causing transmitting of the next repetition of the carrier wave signal, wherein the counter is configured to count a current number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; and in response to the value of the counter associated with the next repetition of the carrier wave signal being more than the updated repetition size, stopping transmission of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The reconfiguration may comprise, at least, a reconfiguration of the repetition size, wherein the example computer-readable medium may further comprise program instructions stored thereon for performing: in response to a determination that the updated repetition size is greater than the repetition size, causing transmitting of a request for a reconfiguration of a transmission gap; and in response to a determination that the updated repetition size is less than the repetition size, causing transmitting of an indication that the transmission gap is reduced to a value equal to the updated repetition size multiplied by the duration associated with the carrier wave signal. The at least one user equipment may comprise at least one of: an ambient Internet of Things device, or an Internet of Things device. The carrier wave signal may be configured to be backscattered from the at least one user equipment. The one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may be transmitted at least one of: consecutively, with a time gap between respective ones of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal, or with a time gap between blocks of repetitions of the carrier wave signal. The one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may respectively comprise the duration associated with the carrier wave signal, wherein a number of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may comprises the repetition size, wherein the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal may be transmitted according to the timing pattern.

[00168] The term “non-transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e. tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[00169] It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art. For example, features recited in the various dependent claims could be combined with each other in any suitable combination(s). In addition, features from different embodiments described above could be selectively combined into a new embodiment. Accordingly, the description is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modification and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:receive a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of:a duration associated with the carrier wave signal,a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, ora timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal;transmit, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration;perform monitoring during a time gap defined with the timing pattern;receive, during the time gap, a reconfiguration of at least one of the repetition size or the time gap; andupdate the at least one of the repetition size or the time gap based, at least partially, on the received reconfiguration.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reconfiguration comprises, at least, a reconfiguration of the repetition size, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:in response to a value of a counter associated with a next repetition of the carrier wave signal being less than or equal to the updated repetition size, transmit the next repetition of the carrier wave signal, wherein the counter is configured to count a current number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; andin response to the value of the counter associated with the next repetition of the carrier wave signal being more than the updated repetition size, stop transmission of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the reconfiguration comprises, at least, a reconfiguration of the repetition size, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:in response to a determination that the updated repetition size is greater than the repetition size, transmit a request for a reconfiguration of a transmission gap; andin response to a determination that the updated repetition size is less than the repetition size, transmit an indication that the transmission gap is reduced to a value equal to the updated repetition size multiplied by the duration associated with the carrier wave signal.

4. The apparatus of any of claims 1 through 3, wherein the at least one user equipment comprises at least one of: an ambient Internet of Things device, or an Internet of Things device.

5. The apparatus of any of claims 1 through 4, wherein the carrier wave signal is configured to be backscattered from the at least one user equipment.

6. The apparatus of any of claims 1 through 5, wherein the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal are transmitted at least one of: consecutively, with a time gap between respective ones of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal, or with a time gap between blocks of repetitions of the carrier wave signal.

7. The apparatus of any of claims 1 through 6, wherein the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal respectively comprise the duration associated with the carrier wave signal, wherein anumber of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal comprises the repetition size, wherein the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal are transmitted according to the timing pattern.

8. The apparatus of any of claims 1 through 7, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one of: a carrier wave node, a carrier wave element, a carrier wave radio, or a carrier wave function.

9. A method comprising:receiving a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of:a duration associated with the carrier wave signal,a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, ora timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal;transmitting, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration;performing monitoring during a time gap defined with the timing pattern;receiving, during the time gap, a reconfiguration of at least one of the repetition size or the time gap; andupdating the at least one of the repetition size or the time gap based, at least partially, on the received reconfiguration.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the reconfiguration comprises, at least, a reconfiguration of the repetition size, wherein the method further comprises:in response to a value of a counter associated with a next repetition of the carrier wave signal being less than or equal to the updated repetition size, transmitting the next repetition of the carrier wavesignal, wherein the counter is configured to count a current number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; andin response to the value of the counter associated with the next repetition of the carrier wave signal being more than the updated repetition size, stopping transmission of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal.

11. The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein the reconfiguration comprises, at least, a reconfiguration of the repetition size, wherein the method further comprises:in response to a determination that the updated repetition size is greater than the repetition size, transmitting a request for a reconfiguration of a transmission gap; andin response to a determination that the updated repetition size is less than the repetition size, transmitting an indication that the transmission gap is reduced to a value equal to the updated repetition size multiplied by the duration associated with the carrier wave signal.

12. The method of any of claims 9 through 11, wherein the at least one user equipment comprises at least one of: an ambient Internet of Things device, or an Internet of Things device.

13. The method of any of claims 9 through 12, wherein the carrier wave signal is configured to be backscattered from the at least one user equipment.

14. The method of any of claims 9 through 13, wherein the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal are transmitted at least one of: consecutively, with a time gap between respective ones of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal, or with a time gap between blocks of repetitions of the carrier wave signal.

15. The method of any of claims 9 through 14, wherein the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal respectively comprise the duration associated with the carrier wave signal, wherein a number of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal comprises the repetition size, wherein the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal are transmitted according to the timing pattern.

16. The method of any of claims 9 through 15, wherein the configuration for carrier wave signal transmission is received with a network element, wherein the network element comprises at least one of: a carrier wave node, a carrier wave element, a carrier wave radio, or a carrier wave function.

17. An apparatus comprising means for:receiving a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of:a duration associated with the carrier wave signal,a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, ora timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal;transmitting, to at least one user equipment, one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration;performing monitoring during a time gap defined with the timing pattern;receiving, during the time gap, a reconfiguration of at least one of the repetition size or the time gap; andupdating the at least one of the repetition size or the time gap based, at least partially, on the received reconfiguration.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the reconfiguration comprises, at least, a reconfiguration of the repetition size, wherein the means are further configured for:in response to a value of a counter associated with a next repetition of the carrier wave signal being less than or equal to the updated repetition size, transmitting the next repetition of the carrier wave signal, wherein the counter is configured to count a current number of repetitions of the carrier wave signal; andin response to the value of the counter associated with the next repetition of the carrier wave signal being more than the updated repetition size, stopping transmission of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 or 18, wherein the reconfiguration comprises, at least, a reconfiguration of the repetition size, wherein the means are further configured for:in response to a determination that the updated repetition size is greater than the repetition size, transmitting a request for a reconfiguration of a transmission gap; andin response to a determination that the updated repetition size is less than the repetition size, transmitting an indication that the transmission gap is reduced to a value equal to the updated repetition size multiplied by the duration associated with the carrier wave signal.

20. The apparatus of any of claims 17 through 19, wherein the at least one user equipment comprises at least one of: an ambient Internet of Things device, or an Internet of Things device.

21. The apparatus of any of claims 17 through 20, wherein the carrier wave signal is configured to be backscattered from the at least one user equipment.

22. The apparatus of any of claims 17 through 21, wherein the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal are transmitted at least one of: consecutively, with a time gap between respective ones of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal, or with a time gap between blocks of repetitions of the carrier wave signal.

23. The apparatus of any of claims 17 through 22, wherein the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal respectively comprise the duration associated with the carrier wave signal, wherein a number of the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal comprises the repetition size, wherein the one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal are transmitted according to the timing pattern.

24. The apparatus of any of claims 17 through 23, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one of: a carrier wave node, a carrier wave element, a carrier wave radio, or a carrier wave function.

25. A computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following:causing receiving of a configuration for carrier wave signal transmission, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of:5 a duration associated with the carrier wave signal,a repetition size associated with transmission of the carrier wave signal, ora timing pattern for transmission of repetitions of the carrier wave signal;causing transmitting, to at least one user equipment, of one or more repetitions of the carrier wave signal based, at least partially, on the received configuration;10 performing monitoring during a time gap defined with the timing pattern;causing receiving, during the time gap, of a reconfiguration of at least one of the repetition size or the time gap; andupdating the at least one of the repetition size or the time gap based, at least partially, on the received reconfiguration.15

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